gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of T Cell Tolerance Induced by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (2010)

Ag-specific T cell tolerance plays a critical role in tumor escape. Recent studies implicated myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the induction of CD8(+) T cell tolerance in tumor-bearing hosts. However, the mechanism of this phenomenon remained unclear. We have found that incubation of Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells, with peptide-loaded MDSCs, did not induce signaling downstream of TCR. However, it prevented subsequent signaling from peptide-loaded dendritic cells. Using double TCR transgenic CD8(+) T cells, we have demonstrated that MDSC induced tolerance to only the peptide, which was presented by MDSCs. T cell response to the peptide specific to the other TCR was not affected. Incubation of MDSCs with Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells caused nitration of the molecules on the surface of CD8(+) T cells, localized to the site of physical interaction between MDSC and T cells, which involves preferentially only TCR specific for the peptide presented by MDSCs. Postincubation with MDSCs, only nitrotyrosine-positive CD8(+) T cells demonstrated profound nonresponsiveness to the specific peptide, whereas nitrotyrosine-negative CD8(+) T cells responded normally to that stimulation. MDSCs caused dissociation between TCR and CD3zeta molecules, disrupting TCR complexes on T cells. Thus, these data describe a novel mechanism of Ag-specific CD8(+) T cell tolerance in cancer.
Vitamin D Is Associated with Improved Survival in Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients (2005)

Vitamin D may inhibit the development and progression of a wide spectrum of cancers. We investigated the associations of surgery season and vitamin D intake with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival in 456 early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. The data were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. The median (range) follow-up time was 71 (0.1-140) months, with 161 recurrence and 231 deaths. Patients who had surgery in summer had a better RFS than those who had surgery in winter (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-1.01), with 5-year RFS rates of 53% (45-61%) and 40% (32-49%), respectively (P = 0.10, log-rank test). Similar association between surgery season and RFS was found among the 321 patients with dietary information (P = 0.33, log-rank test). There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D intake and RFS. Because both season and vitamin D intake are important predictors for vitamin D levels, we investigated the joint effects of surgery season and vitamin D intake. Patients who had surgery during summer with the highest vitamin D intake had better RFS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.74) than patients who had surgery during winter with the lowest vitamin D intake, with the 5-year RFS rates of 56% (34-78%) and 23% (4-42%), respectively. Similar associations of surgery season and vitamin D intake with overall survival were also observed. In conclusion, the joint effects of surgery season and recent vitamin D intake seem to be associated with the survival of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients.
The Role of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) in Apoptosis Induced by Ultraviolet C and γ Radiation (1996)

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) participate in cellular responses to mitogenic stimuli, environmental stresses, and apoptotic agents. The mechanisms by which JNK integrates with other signaling pathways and regulates the diverse cellular events are unclear. We found JNK, but not p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2, to be persistently activated in apoptosis induced by gamma radiation, UV-C, and anti-Fas treatment. Direct correlation was found between JNK activation and apoptosis induced by UV-C and gamma radiation; however, JNK induction and apoptosis induced by Fas signaling were not well correlated. Overexpression of activated JNK1 caused cell death in transfected cells, and the expression of a dominant-negative mutant of MAPK kinase 1 or JNK1 (but not a dominant-negative mutant of p38-MAPK or c-Raf) prevented the UV-C- and gamma radiation-induced cell death. The inductions of JNK in T-cell activation and apoptosis were distinguished by the different activation patterns, transient versus persistent, respectively. Co-treatment with a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (sodium orthovanadate) and T-cell activation signals (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin) prolonged JNK induction, followed by T-cell apoptosis. Our data revealed the requirement of the JNK pathway in radiation-induced apoptosis and implicated the importance of the duration of JNK activation in determining the cell fates.
Serum Biomarker Panels for the Detection of Pancreatic Cancer (2011)

The PDAC-specific biomarker panels identified in this investigation warrant additional clinical validation to determine their role in screening targeted high-risk populations.
Interaction of Peptides Corresponding to Fatty Acylation Sites in Proteins with Model Membranes (1995)

In recent years, a large number of proteins having covalently linked myristic and palmitic acids have been discovered. It is assumed that fatty acid acylation serves to anchor proteins to membranes. However, it is not clear whether fatty acids modulate orientation of peptide chain in membranes or help in associating hydrophilic segments of peptides with membranes. We have examined the aggregation properties and membrane association of peptides corresponding to myristoylation and palmitoylation regions of proteins by fluorescence spectroscopy. Both acylated and non-acylated peptides were used for investigation. Binding of the peptides to lipid vesicles was assessed by monitoring the fluorescence of tryptophan as well as the quenching of its fluorescence in the presence of quenchers like I- and acrylamide. Our results indicate that in the peptide corresponding to a transmembrane segment, palmitoylation results in a change in the orientation of the peptide chain in the lipid bilayer. In the case of peptides that do not have a hydrophobic segment, acylation with palmitic or myristic acid does not appear to result in increased binding to lipid bilayer. Our results suggest that (i) the primary role of myristoylation may not be an anchor for membrane attachment as assumed, (ii) palmitoylation in the case of proteins having transmembrane segments may serve to realign the transmembrane segment from the normal orientation perpendicular to the bilayer surface, (iii) in the case of proteins where there is no hydrophobic segment, palmitoylation may not serve as a membrane anchor and could be involved in interaction with other membrane-bound proteins.
GT3 and its O-acetylated derivative are the principal A2B5-reactive gangliosides in cultured O2A lineage cells and are down-regulated along with O-acetyl GD3 during differentiation to oligodendrocytes (1999)

Among the developmentally regulated antigens expressed on the surface of bipotential glial precursors isolated from neonatal rat brain are the gangliosides recognized by the monoclonal antibody A2B5. Immunostaining of thin layer chromatograms showed that oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte (O2A) progenitors in culture express two ganglioside antigens that react strongly with the A2B5 antibody. Both ganglioside antigens are down-regulated as the cells differentiate to oligodendrocytes, corresponding to the disappearance of cell surface immunostaining by A2B5 in mature oligodendrocytes. By contrast, both gangliosides continue to be expressed when the cells differentiate to type-2 astrocytes. These two A2B5-reactive gangliosides in O2A lineage cells were identified as GT3 and O-acetyl GT3 by using the monoclonal antibody 18B8 that recognizes GT3 and an influenza C virus esterase that specifically removes O-acetyl moieties from sialic acids. Thin-layer chromatographic immunostaining with the JONES monoclonal antibody demonstrated that the progenitor cells in culture also express O-acetyl GD3, which is similarly down-regulated in oligodendrocytes, but retained in type-2 astrocytes. The 18B8 and JONES antibodies also immunostained the surface of O2A progenitors. Therefore, expression of GT3 and O-acetylation of GT3 and GD3 occur during the proliferative and migratory stages of glial cell development. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New Photographs of the Alberta Canada Temple Site Dedication, 1913 (2000)

President Joseph F. Smith and a group of other LDS Church leaders, family, and friends left Salt Lake City on July 23, 1913, for Canada. During their visit, President Smith dedicated the site for the Cardston Temple, the first LDS temple outside the United States. President Smith's stay in the Mormon settlement of Cardston, Alberta, Canada, was captured in a series of photographs recently discovered in Canada.
Endothelial NOS and the Blockade of LTP by NOS Inhibitors in Mice Lacking Neuronal NOS (1994)

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a persistent increase in synaptic strength implicated in certain forms of learning and memory. In the CA1 region of the hippocampus, LTP is thought to involve the release of one or more retrograde messengers from the postsynaptic cell that act on the presynaptic terminal to enhance transmitter release. One candidate retrograde messenger is the membrane-permeant gas nitric oxide (NO), which in the brain is released after activation of the neuronal-specific NO synthase isoform (nNOS). To assess the importance of NO in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, LTP was examined in mice where the gene encoding nNOS was disrupted by gene targeting. In nNOS- mice, LTP induced by weak intensity tetanic stimulation was normal except for a slight reduction in comparison to that in wild-type mice and was blocked by NOS inhibitors, just as it was in wild-type mice. Immunocytochemical studies indicate that in the nNOS- mice as in wild-type mice, the endothelial form of NOS (eNOS) is expressed in CA1 neurons. These findings suggest that eNOS, rather than nNOS, generates NO within the postsynaptic cell during LTP.
A new CCFL inverter circuit far AMLCD panels results in significantly higher efficiency and brightness (2002)

The paper discusses a new CCFL, inverter that is based on a new control technique named the Current Synchronous Zero Voltage Switching (CS-ZVS) topology. This topology enables the design of very efficient dimmable CCFL inverter circuits. The fault protection features of the inverter are comprehensive and protect against such failures as overvoltage, overcurrent and overtemperature conditions. When this inverter is integrated with the LCD panels as a system, significant improvements in efficiency, reliability and user safety are realized.
The conserved carboxy terminal region of HIV-1 gp120 is recognized by seronegative HIV-exposed people (1999)

Our results suggest that antibody responses against the C-terminal region of HIV gp120 and HLA class I may represent markers of apparent natural protection against HIV-1 infection.
DYNAMIC MODELING AND CONTROL OF A TWO WHEELED ROBOTIC VEHICLE WITH A VIRTUAL PAYLOAD (2011)

One of the challenging issues to consider in balancing a two-wheeled robotic machine (TWRM) is when the load carried by the machine is changing position along the vehicle intermediate body (IB). An issue of interest in this case is the resulting impact on the system behaviour due to changing position of the load. Further complications arise with changing the size of the load. This work presents investigations into controlling a TWRM with a payload positioned at different locations along its IB. Two types of control techniques are developed and implemented on the system, the traditional proportional-derivative (PD) control and fuzzy logic (FL) control. PD and PD-fuzzy logic control techniques are developed to balance the vehicle with a payload incorporating two different scenarios. Firstly, the payload is positioned at different locations along its IB. Secondly, it is considered to perform a continuous sliding motion along the IB. The balancing of the robot has to be achieved during the motion of the vehicle and the payload along the IB. An external disturbance force is applied to the rod which constitutes the IB in order to test the robustness of the developed controllers. Investigations are carried out on the effect of changing the level and duration of the disturbance force, and changing the speed of the payload on the system during the balancing mode. Simulation results of both control algorithms are analyzed on a comparative basis.
Tyrosine hydroxylase‐based DNA‐vaccination is effective against murine neuroblastoma (2000)

Background The disruption of self-tolerance against neuroblastoma is the ultimate goal of an effective DNA-vaccine. Procedure Here we demonstrate the induction of a protective immunity against syngeneic murine NXS2 neuroblastoma in A/J mice, following vaccination with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) derived antigens. Oral gene delivery was accomplished using an attenuated strain of Salmonella typhimurium as a carrier harboring vectors encoding for mTH antigens. Results Vaccination was effective in protecting animals from a lethal challenge with wild-type NXS2 tumor cells. Conclusions These results provide the first evidence of the TH self antigen being recognized by T-cells and demonstrate that a TH-based DNA vaccine is a potentially useful immunotherapeutic strategy for neuroblastoma. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 35:641–646, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cerebral arterial contractions induced by human and bovine thrombin. (1980)

Purified human and bovine thrombin produced comparable tonic contractions in isolated canine basilar arteries. The magnitude of the contractions was closely related to the number of thrombin Units studied rather than to the amount of protein added to the isolation bath. Thrombin had a much slower onset of action, but was more potent in generating sustained contractions than either serotonin or prostaglandin F2 alpha. Moreover, in contrast to serotonin and prostaglandin F2 alpha, the contractions caused by thrombin were not terminated by equivalent washing. The thrombin-induced contractions were significantly inhibited by prostacyclin, meclofenamic acid, phenoxybenzamine and glycerol. Prostacyclin was the most potent of these inhibitors. The results suggest that thrombin in a "free" form may cause vasoconstriction, in addition to platelet aggregation, in hemostasis and could contribute to the genesis of cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Fresh chicken eggs preservation under tropical conditions (1999)

Adrenal masses can be detected in up to 4% of the population, and are mostly of adrenocortical origin. Adrenocortical tumours (ACTs) may be responsible for excess steroid production and, in the case of adrenocortical cancers, for morbidity or mortality due to tumour growth. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of ACTs is more limited than that for other tumours. However, studies of the genetics of ACTs have led to major advances in this field in the last decade. The identification of germline molecular defects in the hereditary syndrome responsible for ACTs has facilitated progress. Indeed, similar molecular defects have since been identified as somatic alterations in sporadic tumours. The familial diseases concerned are Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which may be due to germline mutation of the tumour-suppressor gene TP53 and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, which is caused by dys-regulation of the imprinted IGF-II locus at 11p15. ACTs also occur in type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 1), which is characterized by a germline mutation of the menin gene. Cushing's syndrome due to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) has been observed in Carney complex patients presenting inactivating germline PRKAR1A mutations. Interestingly, allelic losses at 17p13 and 11p15 have been demonstrated in sporadic adrenocortical cancer and somatic PRKAR1A mutations have been found in secreting adrenocortical adenomas. More rarely, mutations in Gs protein (gsp) and the gene for ACTH receptor have been observed in ACTs. The genetics of another group of adrenal diseases that can lead to adrenal nodular hyperplasia -- congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA) -- have also been studied extensively. This review summarizes recent advances in the genetics of ACTs, highlighting both improvements in our understanding of the pathophysiology and the diagnosis of these tumours.
Ausblick (2001)

Zum Abschluss dieses Buches wollen wir als exemplarische Modifikation unseres F.U.T.U.R.E.-Konzeptes ein aktuelles Projekt zum Thema Behörden-Consulting aus dem öffentlichen Dienst vorstellen, da uns gerade die Veränderungsbedürftigkeit in diesem Bereich als eine besondere Herausforderung erscheint.
Expression and functions of galectin-7 in ovarian cancer (2014)

There is a critical need to develop effective new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. In the present work, we investigated the expression of galectin-7 (gal-7) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells and studied its functional relevance. Immunohistochemical analysis of gal-7 expression in tissue microarrays showed that while gal-7 was not detected in normal ovarian tissues, positive cytoplasmic staining of gal-7 was detected in epithelial cells in all EOC histological subtypes but was more frequent in high grade tumors and metastatic samples. Gal-7 expression correlated with a significant difference in the overall survival of patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Furthermore, using human EOC cell lines, we found that gal-7 expression was induced by mutant p53. Mechanistically, Matrigel invasion assays and live cell imaging showed that gal-7 increased the invasive behavior of ovarian cancer cells by inducing MMP-9 and increasing cell motility. EOC cells can also secrete gal-7. Recombinant human gal-7 kills Jurkat T cells and human peripheral T cells, suggesting that gal-7 also has immunosuppressive properties. Taken together, our study validates the clinical significance of gal-7 overexpression in ovarian cancer and provides a rationale for targeting gal-7 to improve the outcome of patients with this disease.
Combination therapy for prostate cancer. Endocrine and biologic basis of its choice as new standard first-line therapy (1993)

RESULTS. All double-blind randomized and prospective clinical trials in advanced prostate cancer have shown that combination therapy using a nonsteroidal antiandrogen in association with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist or orchiectomy has significant benefits according to all the subjective and objective parameters used, the most important being a prolongation of survival ranging from 5.4-15.0 months compared with LHRH agonists or orchiectomy alone (standard therapy). The benefits observed are probably the result of the blockade by the antiandrogenic agents of the androgens of adrenal origin, which represent, on average, 40% of the total androgens in men and which, otherwise, are left free to continue to stimulate prostate cancer after castration. These data are supported well by the demonstration of the expression of the genes encoding all enzymes required for the formation of active androgens in prostatic tissue from the inactive adrenal steroid precursors; this new specialty is called intracrinology. Both fundamental and clinical data indicate that low androgen levels cause changes in the cancer cells that lead to no or a poor response to antihormonal therapy. CONCLUSIONS. It is thus imperative that combination therapy be used as first treatment in all patients in whom endocrine therapy is indicated. Prior exposure to monotherapy shortens the patient's life by many months and produces a poor quality of life.
Intercomparison of methods for image quality characterization. II. Noise power spectruma) (2006)

Second in a two-part series comparing measurement techniques for the assessment of basic image quality metrics in digital radiography, in this paper we focus on the measurement of the image noise power spectrum (NPS). Three methods were considered: (1) a method published by Dobbins et al. [Med. Phys. 22, 1581-1593 (1995)], (2) a method published by Samei et al. [Med. Phys. 30, 608-622 (2003)], and (3) a new method sanctioned by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 62220-1, 2003), developed as part of an international standard for the measurement of detective quantum efficiency. In addition to an overall comparison of the estimated NPS between the three techniques, the following factors were also evaluated for their effect on the measured NPS: horizontal versus vertical directional dependence, the use of beam-limiting apertures, beam spectrum, and computational methods of NPS analysis, including the region-of-interest (ROI) size and the method of ROI normalization. Of these factors, none was found to demonstrate a substantial impact on the amplitude of the NPS estimates (< or = 3.1% relative difference in NPS averaged over frequency, for each factor considered separately). Overall, the three methods agreed to within 1.6% +/- 0.8% when averaged over frequencies > 0.15 mm(-1).
A Straightforward Route to Piloty’s Acid Derivatives: A Class of Potential Nitroxyl-Generating Prodrugs (2009)

A series of Piloty's acid derivatives were easily prepared under mild and neutral conditions. The ease of isolation of the final product offers a marked advantage over well-known procedures. This methodology is particularly attractive as it cleanly provided low molecular weight aliphatic sulfohydroxamic acids, which are very interesting for their tendency to generate HNO under physiological conditions.
Harvesting of Algae by Froth Flotation (1962)

A highly efficient froth flotation procedure has been developed for harvesting algae from dilute suspensions. The method does not depend upon the addition of flotants. Harvesting is carried out in a long column containing the feed solution which is aerated from below. A stable column of foam is produced and harvested from a side arm near the top of the column. The cell concentration of the harvest is a function of pH, aeration rate, aerator porosity, feed concentration, and height of foam in the harvesting column. The economic aspects of this process seem favorable for mass harvesting of algae for food or other purposes.
In Vitro Binding of Heavy Metals by an Edible Biopolymer Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (2009)

An edible biopolymer poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) was evaluated for possible use as an chelating/binding agent in the treatment of metal intoxication in humans. In vitro binding of the toxic heavy metals lead and cadmium as affected by pH, contact time, metal concentration, gamma-PGA dose, and essential metals was carried out in a batch mode. A maximum binding occurred in the pH range 5-7, corresponding to the gastrointestinal pH values except for the stomach. Binding isotherms at pH 5.5 were well described by the heterogeneous models (Freundlich and Toth), while the lead isotherm at pH 2.5 showed a S-type curve, which was fitted as multiple curves with the Langmuir model and a shifted-squared Langmuir model. However, no adsorption occurred for cadmium at pH 2.5. The maximum binding capacities of lead and cadmium at pH 5.5 were 213.58 and 41.85 mg/g, respectively. A curvilinear biphasic Scatchard plot signified a multisite interaction of metals. Binding was extremely rapid with 70-100% of total adsorption being attained in 2 min. Kinetics at low and high metal concentrations obeyed pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, respectively. The gamma-PGA dose-activity relationship revealed a low dose of gamma-PGA to be more efficient in binding a large amount of metals. Incorporation of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, and K showed only a minor influence on lead binding but significantly reduced the binding of cadmium.