gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Comparative Immunogenicity of Group 6 Pneumococcal Type 6A(6) and Type 6B(26) Capsular Polysaccharides (1979)

The comparative immunogenicity of the two cross-reacting group 6 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides, type 6A(6) and type 6B(26), was studied with hyperimmune rabbit typing antisera and with sera from adult volunteers injected with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines containing either 50 μg of type 6A (U.S. designation, type 6) or 50 μg each of type 6A and type 6B (U.S. designation, type 26) polysaccharides. Both group 6 polysaccharides were linear copolymers composed of 1 mol each of d -galactose, d -glucose, l -rhamnose, and d -ribitol phosphate. They differed only in that type 6A had a rhammopyranosyl-(1 → 3)- d -ribitol bond and the type 6B had a rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)- d -ribitol bond. Quantitative precipitation and absorption analyses with rabbit hyperimmune antisera induced by simultaneous injection with type 6A and type 6B organisms revealed extensive cross-reactions between the two group 6 polysaccharides. There was less, although still quite extensive, cross-reactivity between the two group 6 polysaccharides examined with antisera from rabbits injected with only one of the group 6 pneumococci. In a radioimmunoassay, using 14 C internally labeled type 6A or type 6B polysaccharide antigens, there was no difference in the serum antibody level to either type of volunteer injected with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines containing type 6A or both type 6A and type 6B polysaccharides. These studies indicate that the structural similarity of the pneumococcal group 6 polysaccharides confers extensive cross-reactivity with hyperimmune typing antisera prepared with whole organisms or after injection of purified polysaccharides in adult volunteers. With our current polysaccharides, it appears that a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine formulation that contains only type 6A will serve to induce the maximum amount of serum antibodies to both group 6 organisms.
Sequential interactions of structural proteins in phage phi 29 procapsid assembly (1995)

The mechanism of viral capsid assembly is an intriguing problem because of its fundamental importance to research on synthetic viral particle vaccines, gene delivery systems, antiviral drugs, chimeric viruses displaying antigens or ligands, and the study of macromolecular interactions. The genes coding for the scaffolding (gp7), capsid (gp8), and portal vertex (gp10) proteins of the procapsid of bacteriophage phi 29 of Bacillus subtilis were expressed in Escherichia coli individually or in combination to study the mechanism of phi 29 procapsid assembly. When expressed alone, gp7 existed as a soluble monomer, gp8 aggregated into inclusion bodies, and gp10 formed the portal vertex. Circular dichroisin spectrum analysis indicated that gp7 is mainly composed of alpha helices. When two of the proteins were coexpressed, gp7 and gp8 assembled into procapsid-like particles with variable sizes and shapes, gp7 and gp10 formed unstable complexes, and gp8 and gp10 did not interact. These results suggested that gp7 served as a bridge for gp8 and gp10. When gp7, gp8, and gp10 were coexpressed, active procapsids were produced. Complementation of extracts containing one or two structural components could not produce active procapsids, indicating that no stable intermediates were formed. A dimeric gp7 concatemer promoted the solubility of gp8 but was inactive in the assembly of procapsid or procapsid-like particles. Mutation at the C terminus of gp7 prevented it from interacting with gp8, indicating that this part of gp7 may be important for interaction with gp8. Coexpression of the portal protein (gp20) of phage T4 with phi 29 gp7 and gp8 revealed the lack of interaction between T4 gp20 and phi 29 gp7 and/or gp8. Perturbing the ratio of the three structural proteins by duplicating one or another gene did not reduce the yield of potentially infectious particles. Changing of the order of gene arrangement in plasmids did not affect the formation of active procapsids significantly. These results indicate that phi 29 procapsid assembly deviated from the single-assembly pathway and that coexistence of all three components with a threshold concentration was required for procapsid assembly. The trimolecular interaction was so rapid that no true intermediates could be isolated. This finding is in accord with the result of capsid assembly obtained by the equilibrium model proposed by A. Zlotnick (J. Mol. Biol. 241:59-67, 1994).
Surface transformation of ram spermatozoa in uterine, oviduct and cauda epididymal fluids in vitro (1986)

Genital tract fluids were collected continuously from conscious ewes through catheters inserted surgically into the uterus and oviducts. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa and fluid were obtained through catheters inserted into the transected vas deferens. The washed spermatozoa were labelled using the surface-specific chloroglycoluril-Na125I procedure. High-resolution electrophoretic analysis of sperm plasma membrane preparations revealed a partial loss of a major surface component (i.e. Mr 97,000) during incubation in uterine and oviduct fluids. This specific loss resulted in a shift in radioactivity distribution toward an Mr 24,000 component which had been previously identified as a sialoglycoprotein. No significant changes in the distribution of radiolabelled surface components were detectable when the spermatozoa were incubated in synthetic medium. Incubation of unlabelled spermatozoa in 125I-labelled uterine fluid showed that adsorption of exogenous fluid components was highly selective; an Mr 16,000 polypeptide was greatly enriched on the sperm surface although it was only a minor component in the incubation fluid. Adsorption of labelled oviduct fluid components was also selective and involved predominantly high molecular weight components (i.e. Mr 140,000, 95,000, 78,000, 53,000). When spermatozoa were incubated in labelled cauda epididymal fluid after exposure to unlabelled uterine and oviduct fluids, several fluid components were incorporated by the plasma membrane, indicating that surface renovation of 'capacitated' spermatozoa may be a more general process rather than a specific event. These results suggest that capacitation of ram spermatozoa involves loss of specific surface proteins as well as selective adsorption of exogenous fluid components and point to a polypeptide in uterine fluid as an active constituent.
Channel estimation techniques based on pilot arrangement in OFDM systems (2002)

Channel estimation techniques for OFDM systems based on a pilot arrangement are investigated. Channel estimation based on a comb type pilot arrangement is studied through different algorithms for both estimating the channel at pilot frequencies and interpolating the channel. Channel estimation at pilot frequencies is based on LS and LMS methods while channel interpolation is done using linear interpolation, second order interpolation, low-pass interpolation, spline cubic interpolation, and time domain interpolation. Time-domain interpolation is obtained by passing to the time domain by means of IDFT (inverse discrete Fourier transform), zero padding and going back to the frequency domain by DFT (discrete Fourier transform). In addition, channel estimation based on a block type pilot arrangement is performed by sending pilots in every sub-channel and using this estimation for a specific number of following symbols. We have also implemented a decision feedback equalizer for all sub-channels followed by periodic block-type pilots. We have compared the performances of all schemes by measuring bit error rates with 16QAM, QPSK, DQPSK and BPSK as modulation schemes, and multipath Rayleigh fading and AR based fading channels as channel models.
Improving the mandibular reconstruction plate: technical innovation. (2000)

The mandibular reconstruction plate can be improved by constructing a shaped acrylic spacer secured with self-tapping screws. It is removed to leave space for bone grafting.
ChemInform Abstract: THE SYNTHESIS OF A NEW 22 Π‐ELECTRON MACROCYCLE: PENTAPHYRIN (1983)

Abstract Der Dibenzylester (Ia) wird durch Hydrierung zur Dicarlaonsäure (Ib) gespalten, die nach Überführung in den Aldehyd (Ic) durch Reaktion mit der Verbindung (II) und anschlies‐ 107 send mit Chloranil zum Pentapyrrol (III) cyclisiert werden kann.
Synthesis and evaluation of 18F-labeled choline as an oncologic tracer for positron emission tomography: initial findings in prostate cancer. (2001)

The up-regulation of rates of choline uptake and phosphorylation in certain malignancies has motivated the development of positron-labeled choline analogues for noninvasive detection of cancer using positron emission tomography (PET). The choline analogue, no-carrier-added [18F]fluoromethyl-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl-ammonium (FCH), was synthesized through the intermediate [18F]fluorobromomethane. FCH was evaluated in relationship to 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) as an oncological probe in cultured PC-3 human prostate cancer cells, a murine PC-3 human prostate cancer xenograft model, and in PET imaging studies of patients with prostate cancer. FCH was synthesized in 20-40% radiochemical yield and >98% radiochemical purity. Accumulation of FCH and FDG were comparable in cultured prostate cancer cells, whereas only FCH was inhibited (90%) by hemicholinium-3, a specific inhibitor of choline transport and phosphorylation. FCH showed similar biodistribution to [14C]choline in the tumor-bearing mouse, with prominent renal and hepatic uptake. Tumor uptake of FCH was similar to choline and FDG in the mouse model, although tumor:blood ratios were moderately higher for FCH. Initial PET imaging studies in prostate cancer patients showed high uptake of FCH in advanced prostate carcinoma and detection of osseous and soft tissue metastases. FCH uptake by tumors was markedly reduced in patients rescanned during androgen deprivation therapy. It is concluded that FCH closely mimics choline uptake by normal tissues and prostate cancer neoplasms. FCH is potentially useful as a PET tracer for detection and localization of prostate cancer and monitoring effects of therapy.
Hierarchical physical design system (2003)

The physical design system aims at high density and short turnaround time. Hierarchical methods divide the entire design logically into chips, and chips into partitions of manageable sizes. As the chips are placed on a chip carrier, the wire lengths of all chip interconnections are kept to a minimum. In parallel, chip I/Os are assigned to reflect routing on the chip carrier. This preassignment of chip-I/Os takes into account when partitions are placed on the chip. The partitions and their circuits are placed on the chip on a periodic array of sites, as is done for gate arrays, but, as for custom chips, with the highest possible density. All partitions contain not only the circuitry and internal wiring but also all connections that enter, leave, and cross the partitions and are part of the final chip. Once the partitions are designed and processed individually, they interconnect at the partition boundaries without any extra space by means of interconnect points. Floorplanning in conjunction with partitioning assigns the required amount of space for circuits and wires and places the partitions on chip. Detailed placement, which is controlled by partitioning, also guarantees optimal placement of circuits involved in communicating with the different partitions. Parallel processing (wiring/checking) is in any case possible.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Sustained Levels of FGF2 Maintain Undifferentiated Stem Cell Cultures with Biweekly Feeding (2013)

An essential aspect of stem cell culture is the successful maintenance of the undifferentiated state. Many types of stem cells are FGF2 dependent, and pluripotent stem cells are maintained by replacing FGF2-containing media daily, while tissue-specific stem cells are typically fed every 3rd day. Frequent feeding, however, results in significant variation in growth factor levels due to FGF2 instability, which limits effective maintenance due to spontaneous differentiation. We report that stabilization of FGF2 levels using controlled release PLGA microspheres improves expression of stem cell markers, increases stem cell numbers and decreases spontaneous differentiation. The controlled release FGF2 additive reduces the frequency of media changes needed to maintain stem cell cultures, so that human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells can be maintained successfully with biweekly feedings.
Therapeutic activity and tissue distribution of ME2303, a new anthracycline containing fluorine, and its metabolites in mice bearing hepatic metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma (1990)

Doxorubicin (DXR) and ME2303, a new fluorine-containing (C'-2) anthracycline derivative, were studied for their tissue distributions--particularly in the plasma, liver and bone marrow--following administration at the maximum tolerated doses to normal mice and mice bearing hepatic metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma. ME2303 was rapidly metabolized and disappeared rapidly from the plasma, liver and bone marrow. Its metabolites--the product of esterolysis (M1) and its reduced derivative at the C-14 position (M2)--remained for a long period except in bone marrow. On the other hand DXR remained in the analyzed tissues for a long period; an especially large amount of DXR was found in the bone marrow even at 24 h after administration of the drug while, in the case of ME2303, by this time even its metabolites had disappeared. The concentrations of M1 and DXR in the liver at 2 h were about 50- and 300-fold higher than their plasma concentrations. The tissue distributions in the normal mice and hepatic-metastases-bearing mice showed no significant differences. Regarding the antitumor effects of ME2303, M1, M2 and DXR in the hepatic-metastases-bearing mice, ME2303 was the most effective compound, and M1 was also active; DXR showed only a marginal effect, and M2 showed no effect.
Gustatory responses of cortical neurons in rats. I. Response characteristics (1984)

The responses of 111 cortical neurons to the four classical taste stimuli (sucrose, NaCl, HCl, and quinine HCl) applied to the anterior part of the tongue were recorded extracellularly in lightly anesthetized rats. Basic response properties of these cortical taste neurons were analyzed. The location of 88 of 111 neurons were histologically identified. They were distributed from anterodorsal to posteroventral direction in the insular cortex just dorsal to the rhinal sulcus and ventral to the somatic sensory area I. The receptive fields of 17 cortical neurons were examined. Most (94%) of the neurons had a narrow focus on the ipsilateral, contralateral, or bilateral sides of the tongue surface. Half of the foci were surrounded by a less-sensitive receptive field of relatively wide size. No apparent relationship was detected between the location of the cortical neurons and the site or extent of the receptive fields of those neurons, indicating a lack of topographical organization in the cortical gustatory area. The mean rate of the spontaneous discharges was 7.1 impulses/3 s, which is about 3 times larger than that in a first-order taste nerve (chorda tympani). The statistically significant difference of spontaneous discharges among response types of cortical neurons was observed only between the neurons responding in an excitatory manner to only one or two kinds of basic stimuli (6.2 impulses/3 s) and the neurons responding in an inhibitory manner to more than three kinds of taste stimuli (14.2 impulses/3 s). When the net responses (spontaneous rate subtracted) to each of the four tastes were compared with the spontaneous discharges in each neuron, the magnitude of spontaneous discharges was significantly negatively correlated with the net response to sucrose. This fact indicates that a neuron with a larger spontaneous discharge rate has a tendency to respond less to sucrose. Response characteristics of cortical taste neurons were quite distinct from those of the first-order taste neurons in the following respects: 1) a decrease in the average evoked discharge rate, which resulted in a small signal-to-noise ratio; 2) a tendency toward equalization of effectiveness of the four basic taste stimuli; 3) about 27% of the neurons decreased their firing rate during the first 3 s after the onset of taste stimulation; and 4) no clear initial phasic response, with a fluctuation in impulse discharges in some neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The evolving role of mass spectrometry in cancer biomarker discovery (2009)

Although the field of mass spectrometry-based proteomics is still in its infancy, recent developments in targeted proteomic techniques have left the field poised to impact the clinical protein biomarker pipeline now more than at any other time in history. for proteomics to meet its potential for finding biomarkers, clinicians, statisticians, epidemiologists and chemists must work together in an interdisciplinary approach. These interdisciplinary efforts will have the greatest chance for success if participants from each discipline have a basic working knowledge of the other disciplines. To that end, the purpose of this review is to provide a nontechnical overview of the emerging/evolving roles that mass spectrometry (especially targeted modes of mass spectrometry) can play in the biomarker pipeline, in hope of making the technology more accessible to the broader community for biomarker discovery efforts. Additionally, the technologies discussed are broadly applicable to proteomic studies, and are not restricted to biomarker discovery.
Prevalence of nasal polyposis in France: a cross‐sectional, case–control study (2005)

The present study provides valuable and reliable information on NP epidemiology in France; the collected information are in accordance with most published international data.
Enzymatic synthesis of phosphatidylserine on small scale by use of a one-phase system (1990)

A modification of the phospholipase D-catalyzed synthesis of phosphatidylserine is described, which allows the handling of small quantities of lipid without the need for an ether-water system. By using octylglucoside to disperse the lipid during the enzymatic conversion, it was possible to reduce the volume of the reaction mixture to 50-100 microliters. The amount of lipid that can be handled in such small volumes is in the order of micrograms. This facilitates the synthesis of phosphatidylserine from rare or expensive phosphatidylcholine species. The yield of phosphatidylserine is increased by replacing phospholipase D from cabbage by the enzyme from Streptomyces species.
Molecular cloning and developmental expression of human cardiac troponin T (1993)

We have isolated a full-size cDNA coding for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) from a human adult heart library, using a slow skeletal TnT probe. This cDNA detected a 1.2 kb mRNA in fetal and post-natal human heart, the amount of which increased during ontogenic development. Interestingly, a similar transcript was coexpressed in fetal skeletal muscle, together with the 0.9 kb slow skeletal muscle mRNA, and its expression was down-regulated during further development.
Direct Electrochemical Reduction of Single-Layer Graphene Oxide and Subsequent Functionalization with Glucose Oxidase (2009)

A direct electrochemical method to reduce single-layer graphene oxide (GO) adsorbed on the 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-modified conductive electrodes is proposed. The reduced GO adsorbed on glassy carbon electrode was modified with glucose oxidase (GOx) by covalent bonding via a polymer generated by electrografting N-succinimidyl acrylate (NSA). The direct electron transfer between the electrode and GOx molecules was realized. The bioactivity of GOx maintains very well on the electrode. The thus-prepared GOx-modified electrode was successfully used to detect glucose.
Bloodstream Infections in Patients With Solid Tumors (2014)

Current information regarding bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with solid tumors is scarce. We assessed the epidemiology, antibiotic therapy, and outcomes of BSI in these patients. We also compared patients who died with those who survived to identify risk factors associated with mortality. From January 2006 to July 2012 all episodes of BSI in patients with solid tumors at a cancer center were prospectively recorded and analyzed. A total of 528 episodes of BSI were documented in 489 patients. The most frequent neoplasms were hepatobiliary tumors (19%), followed by lung cancer (18%) and lower gastrointestinal malignancies (16%). Many patients had received corticosteroid therapy (41%), and 15% had neutropenia (<500 neutrophils/μL) at the time of BSI. The most common source of BSI was cholangitis (21%), followed by other abdominal (19.5%) and urinary tract infections (17%). Gram-negative BSI occurred in 55% of cases, mainly due to Escherichia coli (55%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%). Among gram-positive BSI (35%), viridans group streptococci were the most frequent causative organisms (22%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21%) and Enterococcus species (18%). We identified 61 multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms (13%), mainly extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (n = 20) and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae (n = 13). The majority of patients with BSI caused by MDR organisms had received antibiotics (70%), and they had been previously hospitalized (61.4%) more frequently than patients with BSI caused by susceptible strains. Inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy was given to 23% of patients, with a higher proportion in those with BSI due to a MDR strain (69%). Early (<48 h) and overall (30 d) case-fatality rates were 7% and 32%, respectively. The overall case-fatality rate was higher among cases caused by MDR organisms (39.3%). The only independent risk factors for the early case-fatality rate were the endogenous source of BSI (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-12.02), shock at presentation (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.63-8.09), and corticosteroid therapy (OR, 3.245; 95% CI, 1.43-7.32). The independent risk factors for overall case-fatality rate were the presence of a chronic advanced cancer (OR, 35.39; 95% CI, 2.48-504.91), shock at presentation (OR, 25.84; 95% CI, 3.73-179.0), and corticosteroid therapy (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 1.61-30.21).BSI in patients with solid tumors occurred mainly among those with hepatobiliary cancer, and cholangitis was the most frequent source; gram-negative bacilli were the most frequent causative agents. MDR organisms were relatively common, particularly in patients who had previously received antibiotics and had been hospitalized; these patients were frequently treated with inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy and had a poorer outcome. The case-fatality rate of patients with solid tumors and BSI was high and was associated with chronic advanced cancer, corticosteroid therapy, and shock at presentation.
[Local fibrinolytic therapy in thrombotic complications of peritoneovenous shunt]. (1986)

Since 1981 in the University Hospital of Freiburg 41 patients with ascites have been treated by installation of a peritoneo-venous shunt system. In 9 patients thrombotic complications occurred. Two patients had to undergo a second surgical treatment. Seven patients have been treated by local fibrinolysis. In 6 patients local fibrinolytic therapy was partly or completely successful, in one patient local fibrinolysis was of no therapeutic effect.
Discovery of a New Boron-Containing Antifungal Agent, 5-Fluoro-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1- benzoxaborole (AN2690), for the Potential Treatment of Onychomycosis (2006)

A structure-activity relationship investigation for a more efficacious therapy to treat onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toe and fingernails, led to the discovery of a boron-containing small molecule, 5-fluoro-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaborole (AN2690), which is currently in clinical trials for onychomycosis topical treatment.