gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Association between psoriasis and asthma risk: A meta-analysis (2018)

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis has been shown to be related to an increased risk of asthma, although the results remain inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to determine whether psoriasis increases the risk of asthma. METHODS: A comprehensive search of medical literature data bases was conducted through May 2017. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of six studies with 66,772 psoriasis cases and 577,415 controls were included. Our meta-analysis showed that psoriasis was significantly associated with the increased risk of asthma (OR 1.32 [95% CI, 1.20–1.46]). The older age patients with psoriasis (≥50 years) (OR 1.64 [95% CI, 1.44–1.88]) had a higher risk of asthma susceptibility compared with the younger patients (20–49 years old) (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.09–1.44]). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated a significant increase in asthma risk in both Asian populations (OR 1.35 [95% CI, 1.18–1.54]) and white populations (OR 1.27 [95% CI, 1.05–1.54]) with psoriasis compared with those without psoriasis. CONCLUSION: Results of this meta-analysis indicated that the patients with psoriasis had a higher risk of asthma susceptibility, especially among the older patients with psoriasis.
Investing in Healthy Human Capital (2003)

Although the value of human capital is not captured on company balance sheets, it may account for about half of the gap between a company's market value and book value. Yet, many companies do not focus comparable scrutiny on human capital management as compared with other large assets, nor do they systematically measure its output (ie, productivity). Methods are emerging to enable employers to assess productivity losses, including absenteeism and presenteeism, and to understand the associated costs (ie, direct medical costs, total productivity loss). This will permit employers to assess the value of programs to enhance health and productivity. We contend that the effective workforce is probably decreased by 5% to 10% because of health problems. We believe that employers who increase their investments in healthy human capital now will emerge tomorrow as the companies leading the gains in US productivity.
Human Liver Cells Expressing Albumin and Mesenchymal Characteristics Give Rise to Insulin-Producing Cells (2011)

Activation of the pancreatic lineage in the liver has been suggested as a potential autologous cell replacement therapy for diabetic patients. Transcription factors-induced liver-to-pancreas reprogramming has been demonstrated in numerous species both in vivo and in vitro. However, human-derived liver cells capable of acquiring the alternate pancreatic repertoire have never been characterized. It is yet unknown whether hepatic-like stem cells or rather adult liver cells give rise to insulin-producing cells. Using an in vitro experimental system, we demonstrate that proliferating adherent human liver cells acquire mesenchymal-like characteristics and a considerable level of cellular plasticity. However, using a lineage-tracing approach, we demonstrate that insulin-producing cells are primarily generated in cells enriched for adult hepatic markers that coexpress both albumin and mesenchymal markers. Taken together, our data suggest that adult human hepatic tissue retains a substantial level of developmental plasticity, which could be exploited in regenerative medicine approaches.
Dopaminanaloge 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐β‐carboline (1978)

Abstract Die Beziehungen zwischen Struktur und neuropsychotroper Wirkung bei 6 neuen 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolinen werden untersucht. Die aktivste Verbindung 4b hat ein pharmakologisches Profil, das dem Chlorpromazin ähnelt. Keine der Substanzen hat dopaminerge Eigenschaften.
Identification and characterization of a negative regulator of FtsZ ring formation in Bacillus subtilis (1999)

During the bacterial cell cycle, the tubulin-like cell-division protein FtsZ polymerizes into a ring structure that establishes the location of the nascent division site. We have identified a regulator of FtsZ ring formation in Bacillus subtilis. This protein, EzrA, modulates the frequency and position of FtsZ ring formation. The loss of ezrA resulted in cells with multiple FtsZ rings located at polar as well as medial sites. Moreover, the critical concentration of FtsZ required for ring formation was lower in ezrA null mutants than in wild-type cells. EzrA was associated with the cell membrane and also colocalized with FtsZ to the nascent septal site. We propose that EzrA interacts either with FtsZ or with one of its binding partners to promote depolymerization.
Resonator sensors-a review (1985)

Control systems are becoming increasingly dependent on digital processing and so require sensors able to provide direct digital inputs. Resonator sensors, configured to have a mechanical resonance frequency or relative phase of oscillation dependent on the measured parameter, are a subject of considerable practical interest. The author reviews the wide range of devices which have been proposed and developed, including sensors for liquid or gas density and viscosity, liquid level, mass and mechanical force, and fluid flow rates. Techniques cover the frequency range from audio, for sensors based on vibrating vanes or tubes, to 100 MHz or more for surface acoustic wave devices. Resonator sensors based on single crystal materials such as quartz and silicon are of particular interest because they combine high accuracy and repeatability and low cost of manufacture and potentially very low power consumption.
Affinity purification and characterization of Shiga-like toxin II and production of toxin-specific monoclonal antibodies (1988)

Shiga-like toxin (SLT-II) was purified to apparent homogeneity from Escherichia coli K-12 strain NM522 containing the cloned toxin genes on recombinant plasmid pEB1. Purification was accomplished by a series of column chromatography techniques: anion-exchange, chromatofocusing, cation-exchange, and monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the pure toxin showed that SLT-II consisted of A and B subunits with apparent molecular weights of 32,000 and 10,200 +/- 800, respectively. A band of molecular weight 25,000 was also observed after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified as the A1 subunit by Western immunoblot analysis with toxin-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The pI of the purified toxin was 5.2. Approximately 1 pg of pure SLT-II, but was not neutralized by polyclonal antibodies or MAbs to SLT-I. Five hybridomas against SLT-II were produced (BC5 BB12, DC1 EH5, EA5 BA3, ED5 DF3, and GB6 BA4). Culture supernatant fluids containing MAbs from these hybridomas did not neutralize the cytotoxicity of SLT-I or Shiga toxin. Western blot analysis showed that two MAbs (MAb DC1 EH5 and MAb GB6 BA4) recognized the A and A1 subunits of SLT-II and three MAbs (MAb BC5 BB12, MAb EA5 BA3, and MAb ED5 DF3) recognized the B subunit of SLT-II. MAb BC5 BB12 was used to prepare an affinity column for toxin purification.
A model for restriction fragment length distributions. (1983)

We develop here a model for restriction fragment length distributions based on DNA dimer frequencies in humans. Mean fragment lengths are computed for known restriction enzymes. This model is tested using data from the hybridization of a series of arbitrary single-copy DNA probes screened with a set of restriction enzymes. The fit to the model appears good. We apply the model to the problem of how much DNA is scanned by a set of enzymes. This result is then further applied to optimizing the search for insertion/deletion DNA-polymorphisms.
Docking: Successes and Challenges (2005)

The state of the art of various computational aspects of docking-based virtual screening of database of small molecules is presented. The review encompasses the different search algorithms and the scoring functions used in docking methods and their applications to protein and nucleic acid drug targets. Recent progress made in the development and application of methods to include target flexibility are summarized. The fundamental issues and challenges involved in comparing various docking methods are discussed. Limitations of current technologies as well as future prospects are presented.
Infiltration and lysis of tumour cell aggregates by adherent interleukin-2-activated natural killer cells is distinct from specific cytolysis. (1997)

Adoptively transferred activated natural killer (A-NK) cells infiltrate tumours in vivo. Two in vitro B16-F10 melanoma tumour models were used to study with fluorescence and electron microscopy the infiltration of adherent interleukin 2 (IL-2) A-NK cells: (1) substratum-bound sessile microtumours (MTs), and (2) three-dimensional cell growth on macroporous gelatinous microcarriers (Cultispheres). From 2 h and on increasing numbers of A-NK cells infiltrated the MTs regularly surrounded by a widened intercellular space. An IL-2-dependent disintegration of MTs began at 6-8 h resulting in a release of vital and dead cells. A-NK cell invasion into Cultispheres effectively displaced the melanoma cells from the highly convoluted substratum. Thus, A-NK cell infiltration had a protease-like effect on the tumour cell aggregates which might have a bearing on the interpretation of their cytolytic effect on target cells. Ultrastructural evidence was not obtained of specific A-NK/target conjugate formation or of granule-mediated target cell destruction in either model tumour.
Extracellular release of protease III (ptr) by Escherichia coli K12 (1991)

Escherichia coli strains carrying the protease III structural gene (ptr) on a plasmid secreted the protein into the growth medium. Plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, which served as periplasmic and cytoplasmic markers during cell fractionation, were not released into the growth medium. There appeared to be some strain dependence on the proficiency of the secretion system. Protease III was not detectably processed upon export through the outer cell membrane.
Direct Single Injection of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitor Does Not Affect Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Expression in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Innervating Punctured Discs in Rats (2009)

STUDY DESIGN.: Immunohistological analysis of punctured disc after application of a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor. OBJECTIVE.: To examine effect of direct application on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating damaged rat discs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Degeneration of lumbar discs is one cause of low back pain. Pathogenesis may involve sensory nerve ingrowth into disc inner layers; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is thought to be a major inducer of ingrowth. Because p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) upregulates TNF-alpha expression and may play a crucial role in pain sensation, we investigated the effect of one injection of inhibitor on expression of the pain-related neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). METHODS.: The neuro-tracer fluoro-gold was applied to the surfaces of L4/5 discs to label the innervating DRG neurons (n = 30). Of 30 rats, 10 were controls, whereas the other 20 were the experimental model (i.e., discs were punctured with 23-gauge needle). P38 specific inhibitor or saline was applied simultaneously (n = 10 each, Puncture + inhibitor and puncture + saline groups). Fourteen days postsurgery, DRGs from L1 to L6 were harvested, sectioned, and immunostained for CGRP. Proportion of CGRP-immunoreactive DRG neurons was evaluated in all groups. RESULTS.: Fluoro-gold-labeled neurons innervating the L4/5 disc were distributed throughout L1 to L6 DRGs in all groups. Proportions of labeled neurons positive for CGRP were 15.2% +/- 8% (controls), 27.2% +/- 10% (puncture + saline), and 25.2% +/- 8% (puncture + inhibitor). Proportion of immunoreactive neurons was significantly increased in the puncture groups compared with controls. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 puncture groups (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION.: In this model, CGRP was upregulated in DRG neurons innervating the damaged disc. However, a direct single application of p38 inhibitor did not suppress CGRP expression in innervating DRG neurons. Future research with p38 inhibitor in this model should evaluate multiple or systemic administration of inhibitor.
Robust Tris‐Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Phosphors with Ligands for Effective Charge Carrier Injection/Transport: Synthesis, Redox, Photophysical, and Electrophosphorescent Behavior (2008)

With the target to design and develop new functionalized green triplet light emitters that possess distinctive electronic properties for robust and highly efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs), a series of bluish-green to yellow-green phosphorescent tris-cyclometalated homoleptic iridium(III) complexes [Ir(ppy-X)(3)] (X=SiPh(3), GePh(3), NPh(2), POPh(2), OPh, SPh, SO(2)Ph, Hppy=2-phenylpyridine) have been synthesized and fully characterized by spectroscopic, redox, and photophysical methods. By chemically manipulating the lowest triplet-state character of Ir(ppy)(3) with some functional main-group 14-16 moieties on the phenyl ring of ppy, a new family of metallophosphors with high-emission quantum yields, short triplet-state lifetimes, and good hole-injection/hole-transporting or electron-injection/electron-transporting properties can be obtained. Remarkably, all of these Ir(III) complexes show outstanding electrophosphorescent performance in multilayer doped devices that surpass that of the state-of-the-art green-emitting dopant Ir(ppy)(3). The devices described herein can reach the maximum external quantum efficiency (eta(ext)) of 12.3 %, luminance efficiency (eta(L)) of 50.8 cd A(-1), power efficiency (eta(p)) of 36.9 Lm W(-1) for [Ir(ppy-SiPh(3))(3)], 13.9 %, 60.8 cd A(-1), 49.1 Lm W(-1) for [Ir(ppy-NPh(2))(3)], and 10.1 %, 37.6 cd A(-1), 26.1 Lm W(-1) for [Ir(ppy-SO(2)Ph)(3)]. These results provide a completely new and effective strategy for carrier injection into the electrophosphor to afford high-performance PHOLEDs suitable for various display applications.
Neuroprotection from Delayed Postischemic Administration of a Metalloporphyrin Catalytic Antioxidant (2001)

Reactive oxygen species contribute to ischemic brain injury. This study examined whether the porphyrin catalytic antioxidant manganese (III) meso-tetrakis (N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (MnTE-2-PyP(5+)) reduces oxidative stress and improves outcome from experimental cerebral ischemia. Rats that were subjected to 90 min focal ischemia and 7 d recovery were given MnTE-2-PyP(5+) (or vehicle) intracerebroventricularly 60 min before ischemia, or 5 or 90 min or 6 or 12 hr after reperfusion. Biomarkers of brain oxidative stress were measured at 4 hr after postischemic treatment (5 min or 6 hr). MnTE-2-PyP(5+), given 60 min before ischemia, improved neurologic scores and reduced total infarct size by 70%. MnTE-2-PyP(5+), given 5 or 90 min after reperfusion, reduced infarct size by 70-77% and had no effect on temperature. MnTE-2-PyP(5+) treatment 6 hr after ischemia reduced total infarct volume by 54% (vehicle, 131 +/- 60 mm(3); MnTE-2-PyP(5+), 300 ng, 60 +/- 68 mm(3)). Protection was observed in both cortex and caudoputamen, and neurologic scores were improved. No MnTE-2-PyP(5+) effect was observed if it was given 12 hr after ischemia. MnTE-2-PyP(5+) prevented mitochondrial aconitase inactivation and reduced 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine formation when it was given 5 min or 6 hr after ischemia. In mice, MnTE-2-PyP(5+) reduced infarct size and improved neurologic scores when it was given intravenously 5 min after ischemia. There was no effect of 150 or 300 ng of MnTE-2-PyP(5+) pretreatment on selective neuronal necrosis resulting from 10 min forebrain ischemia and 5 d recovery in rats. Administration of a metalloporphyrin catalytic antioxidant had marked neuroprotective effects against focal ischemic insults when it was given up to 6 hr after ischemia. This was associated with decreased postischemic superoxide-mediated oxidative stress.
Targeting spectral signatures of progressively dysplastic stratified epithelia using angularly variable fiber geometry in reflectance Monte Carlo simulations (2007)

A key component of accurate spectroscopic-based cancer diagnostics is the ability to differentiate spectral variations resulting from epithelial tissue dysplasia. Such measurement may be enhanced by discretely probing the optical properties of the epithelial tissue where the morphological and biochemical features vary according to tissue depths. More precisely, layer-specific changes in tissue optical properties correlated to cellular dysplasia can be determined by conventional reflectance spectroscopy when it is coupled with angularly variable fiber geometry. Thus, this study addresses how angularly variable fiber geometry can resolve spatially specific spectral signatures of tissue pathology by interpreting and analyzing the reflectance spectra of increasingly dysplastic epithelial tissue in reflectance-mode Monte Carlo simulation. Specifically, by increasing the obliquity of the collection fibers from 0 to 40 deg in the direction facing toward the illumination fiber, the spectral sensitivity to tissue abnormalities in the epithelial layer is thereby improved, whereas orthogonal fibers are more sensitive to the changes in the stromal layer.
Estimating 3D point-of-regard and visualizing gaze trajectories under natural head movements (2010)

The portability of an eye tracking system encourages us to develop a technique for estimating 3D point-of-regard. Unlike conventional methods, which estimate the position in the 2D image coordinates of the mounted camera, such a technique can represent richer gaze information of the human moving in the larger area. In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the 3D point-of-regard and a visualization technique of gaze trajectories under natural head movements for the head-mounted device. We employ visual SLAM technique to estimate head configuration and extract environmental information. Even in cases where the head moves dynamically, the proposed method could obtain 3D point-of-regard. Additionally, gaze trajectories are appropriately overlaid on the scene camera image.
Genomic and phenotypic analysis of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus (2020)

The ongoing global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first described from Wuhan, China. A subset of COVID-19 patients has been reported to have acquired secondary infections by microbial pathogens, such as fungal opportunistic pathogens from the genus <i>Aspergillus</i> . To gain insight into COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), we analyzed the genomes and characterized the phenotypic profiles of four CAPA isolates of <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> obtained from patients treated in the area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. By examining the mutational spectrum of single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion-deletion polymorphisms, and copy number variants among 206 genes known to modulate <i>A. fumigatus</i> virulence, we found that CAPA isolate genomes do not exhibit major differences from the genome of the Af293 reference strain. By examining virulence in an invertebrate moth model, growth in the presence of osmotic, cell wall, and oxidative stressors, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of antifungal drugs, we found that CAPA isolates were generally, but not always, similar to <i>A. fumigatus</i> reference strains Af293 and CEA17. Notably, CAPA isolate D had more putative loss of function mutations in genes known to increase virulence when deleted (e.g., in the <i>FLEA</i> gene, which encodes a lectin recognized by macrophages). Moreover, CAPA isolate D was significantly more virulent than the other three CAPA isolates and the <i>A. fumigatus</i> reference strains tested. These findings expand our understanding of the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of isolates that cause CAPA.
Extracellular processing of peptide antigens that bind class I major histocompatibility molecules. (1992)

One problem associated with the use of synthetic peptides as antigens in vivo is their susceptibility to inactivation by proteolytic degradation. A situation is described in which a serum protease, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), is actually responsible for the class I binding activity of a commonly used influenza antigen, nucleoprotein (NP)(147-158R-). This peptide has been reported to be a highly efficient class I antigen. Evidence is presented that demonstrates that the peptide is inactive until cleaved by ACE, which is a normal constituent of serum. The enzyme removes a COOH-terminal dipeptide resulting in the sequence NP(147-155), which is identical to the naturally processed peptide. Such extracellular processing of peptides and proteins may occur for a variety of antigens both in vitro and in vivo, and could have important implications for the design of proteolytically resistant vaccines.
Genetic Mapping of the phoR Regulator Gene of Alkaline Phosphatase in Escherichia coli (1969)

SUMMARY: Genetic mapping of the structural phoA and the linked regulatory phoR genes for alkaline phosphatase synthesis in Escherichia coli was carried out by conjugation. Distal markers were selected and the segregation of proximal markers was determined. The gene order lac-phoA-phoR-tsx is proposed.
EVALUATION OF AN ELECTRONIC MOSQUITO REPELLER (1982)

Abstract Antipic, an electronic mosquito repeller, was evaluated in the field and in the laboratory. It was ineffective in repelling natural populations of mosquitoes (mostly Aedes spp.) in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec.
Genomic organization of the human erythropoietin receptor gene (1991)

Erythropoietin (EPO) mediates the growth and differentiation of erythroid progenitors through its interaction with a specific receptor. Using a partial cDNA clone for the murine erythropoietin receptor, we isolated a human genomic clone containing the erythropoietin receptor gene. The coding region of the human EPO receptor gene is contained within eight exons spanning approximately 6 kb. The human gene has a great deal of structural similarity and sequence homology with the murine gene. The murine gene also has eight exons, although the size of each intron is somewhat different. The locations at which the introns interrupt the coding sequence are conserved precisely. The genomic organization of the EPO receptor gene is also shown to be homologous to the genomic organization of the IL-2 receptor β chain gene. The sequence of 1.1 kb of 5′ flanking DNA was characterized and contains consensus sequences for both Sp1 and GATA-1 binding sites and an initiator (Inr)-like element, but lacks both a canonical TATA box and the CACCC consensus sequence found in the murine gene.