Null Broadening Robust Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm Based on Power Estimation.

In order to solve the problem of severely decreased performance under the situation of rapid moving sources and unstable array platforms, a null broadening robust adaptive beamforming algorithm based on power estimation is proposed in this paper. First of all, we estimate the interference signal power according to the characteristic subspace theory. Then, the correspondence between the signal power and steering vector (SV) is obtained based on the orthogonal property, and the interference covariance matrix (ICM) is reconstructed. Finally, with the aim of setting virtual interference sources, null broadening can be carried out. The proposed algorithm results in a deeper null, lower side lobes and higher tolerance of the desired signal steering vector mismatch under the condition of low complexity. The simulation results show that the algorithm also has stronger robustness.

Relation of uric acid levels to aortic root dilatation in hypertensive patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Uric acid (UA) is considered to be a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk and hyperuricemia might be involved in the metabolic syndrome (MS). This study aims to investigate the relation between UA levels and aortic root dilatation. METHODS: A total of 348 hypertensive patients [age (67.5+/-9.8) years] with or without MS were included in the study. The aortic root diameters at the aortic annulus, the sinuses of Valsalva, the sinotubular junction, and the proximal part of the ascending aorta were measured using a two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Serum UA levels were also measured for all patients. RESULTS: A high UA level is independently associated with aortic root diameters at the sinuses of Valsalva (P=0.001) and the proximal ascending aorta (P<0.0001) in the hypertensive patients without MS. In contrast, aortic root diameters were not significantly related to UA levels in the hypertensive patients with MS. Furthermore, increased UA levels were associated with an increased risk for aortic root dilatation in the patients without MS (sex-adjusted hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.27-2.41), but not in those with MS. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an independent relationship between the aortic root dimensions and increased levels of serum UA in the hypertensive patients without MS. Further understanding of the mechanisms underlying these associations may allow a clearer interpretation of the potential value of specific urate-lowering treatment on cardiovascular disease.

Relationship of heavy drinking, lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile to infrarenal aortic diameter.

The objective of this study was to examine the association of alcohol drinking and lipid profile with infrarenal aortic dimension. The diameter of the infrarenal aorta was measured using ultrasound in 395 individuals (mean 66.6 +/- 10.3 years) with atherosclerotic diseases or risk factors. The associations between heavy drinking, serum lipoprotein (a) levels, lipid profile and infrarenal aorta diameters were examined. Heavy drinking and lipoprotein (a) were positively related with infrarenal aortic dimension, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C were negatively associated with infrarenal aortic diameter (p < 0.05). In addition, there were negative associations of LDL-C/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C and positive associations of HDL-C and apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI) with heavy drinking (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there was a positive association between infrarenal aortic diameters and heavy drinking, as well as lipoprotein (a) levels. Furthermore, the novel and unexpected inverse association between LDL-C/HDL-C, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and abdominal aortic diameter may suggest a possible role for anti-atherogenic lipid profile (characterized by a higher level of HDL-C and lower level of LDL-C) in aortic dilatation processes, which need to be clarified by further studies.

Comparative analysis of renal protein expression in spontaneously hypertensive rat.

OBJECTIVE: Molecular mechanisms of nephrosclerosis caused by hypertension are not well known. Understanding changes in renal protein expression in hypertension may provide further information on how hypertension caused renal injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we showed the protein expression profiles of the kidney in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Differentially expressed protein spots were excised, underwent in-gel tryptic digestion, and were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Eleven spots were identified. Of these identified spots, four spots were newly appeared, five spots up-regulated, and two spots down-regulated. The identified spots were mainly involved in energy metabolism, lipid transferring between membranes, and cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of many proteins have changed significantly in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rat. NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase may be a candidate for further investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms of renal injury in hypertension.

[Losartan's effects on the protein expression of the kidney of spontaneous hypertension rat].

AIM: To analyse the alterations of protein expression in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rat with losartan. METHODS: The proteins of the kidney were isolated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The protein spots with significant changes were selected for further identification by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The number of average protein spots of two groups was 570 +/- 48 and 686 +/- 30 respectively. Compared with the SHR, 13 spots had changed significantly after treated with losartan. There were 5 protein spots detected only in SHR group, while 4 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated protein spots were detected in SHR-L group. These differentially expressed proteins were detected by mass spectrometry. 7 spots were identified. There were Heat shock protein (Hsp), Tubulin alpha-1 chain, Transthyretin precursor, Liver regeneration-related protein LRRG03, Ezrin-radixin-moesin binding phosphoprotein 50, Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 and Anionic trypsin I precursor. CONCLUSION: The different protein spots expression may play important roles in Losartan's effective protection to hypertension rats renal tissue.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and -9 gene polymorphisms and the risk of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in a Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1(-1607 1G/2G), MMP-3(-1171 5A/6A), and MMP-9(-1562 C/T) polymorphism and susceptibility to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). DESIGN AND METHODS: MMP-1, -3, -9 genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: Genotype frequency of MMP-3, but not MMP-1 and MMP-9 in IDCM patients, was significantly different from that in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism could be a risk factor for the susceptibility to IDCM.

Proteomic analysis of the serum in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology. The exact pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is still not well known. In the past decades, many protein molecules have been found to be involved in the development of IPAH. With proteomic techniques, profiling of human plasma proteome becomes more feasible in searching for disease-related markers. In present study, we showed the protein expression profiles of the serum of IPAH and healthy controls after depleting a few high-abundant proteins in serum. Thirteen spots had changed significantly in IPAH compared with healthy controls and were identified by LC-MS/MS. Alpha-1-antitrypsin and vitronectin were down-regulated in IPAH and may be valuable candidates for further explorations of their roles in the development of IPAH.