Fast Adjustable NPN Classification Using Generalized Symmetries

NPN classification of Boolean functions is a powerful technique used in many logic synthesis and technology mapping tools in FPGA design flows. Computing the canonical form of a function is the most common approach of Boolean function classification. In this paper, a novel algorithm for computing NPN canonical form is proposed. By exploiting symmetries under different phase assignments and higher-order symmetries of Boolean functions, the search space of NPN canonical form computation is pruned and the runtime is dramatically reduced. The algorithm can be adjusted to be a slow exact algorithm or a fast heuristic algorithm with lower quality. For exact classification, the proposed algorithm achieves a 30× speedup compared to a state-of-the-art algorithm. For heuristic classification, the proposed algorithm has similar performance as the state-of-the-art algorithm with a possibility to trade runtime for quality

htSNPer1.0: software for haplotype block partition and htSNPs selection

BACKGROUND: There is recently great interest in haplotype block structure and haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs) in the human genome for its implication on htSNPs-based association mapping strategy for complex disease. Different definitions have been used to characterize the haplotype block structure in the human genome, and several different performance criteria and algorithms have been suggested on htSNPs selection. RESULTS: A heuristic algorithm, generalized branch-and-bound algorithm, is applied to the searching of minimal set of haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs) according to different htSNPs performance criteria. We develop a software htSNPer1.0 to implement the algorithm, and integrate three htSNPs performance criteria and four haplotype block definitions for haplotype block partitioning. It is a software with powerful Graphical User Interface (GUI), which can be used to characterize the haplotype block structure and select htSNPs in the candidate gene or interested genomic regions. It can find the global optimization with only a fraction of the computing time consumed by exhaustive searching algorithm. CONCLUSION: htSNPer1.0 allows molecular geneticists to perform haplotype block analysis and htSNPs selection using different definitions and performance criteria. The software is a powerful tool for those focusing on association mapping based on strategy of haplotype block and htSNPs

Comparison of the efficacy of lamivudine and telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic viral hepatitis B remains a global public health concern. Currently, several drugs, such as lamivudine and telbivudine, are recommended for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, there are no conclusive results on the comparison of the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM) and telbivudine (LdT) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To evaluate the comparison of the efficacy of LAM and LdT in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B by a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials, we searched PUBMED (from 1990 to April 2010), Web of Science (from 1990 to April 2010), EMBASE (from 1990 to April 2010), CNKI (National Knowledge Infrastructure) (from 1990 to April 2010), VIP database (from 1990 to April 2010), WANFANG database (from 1990 to April 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review. At the end of one-year treatment, LdT was better than LAM at the biochemical response, virological response, HBeAg loss, therapeutic response, while less than at the viral breakthrough and viral resistance, but there was no significant difference in the HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg response. LdT was better than LAM at the HBeAg seroconversion with prolonged treatment to two years.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In summary, LdT was superior in inhibiting HBV replication and preventing drug resistance as compared to LAM for CHB patients. But LdT may cause more nonspecific adverse events and can lead to more CK elevation than LAM. It is thus recommended that the LdT could be used as an option for patients but adverse events, for example CK elevation, must be monitored.</p

Resolving the genetic heterogeneity of prelingual hearing loss within one family: Performance comparison and application of two targeted next generation sequencing approaches.

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Intestinal toxicity to CTLA-4 blockade driven by IL-6 and myeloid infiltration

View full abstracthttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/leading-edge/1055/thumbnail.jp

A Hepatic Protein, Fetuin-A, Occupies a Protective Role in Lethal Systemic Inflammation

A liver-derived protein, fetuin-A, was first purified from calf fetal serum in 1944, but its potential role in lethal systemic inflammation was previously unknown. This study aims to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of hepatic fetuin-A expression during lethal systemic inflammation (LSI), and investigated whether alterations of fetuin-A levels affect animal survival, and influence systemic accumulation of a late mediator, HMGB1.LSI was induced by endotoxemia or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in fetuin-A knock-out or wild-type mice, and animal survival rates were compared. Murine peritoneal macrophages were challenged with exogenous (endotoxin) or endogenous (IFN-γ) stimuli in the absence or presence of fetuin-A, and HMGB1 expression and release was assessed. Circulating fetuin-A levels were decreased in a time-dependent manner, starting between 26 h, reaching a nadir around 24-48 h, and returning towards base-line approximately 72 h post onset of endotoxemia or sepsis. These dynamic changes were mirrored by an early cytokine IFN-γ-mediated inhibition (up to 50-70%) of hepatic fetuin-A expression. Disruption of fetuin-A expression rendered animals more susceptible to LSI, whereas supplementation of fetuin-A (20-100 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased animal survival rates. The protection was associated with a significant reduction in systemic HMGB1 accumulation in vivo, and parallel inhibition of IFN-γ- or LPS-induced HMGB1 release in vitro.These experimental data suggest that fetuin-A is protective against lethal systemic inflammation partly by inhibiting active HMGB1 release