gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Matrix Protein-Coated Scaffolds Promote the Reversal of Diabetes After Extrahepatic Islet Transplantation (2008)

Extracellular matrix proteins adsorbed to microporous scaffolds can enhance the function of transplanted islets, with collagen IV maximizing graft function relative to the other proteins tested. These scaffolds enable the creation of well-defined microenvironments that promote graft efficacy at extrahepatic sites.
Surface Functionalization of a Polymeric Lipid Bilayer for Coupling a Model Biological Membrane with Molecules, Cells, and Microstructures (2013)

We describe a stable and functional model biological membrane based on a polymerized lipid bilayer with a chemically modified surface. A polymerized lipid bilayer was formed from a mixture of two diacetylene-containing phospholipids, 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DiynePC) and 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DiynePE). DiynePC formed a stable bilayer structure, whereas the ethanolamine headgroup of DiynePE enabled functional molecules to be grafted onto the membrane surface. Copolymerization of DiynePC and DiynePE resulted in a robust bilayer. Functionalization of the polymeric bilayer provided a route to a robust and biomimetic surface that can be linked with biomolecules, cells, and three-dimensional (3D) microstructures. Biotin and peptides were grafted onto the polymeric bilayer for attaching streptavidin and cultured mammalian cells by molecular recognition, respectively. Nonspecific adsorption of proteins and cells on polymeric bilayers was minimum. DiynePE was also used to attach a microstructure made of an elastomer (polydimethylsiloxan: PDMS) onto the membrane, forming a confined aqueous solution between the two surfaces. The microcompartment enabled us to assay the activity of a membrane-bound enzyme (cyochrome P450). Natural (fluid) lipid bilayers were incorporated together with membrane-bound proteins by lithographically polymerizing DiynePC/DiynePE bilayers. The hybrid membrane of functionalized polymeric bilayers and fluid bilayers offers a novel platform for a wide range of biomedical applications including biosensor, bioassay, cell culture, and cell-based assay.
Kinetic and molecular orbital studies on the rate of oxidation of monosubstituted phenols and anilines by horseradish peroxidase compound II (1990)

The second-order rate constant (k4) for the oxidation of a series of aromatic donor molecules (monosubstituted phenols and anilines) by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) compound II was examined with a stopped-flow apparatus. The electronic states of these substrates were calculated by an ab initio molecular orbital method. It was found that in both phenols and anilines log k4 values correlate well with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level, but not with the net charge or frontier electron density on atoms of these molecules. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of phenols and anilines further showed linear relationships with Hammett's sigma values with negative slopes. Similar results were obtained in the oxidation of substrates by HRP compound I, except that the rate of reaction was much higher than in the case of HRP compound II. In addition, the rates of oxidation of phenols by compound I or II were found to be about 1000 times higher than those of anilines with similar HOMO energy levels. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of electron transfer from the substrate to the heme iron of HRP compound II is discussed.
Silicon and bone health. (2007)

Low bone mass (osteoporosis) is a silent epidemic of the 21st century, which presently in the UK results in over 200,000 fractures annually at a cost of over one billion pounds. Figures are set to increase worldwide. Understanding the factors which affect bone metabolism is thus of primary importance in order to establish preventative measures or treatments for this condition. Nutrition is an important determinant of bone health, but the effects of the individual nutrients and minerals, other than calcium, is little understood. Accumulating evidence over the last 30 years strongly suggest that dietary silicon is beneficial to bone and connective tissue health and we recently reported strong positive associations between dietary Si intake and bone mineral density in US and UK cohorts. The exact biological role(s) of silicon in bone health is still not clear, although a number of possible mechanisms have been suggested, including the synthesis of collagen and/or its stabilization, and matrix mineralization. This review gives an overview of this naturally occurring dietary element, its metabolism and the evidence of its potential role in bone health.
Epidural steroid injections for lumbar spinal stenosis (2007)

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a common source of pain and disability in the elderly. It presents clinically with a variety of symptoms, though neurogenic claudication is the hallmark. There is a multifactorial pathogenesis to lumbar stenosis and its symptoms, and thus, there are multiple management approaches available. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a popular choice in management, however, the literature is vague in definitive support of their use, and providers that utilize injections can use variable techniques to access the spinal canal in order to deposit the steroid at the appropriate site. This article will review degenerative lumbar stenosis in general and focus on the use of ESIs to better define their role in this management process. In addition, the evidence to discern the optimal injection route will be presented.
‘Smart’ delivery systems for biomolecular therapeutics (2005)

The molecular mechanisms that proteins use to sense and destabilize provide interesting paradigms for the development of new polymeric delivery systems that mimic biological strategies for promoting the intracellular delivery of biomolecular drugs. The key feature of these polymers is their ability to directly enhance the intracellular delivery of proteins and DNA, by destabilizing biological membranes in response to vesicular compartment pH changes. The ability to deliver a wide variety of protein and nucleic acid drugs to intracellular compartments from tissue engineering and regenerative scaffolds could greatly enhance control of important processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and biomineralization.
Will EMU increase eurosclerosis (2000)

In this paper we study the relationship between labor market institutions and monetary policy. We use a simple macroeconomic framework to show how optimal monetary policy rules depend on labor institutions (labor adjustment costs, and nominal and real wage rigitidy) and social preferences regarding inflation, employment, and real wages. We also calibrate our model to compute how the change in social welfare brought about by giving up monetary policy as a result of joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) depends on institutions and preferences. We then use the calibrated model to analyze how EMU affects the incentives for labor market reform, both for reforms that increase the economy's adjustment potential and for those that affect the long-run unemployment rate.
Front Matter and Table of Contents (1995)

This entry contains the front cover, front matter and back cover.
Osteoporosis clinical trials endpoints: candidate variables and clinimetric properties. (1997)

We reviewed evidence on endpoints used in osteoporosis clinical trials to assist in the development of a set of endpoints to be included in all trials. A MEDLINE search was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration strategy for each endpoint. Additional published literature was obtained from content experts. A proposed list of endpoints was developed after consultation with experts in the field. Each endpoint was evaluated with respect to validity, reproducibility, redundancy, and feasibility. We classified the endpoints into 2 major categories: clinical health status outcomes and intermediate endpoints, and for each endpoint we present current evidence from the literature as pertains to defined methodologic criteria. Multiple endpoints have been used in osteoporosis clinical trials, and an agreement on a core set of measures needs to be evidence based with an emphasis on validity, reproducibility, and feasibility and to satisfy clinical credibility.
Differential regulation of prolactin receptor mRNA expression in rat liver and kidney by testosterone and oestradiol (1994)

Prolactin (PRL) exerts a wide variety of physiological effects on mammalian tissues through its receptor (PRL-R) on the target cells. PRL-R in rat tissue consists of two isoforms, the long and the short form, and the regulatory mechanisms of their mRNA expression in tissues are complex and diverse. The present study reports the differential regulation of PRL-R mRNA expression in rat liver and kidney by testosterone and oestradiol. Using Northern blot analysis, short form PRL-R mRNA was clearly detected in female rat liver and male rat kidney, and long form PRL-R mRNA was faintly observed only in female rat liver. However, the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method enabled efficient analysis of mRNA levels in short and long forms of PRL-R in the liver and kidney of both male and female rats. The mRNA levels for the long and short forms of PRL-R were depressed in the liver of male rats but not in that from female rats during sexual maturation. Castration of male rats resulted in the induction of the mRNAs for these two forms of PRL-R in the liver. Testosterone, but not oestradiol, completely blocked the induction by castration of liver PRL-R gene expression. In kidney, in contrast, mRNA levels for both forms of PRL-R were depressed in female rats but not in male rats after sexual maturation. Administration of oestradiol, but not of testosterone, caused marked repression of short form PRL-R mRNA, particularly in the kidney of male rats. The levels of long form PRL-R mRNA in the kidney was less affected by the administration of oestradiol. These results have suggested that the expression of PRL-R mRNAs in rat liver and kidney is differentially regulated by testosterone and oestrogen.
Real-time dispersion analyzer of femtosecond laser pulses with use of a spectrally and temporally resolved upconversion technique (1996)

We demonstrate a real-time femtosecond-laser-pulse analyzer by using a spectrally and temporally resolved upconversion technique (STRUT) for characterization of the phase and the intensity. The STRUT provides simple but reliable analysis of femtosecond pulses by employing a narrow-bandpass dielectric filter in one arm of a conventional single-shot upconversion autocorrelator and analyzing the spatiotemporal upconversion signal with a monochromator. The resulting spatiotemporal and spatiospectral image presents clear and complete information about femtosecond pulses produced by either oscillators or amplifiers. Characterization of 2-nJ, 60-fs Ti:sapphire oscillator pulses is achieved with 0.5 s data acquisition time and 0.2-s computational time.
Characterization of the single crystalline iron sulfide nanowire array synthesis by pulsed electrodeposition (2006)

Magnetic material Fe7S8 nanowire arrays have been successfully synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition in porous anodized aluminum oxide template. X-ray diffraction results show that the as-synthesized nanowires are single crystalline and have a highly preferential orientation. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations indicate that the ordered Fe7S8 nanowire arrays are uniform with a diameter of 50nm and length up to several tens of micrometers. The temperature variation of the magnetic properties has also been studied.
Construction of a catalytically active iron superoxide dismutase by rational protein design (1997)

The rational protein design algorithm DEZYMER was used to introduce the active site of nonheme iron superoxide dismutase (SOD) into the hydrophobic interior of the host protein, Escherichia coli thioredoxin (Trx), a protein that does not naturally contain a transition metal-binding site. Reconstitution of the designed protein, Trx-SOD, showed the incorporation of one high-affinity metal-binding site. The electronic spectra of the holoprotein and its N3- and F- adducts are analogous to those previously reported for native {Fe3+}SOD. Activity assays showed that {Fe3+}Trx-SOD is capable of catalyzing the dismutation of the superoxide anion; comparative studies with the unrelated wild-type E. coli iron SOD indicated that {Fe3+}Trx-SOD catalyzes the dismutation reaction at a rate on the order of 10(5) M-1s -1. The ability to design catalytically competent metalloenzymes allows for the systematic investigation of fundamental mechanistic questions concerning catalysis at transition metal centers.
Labile iron in parenteral iron formulations and its potential for generating plasma nontransferrin‐bound iron in dialysis patients (2002)

Parenteral iron formulations contain a small but significant fraction of redox-active iron, most of which is scavenged by apo-Tf within <1 h. Therefore, oxidant stress associated with iron infusion is likely to be transient. The bulk of the polymeric iron is apparently inaccessible to apo-Tf. Although LPI might return to normal within 2 h of intravenous iron infusion, the long-term persistence of low-level LPI in up to 20% of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients indicates that complete clearance of the intravenous iron may be more protracted than originally estimated.
An altered response by peripheral leukocytes to synthesize or release leukocyte endogenous mediator in critically ill, protein-malnourished patients. (1982)

LEM derived from fixed and circulating macrophages is involved in certain aspects of the metabolic response to infection. A reduction in the synthesis or release of LEM from leukocytes of nonstressed, protein-malnourished patients has been demonstrated. In this study, blood leukocytes from 15 protein-malnourished patients (serum albumin less than 2.5 gm/dl) who were critically ill were assayed for their in vitro capacity to produce LEM. Samples were taken before (day 0) and 3 or 7 days after the institution of parenteral nutrition. Hospitalized patients were judged capable of producing LEM (responders) if the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the blood of the rats injected with their LEM was greater than 52% ( the minimum value obtained when LEM from 10 human volunteers was injected into the rats). With this criterion, eight patients were responders and only one died during their hospital stay, whereas five of seven nonresponders expired (p less than 0.05). On day 0, prior to intravenous nutritional support, there was no difference in the capacity to produce LEM between responding and nonresponding patients. However, those patients whose leukocytes were capable of responding received significantly greater quantities of dietary protein and calories over the 7-day study period than nonresponders (p less than 0.05). There was a correlation between the polymorphonuclear leukocyte response to LEM in rats and the patients' dietary protein intake (r = 0.719, p less than 0.005). these findings suggest that an appreciable fraction of severely ill, protein-malnourished patients have a reduced capacity to synthesize LEM, as judged by bioassay and an increased risk of mortality. The in vitro capacity to produce LEM in a critically ill population appears to be associated with the dietary intake of the patient.
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3–Induced Myeloid Cell Differentiation Is Regulated by a Vitamin D Receptor–Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling Complex (1999)

1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (D(3)) promotes the maturation of myeloid cells and surface expressions of CD14 and CD11b, markers of cell differentiation in response to D(3). To examine how these responses are regulated, THP-1 cells were grown in serum-free medium and incubated with D(3). This was associated with rapid and transient increases in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity. Furthermore, induction of CD14 expression in response to D(3) was abrogated by (a) the PI 3-kinase inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin; (b) antisense oligonucleotides to mRNA for the p110 catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase; and (c) a dominant negative mutant of PI 3-kinase. In THP-1 cells, induction of CD11b expression by D(3) was also abrogated by LY294002 and wortmannin. Similarly, LY294002 and wortmannin inhibited D(3)-induced expression of both CD14 and CD11b in peripheral blood monocytes. In contrast to CD14 and CD11b, hormone-induced expression of the Cdk inhibitor p21 in THP-1 cells was unaffected by either wortmannin or LY294002. These findings suggest that PI 3-kinase selectively regulates D(3)-induced monocyte differentiation, independent of any effects on p21.
Automatic calibration of multi-modal sensor systems using a gradient orientation measure (2013)

A novel technique for calibrating a multi-modal sensor system has been developed. Our calibration method is based on the comparative alignment of output gradients from two candidate sensors. The algorithm is applied to the calibration of the extrinsic parameters of several camera-lidar systems. In this calibration the lidar scan is projected onto the camera's image using a camera model. Particle swarm optimization is used to find the optimal parameters for this model. This method requires no markers to be placed in the scene. While the system can use a set of scans, unlike many existing techniques it can also automatically calibrate the system reliably using a single scan. The method presented is successfully validated on a variety of cameras, lidars and locations. It is also compared to three existing techniques and shown to give comparable or superior results on the datasets tested.
Efficient and Progressive Algorithms for Distributed Skyline Queries over Uncertain Data (2010)

The skyline operator has received considerable attention from the database community, due to its importance in many applications including multi-criteria decision making, preference answering, and so forth. In many applications where uncertain data are inherently exist, i.e., data collected from different sources in distributed locations are usually with imprecise measurements, and thus exhibit kind of uncertainty. Taking into account the network delay and economic cost associated with sharing and communicating large amounts of distributed data over an internet, an important problem in this scenario is to retrieve the global skyline tuples from all the distributed local sites with minimum communication cost. Based on the well known notation of the probabilistic skyline query over centralized uncertain data, in this paper, for the first time, we propose the notation of distributed skyline queries over uncertain data. Furthermore, two communication-and computation-efficient algorithms are proposed to retrieve the qualified skylines from distributed local sites. Extensive experiments have been conducted to verify the efficiency and the effectiveness of our algorithms with both the synthetic and real data sets.
Hybrid Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Tetraploid Mice Show Apparently Normal Morphological, Physiological, and Neurological Characteristics (2003)

ES cell-tetraploid (ES) mice are completely derived from embryonic stem cells and can be obtained at high efficiency upon injection of hybrid ES cells into tetraploid blastocysts. This method allows the immediate generation of targeted mouse mutants from genetically modified ES cell clones, in contrast to the standard protocol, which involves the production of chimeras and several breeding steps. To provide a baseline for the analysis of ES mouse mutants, we performed a phenotypic characterization of wild-type B6129S6F(1) ES mice in relation to controls of the same age, sex, and genotype raised from normal matings. The comparison of 90 morphological, physiological, and behavioral parameters revealed elevated body weight and hematocrit as the only major difference of ES mice, which exhibited an otherwise normal phenotype. We further demonstrate that ES mouse mutants can be produced from mutant hybrid ES cells and analyzed within a period of only 4 months. Thus, ES mouse technology is a valid research tool for rapidly elucidating gene function in vivo.
RNA signatures allow rapid identification of pathogens and antibiotic susceptibilities (2012)

With rising rates of drug-resistant infections, there is a need for diagnostic methods that rapidly can detect the presence of pathogens and reveal their susceptibility to antibiotics. Here we propose an approach to diagnosing the presence and drug-susceptibility of infectious diseases based on direct detection of RNA from clinical samples. We demonstrate that species-specific RNA signatures can be used to identify a broad spectrum of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites. Moreover, we show that the behavior of a small set of bacterial transcripts after a brief antibiotic pulse can rapidly differentiate drug-susceptible and -resistant organisms and that these measurements can be made directly from clinical materials. Thus, transcriptional signatures could form the basis of a uniform diagnostic platform applicable across a broad range of infectious agents.
Seroma Prevention by Using <i>Corynebacterium parvum</i> in a Rat Mastectomy Model (2001)

Seroma formation is the most common complication after mastectomy and continues to be an important problem during the early postoperative period. Several surgical and medical methods have been developed to try to overcome this problem; however, so far none have been used successfully in the routine clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) as a sclerosing agent in both prevention and treatment of seromas after mastectomy and axillary dissection in an animal model. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent mastectomy and axillary dissection under general anaesthesia. Following surgery, the rats were treated in 1 of 3 ways. In the prevention group, 1 cm3 (0.35 mg) CP solution was injected beneath the skin flap just before closure of the incision after mastectomy. In the treatment group, animals in which a seroma was formed, the fluid was aspirated, and 1 cm3 CP solution was injected beneath the flap. In the control group, animals in which seromas formed, aspiration only was performed. The frequency of seroma formation decreased when CP solution was injected immediately after the operation (p < 0.01). In addition, seroma formation was effectively treated by CP injection when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CP was effective as a prophylactic agent in the prevention group and as a therapeutic agent in the treatment group in this experimental model. CP injection may be useful for the management of this problem in a clinical setting.