Robust estimation of HDR in fMRI using H(infinity) filters.

Estimation and detection of the hemodynamic response (HDR) are of great importance in functional MRI (fMRI) data analysis. In this paper, we propose the use of three H (infinity) adaptive filters (finite memory, exponentially weighted, and time-varying) for accurate estimation and detection of the HDR. The H (infinity) approach is used because it safeguards against the worst case disturbances and makes no assumptions on the (statistical) nature of the signals [B.

The precursor to B-type natriuretic peptide is an O-linked glycoprotein.

Human pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), the precursor for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) and compared by Western blot analysis to BNP cross-reacting material immunoprecipitated from the plasma of heart failure patients. Both recombinant and native forms co-migrated as a diffuse band centered around 25 kDa and were reduced to a 12 kDa species by treatment with a mixture of O-link deglycosylation enzymes. The 108-amino acid CHO-expressed protein was examined by tryptic mapping and LC-MS and found to be an O-linked glycoprotein.

Cysteine 116 participates in intermolecular bonding of the human VEGF(121) homodimer.

VEGF(121), the 121-amino acid form of vascular endothelial growth factor is a homodimer with nine cysteine residues per monomer. While three intramolecular and two intermolecular disulfide bonds have been mapped, the state of the ninth cysteine, Cys116, is not known. In this study, we determined that human VEGF(121) contains a third interchain disulfide bond between Cys116 of each monomer.

On-line procedures for alkylation of cysteine residues with 3-bromopropylamine prior to protein sequence analysis.

We have previously shown that 3-bromopropylamine offers several advantages over other alkylating reagents in the modification and subsequent identification of cysteine residues by protein sequencing. We describe here simple on-sequencer procedures for alkylating cysteines in proteins which employ the reduction of cystines in proteins with tri-n-butylphosphine and concomitant alkylation of the resulting cysteines with 3-bromopropylamine. Addition of an aqueous acetone wash to a modified reaction cycle on the Applied Biosystems 477A sequencer removes excess 3-bromopropylamine.

Production and in vivo characterization of a bifunctional antibody (IVA039.1) with specificity for the mouse interleukin-2 receptor and vinca alkaloids.

The autoreactive T cell plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes in humans and in rodent animal models. Elimination or attenuation of these cells may provide a means to treat the disease. The use of antibodies directed to T cells has shown varying degrees of effectiveness in the treatment of autoimmune disease.