Showing papers by "University College Dublin published in 1994"
TL;DR: Diana Steel and Alexander Whitehead discuss the gene structure, regulation and possible clinical significance of the most dramatically induced acute phase reactants.
989 citations
TL;DR: It was found that administration of six injections of pFSH beginning 3 days prior to slaughter resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of follicles >6 mm in diameter compared to that in nontreated controls and to animals that received only four injection groups.
Abstract: The aim of the present series of experiments was to investigate the effect of the size of follicle from which the oocytes originate on their subsequent in vitro developmental ability. Ovarian follicles were isolated and grouped according to size (2-6 mm, > 6 mm). Primary oocytes were carefully liberated and grouped according to morphology into one of five categories: denuded; expanded; with two or three layers of cumulus; with four or five layers; and with many (six or more) layers. Following in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF), and culture (IVC), more oocytes with many layers of cumulus (P 6 mm compared to 2-6 mm follicles (P 6 mm follicles vs. 34.3%, 34/99 from 2-6 mm follicles, respectively). Use of follicular fluid (BFF) from follicles of different sizes in the IVM medium did not significantly increase the cleavage rate or blastocyst yield compared to controls. Administration of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) to donors prior to slaughter was investigated as a possible means of increasing the number of larger sized follicles in the ovaries and, thereby, the quality of the recovered oocytes. It was found that administration of six injections of pFSH beginning 3 days prior to slaughter resulted in a significant increase (P 6 mm in diameter (31.6%) compared to that in nontreated controls (6.6%) and to animals that received only four injection groups (9.4%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
563 citations
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TL;DR: Tuberculin tests in general use today rely on the response to intradermal injections of tuberculin with assessment of the injection site for swelling at 72 hours post injection.
414 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present experimental results and SPICE simulations of chaos in a Colpitts oscillator and show that the nonlinear dynamics of this oscillator may be modeled by a third-order autonomous continuous-time circuit consisting of a linear inductor, two linear capacitors, 2 linear resistors, two independent voltage sources, a linear current-controlled current source, and a single voltage-controlled nonlinear resistor.
Abstract: In this work, we present experimental results and SPICE simulations of chaos in a Colpitts oscillator. We show that the nonlinear dynamics of this oscillator may be modeled by a third-order autonomous continuous-time circuit consisting of a linear inductor, two linear capacitors, two linear resistors, two independent voltage sources, a linear current-controlled current source, and a single voltage-controlled nonlinear resistor. The nonlinear resistor has a two-segment piecewise-linear DP characteristic. With the appropriate choice of parameters, the piecewise-linear circuit model has a positive Lyapunov exponent. >
362 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between the duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy rate and the ability of a persistent dominant follicle to ovulate and form a normal functioning corpus luteum was studied.
Abstract: After luteolysis, subluteal concentrations of progesterone or treatment with a synthetic progestagen result in an extended period of dominance (persistence) of the dominant follicle in cattle. Two experiments studied (1) the relationship between the duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy rate and (2) the ability of a persistent dominant follicle to ovulate and form a normal functioning corpus luteum. In Expt 1, beef heifers were either untreated (n = 30) or given a synthetic progestagen implant (3 mg norgestomet) for 12 days starting on day 16 of their cycle (n = 32). The mean duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle differed (P 0.05) between treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
299 citations
TL;DR: The effect of oral prednisone for 6 to 9 days on eicosanoid levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 14 atopic asthmatic volunteers at baseline and after allergen instillation was determined and Prednisone reduced the synthesis of eICosanoids in macrophage-rich BAL-fluid cells in vitro.
Abstract: The mechanism of steroid action in asthma is unknown. Because steroids have effects in vitro on eicosanoid synthesis, we determined the effect of oral prednisone for 6 to 9 days on eicosanoid levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of 14 atopic asthmatic volunteers at baseline and after allergen instillation. We also determined the effect of prednisone on the ex vivo release of eicosanoids from macrophage-rich BAL-fluid cells. Prednisone reduced symptoms and inhaler use but had no significant effect on BAL-fluid eicosanoid levels. At baseline, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels were 101 +/- 37 pg/ml in BAL fluid (mean +/- SEM), versus 66 +/- 18 pg/ml after prednisone; likewise, 5-hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) levels were 59 +/- 15 versus 78 +/- 21; leukotriene E4 (LTE4) levels were 35 +/- 13 versus 51 +/- 21, and 15-hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) levels were 29 +/- 8 versus 19 +/- 7. Allergen-stimulated levels of PGD2 were 1274 +/- 565 versus 1468 +/- 679 after prednisone; likewise, all...
283 citations
255 citations
TL;DR: The overall correlation of ultrasound measurements of follicle diameter with measures of follicles size after ovariectomy was high and the correlation between measurement of follicular growth by ultrasound, and measurement of intrafollicular ratios of oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and the serum concentrations of FSH during selection, dominance and atresia or ovulation of dominant follicles in heifers was high.
Abstract: This study examined the correlation between measurement of follicle growth by ultrasound, and measurement of intrafollicular ratios of oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and the serum concentrations of FSH during selection, dominance and atresia or ovulation of dominant follicles in heifers. Heifers were ovariectomized on days 0 (before LH surge), 1 (after LH surge, preovulation), 1 (postovulation), 3, 6 and 12 of the oestrous cycle. Blood samples were collected at 4-6 h intervals. After ovariectomy all follicles > or = 5 mm were measured and follicular fluid was aspirated. Follicles were classified by size according to ultrasound (F1, largest; F2, second largest; F3, all remaining follicles > or = 5 mm) and by the ratio of oestradiol:progesterone concentrations. During the follicular phase, a single dominant oestrogen-active follicle increased in diameter while serum concentrations of LH increased and FSH decreased (P < 0.05). On day 1 (after LH surge, preovulation), serum LH and FSH decreased to pre-surge concentrations (P < 0.0001), while follicle size and intrafollicular progesterone concentration increased and oestradiol concentration decreased (P < 0.05). A dominant nonovulatory follicle, classified as oestrogen-active on days 1, 3 and 6 and oestrogen-inactive on day 12, increased in size from day 1 to day 7 and lost dominance during days 10-12, coincident with the growth of multiple oestrogen-active follicles. The serum FSH concentration increased transiently (P < 0.05) before each new wave of dominant follicular growth. The overall correlation of ultrasound measurements of follicle diameter with measures of follicle size after ovariectomy was high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
245 citations
TL;DR: This article shows how these theories of analogy can be unified within a common metatheoretical framework that distinguishes among levels of informational, behavioral, and hardware constraints.
228 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the optimality of export subsidies in oligopolistic markets was investigated and it was shown that subsidies are optimal only for surprisingly low values of the social cost of public funds and that subsidies should be higher the more cost competitive are domestic firms.
220 citations
TL;DR: It was observed that there was a significant correlation between the number of synovial tissue macrophages and the degree of joint erosion over one year and this study suggests that synovials macrophage play a critical role in the pathogenesis of joint eroded in RA.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES--To analyse the mononuclear cell populations in synovial membrane biopsies obtained before treatment from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to correlate the findings with the degree of joint damage occurring over one year. METHODS--Multiple needle biopsy specimens were obtained from inflamed knee joints on entry to the study. The tissue samples were examined using immunohistochemical techniques. The degree of joint damage was estimated using the Larsen radiological index. RESULTS--Twelve patients were studied. It was observed that there was a significant correlation between the number of synovial tissue macrophages and the degree of joint erosion over one year (r = 0.66; p = 0.04). The synovial lining layer contained large numbers of macrophages and the cellularity of the lining layer correlated significantly with the number of macrophages infiltrating the sublining areas (r = 0.65; p = 0.01). Finally, the cellularity of the lining layer correlated with the synovial fluid levels of interleukin-6 (r = 0.66; p = 0.04). The radiological course did not correlate with infiltrating T or B lymphocyte populations, but did correlate with other previously identified indicators of the clinical course, including a high index of disease activity and IgA rheumatoid factors levels. CONCLUSION--This study suggests that synovial tissue macrophages play a critical role in the pathogenesis of joint erosion in RA.
TL;DR: Community action shall cover the fight against the major health scourges, by promoting L 327/34 Official Journal of the European Union 16.12.2003 Population-based, Nationwide Rollout complete.
TL;DR: Fundamental work has revealed that a wide variety of microorganisms are capable of degrading an equally wide range of organic pollutants, and bioremediation technology has been used to detoxify different contaminated environments and the results of field studies are very encouraging.
Abstract: The ability of microorganisms to metabolise xenobiotic compounds has received much attention due to the environmental persistence and toxicity of these chemicals. The microbial degradation of xenobiotics is seen as a cost effective method of removing these pollutants from the environment by a process now known as bioremediation. Microbial treatment of industrial effluents is also possible. Fundamental work has revealed that a wide variety of microorganisms are capable of degrading an equally wide range of organic pollutants. Pure and mixed cultures of microorganisms have been studied and degradation is observed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Breakdown products have been found during work on the degradative pathways involved and toxicological assessments using bacteria and higher organisms (fish, plants) have been used to determine the toxicity of these intermediates. Many of the degradative genes responsible for xenobiotic metabolism are present on plasmids, transposons or are grouped in clusters on chromosomes. This provides clues to the evolution of degradative pathways and makes the task of genetic manipulation easier such that new microbial strains capable of efficiently degrading pollutants can be developed. Several enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism have been isolated and factors affecting their activity investigated. Genetically manipulated strains or naturally isolated organisms may be used in the treatment of industrial wastes or as inocula to enhance degradation in the environment. Environmental factors, including pH, temperature, bioavailability, nutrient supply and oxygen availability have been shown to affect xenobiotic biodegradation. These factors must be optimised to obtain a satisfactory microbial treatment process. Using information gained from fundamental research, bioremediation technology has been used to detoxify different contaminated environments and the results of field studies are very encouraging.
TL;DR: All members of the superfamily within a species have been undergoing concerted evolution and this has important implications in ascribing functions and disease associations to individual SAA superfamily members and indicates that designations should not be based on the extent of amino acid identity alone but should be made only following direct experimental observation of the proteins themselves.
TL;DR: Development, tissue remodelling, cell migration, inflammation, angiogenesis, and wound healing are just some of the physiological processes in which the matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a family of highly homologous endopeptidases, play a crucial part.
Abstract: Development, tissue remodelling, cell migration, inflammation, angiogenesis, and wound healing are just some of the physiological processes in which the matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a family of highly homologous endopeptidases, play a crucial part.'" Collectively the MMPs can cleave most, if not all, the protein constituents of the extracellular matrix including collagen, proteoglycan, laminin, fibronectin, and elastin. In so doing they facilitate cell movement, reorientation, and dispersal. The production and action of the MMPs
TL;DR: The delayed changes in the extracellular concentration of these molecules may reflect events leading to morphological modifications following LTP, as well as internal controls and indicators of neuronal damage.
TL;DR: A major component of 8-epi PGF2 alpha formed in serum by healthy volunteers was shown to be sensitive to inhibition by aspirin ex vivo, and may be formed as a PG by human platelets.
Abstract: Isoprostanes are a family of prostaglandin (PG) isomers formed in an enzyme-independent manner. They circulate in plasma and are excreted in urine. One of them, 8-epi PGF2 alpha is a vasoconstrictor and mitogen, effects which are prevented by thromboxane antagonists. Given that 8-epi PGF2 alpha may be formed by cyclooxygenase (COX) (Corey, E. J., Shih, C., Shig, N-Y., and Shimoji, K. (1984) Tetrahedron Letts. 44, 5013-5016; Hecker, M., Ullrich, V., Fischer, C., and Meese, C.O. (1987) Eur J. Biochem. 169, 113-123) and that this might confound its use as an index of free radical generation, we sought to characterize the mechanism of its formation by human platelets. Activation of platelets by threshold concentrations of collagen, thrombin, and arachidonic acid resulted in formation of 8-epi PGF2 alpha coincident with that of the COX product, thromboxane, and the 12 lipoxygenase product, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, as detected by selected ion monitoring assays using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effect appeared selective for 8-epi PGF2 alpha among the F2 isoprostanes. Pretreatment of platelets with aspirin or indomethacin abolished 8-epi PGF2 alpha formation. COX-independent activation of platelets by high doses of collagen or thrombin, by the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or the prostaglandin endoperoxide analog, U 46619 was not associated with 8-epi PGF2 alpha formation. Confirmation of the nature of the material formed by platelet COX as 8-epi PGF2 alpha included its cochromatography over three highly resolving high performance liquid chromatography systems, identification by electron impact mass spectrometry, and its formation by partially purified COX. Inhibition of platelet thromboxane formation was associated with augmented 8-epi PGF2 alpha formation. A major component of 8-epi PGF2 alpha formed in serum by healthy volunteers was shown to be sensitive to inhibition by aspirin ex vivo. In addition to its generation by free radical catalyzed mechanisms, 8-epi PGF2 alpha may be formed as a PG by human platelets. Given that activation of platelet COX characterizes many of the human syndromes which are putatively associated with free radical generation, assessment of the contribution of this pathway is relevant to the use of 8-epi PGF2 alpha as an index of lipid peroxidation in vivo.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors extended the penalized likelihood approach to more general stationary processes and established asymptotic rates of convergence with respect to the spectral density of Gaussian processes.
Abstract: The penalized likelihood approach is not well developed in time series analysis, even though it has been applied successfully in a number of nonparametric function estimation problems. Chow and Grenander proposed a penalized likelihood-type approach to the nonparametric estimation of the spectral density of Gaussian processes. In this article this estimator is extended to more general stationary processes, its practical implementation is developed in some detail, and some asymptotic rates of convergence are established. Its performance is also compared to more widely used alternatives in the field. A computational algorithm involving an iterative least squares, initialized by the log-periodogram, is first developed. Then, motivated by an asymptotic linearization, an estimator of the integrated squared error between the estimated and true log-spectral densities is proposed. From this, a data-dependent procedure for selection of the amount of smoothing is constructed. The methodology is illustrated...
TL;DR: Focal, multifocal, or diffuse mammographic increases in density occur in a significant percentage of women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, and a large proportion of these women have breast pain.
Abstract: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy on mammographic density in postmenopausal women. The possible association of breast pain with increased mammographic density was evaluated.Thirty-three postmenopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy for a mean of 11 months had mammography before and after commencing treatment. As a control, 31 postmenopausal women who never had hormone therapy also had baseline and follow-up mammograms after a mean of 13 months. Subjects were asked whether breast pain, which they graded as mild, moderate, or severe, had developed since their entry into the study. Baseline and follow-up mammograms were assessed objectively and subjectively for interval changes in density. The presence of breast pain was correlated with changes in density on the mammograms.A subjective increase in mammographic density was seen in nine (27%) of the women taking hormones and in none of the control subjects (p = .002). Changes were focal in fou...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The present study provides the first evidence that IL-1 can induce the expression of adhesion molecules for leukocytes on glial cells and suggests a role for the transcription factor NF-kappa B in the induction process and suggests an important mechanism for retention of immune cells in the central nervous system.
Abstract: The infiltration of leukocytes into the central nervous system is associated with many pathologic conditions of the brain. The mechanisms by which these immune cells can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and remain within the brain are not understood. However, elevated brain levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 appear to accompany pathogenesis. The present study provides the first evidence that IL-1 can induce the expression of adhesion molecules for leukocytes on glial cells and suggests a role for the transcription factor NF-kappa B in the induction process. Human rIL-1 alpha was found to induce the expression of the cell adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) but not E-selectin in human 1321N1 astrocytoma. Both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were detectable from 3 h and remained sustained for up to 72 h. Induction was inhibited by the IL-1 receptor antagonist. IL-1 alpha was also shown to induce the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in a receptor-dependent fashion in human A172 glioblastoma. Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B was also observed in 1321N1 astrocytoma in response to IL-1 alpha treatment and was similarly abolished by pretreatment of cells with antagonist. Activated NF-kappa B was apparent from 20 min and remained for up to 24 h. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pyrollidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), which were shown to inhibit activation of NF-kappa B in Jurkat E6.1 lymphoblasts and EL4.NOB-1 thymoma, failed to block IL-1 activation of NF-kappa B in 1321N1 astrocytoma. However, both of these antioxidants demonstrated complex modulatory effects on the induction of cell adhesion molecule expression by IL-1. The induction of VCAM-1 but not of ICAM-1 proved susceptible to inhibition by both PDTC and NAC. The expression of adhesion molecules for leukocytes on glial cells in response to IL-1 may represent an important mechanism for retention of immune cells in the central nervous system that may be a prologue to inflammatory conditions in the brain.
TL;DR: In this article, laser plasmas produced on low Z target material such as plastics and araldites that contain 1 to 10% concentrations of the elements 50 ≤ Z ≤ 70 emit narrow regions of intense quasicontinua in the 6 to 13-nm wavelength range.
Abstract: EUV emission from laser plasmas produced on low Z target material such as plastics and araldites that contain 1 to 10% concentrations of the elements 50 ≤ Z ≤ 70 emit narrow regions of intense quasicontinua in the 6 to 13-nm wavelength range. The typical bandwidth of the emission is 0.5 to 1.5 nm and the features are brighter than any individual lines emitted from the host substrate materials. Similar spectra can be obtained from hydrated salts of these elements, so suitable targets can be prepared as compressed pellets of crystalline or hydrated salts or alternatively from oxides mixed into an araldite matrix. Spectra of tin salts prepared in this way provide an excellent narrowband source for 13.5-nm radiation for use with Mo/Si multilayers. Since the peak shifts toward shorter wavelengths with increasing Z, plasmas of these elements provide "tunable" narrowband EUV radiation sources.
TL;DR: Spectra of laser-produced plasmas of the elements from tin to iodine contain weak bands of quasicontinuum overlaid by weak emission lines in the 70--120-\AA{} region which are predicted to produce unresolved transition arrays (UTA) in this spectral region.
Abstract: Spectra of laser-produced plasmas of the elements from tin to iodine contain weak bands of quasicontinuum overlaid by weak emission lines in the 70--120-\AA{} region. Multiconfiguration-Dirac-Fock calculations show that these features are consistent with theoretical spectra for 4${\mathit{d}}^{\mathit{N}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$4${\mathit{d}}^{\mathit{N}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$(5f+6p) transitions in a number of adjacent ion stages which are predicted to produce unresolved transition arrays (UTA) in this spectral region. Moreover, the calculations predict a gradual decrease of 4d-5f oscillator strength with increasing ionization up to the eleventh spectrum where Jgf(4d-5f)\ensuremath{\approxeq}0. However, inclusion of configuration interaction effects between the 4${\mathit{d}}^{9}$nf levels showed that 4${\mathit{d}}^{9}$4f and 4${\mathit{d}}^{9}$5f mixing shifts this minimum to the thirteenth spectrum. The theoretical data were then parametrized within the UTA formalism and the different order moments corresponding to weighted mean energy, variance, and skewness coefficient evaluated.
TL;DR: Administration of progesterone during the early and late metoestrous phase of the oestrous cycle in heifers reduced the diameters of the corpus luteum and the first dominant follicle in both treated groups of heifer.
TL;DR: This paper explore the dilemmas posed by the analysis of working class issues in education by professional sociologists and suggest that working class people occupy a struturally contradictory role in relation to education.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the dilemmas posed by the analysis of working class issues in education by professional sociologists. There are two central themes in the paper. First it suggests that the inequalities experienced in the education system by working class people has been colonised by middle class academics for their own professional purposes. This colonisation has been greatly facilitated by the nature of the scholastic context itself. To globalise one's point of view in academic writing requires both freedom from the urgency and necessity of survival, and intellectual legitimacy. Working class people lack both. The paper also suggests that working class people occupy a struturally contradictory role in relation to education: on the one hand, social mobility generally requires that they be well educated. Yet if they are to succeed in the education system they have to abandon certain features of their class background. They cease to be working class at least to some degree. O...
TL;DR: In this paper, a large-signal dynamic model capable of modeling the transient behavior of the output power and wavelength of multielectrode DFB lasers is described, which is a modified form of the transfer matrix method resulting in a timedependent implementation of this technique.
Abstract: A large-signal dynamic model capable of modeling the transient behavior of the output power and wavelength of multielectrode DFB lasers is described here. The key feature of the model is the use of a modified form of the transfer matrix method resulting in a time-dependent implementation of this technique. Other features are the inclusion of longitudinal spatial hole burning and nonlinear gain in the model. The versatility of the model is demonstrated in an analysis of the response of a two-electrode DFB laser under large-signal direct current modulation which illustrates the important role played by longitudinal spatial hole burning. The limited use of wavelength tunability in controlling chirp is also demonstrated. However, a scheme to improve the damping mechanism through nonuniform excitation called backbiasing is proposed. Finally, wavelength switching is demonstrated using the model. >
TL;DR: Enzymes The core-specific lysosomal a(1-6)-mannosidase activity depends on aspartamidohydrolase activity and substrate analogues as probes of the catalytic mechanism of L-mandelate dehydrogenase from Rhodotorula graminis are studied.
Abstract: Enzymes The core-specific lysosomal a(1-6)-mannosidase activity depends on aspartamidohydrolase activity Phosphorylation of adenosine in renal brush-border membrane vesicles by an exchange reaction catalysed by adenosine kinase Purification and characterization of phosphatidylinositol synthase from human placenta NADPH-cytochrome c reductase from human neutrophil membranes: purification, characterization and localization The amino acid sequence of the small monomeric phosphoglycerate mutase from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe Substrate analogues as probes of the catalytic mechanism of L-mandelate dehydrogenase from Rhodotorula graminis
TL;DR: In this article, the flatband potential of a photoelectrochemical cell based on polycrystalline semiconductor films is derived from the measured relationship between free electron absorbance or the Burstein shift, and the applied potential at different pHs.
TL;DR: The relation between distractor interference and negative priming from identical distractors was examined in two experiments, and a selective inhibition model of selective attention indicated that measures ofnegative priming and measures of distractor interfered on the immediately preceding trial are independent.
Abstract: The relation between distractor interference and negative priming from identical distractors was examined in two experiments. Subjects responded to a target letter, which was indicated by an adjacent bar marker, and attempted to ignore a distracting letter. On prime trials, distracting letters were either compatible or incompatible with the target, allowing for a measure of interference. On subsequent probe trials, previously ignored distractors were sometimes presented as targets, allowing for a measure of negative priming. Reducing the spatial separation between targets and distractors on the prime trial increased the magnitude of interference and negative priming, but these effects appeared to be independent of each other (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, the prime target location was precued on some trials, but not on others. Precuing attenuated the magnitude of interference, but not that of negative priming effects. This pattern indicates that measures of negative priming and measures of distractor interference on the immediately preceding trial are independent. The results are discussed in terms of a selective inhibition model of selective attention.
TL;DR: In this paper, the response of Pt/o-PPD/GOx electrodes to glucose was well behaved with a rapid response time and displaying Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
Abstract: Glucose oxidase (GOx) modified poly-phenylenediamine (PPD) coated 250 μm Pt-disk electrodes were prepared by electropolymerization in phenylenediamine solutions containing GOx. Both ortho and meta monomers were tested, and the ortho isomer was found to give better glucose responses. The response of Pt/o-PPD/GOx electrodes to glucose was well behaved with a rapid response time and displaying Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The behavior of these electrodes in vitro to ascorbic acid (a principal interferant in brain tissue) was complex in that the sensitivity was concentration dependent. At low ascorbate concentrations (<50 μM), the sensitivity was similar to that of bare Pt (72 ± 13 nA/ mM, n = 10) whereas at higher levels it decreased sharply to 0.2 ± 0.1 nA/mM (n = 3) at 1 mmol/L ascorbate. At still higher concentrations (1 to 10 mmol/L), the sensitivity was concentration independent, 0.14 ± 0.02 nA/mM (n = 3). Calibrations for another potential interferant, uric acid, were linear in the range studied (0 to 100 μM) with a slope of 0.41 ± 0.03 nA/mM (n = 3), indicating negligible interference by this substrate for concentrations present in brain extracellular fluid. Surprisingly, the permeability of both substrates was greater in PPD films containing no GOx. The results are discussed in terms of the suitability of these electrodes for monitoring brain glucose in vivo.
TL;DR: The secondary structure prediction system used combines the information from several algorithms and trains the data to offer an optimized prediction of the known P450cam, and assign full secondary structure to the target protein.