gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Local Tissue-Specific Gene Expression in Cellular Micropatterns (2006)

While cellular micropatterning approaches are employed extensively in cell biology and tissue engineering, only a limited number of methods for analysis of local function in the context of a complex, microfabricated environment are currently available. The present study develops a novel strategy for analysis of local tissue-specific function in cellular micropatterns. Model hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) were seeded onto silane-modified glass slides containing robotically printed arrays of collagen type I. These model hepatocytes formed cell arrays with individual cell cluster dimensions (150 or 500 microm) corresponding in size to the printed collagen spots. Non-parenchymal cells (3T3 fibroblasts) were added to hepatocellular micropatterns to create heterotypic cocultures. Expression of hepatic phenotype in HepG2 cells was first verified by traditional techniques including intracellular staining and ELISA for albumin. In order to evaluate local liver function in the cellular microarray, individual array members composed of approximately 400 hepatocytes were retrieved using laser capture microdissection and analyzed with real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hepatic function was assessed based on expression of four genes associated with differentiated liver phenotype: albumin, transferrin, alpha-fetoprotein, and alpha1-antitrypsin. "Titration" experiments, carried out to identify the smallest population of HepG2 cells yielding detectable mRNA levels and RT-PCR signals, showed that extraction area of 12,500 microm2 (corresponding to approximately 70 cells) provided detectable gene expression signals. All four liver-specific genes were routinely evaluated after extraction of approximately 400 HepG2 from the micropatterned surfaces. Significantly, selective retrieval and subsequent analysis of tissue-specific function was demonstrated for hepatic cells micropatterned alone and in coculture with non-parenchymal cells. In the future, methods described in this study will offer the possibility to investigate dynamic and reciprocal interactions between two or more cell types positioned on a microfabricated cell culture surface. We also envision the proposed approaches to be ideally suited for cell analysis in the context of combinatorial microenvironment.
The effects of muscle mechanoreflex stimulation via passive muscle stretch on baroreflex function in humans (2008)

Quiescent satellite cells, known as adult muscle stem cells, possess a remarkable ability to regenerate skeletal muscle following injury throughout life. Although they mainly originate from multipotent stem/progenitor cells of the somite, the mechanism underlying the establishment of quiescent satellite cell populations is unknown. Here, we show that sex hormones induce Mind bomb 1 (Mib1) expression in myofibres at puberty, which activates Notch signalling in cycling juvenile satellite cells and causes them to be converted into adult quiescent satellite cells. Myofibres lacking Mib1 fail to send Notch signals to juvenile satellite cells, leading to impaired cell cycle exit and depletion. Our findings reveal that the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis drives Mib1 expression in the myofibre niche. Moreover, the same axis regulates the re-establishment of quiescent satellite cell populations following injury. Our data show that sex hormones establish adult quiescent satellite cell populations by regulating the myofibre niche at puberty and re-establish them during regeneration.
Pancreatic Enzyme Pharmacotherapy (2007)

Supplemental pancreatic enzyme preparations are provided to patients with conditions of pancreatic exocrine deficiency such as chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. These patients frequently experience steatorrhea, which occurs from inadequate fat absorption. The delivery of sufficient enzyme concentrations into the duodenal lumen simultaneously with meals can reduce nutrient malabsorption, improve the symptoms of steatorrhea, and in some cases alleviate the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. Current clinical practices dictate administration of lipase 25,000-40,000 units/meal by using pH-sensitive pancrelipase microspheres, along with dosage increases, compliance checks, and differential diagnosis in cases of treatment failure. Despite the large number of specialty enzyme replacements available commercially, many patients remain dissatisfied with standard therapy, and future developments are needed to optimize treatment in these individuals.
Collagenolytic Serine-Carboxyl Proteinase fromAlicyclobacillus sendaiensisStrain NTAP-1: Purification, Characterization, Gene Cloning, and Heterologous Expression (2003)

Enzymatic degradation of collagen produces peptides, the collagen peptides, which show a variety of bioactivities of industrial interest. Alicyclobacillus sendaiensis strain NTAP-1, a slightly thermophilic, acidophilic bacterium, extracellularly produces a novel thermostable collagenolytic activity, which exhibits its optimum at the acidic region (pH 3.9) and is potentially applicable to the efficient production of such peptides. Here, we describe the purification to homogeneity, characterization, gene cloning, and heterologous expression of this enzyme, which we call ScpA. Purified ScpA is a monomeric, pepstatin-insensitive carboxyl proteinase with a molecular mass of 37 kDa which exhibited the highest reactivity toward collagen (type I, from a bovine Achilles tendon) among the macromolecular substrates examined. On the basis of the sequences of the peptides obtained by digestion of collagen with ScpA, the following synthetic peptides were designed as substrates for ScpA and kinetically analyzed: Phe-Gly-Pro-Ala*Gly-Pro-Ile-Gly (k(cat), 5.41 s(-1); K(m), 32 micro M) and Met-Gly-Pro-Arg*Gly-Phe-Pro-Gly-Ser (k(cat), 351 s(-1); K(m), 214 micro M), where the asterisks denote the scissile bonds. The cloned scpA gene encoded a protein of 553 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 57,167 Da. Heterologous expression of the scpA gene in the Escherichia coli cells yielded a mature 37-kDa species after a two-step proteolytic cleavage of the precursor protein. Sequencing of the scpA gene revealed that ScpA was a collagenolytic member of the serine-carboxyl proteinase family (the S53 family according to the MEROPS database), which is a recently identified proteinase family on the basis of crystallography results. Unexpectedly, ScpA was highly similar to a member of this family, kumamolysin, whose specificity toward macromolecular substrates has not been defined.
Amyloid-β Acts as a Regulator of Neurotransmitter Release Disrupting the Interaction between Synaptophysin and VAMP2 (2012)

Our observations provide a necessary and timely insight into cellular mechanisms that underlie the initial pathological events that lead to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Our results demonstrate a new mechanism by which Aβ42 affects synaptic activity.
Digital watermarking of MPEG-2 coded video in the bitstream domain (2002)

Embedding information into multimedia data, also called watermarking, is a topic that has gained increased attention. For video broadcast applications, watermarking schemes operating on compressed video are desirable. We present a scheme for robust watermarking of MPEG-2 encoded video. The watermark is embedded into the MPEG-2 bitstream without increasing the bit-rate, and can be retrieved even from the decoded video and without knowledge of the original, unwatermarked video. The scheme is robust and of much lower complexity than a complete decoding process followed by watermarking in the pixel domain and re-encoding. Although an existing MPEG-2 bitstream is partly altered, the scheme avoids visible artifacts by adding a drift compensation signal. The scheme has been implemented and the results confirm that a robust watermark can be embedded into MPEG encoded video which can be used to securely transmit arbitrary binary information at a data rate of several bytes/second. The scheme is also applicable to other hybrid coding schemes like MPEG-1, H.261, and H.263.
Homeostasis model assessment closely mirrors the glucose clamp technique in the assessment of insulin sensitivity: studies in subjects with various degrees of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. (2000)

We conclude that the HOMA can be reliably used in large-scale or epidemiological studies in which only a fasting blood sample is available to assess insulin sensitivity
Complement Depletion Deteriorates Clinical Outcomes of Severe Abdominal Sepsis: A Conspirator of Infection and Coagulopathy in Crime? (2012)

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01568853.
Safety analysis of long‐term budesonide nasal irrigations in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis post endoscopic sinus surgery (2016)

Long-term use of budesonide nasal irrigations is generally safe, but asymptomatic HPAA suppression may occur in selected patients. Concomitant use of both nasal steroid sprays and pulmonary steroid inhalers while using daily budesonide nasal irrigations is associated with an increased risk. Rhinologists should be alerted to the potential risks of long-term use of budesonide nasal irrigations, and monitoring for HPAA suppression may be warranted in patients receiving long-term budesonide irrigation therapy.
A New Synthesis of Alkyl Nitrites:  The Reaction of Alkyl Alcohols with Nitric Oxide in Organic Solvents (1999)

In a nonaqueous solvent, alkyl nitrites can be easily achieved through the reaction of alkyl alcohols and gaseous NO. In the presence of air, the nitric oxide can in fact be oxidized to nitrous anhydride, which acts as a nitrosating agent. A quantitative study conducted on cycloalkyl alcohols has shown conversion yields to nitrites within the range 65-90%. This result has been validated by ESR spectroscopy experiments on several alkyl alcohols/NO mixtures, which lead to the detection of the same radical species detectable when a solution of the corresponding nitrites is photolyzed.
Studies on the antigenicity of bone. I. Freeze-dried and deep-frozen bone allografts in rabbits (1976)

The antigenicity of deep-frozen and freeze-dried cortical and corticocancellous bone allografts placed orthotopically in rabbits was studied using a sensitive microcytotoxicity assay. Target cells were phytohemagglutinin-P-stimulated, 51chromium-labeled peripheral blood lymphocytes from the bone donors (Dutch belted rabbits), and sera or peripheral blood lymphocytes from the graft recipients (New Zealand white rabbits) were used as effectors of cytotoxicity. Fresh allografts and deep-frozen corticocancellous bone evoked detectable humoral and cell-mediated immunity,, whereas freeze-dried cortical bone allografts failed to sensitize the recipients and were the least antigenic of the allografts examined.
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: Metabolism and Disposition in Long-Term Marihuana Smokers (1971)

Radioactively labeled delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)THC) administered intravenously to chronic marihuana smokers disappeared from the blood plasma with a half-life of 28 hours as compared to 57 hours for nonusers of marihuana. Apparent volumes of distribution did not significantly differ between the two groups. Within 10 minutes after administration of delta(9)THC, 11-hydroxy-delta(9)THC is present in the plasma of nonusers and chronic users. This metabolite was also present in urine and feces of nonusers and long-term marihuana smokers. In addition, polar metabolites were excreted in urine and feces of both groups for more than 1 week.
A Simple and Cost Effective Method to Generate dsRNA for RNAi Studies in Invertebrates (2007)

Using an E. coli strain deficient in ribonuclease III activity, we have developed a simple and cost effective in vivo bacterial expression system to generate large amounts of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This method, which involves E. coli culture, RNase A treatment of lysed cells and total RNA extraction, is easier and less expensive than traditional in vitro transcription techniques. The system was validated by knocking down yellow head virus replication in shrimp OKA cell cultures. Results showed that the dsRNAs prepared in vitro and in vivo possessed similar potency in inhibiting viral replication. This methodology gives an alternative means to prepare large amounts of dsRNA at low cost.
Interleukin-2 promoter activation in T-cells expressing activated Ha-ras. (1992)

Antigen triggering of the T-cell receptor results in an accumulation of activated GTP-bound p21ras protein. To assess the role of ras protein in T-cell activation we have cotransfected the murine thymoma line EL4 with a construct capable of expressing a constitutively active, oncogenic form of Ha-ras and a reporter construct containing the human interleukin-2 promoter fused upstream of the bacterial gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. We show that the ras oncoprotein contributes to interleukin-2 promoter activation. Its pattern of synergism with a calcium ionophore or the lymphokine interleukin-1 indicates that it replaces a signal mediated by protein kinase C. Interleukin-2 promoter activity in the presence of ras oncoprotein was inhibited by H7, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, but not by HA1004, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinase, suggesting that protein kinase C mediates the ras effect. In addition, we show that in these cells, expression of activated ras results in activation of a synthetic promoter containing several copies of an NF kappa B binding site.
Toward High Resolution, Ladar-Quality 3-D World Models Using Ladar-Stereo Data Integration and Fusion (2005)

Abstract : An approach and architecture to incorporate data integration and fusion of laser radar (ladar) and stereo data to generate high resolution, ladar-quality three-dimensional world models is described. Our primary interest involves complex environments that have proved difficult for traditional stereo algorithms to produce accurate information. The principal novelty of our work is the use of ladar information as a priori disparity information. Initial results verify the validity of the approach. Improvement in the identification of occluded regions and reduction of the error in disparities are observed.
Multilevel inverters: a survey of topologies, controls, and applications (2002)

Multilevel inverter technology has emerged recently as a very important alternative in the area of high-power medium-voltage energy control. This paper presents the most important topologies like diode-clamped inverter (neutral-point clamped), capacitor-clamped (flying capacitor), and cascaded multicell with separate DC sources. Emerging topologies like asymmetric hybrid cells and soft-switched multilevel inverters are also discussed. This paper also presents the most relevant control and modulation methods developed for this family of converters: multilevel sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation, multilevel selective harmonic elimination, and space-vector modulation. Special attention is dedicated to the latest and more relevant applications of these converters such as laminators, conveyor belts, and unified power-flow controllers. The need of an active front end at the input side for those inverters supplying regenerative loads is also discussed, and the circuit topology options are also presented. Finally, the peripherally developing areas such as high-voltage high-power devices and optical sensors and other opportunities for future development are addressed.
Continuously tunable single-mode erbium fiber laser (1992)

A single-mode linear-cavity fiber laser that utilizes intracore Bragg reflectors for cavity feedback has been continuously tuned, without mode hopping, when both the gratings and enclosed fiber are stretched uniformly. Continuous tuning is achieved in a 1.54-microm erbium fiber laser since the change in the reflected wavelength from a Bragg reflector tracks the change in the cavity resonance wavelength.
Opening of the extraordinarily stable mini-hairpin d(GCGAAGC) (1997)

For the purposes of the antisense strategy oligodeoxyribonucleotides can be protected against serum and cell nuclease digestion by tagging at their 3'-end with a sequence naturally forming a very stable hairpin, d(GCGAAGC). This nuclease-resistant hairpin is also known for its high thermostability. We demonstrate in this study that attachment of d(GCGAAGC) at the 3'-end of an oligodeoxyribonucleotide does not hinder hybridization of the 5'-part of this oligonucleotide to a complementary DNA strand. Moreover, the hairpin is in equilibrium between a folded and an open structure, with an energy minimum in favor of pairing if it is possible, even with mismatches.
Specific Inhibition of ICAM-1 Expression Mediated by Gene Targeting with Triplex-forming Oligonucleotides (2002)

Selected sequences in the DNA double helix can be specifically recognized by oligonucleotides via hydrogen bonding interactions. The resulting triple helix can modulate DNA metabolism and especially interfere with transcription in a gene-specific manner. To explore the potential of triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) as gene repressors, a TFO was designed to target a 16-bp sequence within the third intron of the human intercellular-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene, which plays a key role in initiating inflammation. TFO binding to its ICAM-1 target sequence was characterized in vitro and also demonstrated in cell nuclei with the set-up of a novel magnetic capture assay, which represents a general experimental approach to the detection of specific TFO binding and to the determination of the accessibility of a given genomic DNA locus. In a human keratinocyte cell line (A431), we observed that: (i) the ICAM-1 target sequence in the chromatin context within the nuclei is still available for triplex formation and (ii) TFO inhibits sequence and gene-specific interferon-gamma-induced ICAM-1 surface expression. Collectively, the data demonstrate effective and specific inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by TFO treatment and support the view that triplex-mediated gene targeting might be a valuable technique for anti-inflammatory or anticancer strategies.
Cardiovascular effects of infused adenosine in man: potentiation by dipyridamole (1987)

In a single blind randomized study, eight normal subjects (23-40 years) received on two separate days adenosine as a constant i.v. infusion with doses increasing from 0.005-0.1 mg kg-1 min-1 following either i.v. dipyridamole 0.4 mg kg-1 per 10 min or a corresponding volume of saline. Heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperature were measured. Following saline all subjects tolerated adenosine 0.07 mg kg-1 min-1, six also tolerated 0.09 mg kg-1 min-1. Both heart rate and skin temperature increased with adenosine in a dose-related manner. Thus, adenosine 0.09 mg kg-1 min-1 was associated with an increase in heart rate (mean +/- SD) from baseline before saline with 16 +/- 10 b.p.m. (P less than 0.01) and an increase in skin temperature with 1.3 +/- 0.8 degrees C (P less than 0.02). Dipyridamole, which inhibits the cellular uptake of adenosine was associated with a change in heart rate similar to that induced by adenosine. Furthermore, when adenosine was infused following dipyridamole the changes in heart rate and skin temperature were potentiated as compared with adenosine following saline. Thus, following dipyridamole an increase in heart rate with 15 b.p.m. above baseline was obtained with 0.005 mg kg-1 min-1 of adenosine as compared with 0.08-0.09 mg kg-1 min-1 of adenosine following saline. Blood pressure did not change in any of the studies. Exogenous adenosine in man has a dose-related positive chronotropic effect and a local dilatory effect in the skin microcirculation. Dipyridamole potentiates the cardiovascular effects of infused adenosine in man.
A Comparison of the Effect of Methyl-b-Cyclodextrin on the Osmotic Fragility of Ovine, Bovine and Human Erythrocytes (2003)

Cyclodextrins are used extensively in food, cosmetic, drug and chemical industries to increase aqueous solubility and stability, and reduce or eliminate the unpleasant taste and smell of many products. Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of a pre-haemolytic dose of methyl b-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes collected from sheep, cattle and humans. Heparinised blood collected from these three species were analysed within 3 h of collection. Erythrocyte suspensions were mixed with MBCD to give concentrations of 2 mM, 4 mM or 6 mM cyclodextrin. The mixtures were incubated for 30 min at 37 °C and centrifuged. The osmotic fragility of re-suspended erythrocytes was measured. The incubation of MBCD with the erythrocyte suspensions induced a dose-dependent increase in the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes obtained from all three species. The beginning of haemolysis in control groups of sheep, cattle and humans occurred at 0.85%, 0.70% and 0.55% NaCl, respectively. However, haemolysis in the MBCD-treated groups began earlier than this in all the three species studied. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes was significantly higher at NaCl concentrations of 0.70% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.01), 0.75% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.001) and 0.80% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.001) in sheep; 0.55% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.01), 0.60% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.001) and 0.65% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.01) in cattle; and 0.40% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.01), 0.45% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.001) and 0.50% (P &amp;amp;gt; 0.01) in humans than in the controls. In conclusion, these results indicate that a pre-haemolytic dose of MBCD may also induce membrane disruption which elicits removal of membrane components from erythrocytes.
[Management of exocrin pancreatic tumor. About 129 cases]. (2008)

Management of exocrine pancreatic tumors is very difficult: Their impact is in upsurge and their diagnosis is very often made to an advanced stage that only allows the therapeutic palliative. To value the management of these tumors to the surgical clinic of Aristide Le Dantec hospital, authors achieved a retrospective survey on 8years (October 1994 to October 2002). Hundred twenty nine (129) cases of exocrine pancreatic tumors had been counted. It was about 71 men and 58 women of middle age of 56, 96 years. The length of middle evolution of the illness was of 8 months. The most frequent sign was jaundice, recovered at 80.9% of patients. Followed the thinning (79%), the pain (69%), the digestive stenosis (35%). Ultrasonography, scanner and x-ray of lungs permitted to make the diagnosis and the balance of extension. A laparoscopy had been made at 13 patients. A clinic and radiological classification had been used to distribute the tumors in 3 stages. At 46 patients in III stage, a therapeutic abstention had been decided. Patients to the II stage (n=77) had benefitted a palliative surgical treatment. It was about 74 biliary and digestive shunt and 3 alcoholic splanchnicectomy. The 6 patient to the I stage had benefitted a surgical resection. The middle hospitalization length was of 10.75 days. The rate of morbidity was 45.78%. Mortality was 29%. The median survival was of 3.6 months. The palliative surgical treatment had again indications facing these obstructive and locally advanced tumors. But the salute will come from the precocious diagnosis of these tumors to hope for a curative gesture.
New Insights into Atopic Dermatitis: Role of Skin Barrier and Immune Dysregulation (2013)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is often associated with the development of food allergy and asthma. New insights into AD reveals an important role for structural abnormalities in the epidermis resulting in a leaky epithelial barrier as well as chronic immune activation that contribute to the pathophysiology of this common skin disease. Patients with AD have a predisposition to colonization or infection by microbial organisms, most notably Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Measures directed at healing and protecting the skin barrier and controlling the immune activation are needed for effective management of AD. Early intervention may improve outcomes for AD as well as reduce the systemic allergen sensitization that may lead to associated allergic diseases in other organs.