A new evolutionary programming algorithm (NEP) using the non-uniform mutation operator instead of Gaussian or Cauchy mutation operators is proposed. NEP has the merits of “long jumps” of the Cauchy mutation operator at the early stage of the algorithm and “fine-tunings” of the Gaussian mutation operator at the later stage. Comparisons with the recently proposed sequential and parallel evolution...

Neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (neprilysin; NEP/CD10) is a cell surface metallopeptidase expressed by prostatic epithelial cells that degrades various bioactive peptides including endothelin. Endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), the key enzyme of endothelin biosynthesis, catalyses the final processing step in the pathway. Neuropeptide substrates of NEP, including endothelin, have been implicated in...

Needle exchange programs (NEPs) are designed to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among injection drug users. Although most studies report beneficial effects in terms of behavior modification, a direct assessment of the effectiveness of NEPs in preventing HIV infection has been lacking. A cohort study was conducted to assess the association between risk behaviors and HIV s...

Some beneficial effects of angiotensin-I--converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II) inhibitor therapy are attributed to enhancing the activity of bradykinin on its B(2) receptor. Independent of inhibition of bradykinin hydrolysis, ACE inhibitors enhance the action of bradykinin on its B(2) receptor by inducing crosstalk between ACE and the receptor. We investigated whether inhibitors of another kini...

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects 5.7-26.6% women worldwide. 55% have no obvious pathology and 40% have associated endometriosis. Neuropathic pain (NeP) is pain arising as a consequence of a lesion/disease affecting the somatosensory system. The prevalence of NeP in women with CPP is not known. The diagnosis of NeP is challenging because there is no gold-standard assessment. Questionnaires have...

To further characterize the function of the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA; CD10, neutral endopeptidase 24.11, NEP) in early lymphoid development, we have identified murine lymphoid progenitors expressing CD10/NEP and analyzed the effects of inhibiting the enzyme in in vitro assays of murine lymphoid differentiation. CD10/NEP transcripts and enzymatic activity were primarily...

STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study of 1804 consecutive patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pathological pain and its distribution features in patients with chronic lumbar spinal disorders. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Clinical spinal disorders can involve pathological neuropathic pain (NeP) as well as physiological nociceptive pain (NocP), as they ...

Needle exchange programs (NEPs) are designed to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among injection drug users. Although most studies report beneficial effects in terms of behavior modification, a direct assessment of the effectiveness of NEPs in preventing HIV infection has been lacking. A cohort study was conducted to assess the association between risk behaviors and HIV s...

Neprilysin (NEP, CD10) acts to limit excessive inflammation partly by hydrolyzing neuropeptides. Although deletion of NEP exacerbates intestinal inflammation in animal models, its role in ulcerative colitis (UC) is not well explored. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate changes in NEP and associated neuropeptides at the same time in colonic tissue. 72 patients with UC and 27 control patients were in...

BACKGROUND Neutral endopeptidase, also known as neprilysin and abbreviated NEP, is considered to be one of the key enzymes in initial human amyloid-beta (Abeta) degradation. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of NEP deficiency on the initial development of dementia-like symptoms in mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We found that while endogenous Abeta concentrations were elevat...