Search results for "norma"

Model selection for factorial Gaussian graphical models with an application to dynamic regulatory networks.

2016

Abstract Factorial Gaussian graphical Models (fGGMs) have recently been proposed for inferring dynamic gene regulatory networks from genomic high-throughput data. In the search for true regulatory relationships amongst the vast space of possible networks, these models allow the imposition of certain restrictions on the dynamic nature of these relationships, such as Markov dependencies of low order – some entries of the precision matrix are a priori zeros – or equal dependency strengths across time lags – some entries of the precision matrix are assumed to be equal. The precision matrix is then estimated by l 1-penalized maximum likelihood, imposing a further constraint on the absolute value…

LEGO-based generalized set of two linear algebraic 3D bio-macro-molecular descriptors: Theory and validation by QSARs

2019

Abstract Novel 3D protein descriptors based on bilinear, quadratic and linear algebraic maps in R n are proposed. The latter employs the kth 2-tuple (dis) similarity matrix to codify information related to covalent and non-covalent interactions in these biopolymers. The calculation of the inter-amino acid distances is generalized by using several dis-similarity coefficients, where normalization procedures based on the simple stochastic and mutual probability schemes are applied. A new local-fragment approach based on amino acid-types and amino acid-groups is proposed to characterize regions of interest in proteins. Topological and geometric macromolecular cutoffs are defined using local and…

The Coat-Hanger Angle Sign

2016

An infant boy, the second child of healthy parents, was born at 35.5 weeks of gestation by cesarean delivery performed in emergency because of fetal bradycardia and polyhydramnios. At birth his weight was 2770 g (62nd percentile), length 48.3 cm (69th percentile), and head circumference 33.5 cm (64th percentile). Findings of a phys- ical examination showed a broad forehead, a depressed nasal bridge, anteverted nares, a long and protruding philtrum, a high arched palate, retrognathia, joint contractures, and an umbilical hernia. The Apgar score was 6/8 at 1/5 minutes. Because of progressive respiratory distress he required hos- pitalization and noninvasive support ventilation for the first 3…

Rett Syndrome Mutant Neural Cells Lacks MeCP2 Immunoreactive Bands.

2016

Dysfunctions of MeCP2 protein lead to various neurological disorders such as Rett syndrome and Autism. The exact functions of MeCP2 protein is still far from clear. At a molecular level, there exist contradictory data. MeCP2 protein is considered a single immunoreactive band around 75 kDa by western-blot analysis but several reports have revealed the existence of multiple MeCP2 immunoreactive bands above and below the level where MeCP2 is expected. MeCP2 immunoreactive bands have been interpreted in different ways. Some researchers suggest that multiple MeCP2 immunoreactive bands are unidentified proteins that cross-react with the MeCP2 antibody or degradation product of MeCP2, while others…

Adult Neurogenesis Is Sustained by Symmetric Self-Renewal and Differentiation

2018

Somatic stem cells have been identified in multiple adult tissues. Whether self-renewal occurs symmetrically or asymmetrically is key to understanding long-term stem cell maintenance and generation of progeny for cell replacement. In the adult mouse brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) (B1 cells) are retained in the walls of the lateral ventricles (ventricular-subventricular zone [V-SVZ]). The mechanism of B1 cell retention into adulthood for lifelong neurogenesis is unknown. Using multiple clonal labeling techniques, we show that the vast majority of B1 cells divide symmetrically. Whereas 20%-30% symmetrically self-renew and can remain in the niche for several months before generating neurons, …

Multicenter validation study for the certification of a CFTR gene scanning method using next generation sequencing technology.

2018

AbstractBackground:Many European laboratories offer molecular genetic analysis of theCFTRgene using a wide range of methods to identify mutations causative of cystic fibrosis (CF) and CFTR-related disorders (CFTR-RDs). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) strategies are widely used in diagnostic practice, and CE marking is now required for most in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests in Europe. The aim of this multicenter study, which involved three European laboratories specialized in CF molecular analysis, was to evaluate the performance of Multiplicom’s CFTR MASTR Dx kit to obtain CE-IVD certification.Methods:A total of 164 samples, previously analyzed with well-established “reference” methods for t…

2018

Amino acid usage in a proteome depends mostly on its taxonomy, as it does the codon usage in transcriptomes. Here, we explore the level of variation in the codon usage of a specific amino acid, glutamine, in relation to the number of consecutive glutamine residues. We show that CAG triplets are consistently more abundant in short glutamine homorepeats (polyQ, four to eight residues) than in shorter glutamine stretches (one to three residues), leading to the evolutionary growth of the repeat region in a CAG-dependent manner. The length of orthologous polyQ regions is mostly stable in primates, particularly the short ones. Interestingly, given a short polyQ the CAG usage is higher in unstable…

P14ARF: The Absence that Makes the Difference

2020

P14ARF is a tumor suppressor encoded by the CDKN2a locus that is frequently inactivated in human tumors. P14ARF protein quenches oncogene stimuli by inhibiting cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis. P14ARF functions can be played through interactions with several proteins. However, the majority of its activities are notoriously mediated by the p53 protein. Interestingly, recent studies suggest a new role of p14ARF in the maintenance of chromosome stability. Here, we deepened this new facet of p14ARF which we believe is relevant to its tumor suppressive role in the cell. To this aim, we generated a monoclonal HCT116 cell line expressing the p14ARF cDNA cloned in the piggyback vector …

Polyphosphate Reverses the Toxicity of the Quasi-Enzyme Bleomycin on Alveolar Endothelial Lung Cells In Vitro

2021

Simple Summary Bleomycin (BLM) is a medication introduced used to treat various types of cancer, including testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, and Hodgkin’s disease. Its most serious side effect is pulmonary fibrosis and impaired lung function. Using A549 human lung cells it is shown that, in parallel to an increased cell toxicity and DNA damage, BLM causes a marked enlargement of the cell nucleus. This effect is abolished by inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), if this physiological polymer is administered together with BLM. The detoxification of BLM is–most likely–caused by the upregulation of the gene encoding the BLM hydrolase which inactivates BLM in vitro and in vivo. This study contribute…

MECP2 impairs neuronal structure by regulating KIBRA

2016

Using a Drosophila model of MECP2 gain-of-function, we identified memory associated KIBRA as a target of MECP2 in regulating dendritic growth. We found that expression of human MECP2 increased kibra expression in Drosophila, and targeted RNAi knockdown of kibra in identified neurons fully rescued dendritic defects as induced by MECP2 gain-of-function. Validation in mouse confirmed that Kibra is similarly regulated by Mecp2 in a mammalian system. We found that Mecp2 gain-of-function in cultured mouse cortical neurons caused dendritic impairments and increased Kibra levels. Accordingly, Mecp2 loss-of-function in vivo led to decreased Kibra levels in hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Togeth…