The goal of this paper is to show the dependency of measured entropy of English text on subject o... more The goal of this paper is to show the dependency of measured entropy of English text on subject of the experiment, the type of English text, and the methodology used to estimate the entropy.
The Brushless dc motor is a simple and robust machine, which has found application over a wide po... more The Brushless dc motor is a simple and robust machine, which has found application over a wide power and speed ranges in different shapes and geometries. This paper presents a new configuration for an integrated starter-generator system based on brushless dc motor without permanent magnet technology. The proposed novel motor consists of two magnetically dependent stator and rotor sets (layers), where each stator set includes nine salient poles with windings wrapped around them while, the rotor comprises of six salient poles with no windings. The magnetic field passes through a guide to the rotor then the stator and finally completes its path via the motor housing. To evaluate the motor performance, two types of analysis, namely numerical technique and experimental study have been utilized. In the numerical analysis the finite element analysis is employed, where as in the experimental study, a proto-type motor has been built and tested. The calculated results compare favorably with the test results. Due to the ruggedness of the proposed motor in comparison with the conventional and brushless dc motors it looks very promising for hybrid vehicle.
A total of 137 accessions from 18 wild almond species were collected from Iran and leaf and fruit... more A total of 137 accessions from 18 wild almond species were collected from Iran and leaf and fruit traits were characterized. Also evaluated were flowering and ripening date, self-incompatibility and kernel bitterness. An extensive phenotypic diversity was found both among and within species. Differences in average leaf dimensions among and within species were associated with average rainfall but not altitude of collection site. Adjacent accessions located in drier areas had smaller leaf dimensions than those located in semi-humid or humid regions. No relation was found between average fruit dimensions and collection site conditions. Principal component analysis revealed that the nut weight and width, and the kernel weight had highest loading in the first component accounting for 45.8% of total variation. In contrast, leaf traits in the second component accounted for 22.3% of total variation. No significant correlations were detected between leaf dimensions and fruit traits in all species evaluated. Results document a rich source of new germplasm for almond improvement programs. Small fruit size, pollen-pistil self-incompatibility, and bitter kernel flavour are the most common obstacles to the utilization of this wild germplasm in breeding.
... in Iran have been studied for their agronomical and morphological characters. ... However, no... more ... in Iran have been studied for their agronomical and morphological characters. ... However, no comprehensively molecular information is available regarding almond cultivars grown in Iran ... This study aimed to determine the genetic characterization, diversity and relatedness among ...
Correlations between 29 quantitative tree and fruit traits were studied in 46 almond genotypes an... more Correlations between 29 quantitative tree and fruit traits were studied in 46 almond genotypes and some inter-specific crosses. Results reflected a significant diversity in the assayed almond germplasm. In addition, the obtained cluster demonstrated varying degrees of relationships, illustrating higher correlation values for the flowering traits and lower correlation values for the nut and kernel traits. To determine the importance of the traits and the levels of similarity existing between the various studied traits, a discriminate analysis was carried out. According to the results obtained from these analyses, the different traits were discriminated on basis of the characteristics of the presence of double kernels, the nut and the kernel size, the flowering date, kernel yield and shelling percentage. Finally, this study evidenced correlations between most of the agronomic traits in almond, although the correlations coefficient (r) value was found to be higher than 0.5 only in some cases. This analysis can help breeders for choosing the most favorable entries to build a core subset of the almond collection for the purpose of breeding.
A significant reduction of renal mass results in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointer... more A significant reduction of renal mass results in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury, culminating in end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). The accumulation of lipids in the kidney can cause renal disease. Uptake of oxidized lipoproteins via scavenger receptors, reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids via the megalin-cubilin complex, and increased glucose load per nephron can promote lipid accumulation in glomerular, tubular, and interstitial cells in CRF. Cellular lipid homeostasis is regulated by lipid influx, synthesis, catabolism, and efflux. We examined lipid-regulatory factors in the remnant kidney of rats 11 wk after nephrectomy (CRF) or sham operation. CRF resulted in azotemia, proteinuria, lipid accumulation in the kidney, upregulation of megalin, cubilin, mediators of lipid influx (scavenger receptor class A and lectin-like oxidized receptor-1), lipid efflux (liver X receptor alpha/beta and ATP-binding cassette transporter), and fatty acid biosynthesis (carbohydrate-response element binding protein, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase). However, factors involved in cholesterol biosynthesis (sterol regulatory element binding protein, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, SCAP, Insig-1, and Insig-2) and fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, acyl-CoA oxidase, and liver-type fatty acid binding protein) were reduced in the remnant kidney. Thus CRF results in heavy lipid accumulation in the remnant kidney, which is mediated by upregulation of pathways involved in tubular reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids, influx of oxidized lipoproteins and synthesis of fatty acids, and downregulation of pathways involved in fatty acid catabolism.
27. Simons JL, Provoost AP, De Keijzer MH et al. Pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the fawn-ho... more 27. Simons JL, Provoost AP, De Keijzer MH et al. Pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the fawn-hooded rat: effect of unilateral nephrectomy. J Am Soc Nephrol 1993; 4: 1362-1370 28. van Dokkum RP, Sun CW, Provoost AP et al. Altered renal hemodynamics and impaired myogenic responses in the fawn-hooded rat. Am J Physiol 1999; 276: R855-R863 29. Chen GF, Baylis C. In vivo renal arginine release is impaired throughout development of chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2010; 298: F95-F102 30. Peyton KJ, Ensenat D, Azam MA et al. Arginase promotes neointima formation in rat injured carotid arteries. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2009; 29: 488-494 31. Wei LH, Wu G, Morris SM Jr et al. Elevated arginase I expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells increases cell proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001; 98: 9260-9264 32. Rodriguez S, Richert L, Berthelot A. Increased arginase activity in aorta of mineralocorticoid-salt hypertensive rats. Clin Exp Hypertens 2000; 22: 75-85 33. Lim HK, Ryoo S, Benjo A et al. Mitochondrial arginase II constrains endothelial NOS-3 activity. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293: H3317-H3324 34. Li H, Meininger CJ, Hawker JR et al. Regulatory role of arginase I and II in nitric oxide, polyamine, and proline syntheses in endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001; 280: 75-82 35. Hultstrom M, Helle F, Iversen BM. AT(1) receptor activation regulates the mRNA expression of CAT1, CAT2, arginase-1, and DDAH2 in preglomerular vessels from angiotensin II hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2009; 297: F163-F168 36. Baylis C. Nitric oxide deficiency in chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2008; 294: F1-F9 37. Vallance P, Leiper J. Asymmetric dimethylarginine and kidney disease-marker or mediator? J Am Soc Nephrol 2005; 16: 2254-2256 38. Boger RH, Zoccali C. ADMA: a novel risk factor that explains excess cardiovascular event rate in patients with end-stage renal disease. Atheroscler Suppl 2003; 4: 23-28 39. Zoccali C, Bode-Boger S, Mallamaci F et al. Plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease: a prospective study. Lancet 2001; 358: 2113-2117 40. Palm F, Onozato ML, Luo Z et al. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH): expression, regulation, and function in the cardiovascular and renal systems. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293: H3227-H3245 41. Ulu N, Schoemaker RG, Henning RH et al. Proteinuria-associated endothelial dysfunction is strain dependent. Am J Nephrol 2009; 30: 209-217 42. Weichert W, Paliege A, Provoost AP et al. Upregulation of juxtaglomerular NOS1 and COX-2 precedes glomerulosclerosis in fawnhooded hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2001; 280: F706-F714
L-arginine (L-arg) participates in numerous biological functions including urea and nitric oxide ... more L-arginine (L-arg) participates in numerous biological functions including urea and nitric oxide synthesis. Sources of L-arg include dietary proteins and endogenous synthesis by argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. L-arg is converted to urea by arginase I in the liver and arginase II in the kidney. Normally, the liver fully consumes L-arg for urea generation and does not contribute to its circulating pool. Instead, much of the circulating L-arg is produced by the kidney. If true, plasma L-arg should be severely reduced in chronic renal failure (CRF); however, plasma L-arg is frequently unchanged in CRF. We hypothesized that preservation of plasma L-arg in CRF may be, partly, due to downregulation/inhibition of arginase. Argininosuccinate synthetase, arginase I and II protein abundance and activity were measured in the liver and kidneys of rats 6 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy or sham operation. In addition, arginase activity was measured in the presence of different urea concentrations to simulate azotemia in vitro. Arginases I and II protein abundance as well as arginase activity in the liver, measured in the physiological buffer, were similar among the CRF and control groups. However, in vitro experiments simulating a uremic milieu revealed a marked concentration-dependent inhibition of arginase activity by urea in the tissue lysates. CRF had no significant effect on argininosuccinate synthetase abundance in the kidney, liver, spleen or intestine. Although CRF does not change the abundance or intrinsic properties of arginase, the inherent rise in urea concentration inhibits its enzymatic activity. The latter, in turn, attenuates L-arg catabolism and urea production and, thereby, mitigates the fall in plasma L-arg.
Chronic renal failure is associated with profound dysregulation of lipid metabolism and marked ab... more Chronic renal failure is associated with profound dysregulation of lipid metabolism and marked abnormalities of plasma lipid profile. This review is intended to provide an overview of the molecular basis of lipid disorders in chronic renal failure and explore their potential impact on cardiovascular disease and energy metabolism.
Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in accelerated atherosclerosis that is primarily... more Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in accelerated atherosclerosis that is primarily caused by inflammation, oxidative stress and impaired triglyceride and HDL metabolisms. Several plasma proteins including phospholipid transfer protein (PTLP), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) affect HDL metabolism. PLTP transfers phospholipids and free cholesterol from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to HDL, phospholipids between HDL particles and facilitates cholesterol efflux from cells. CETP catalyzes the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to LDL in exchange for triglycerides, and LCAT catalyzes esterification of free cholesterol on the surface of HDL. Given the role of these proteins in the regulation of HDL metabolism, we examined the effect of ESRD on plasma PLTL, CETP and LCAT. Methods. A group of 21 stable ESRD patients maintained on haemodialysis and a group of 21 age-matched normal control individuals were included in the study. Plasma apolipoprotein A-1, PLTP, CETP and LCAT levels were measured. Results. Plasma triglyceride concentration was elevated and plasma HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 and LCAT concentrations were significantly reduced, whereas plasma PLTP and CETP concentrations and activities were unchanged in the ESRD patients. Conclusions. These findings point to acquired LCAT and Apo A-1 deficiencies and tend to exclude dysregulation of PLTP or CETP in the pathogenesis of HDL abnormalities in haemodialysis patients.
tion despite upregulation of the efflux (LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1) system in the aorta in CRF is largely... more tion despite upregulation of the efflux (LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1) system in the aorta in CRF is largely due to upregulation of influx (SR-AI and LOX-1) pathway and LCAT deficiency.
Features of end-stage renal disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and dys... more Features of end-stage renal disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. By inhibiting the formation and increasing the disposal of oxidized lipids, HDL exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Given that apolipoproteinA-1 can limit atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that an apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptide, 4F, may reduce the proinflammatory properties of LDL and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL in uremic plasma. To test this, plasma from each of 12 stable hemodialysis patients and age-matched control subjects was incubated with 4F or vehicle. The isolated HDL and LDL fractions were added to cultured human aortic endothelial cells to quantify monocyte chemotactic activity, thus measuring their pro-or anti-inflammatory index. The LDL from the hemodialysis patients was more pro-inflammatory and their HDL was less anti-inflammatory than those of the control subjects. Pre-incubation of the plasma from the hemodialysis patients with 4F decreased LDL proinflammatory activity and enhanced HDL anti-inflammatory activity. Whether 4F or other apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptides will have any therapeutic benefit in end-stage renal disease will have to be examined directly in clinical studies.
In this paper we present results from our orbit prediction study using the publicly available Two... more In this paper we present results from our orbit prediction study using the publicly available Two-Line Element (TLE) sets. The method presented here is similar to that introduced by Levit and Marshall ; however, we also consider the non-spherical low-Earth orbit satellites Grace A and Grace B. A state vector is generated every 10 minutes in the orbit determination (OD) period using SGP4. These generated states are subsequently used as observations in an orbit determination run considering a full set of forces to determine the orbit over the 10-day time span. All information used is from the TLE data sets. Once the orbit has been determined, it is then numerically propagated to obtain a prediction of the object's position. The TLE-determined orbit is compared to highly accurate satellite laser ranging (SLR) Consolidated Prediction Format (CPF) data to assess the accuracy. We tested the technique by performing 200 independent simulations for Stella, Starlette, Grace A and Grace B and found that it resulted in better orbit predictions 98.5%, 93.4%, 97.5% and 95.5% of the time, respectively, when compared to standard SGP4 propagation. For Starlette and Stella after a 7 day prediction period the average absolute maximum along track bias was reduced by approximately 64% and 74%, respectively. For Grace A and Grace B after a 7 day prediction period the average absolute maximum along track bias was reduced by approximately 68% and 64%, respectively.
The goal of this paper is to show the dependency of measured entropy of English text on subject o... more The goal of this paper is to show the dependency of measured entropy of English text on subject of the experiment, the type of English text, and the methodology used to estimate the entropy.
The Brushless dc motor is a simple and robust machine, which has found application over a wide po... more The Brushless dc motor is a simple and robust machine, which has found application over a wide power and speed ranges in different shapes and geometries. This paper presents a new configuration for an integrated starter-generator system based on brushless dc motor without permanent magnet technology. The proposed novel motor consists of two magnetically dependent stator and rotor sets (layers), where each stator set includes nine salient poles with windings wrapped around them while, the rotor comprises of six salient poles with no windings. The magnetic field passes through a guide to the rotor then the stator and finally completes its path via the motor housing. To evaluate the motor performance, two types of analysis, namely numerical technique and experimental study have been utilized. In the numerical analysis the finite element analysis is employed, where as in the experimental study, a proto-type motor has been built and tested. The calculated results compare favorably with the test results. Due to the ruggedness of the proposed motor in comparison with the conventional and brushless dc motors it looks very promising for hybrid vehicle.
A total of 137 accessions from 18 wild almond species were collected from Iran and leaf and fruit... more A total of 137 accessions from 18 wild almond species were collected from Iran and leaf and fruit traits were characterized. Also evaluated were flowering and ripening date, self-incompatibility and kernel bitterness. An extensive phenotypic diversity was found both among and within species. Differences in average leaf dimensions among and within species were associated with average rainfall but not altitude of collection site. Adjacent accessions located in drier areas had smaller leaf dimensions than those located in semi-humid or humid regions. No relation was found between average fruit dimensions and collection site conditions. Principal component analysis revealed that the nut weight and width, and the kernel weight had highest loading in the first component accounting for 45.8% of total variation. In contrast, leaf traits in the second component accounted for 22.3% of total variation. No significant correlations were detected between leaf dimensions and fruit traits in all species evaluated. Results document a rich source of new germplasm for almond improvement programs. Small fruit size, pollen-pistil self-incompatibility, and bitter kernel flavour are the most common obstacles to the utilization of this wild germplasm in breeding.
... in Iran have been studied for their agronomical and morphological characters. ... However, no... more ... in Iran have been studied for their agronomical and morphological characters. ... However, no comprehensively molecular information is available regarding almond cultivars grown in Iran ... This study aimed to determine the genetic characterization, diversity and relatedness among ...
Correlations between 29 quantitative tree and fruit traits were studied in 46 almond genotypes an... more Correlations between 29 quantitative tree and fruit traits were studied in 46 almond genotypes and some inter-specific crosses. Results reflected a significant diversity in the assayed almond germplasm. In addition, the obtained cluster demonstrated varying degrees of relationships, illustrating higher correlation values for the flowering traits and lower correlation values for the nut and kernel traits. To determine the importance of the traits and the levels of similarity existing between the various studied traits, a discriminate analysis was carried out. According to the results obtained from these analyses, the different traits were discriminated on basis of the characteristics of the presence of double kernels, the nut and the kernel size, the flowering date, kernel yield and shelling percentage. Finally, this study evidenced correlations between most of the agronomic traits in almond, although the correlations coefficient (r) value was found to be higher than 0.5 only in some cases. This analysis can help breeders for choosing the most favorable entries to build a core subset of the almond collection for the purpose of breeding.
A significant reduction of renal mass results in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointer... more A significant reduction of renal mass results in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury, culminating in end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). The accumulation of lipids in the kidney can cause renal disease. Uptake of oxidized lipoproteins via scavenger receptors, reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids via the megalin-cubilin complex, and increased glucose load per nephron can promote lipid accumulation in glomerular, tubular, and interstitial cells in CRF. Cellular lipid homeostasis is regulated by lipid influx, synthesis, catabolism, and efflux. We examined lipid-regulatory factors in the remnant kidney of rats 11 wk after nephrectomy (CRF) or sham operation. CRF resulted in azotemia, proteinuria, lipid accumulation in the kidney, upregulation of megalin, cubilin, mediators of lipid influx (scavenger receptor class A and lectin-like oxidized receptor-1), lipid efflux (liver X receptor alpha/beta and ATP-binding cassette transporter), and fatty acid biosynthesis (carbohydrate-response element binding protein, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase). However, factors involved in cholesterol biosynthesis (sterol regulatory element binding protein, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, SCAP, Insig-1, and Insig-2) and fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, acyl-CoA oxidase, and liver-type fatty acid binding protein) were reduced in the remnant kidney. Thus CRF results in heavy lipid accumulation in the remnant kidney, which is mediated by upregulation of pathways involved in tubular reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids, influx of oxidized lipoproteins and synthesis of fatty acids, and downregulation of pathways involved in fatty acid catabolism.
27. Simons JL, Provoost AP, De Keijzer MH et al. Pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the fawn-ho... more 27. Simons JL, Provoost AP, De Keijzer MH et al. Pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the fawn-hooded rat: effect of unilateral nephrectomy. J Am Soc Nephrol 1993; 4: 1362-1370 28. van Dokkum RP, Sun CW, Provoost AP et al. Altered renal hemodynamics and impaired myogenic responses in the fawn-hooded rat. Am J Physiol 1999; 276: R855-R863 29. Chen GF, Baylis C. In vivo renal arginine release is impaired throughout development of chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2010; 298: F95-F102 30. Peyton KJ, Ensenat D, Azam MA et al. Arginase promotes neointima formation in rat injured carotid arteries. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2009; 29: 488-494 31. Wei LH, Wu G, Morris SM Jr et al. Elevated arginase I expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells increases cell proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001; 98: 9260-9264 32. Rodriguez S, Richert L, Berthelot A. Increased arginase activity in aorta of mineralocorticoid-salt hypertensive rats. Clin Exp Hypertens 2000; 22: 75-85 33. Lim HK, Ryoo S, Benjo A et al. Mitochondrial arginase II constrains endothelial NOS-3 activity. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293: H3317-H3324 34. Li H, Meininger CJ, Hawker JR et al. Regulatory role of arginase I and II in nitric oxide, polyamine, and proline syntheses in endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001; 280: 75-82 35. Hultstrom M, Helle F, Iversen BM. AT(1) receptor activation regulates the mRNA expression of CAT1, CAT2, arginase-1, and DDAH2 in preglomerular vessels from angiotensin II hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2009; 297: F163-F168 36. Baylis C. Nitric oxide deficiency in chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2008; 294: F1-F9 37. Vallance P, Leiper J. Asymmetric dimethylarginine and kidney disease-marker or mediator? J Am Soc Nephrol 2005; 16: 2254-2256 38. Boger RH, Zoccali C. ADMA: a novel risk factor that explains excess cardiovascular event rate in patients with end-stage renal disease. Atheroscler Suppl 2003; 4: 23-28 39. Zoccali C, Bode-Boger S, Mallamaci F et al. Plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease: a prospective study. Lancet 2001; 358: 2113-2117 40. Palm F, Onozato ML, Luo Z et al. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH): expression, regulation, and function in the cardiovascular and renal systems. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293: H3227-H3245 41. Ulu N, Schoemaker RG, Henning RH et al. Proteinuria-associated endothelial dysfunction is strain dependent. Am J Nephrol 2009; 30: 209-217 42. Weichert W, Paliege A, Provoost AP et al. Upregulation of juxtaglomerular NOS1 and COX-2 precedes glomerulosclerosis in fawnhooded hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 2001; 280: F706-F714
L-arginine (L-arg) participates in numerous biological functions including urea and nitric oxide ... more L-arginine (L-arg) participates in numerous biological functions including urea and nitric oxide synthesis. Sources of L-arg include dietary proteins and endogenous synthesis by argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. L-arg is converted to urea by arginase I in the liver and arginase II in the kidney. Normally, the liver fully consumes L-arg for urea generation and does not contribute to its circulating pool. Instead, much of the circulating L-arg is produced by the kidney. If true, plasma L-arg should be severely reduced in chronic renal failure (CRF); however, plasma L-arg is frequently unchanged in CRF. We hypothesized that preservation of plasma L-arg in CRF may be, partly, due to downregulation/inhibition of arginase. Argininosuccinate synthetase, arginase I and II protein abundance and activity were measured in the liver and kidneys of rats 6 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy or sham operation. In addition, arginase activity was measured in the presence of different urea concentrations to simulate azotemia in vitro. Arginases I and II protein abundance as well as arginase activity in the liver, measured in the physiological buffer, were similar among the CRF and control groups. However, in vitro experiments simulating a uremic milieu revealed a marked concentration-dependent inhibition of arginase activity by urea in the tissue lysates. CRF had no significant effect on argininosuccinate synthetase abundance in the kidney, liver, spleen or intestine. Although CRF does not change the abundance or intrinsic properties of arginase, the inherent rise in urea concentration inhibits its enzymatic activity. The latter, in turn, attenuates L-arg catabolism and urea production and, thereby, mitigates the fall in plasma L-arg.
Chronic renal failure is associated with profound dysregulation of lipid metabolism and marked ab... more Chronic renal failure is associated with profound dysregulation of lipid metabolism and marked abnormalities of plasma lipid profile. This review is intended to provide an overview of the molecular basis of lipid disorders in chronic renal failure and explore their potential impact on cardiovascular disease and energy metabolism.
Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in accelerated atherosclerosis that is primarily... more Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in accelerated atherosclerosis that is primarily caused by inflammation, oxidative stress and impaired triglyceride and HDL metabolisms. Several plasma proteins including phospholipid transfer protein (PTLP), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) affect HDL metabolism. PLTP transfers phospholipids and free cholesterol from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to HDL, phospholipids between HDL particles and facilitates cholesterol efflux from cells. CETP catalyzes the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to LDL in exchange for triglycerides, and LCAT catalyzes esterification of free cholesterol on the surface of HDL. Given the role of these proteins in the regulation of HDL metabolism, we examined the effect of ESRD on plasma PLTL, CETP and LCAT. Methods. A group of 21 stable ESRD patients maintained on haemodialysis and a group of 21 age-matched normal control individuals were included in the study. Plasma apolipoprotein A-1, PLTP, CETP and LCAT levels were measured. Results. Plasma triglyceride concentration was elevated and plasma HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 and LCAT concentrations were significantly reduced, whereas plasma PLTP and CETP concentrations and activities were unchanged in the ESRD patients. Conclusions. These findings point to acquired LCAT and Apo A-1 deficiencies and tend to exclude dysregulation of PLTP or CETP in the pathogenesis of HDL abnormalities in haemodialysis patients.
tion despite upregulation of the efflux (LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1) system in the aorta in CRF is largely... more tion despite upregulation of the efflux (LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1) system in the aorta in CRF is largely due to upregulation of influx (SR-AI and LOX-1) pathway and LCAT deficiency.
Features of end-stage renal disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and dys... more Features of end-stage renal disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. By inhibiting the formation and increasing the disposal of oxidized lipids, HDL exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Given that apolipoproteinA-1 can limit atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that an apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptide, 4F, may reduce the proinflammatory properties of LDL and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL in uremic plasma. To test this, plasma from each of 12 stable hemodialysis patients and age-matched control subjects was incubated with 4F or vehicle. The isolated HDL and LDL fractions were added to cultured human aortic endothelial cells to quantify monocyte chemotactic activity, thus measuring their pro-or anti-inflammatory index. The LDL from the hemodialysis patients was more pro-inflammatory and their HDL was less anti-inflammatory than those of the control subjects. Pre-incubation of the plasma from the hemodialysis patients with 4F decreased LDL proinflammatory activity and enhanced HDL anti-inflammatory activity. Whether 4F or other apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptides will have any therapeutic benefit in end-stage renal disease will have to be examined directly in clinical studies.
In this paper we present results from our orbit prediction study using the publicly available Two... more In this paper we present results from our orbit prediction study using the publicly available Two-Line Element (TLE) sets. The method presented here is similar to that introduced by Levit and Marshall ; however, we also consider the non-spherical low-Earth orbit satellites Grace A and Grace B. A state vector is generated every 10 minutes in the orbit determination (OD) period using SGP4. These generated states are subsequently used as observations in an orbit determination run considering a full set of forces to determine the orbit over the 10-day time span. All information used is from the TLE data sets. Once the orbit has been determined, it is then numerically propagated to obtain a prediction of the object's position. The TLE-determined orbit is compared to highly accurate satellite laser ranging (SLR) Consolidated Prediction Format (CPF) data to assess the accuracy. We tested the technique by performing 200 independent simulations for Stella, Starlette, Grace A and Grace B and found that it resulted in better orbit predictions 98.5%, 93.4%, 97.5% and 95.5% of the time, respectively, when compared to standard SGP4 propagation. For Starlette and Stella after a 7 day prediction period the average absolute maximum along track bias was reduced by approximately 64% and 74%, respectively. For Grace A and Grace B after a 7 day prediction period the average absolute maximum along track bias was reduced by approximately 68% and 64%, respectively.
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Papers by Hamid Moradi