Exo-atmospheric infrared objects classification using recurrence-plots-based convolutional neural networks.

Object discrimination plays an important role in infrared (IR) imaging systems. However, at long observing distance, the presence of detector noise and absence of robust features make exo-atmospheric object classification difficult to tackle. In this paper, a recurrence-plots-based convolutional neural network (RP-CNN) is proposed for feature learning and classification.

Ballistic targets micro-motion and geometrical shape parameters estimation from sparse decomposition representation of infrared signatures.

Micro-motion dynamics and geometrical shape are considered to be essential evidence for infrared (IR) ballistic target recognition. However, it is usually hard or even impossible to describe the geometrical shape of an unknown target with a finite number of parameters, which results in a very difficult task to estimate target micro-motion parameters from the IR signals. Considering the shapes of ballistic targets are relatively simple, this paper explores a joint optimization technique to estimate micro-motion and dominant geometrical shape parameters from sparse decomposition representation of IR irradiance intensity signatures.

Estimating Shape and Micro-Motion Parameter of Rotationally Symmetric Space Objects from the Infrared Signature.

Shape serves as an important additional feature for space target classification, which is complementary to those made available. Since different shapes lead to different projection functions, the projection property can be regarded as one kind of shape feature. In this work, the problem of estimating the projection function from the infrared signature of the object is addressed.

Antisense expression of PKCalpha improved sensitivity of SGC7901/VCR cells to doxorubicin.

Aim: To explore whether antisense blocking of protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) would reverse multi-drug resistance (MDR) in the vincristine (VCR)-resistant human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/VCR.

Methods: SGC7901/VCR cells expressing antisense PKCalpha, SGC7901/VCR/aPKC, were established by transfection with a recombinant plasmid reversely inserted with PKCalpha cDNA. Empty vector (PCI-neo)-transfected cell clones, SGC7901/VCR/neo, served as the control.

Reversal of multidrug resistance in vincristine-resistant human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/VCR by LY980503.

Aim: To investigate the reversal effect of LY980503, a benflumetol derivative, on multidrug resistance in vincristine (VCR) -resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC7901/VCR.

Methods: Cells of a human gastric cancer cell line, SGC7901, and its VCR-resistant variant, SGC7901/VCR, were cultivated with LY980503 and /or doxorubicin (DOX). The cytotoxicity of drugs in vitro was assayed by MTT method.

Overexpression of integrin-linked kinase induces cardiac stem cell expansion.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that the adult heart contains stem cells that are capable of self-renewal as well as multilineage differentiation. However, their inherent capacity for self-renewal is limiting to cell replacement applications. Integrin-linked kinase is a multifunctional protein kinase that activates Wnt target genes implicated in the symmetric replication of embryonic stem cells.

Integrin-linked kinase expression is elevated in human cardiac hypertrophy and induces hypertrophy in transgenic mice.

Background: Although numerous signaling pathways are known to be activated in experimental cardiac hypertrophy, the molecular basis of the hypertrophic response inherent in human heart diseases remains largely unknown. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a multifunctional protein kinase that physically links beta-integrins with the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting a potential mechanoreceptor role.

Methods And Results: Here, we show a marked increase in ILK protein levels in hypertrophic ventricles of patients with congenital and acquired outflow tract obstruction.

Cardioprotective stress response in the human fetal heart.

Objective: We propose that the fetal heart is highly resilient to hypoxic stress. Our objective was to elucidate the human fetal gene expression profile in response to simulated ischemia and reperfusion to identify molecular targets that account for the innate cardioprotection exhibited by the fetal phenotype.

Methods: Primary cultures of human fetal cardiac myocytes (gestational age, 15-20 weeks) were exposed to simulated ischemia and reperfusion in vitro by using a simulated ischemic buffer under anoxic conditions.

Optimization of gene expression in nonactivated circulating lymphocytes.

Circulating lymphocytes are important target cells for the treatment of HIV-related and autoimmune diseases and for stimulating anti-tumor immunity. To date, gene transfection of these nonactivated cells after intravenous delivery of viral or nonviral vectors remains low although these circulating cells are highly accessible. Optimized lentiviral vectors currently can transduce less than 10% of nonactivated circulating lymphocytes.

[Drug-resistant proteins in breast cancer: recent progress in multidrug resistance].

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is a new multidrug resistance-related transmembrane transporter. BCRP is a 655-amino acid, 72.6 kDa protein, localized in the plasma membrane.

Enhanced gene expression in breast cancer cells in vitro and tumors in vivo.

Gene therapy clinical trials for cancer frequently produce inconsistent results. Some of this variability could result from differences in transcriptional regulation that limit expression of therapeutic genes in specific cancers. Systemic liposomal delivery of a nonviral plasmid DNA showed efficacy in animal models for several cancers.