gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Circumsporozoite proteins of malaria parasites contain a single immunodominant region with two or more identical epitopes. (1983)

We have used panels of monoclonal antibodies to circumsporozoite (CS) proteins of Plasmodium falciparium, P. vivax, and P. knowlesi to determine the number of topographically independent epitopes of these antigens. The results of competition binding assays indicated that single regions of the CS molecules were recognized by the homologous monoclonal antibodies. Competition binding assays were also used to study the specificity of antibodies contained in the sera of humans and monkeys that had developed sterile immunity after immunization with irradiated, intact sporozoites. We found that single monoclonal antibodies inhibited 70-95% of the specific binding of the polyclonal antibodies to crude extracts of sporozoites. It appears, therefore, that CS proteins are among the most immunogenic constituents of sporozoites, and that a single region of these molecules contains most of the immunogenic activity. An additional finding was that the immunodominant region of CS molecules is multivalent with regard to the expression of a single epitope. This was demonstrated by the ability of monomers of CS proteins to bind simultaneously two or more molecules of the same monoclonal antibody.
Update on Parkinson Disease (2003)

This Update reviews developments in the pathophysiology and treatment of Parkinson disease during the past several years. In the area of pathophysiology, studies have addressed the contribution of environmental factors such as caffeine and pesticides. Large-scale epidemiologic studies have also expanded the role genetic factors are thought to play. Detailed studies of kindreds with familial Parkinson disease due to alpha-synuclein and parkin have catalyzed basic science investigations into the pathologic mechanisms of the disease. These studies have led to the development of a pathophysiologic model of Parkinson disease that emphasizes abnormal protein aggregation. Studies of treatment have clarified the relative roles of l-dopa and dopamine agonists in early Parkinson disease and shown the potential for surgical interventions, particularly deep-brain stimulation, to relieve the symptoms of advanced, medically refractory disease.
RNA molecular weight determinations by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, a critical reexamination (1977)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTRNA molecular weight determinations by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, a critical reexaminationHans Lehrach, Don Diamond, John M. Wozney, and Helga BoedtkerCite this: Biochemistry 1977, 16, 21, 4743–4751Publication Date (Print):October 1, 1977Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 October 1977https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bi00640a033https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00640a033research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views4104Altmetric-Citations2325LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts
Molecular medicine in the 21st century (2001)

When Watson and Crick proposed the double helix model for DNA structure in a 2 page Nature article in 1953, no one could have predicted the enormous impact this finding would have on the study of human disease. Over the last decade in particular, major advances have been made in our understanding of both normal biological processes and basic molecular mechanisms underlying a variety of medical diseases. Knowledge obtained from basic cellular, molecular and genetic studies has enabled the development of strategies for the modification, prevention and potential cure of human diseases. This brief overview focuses on the enormous impact molecular studies have had on various aspects of medicine. The inherited cardiac disorder hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is used here as a model to illustrate how molecular studies have not only redefined 'gold standards' for diagnosis, but have also influenced management approaches, increased our understanding of fundamental disease-causing mechanisms and identified potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The near-completion of the Human Genome Project, which identifies the 3.2 billion base pairs that comprise the human genome (the so-called 'Book of Life'), has exponentially heightened the focus on the importance of molecular studies and how such studies will impact on various aspects of medicine in the 21st century.
Characterization of SU1 Isoamylase, a Determinant of Storage Starch Structure in Maize1 (1998)

Function of the maize (Zea mays) gene sugary1 (su1) is required for normal starch biosynthesis in endosperm. Homozygous su1- mutant endosperms accumulate a highly branched polysaccharide, phytoglycogen, at the expense of the normal branched component of starch, amylopectin. These data suggest that both branched polysaccharides share a common precursor, and that the product of the su1 gene, designated SU1, participates in kernel starch biosynthesis. SU1 is similar in sequence to alpha-(1-->6) glucan hydrolases (starch-debranching enzymes [DBEs]). Specific antibodies were produced and used to demonstrate that SU1 is a 79-kD protein that accumulates in endosperm coincident with the time of starch biosynthesis. Nearly full-length SU1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. Two biochemical assays confirmed that SU1 hydrolyzes alpha-(1-->6) linkages in branched polysaccharides. Determination of the specific activity of SU1 toward various substrates enabled its classification as an isoamylase. Previous studies had shown, however, that su1- mutant endosperms are deficient in a different type of DBE, a pullulanase (or R enzyme). Immunoblot analyses revealed that both SU1 and a protein detected by antibodies specific for the rice (Oryza sativa) R enzyme are missing from su1- mutant kernels. These data support the hypothesis that DBEs are directly involved in starch biosynthesis.
Structure and Mucoadhesion of Mussel Glue Protein in Dilute Solution (1998)

Purified mussel adhesive protein mefp-1 (Mytilus edulis foot protein 1) has been studied regarding its state of oligomerization and gross conformation in dilute solution. Sedimentation equilibrium in the analytical ultracentrifuge of a dilute solution of protein (0.4 mg/mL) in acetate buffer at pH 4.5 and I = 0.10 M yielded an apparent molecular weight (whole distribution weight average, Mw, app) of 114 000 +/- 5000 via the "M" procedure, a value in almost exact agreement with the monomeric molecular weight obtained by MALDI mass spectrometry. At this low concentration, it is reasonable to assume thermodynamic ideality, i.e., Mw,app approximately Mw. This result, together with plots of point weight average apparent molecular weight versus concentration for three different loading concentrations (0.4, 0.8, 1.0 mg/mL), clearly demonstrates that this protein is essentially monomeric in dilute solution. Sedimentation velocity experiments yielded an estimate of the sedimentation coefficient s020,w = 2.34 +/- 0.17 S, which for M = 110 000 gives a frictional ratio f/f0 = 3.2 +/- 0.3. The interpretation of this, in terms of an extended rather than globular conformation for the structure of mefp-1 in dilute solution, is considered, within plausible limits of molecular hydration, and models for the structure in solution are considered, in light of the thermodynamic nonideality behavior of these molecules and previously published circular dichroism data. The significance of these observations in terms of the bioadhesive properties of mefp-1 is described, and the very strong interaction in dilute solution with a mucin glycoprotein is demonstrated.
Latherin: A Surfactant Protein of Horse Sweat and Saliva (2009)

Horses are unusual in producing protein-rich sweat for thermoregulation, a major component of which is latherin, a highly surface-active, non-glycosylated protein. The amino acid sequence of latherin, determined from cDNA analysis, is highly conserved across four geographically dispersed equid species (horse, zebra, onager, ass), and is similar to a family of proteins only found previously in the oral cavity and associated tissues of mammals. Latherin produces a significant reduction in water surface tension at low concentrations (< or = 1 mg ml(-1)), and therefore probably acts as a wetting agent to facilitate evaporative cooling through a waterproofed pelt. Neutron reflection experiments indicate that this detergent-like activity is associated with the formation of a dense protein layer, about 10 A thick, at the air-water interface. However, biophysical characterization (circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry) in solution shows that latherin behaves like a typical globular protein, although with unusual intrinsic fluorescence characteristics, suggesting that significant conformational change or unfolding of the protein is required for assembly of the air-water interfacial layer. RT-PCR screening revealed latherin transcripts in horse skin and salivary gland but in no other tissues. Recombinant latherin produced in bacteria was also found to be the target of IgE antibody from horse-allergic subjects. Equids therefore may have adapted an oral/salivary mucosal protein for two purposes peculiar to their lifestyle, namely their need for rapid and efficient heat dissipation and their specialisation for masticating and processing large quantities of dry food material.
Developmental analysis of tropomyosin gene expression in embryonic stem cells and mouse embryos. (1993)

Tropomyosins (TMs) comprise a family of actin-binding proteins which play an important role in the regulation of contractility in muscle (cardiac, skeletal, and smooth) and nonmuscle cells. Although they are present in all cells, different isoforms are characteristic of specific cell types. In vertebrates, there are four different TM genes (alpha-TM, beta-TM, TM30, and TM4), three of which generate alternatively spliced isoforms. This study defines the expression patterns of these isoforms during murine embryogenesis, using both in vivo and in vitro conditions. The embryonic stem cell culture system, which has been shown to mimic different stages of mouse embryonic development, including the differentiation of primitive organ systems such as the myocardium, is used for our in vitro analysis. Our results demonstrate that several TM isoforms are expressed in specific developmental patterns, often correlated with the differentiation of particular tissues or organs. Surprisingly, other TMs, such as the striated muscle beta-TM and smooth muscle alpha-TM, are expressed constitutively. This study also demonstrates that there is an excellent correlation between the expression patterns of the TM isoforms observed in developing embryonic stem cells and mouse embryos. In addition, a quantitative molecular analysis of TM isoforms was conducted in embryonic, neonatal, and adult cardiac tissue. Our results show for the first time that the alpha- and beta-TM striated muscle transcripts are present in the earliest functional stages of the heart, and these TM isoforms are identical to those present throughout cardiac development.
Examination of the early learning curve for transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the rashkind occluder (1994)

background Results of transcatheter implantation of the Rashkind double umbrella occluder for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) have improved over time. We evaluated factors associated with changes in outcomes seen in the early clinical experience with this device. Methods and Results We reviewed records of otherwise healthy pediatric patients undergoing occluder implantation for isolated PDA between 1982 and 1987 at six major US and Canadian referral centers. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of ductal size, patient age and weight, calendar time, prior intrainstitutional occluder experience, and residual center effects on closure rates. There were no study deaths
Visual categorization with bags of keypoints (2004)

Abstract. We present a novel method for generic visual categorization: the problem of identifying the object content of natural images while generalizing across variations inherent to the object class. This bag of keypoints method is based on vector quantization of affine invariant descriptors of image patches. We propose and compare two alternative implementations using different classifiers: Naïve Bayes and SVM. The main advantages of the method are that it is simple, computationally efficient and intrinsically invariant. We present results for simultaneously classifying seven semantic visual categories. These results clearly demonstrate that the method is robust to background clutter and produces good categorization accuracy even without exploiting geometric information. 1.
Pharmacokinetics of Bupivacaine following Caudal Anesthesia in Infants (1988)

Pharmacokinetics and protein binding of bupivacaine were studied after caudal injection of 2.5 mg/kg in 13 ASA PS 1 infants (1-6 months of age) scheduled for elective hernia repair. Blood was sampled at frequent intervals from 5 min to 600 min in all but one patients. Additional samples were taken at 720 and 840 min in five patients. Bupivacaine concentration was measured using gas chromatography. Protein binding was measured using ultrafiltration. Peak serum concentrations ranged between 0.55 and 1.93 micrograms/ml. The time to reach the peak ranged from 10 to 60 min. Terminal half-life (T1/2 beta) was 7.7 +/- 2.4h (mean +/- SD), the volume of distribution (Vss) was 3.9 +/- 2.01.kg, and the total body clearance (CL) was 7.1 +/- 3.2 ml.min.kg-1. The free fraction was markedly increased (0.16 +/- 0.07) when compared with published adult values, and showed a highly significant negative correlation with age. Alpha 1 acid glycoprotein measured in the same infants correlated significantly with age. In conclusion, pharmacokinetics of caudal bupivacaine in infants are characterized by Cmax of total drug similar to those observed in adults after epidural injection. The free fraction is increased at least until 6 months of life. This suggests caution in the use of bupivacaine in infants until we understand the clinical significance of this increased free fraction.
Thermal Aging of Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposited Oxide Coatings (1995)

Abstract Zirconia coatings containing yttria were deposited onto sapphire substrates using liquid fuel combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVDsm ) and subsequently aged in air at 1,200°C. Toluene solutions, containing 2.5 and 7.5 mole percent Y 2-ethylhexanoate (Y 2-EH) (balance Zr 2-EH( and total metal concentrations (Zr + Y) of 0.005 M and 0.02 M, were used. All coatings were polycrystalline with those produced from the higher Y 2-EH solutions displaying complex microstructures, including dendrites at the higher molarity. Gas temperatures measured with a thermocouple during deposition near the substrate surfaces were between 1,200 and 1,400°C Thermal aging produced significant effects on the coatings' morphologies and x-ray diffraction-patterns. Diffusional processes during annealing caused particle coalescence, and smoothed and densified the coatings. The x-ray diffraction data indicate that substantial micro structural! changes occur in these coatings at 1,200° C.
A biologic comparison of polyglactin 910 and polyglycolic acid synthetic absorbable sutures. (1975)

Two synthetic absorbable sutures were implanted in rats for a comparative evaluation of breaking strength, tissue reaction and absorption. Polyglactin 910 suture was stronger than polyglycolic acid suture in both sizes tested and at all time periods from zero to 35 days. Both suture types elicited minimal tissure response. Based upon histologic examination, virtually all remnants of the polyglactin 910 were absorbed by 90 days, while considerable quantities of polyglycolic acid persisted at 120 days. The difference in absorption rates was a highly significant feature of the comparative biologic profiles of the two suture materials.
Neuroprotection by caffeine and A(2A) adenosine receptor inactivation in a model of Parkinson's disease. (2001)

Recent epidemiological studies have established an association between the common consumption of coffee or other caffeinated beverages and a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). To explore the possibility that caffeine helps prevent the dopaminergic deficits characteristic of PD, we investigated the effects of caffeine and the adenosine receptor subtypes through which it may act in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin model of PD. Caffeine, at doses comparable to those of typical human exposure, attenuated MPTP-induced loss of striatal dopamine and dopamine transporter binding sites. The effects of caffeine were mimicked by several A(2A) antagonists (7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine (SCH 58261), 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, and (E)-1,3-diethyl-8 (KW-6002)-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione) (KW-6002) and by genetic inactivation of the A(2A) receptor, but not by A(1) receptor blockade with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, suggesting that caffeine attenuates MPTP toxicity by A(2A) receptor blockade. These data establish a potential neural basis for the inverse association of caffeine with the development of PD, and they enhance the potential of A(2A) antagonists as a novel treatment for this neurodegenerative disease.
Molecular analysis of the immune response to human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B. I. Mapping of HLA-restricted helper T cell epitopes on gp93 (1993)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the most common causes of congenital infection leading to birth defects, and a leading cause of serious illness in patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity. Helper T cell (Th) responses to HCMV proteins are likely to be important in limiting viral replication and preventing disease. Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that the amino-terminal 513 amino acids of HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) can stimulate both B and T cell responses in humans. In the present study, the proliferative responses of HCMV-specific Th clones to recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides were examined to identify four Th epitopes on gp93, which represents the amino-terminal 460 amino acids of the gB polypeptide. Using clones of known HLA restriction specificity from several donors, it was shown that each HLA class II allele preferentially associates with a different epitope on gB. Five clones from two different donors recognized an epitope in the region of amino acids 250 to 264 restricted by DR4Dw14, two clones from different donors recognized an epitope in the region of amino acids 420 to 434 restricted by DR7Dw17, two clones from different donors recognized an epitope in the region of amino acids 178 to 194 restricted by DQw1 and a single clone recognized an epitope in the region of amino acids 190 to 204 restricted by DPw4. Although all peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) expressing a particular HLA class II allele were able to present the appropriate HLA-restricted gB peptide to gB-specific Th clones, not all individuals expressing a given HLA allele exhibited PBMC responses to the corresponding gB peptide. The HLA-related differences in Th recognition of specific epitopes on gB described in this report may have important implications in virus-host interactions and vaccine strategies.
Induction of experimental thyroiditis in mice by recombinant interferon γ administration (1990)

Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 2 molecules on the thyroid follicular cells in human autoimmune thyroid diseases has been reported, and is suggested to play a role in the initiation of the autoimmune responses. Interferon gamma is known to induce MHC class 2 molecules on cultured thyrocytes. Therefore, we administered recombinant interferon gamma to mice to induce MHC class 2 molecule expression in vivo, and investigated the thyroidal changes following MHC class 2 molecule expression. Recombinant interferon gamma 3 x 10(5) U, was administered daily, to mice. MHC class 2 molecules, studied by indirect immunohistochemistry, were expressed on the follicular cells on the 2nd to 4th day after the first interferon gamma administration and continued thereafter. Serum T4 and T3 concentrations decreased and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-microsomal antibodies were detected. Lymphocyte infiltrations were observed in the thyroid glands obtained at 28 days, but they were mild. These results suggest that MHC class 2 molecule expression on thyroid follicular cells induces anti-thyroid antibodies and plays an important role in the initiation of autoimmune thyroiditis. However, the progression of the immune response to thyroiditis with lymphocyte infiltration may require some other factor. This new model of autoimmune thyroid disease in mice might be useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of human autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Integrative genomic and functional analyses reveal neuronal subtype differentiation bias in human embryonic stem cell lines (2007)

The self-renewal and differentiation potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) suggests that hESCs could be used for regenerative medicine, especially for restoring neuronal functions in brain diseases. However, the functional properties of neurons derived from hESC are largely unknown. Moreover, because hESCs were derived under diverse conditions, the possibility arises that neurons derived from different hESC lines exhibit distinct properties, but this possibility remains unexplored. To address these issues, we developed a protocol that allows stepwise generation from hESCs of cultures composed of approximately 70-80% human neurons that exhibit spontaneous synaptic network activity. Comparison of neurons derived from the well characterized HSF1 and HSF6 hESC lines revealed that HSF1- but not HSF6-derived neurons exhibit forebrain properties. Accordingly, HSF1-derived neurons initially form primarily GABAergic synaptic networks, whereas HSF6-derived neurons initially form glutamatergic networks. microRNA profiling revealed significant expression differences between the two hESC lines, suggesting that microRNAs may influence their distinct differentiation properties. These observations indicate that although both HSF1 and HSF6 hESCs differentiate into functional neurons, the two hESC lines exhibit distinct differentiation potentials, suggesting that they are preprogrammed. Information on hESC line-specific differentiation biases is crucial for neural stem cell therapy and establishment of novel disease models using hESCs.
The Adaptive Aerosol Delivery System in a Telehealth Setting: Patient Acceptance, Performance and Feasibility (2010)

The trial showed that it was possible to build telehealth technology into an advanced nebulizer system, and that patient acceptance of the technology was unlikely to be a barrier to the adoption of such a telehealth system.