gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
THE PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF VAPOR-DEPOSITED SINGLE-CRYSTAL-LINE GaN (1969)

Single-crystalline, colorless, GaN has been prepared by a vapor-phase growth technique previously used to prepare GaAs, GaP, and GaSb. These crystals are the first reported speciments of GaN suitable for good electrical and optical evaluation of this compound. It has been determined that GaN has a direct energy bandgap of 3.39 eV, and that undoped crystals prepared by this method have a very high inherent electron concentration, typically above 1019/cm3, which is probably related to a high density of nitrogen vacancies. Conducting p-type specimens have been prepared using Ge as the dopant; but this result has been difficult to reproduce, and the samples have been electrically inhomogeneous.
[Melatonin and sleep disorders: Overview of literature and testing in psychiatric practice]. (2019)

Sleep disorders are a frequent problem with an important impact on the quality of life. Given its physiological properties, melatonin is often associated with sleep disorders and their treatment. In addition, melatonin has been recognized by the European Medicines Agency (ema) since 2007 for primary insomnia in adults over 55 years of age for a maximum of 13 weeks.<br/> AIM: Analysis of the international literature on the indication statements and effectiveness of melatonin for sleep disorders and their testing against practical use.<br/> METHOD: A narrative literature study in PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science, supplemented with a retrospective study of prescribing behavior within a university psychiatric hospital.<br/> RESULTS: The current evidence for the use of melatonin for insomnia and circadian arrhythmias is low. We also noted that the effectiveness of melatonin for the recognized indication of primary insomnia was questioned by some guidelines and that the various studies were also heterogeneous in terms of outcome measures, indication statements and formulated advice. In addition, only 19.6% of the requirements in the retrospective study met the official ema indication.<br/> CONCLUSION: This study shows that melatonin is mainly used off-label. Overall, there appears to be limited effectiveness of melatonin, which has an impact on the indication statements.
Dietary resistant starch upregulates total GLP-1 and PYY in a sustained day-long manner through fermentation in rodents (2008)

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) are anti-diabetes/obesity hormones secreted from the gut after meal ingestion. We have shown that dietary-resistant starch (RS) increased GLP-1 and PYY secretion, but the mechanism remains unknown. RS is a fermentable fiber that lowers the glycemic index of the diet and liberates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through fermentation in the gut. This study investigates the two possible mechanisms by which RS stimulates GLP-1 and PYY secretion: the effect of a meal or glycemic index, and the effect of fermentation. Because GLP-1 and PYY secretions are stimulated by nutrient availability in the gut, the timing of blood sample collections could influence the outcome when two diets with different glycemic indexes are compared. Thus we examined GLP-1 and PYY plasma levels at various time points over a 24-h period in RS-fed rats. In addition, we tested proglucagon (a precursor to GLP-1) and PYY gene expression patterns in specific areas of the gut of RS-fed rats and in an enteroendocrine cell line following exposure to SCFAs in vitro. Our findings are as follows. 1) RS stimulates GLP-1 and PYY secretion in a substantial day-long manner, independent of meal effect or changes in dietary glycemia. 2) Fermentation and the liberation of SCFAs in the lower gut are associated with increased proglucagon and PYY gene expression. 3) Glucose tolerance, an indicator of increased active forms of GLP-1 and PYY, was improved in RS-fed diabetic mice. We conclude that fermentation of RS is most likely the primary mechanism for increased endogenous secretions of total GLP-1 and PYY in rodents. Thus any factor that affects fermentation should be considered when dietary fermentable fiber is used to stimulate GLP-1 and PYY secretion.
Potency factors in the delta‐endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawi and the significance of plasmids in their control (1985)

Mutants defective in delta‐endotoxin crystal production from four closely related isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawi with aizawi serotype crystals were as vigorous as the parents in terms of growth, extracellular protease production, sporulation and heat resistance of spores. Spores produced by mutants germinated faster than wild type spores possibly due to deficiency of protein, in the form of delta‐endotoxin in the spore coat. Acrystalliferous (cry—) mutants were not active in Galleria mellonella or Pieris brassicae larvae. Mutants with small crystals (sm cry) lost activity or gained extra activity against either one or the other host, revealing the presence of different toxicity factors. Solubilized crystals of parent isolates were composed of two major polypeptides with Mr values of 130 000 and 138 000. Sm cry mutants lost either polypeptide irrespective of which insect potency had been lost. Some cry — and some sm cry mutants had the same plasmid pattern as the parent; others lost one plasmid sometimes gaining another of different size. No consistent correlation was found between plasmid loss in mutants and any loss or increase of potency indicated by bioassays. It is concluded that the delta‐endotoxins of the isolates under investigation are composed of at least two toxins. The results suggest that genes coding for the production of toxic factors or for their expression may be carried on both the plasmids and the chromosome.
Isolation and characterization of the human interleukin-9 receptor gene (1994)

To better understand the regulation of interleukin-9 (IL-9) receptor expression, we have isolated the genomic clone of the human IL-9 receptor based on its sequence homology with a human IL-9 receptor cDNA isolated from the human megakaryocyte cell line UT-7. The entire genomic structure has been determined. The human IL-9 receptor gene consists of 10 exons spread over approximately 13.7 kb of DNA. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region from the genomic DNA is identical to our cDNA clone. Several blocks of transcriptional control sequence have been identified at the 5′ noncoding region of the IL-9 receptor gene that may play an important role in the regulation of the IL-9 receptor gene. A fusion gene containing 659 bp of human IL-9 receptor 5′ noncoding region linked to the firefly luciferase gene directed expression of luciferase activity in human embryonic kidney 293 cell line, but not in the mouse fibroblast cell line NIH3T3 cells.
Colon cancer mucin: a new ligand for the beta-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3. (1996)

Galectin-3, an endogenous beta-galactoside-binding lectin, is present on colon cancer cells and may play a role in metastasis. Galectin-3 binds poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures on glycoproteins, but its natural ligands remain to be fully defined. Galectin-3 bound to purified native and desialylated colon cancer mucin in a concentration-dependent manner, which was completely inhibited by 0.1 M lactose, the competitive inhibitory sugar for this protein. Mucin purified from highly metastatic LS-Lim6 human colon cancer cells bound galectin-3 to a 2-fold greater extent than mucin from low-metastatic parental cell line LS174T. Desialylation increased binding to mucin >4-fold. Mucin purified from LS-B colon cancer cells is fully glycosylated and bound >40-fold more galectin-3 than mucin purified from clonal cell line LS-C, which produces mucin lacking peripheral carbohydrate structures. Endogenous galectin-3 was detected by Western analysis in all cell lines, and its expression was related to mucin production and metastatic capacity. When serum from a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer was chromatographed on Superose 6, >70% of galectin-3 ligand was identified as circulating mucin. Colon cancer mucin is a newly identified ligand for galectin-3, and binding of galectin-3 to mucins depends on peripheral carbohydrate structures. Binding of this endogenous lectin to mucins; may influence cellular interactions that play a role in colon cancer metastasis.
Low‐dose ciclosporin mizoribine and prednisolone in renal transplantation: A new triple‐drug therapy (1990)

To ensure a beneficial synergistic effect on the acceptance of human transplants and to avoid the nephrotoxicity of CsA, a new triple‐drug therapy using low‐dose ciclosporin (CsA), mizoribine (Mzr) and prednisolone (Pred), has been developed. The results obtained from this new procedure were compared to those of other procedures. Forty‐two living‐related recipients and 12 cadaveric recipients, who received transplants between 1 July, 1987 and 30 June, 1989, were given the new triple‐drug therapy with CsA, Mzr and Pred (group 3). The other patients (73 living‐related and 29 cadaveric) were given a triple (CsA + Aza + Pred, group 2) or double therapy (CsA + Pred, group 1). The 1‐yr actuarial patient survival was 98.6% in group 1, 96.7% in group 2, 100% in group 3, respectively. There were no significant differences. The graft survival rate at 1 yr in group 3 was 91.6%; this was higher compared with 88.9% in group 1 and 90.0% in group 2 (Fig. 1). Among the patients with a functioning graft at 12 months, the mean serum creatinine level was 1.82 $pM 0.13 mg/dl in group 1, 1.85 $pM 0.12 mg/dl in group 2 and 1.53 $pM 0.09 mg/dl in group 3. In group 3, the mean creatinine level was lower than in the other groups. This differences was statistically significant (Fig. 2). There was no differences in the incidence of rejection episodes during the initial 3 months among the three groups (Table 2). However, 24 patients in group 3 had at least one episode of acute rejection, and 19 patients (46.3%) required ALG and/or OKT3 for treatment of steroid‐resistant rejection. Although CsA had to be discontinued or decreased in 12 patients of group 1 and a switch to a new triple‐drug therapy by stopping Aza and starting Mzr was required in 8 patients in group 2 because of complications, only 1 patient in group 3 had to abandon Mzr and increase the dose of CsA because of ileal perforation. This study shows that the new triple‐drug therapy produces greater graft survival without severe complications. The serum creatinine was lower with the new regimen than with other regimens. However, immunosuppression was less powerful. We obtained a beneficial synergistic effect with the new triple‐drug therapy in almost one‐half of the patients in group 3. The new regimen may be considered one of the most beneficial CsA treatment programs.
Phenotypic transition of microglia into astrocyte-like cells associated with disease onset in a model of inherited ALS (2013)

Microglia and reactive astrocytes accumulate in the spinal cord of rats expressing the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked SOD1 (G93A) mutation. We previously reported that the rapid progression of paralysis in ALS rats is associated with the appearance of proliferative astrocyte-like cells that surround motor neurons. These cells, designated as Aberrant Astrocytes (AbA cells) because of their atypical astrocytic phenotype, exhibit high toxicity to motor neurons. However, the cellular origin of AbA cells remains unknown. Because AbA cells are labeled with the proliferation marker Ki67, we analyzed the phenotypic makers of proliferating glial cells that surround motor neurons by immunohistochemistry. The number of Ki67 (+)AbA cells sharply increased in symptomatic rats, displaying large cell bodies with processes embracing motor neurons. Most were co-labeled with astrocytic marker GFAP concurrently with the microglial markers Iba1 and CD163. Cultures of spinal cord prepared from symptomatic SOD1 (G93A) rats yielded large numbers of microglia expressing Iba1, CD11b, and CD68. Cells sorted for CD11b expression by flow cytometry transformed into AbA cells within two weeks. During these two weeks, the expression of microglial markers largely disappeared, while GFAP and S100β expression increased. The phenotypic transition to AbA cells was stimulated by forskolin. These findings provide evidence for a subpopulation of proliferating microglial cells in SOD1 (G93A) rats that undergo a phenotypic transition into AbA cells after onset of paralysis that may promote the fulminant disease progression. These cells could be a therapeutic target for slowing paralysis progression in ALS.
Endotoxin in the environment – exposure and effects (2002)

This review deals with endotoxin in the environment and its relation to disease among exposed persons. Data are presented on levels of endotoxin in different environments with maximum values of several microg/m(3). The cellular reactions of importance for inhalation exposure effects are attachment to lipopolysaccharide binding protein, CD14 cell surface protein and TLR-4 receptors. The internalisation of endotoxin in macrophages and endothelial cells results in local production of inflammatory cytokines with subsequent migration of inflammatory cells into the lung and the penetration of cytokines into the blood. These events orchestrate clinical effects in terms of toxic pneumonitis, airways' inflammation and systemic symptoms. Inhalation challenges with pure endotoxin and field studies confirm the relation between these effects and exposure to dusts containing endotoxin. It is possible that polymorphism in genes determining endotoxin reactivity, particularly TLR-4, influences the risk for disease after environmental exposures. Some data suggest that the inflammation caused by inhaled endotoxin may decrease the risk for atopic sensitisation among children and lung cancer among workers exposed to organic dust. Additional research is needed to clarify the role of other environmental agents that are present in connection with endotoxin, particularly (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan from mold cell walls.
A study of nitrogen peak location in gate oxides grown on nitrogen implanted substrates and its impact on boron penetration (2003)

This work investigates properties of gate oxides grown on nitrogen-implanted substrates. It was demonstrated that the location of nitrogen peak in the gate oxide, once fixed at the beginning of the oxidation step, does not change with continued oxidation. Using this property, nitrogen peak was engineered near the gate oxide interface with substrate and was shown to suppress boron penetration more effectively without any significant degradation of the channel mobility in comparison to the case where the nitrogen peak is located within the bulk of the gate oxide.
Sortase-mediated modification of αDEC205 affords optimization of antigen presentation and immunization against a set of viral epitopes (2013)

A monoclonal antibody against the C-type lectin DEC205 (αDEC205) is an effective vehicle for delivery of antigens to dendritic cells through creation of covalent αDEC205-antigen adducts. These adducts can induce antigen-specific T-cell immune responses or tolerance. We exploit the transpeptidase activity of sortase to install modified peptides and protein-sized antigens onto the heavy chain of αDEC205, including linkers that contain nonnatural amino acids. We demonstrate stoichiometric site-specific labeling on a scale not easily achievable by genetic fusions (49 distinct fusions in this report). We conjugated a biotinylated version of a class I MHC-restricted epitope to unlabeled αDEC205 and monitored epitope generation upon binding of the adduct to dendritic cells. Our results show transfer of αDEC205 heavy chain to the cytoplasm, followed by proteasomal degradation. Introduction of a labile dipeptide linker at the N terminus of a T-cell epitope improves proteasome-dependent class I MHC-restricted peptide cross-presentation when delivered by αDEC205 in vitro and in vivo. We also conjugated αDEC205 with a linker-optimized peptide library of known CD8 T-cell epitopes from the mouse γ-herpes virus 68. Animals immunized with such conjugates displayed a 10-fold reduction in viral load.
Dynamic in vivo imaging of postimplantation mammalian embryos using whole embryo culture (2002)

Due to the internal nature of mammalian development, much of the research performed is of a static nature and depends on interpolation between stages of development. This approach cannot explore the dynamic interactions that are essential for normal development. While roller culture overcomes the problem of inaccessibility of the embryo, the constant motion of the medium and embryos makes it impossible to observe and record development. We have developed a static mammalian culture system for imaging development of the mouse embryo. Using this technique, it is possible to sustain normal development for periods of 18-24 h. The success of the culture was evaluated based on the rate of embryo turning, heart rate, somite addition, and several gross morphological features. When this technique is combined with fluorescent markers, it is possible to follow the development of specific tissues or the movement of cells. To highlight some of the strengths of this approach, we present time-lapse movies of embryonic turning, somite addition, closure of the neural tube, and fluorescent imaging of blood circulation in the yolk sac and embryo.
RNA-protein interactions in the control of stability and localization of messenger RNA (review). (2000)

Growing evidence demonstrates the importance of regulating mRNA localization, stability and translation, in the control of gene expression, both in development and in differentiated cells. The signals responsible for specific regulation of mRNA metabolism reside in the RNA message itself: both 5' and 3' to the coding region, all transcripts contain variable lengths of untranslated sequences (5'-UTR and 3'-UTR) which contain the binding sites for a number of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Most RBPs assemble on the message at the moment of transcription, thus determining the future fate of the transcript from the very beginning. We discuss possible mechanisms through which mRNA, leaving from the nucleus as an RNA-protein complex, might reach its final intracellular destinations and how its access to the translational apparatus might be regulated in time and space. We also focus on a few known examples of aberrant RNA-protein interactions associated with human diseases, including cancer.
A Reassortment-Incompetent Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccine for Protection against Pandemic Virus Strains (2011)

Although live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) are safe for use in protection against seasonal influenza strains, concerns regarding their potential to reassort with wild-type virus strains have been voiced. LAIVs have been demonstrated to induce enhanced mucosal and cell-mediated immunity better than inactivated vaccines while also requiring a smaller dose to achieve a protective immune response. To address the need for a reassortment-incompetent live influenza A virus vaccine, we have designed a chimeric virus that takes advantage of the fact that influenza A and B viruses do not reassort. Our novel vaccine prototype uses an attenuated influenza B virus that has been manipulated to express the ectodomain of the influenza A hemagglutinin protein, the major target for eliciting neutralizing antibodies. The hemagglutinin RNA segment is modified such that it contains influenza B packaging signals, and therefore it cannot be incorporated into a wild-type influenza A virus. We have applied our strategy to different influenza A virus subtypes and generated chimeric B/PR8 HA (H1), HK68 (H3), and VN (H5) viruses. All recombinant viruses were attenuated both in vitro and in vivo, and immunization with these recombinant viruses protected mice against lethal influenza A virus infection. Overall, our data indicate that the chimeric live-attenuated influenza B viruses expressing the modified influenza A hemagglutinin are effective LAIVs.
Gas chromatography mass spectrometry oft-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives of organic acids (1980)

The gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives of organic acids are investigated. Reaction conditions are established for complete derivatization of most commonly occurring functional groups in organic acids with t-butyldimethylchlorosilane in dimethylformamide with imidazole as a catalyst. The chromatographic separation on a capillary column of a mixture of trimethylsilylated aromatic acids is compared with that of the corresponding t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives. The quality of the electron impact mass spectra of both derivatives of organic acids is compared. The t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives of organic acids are combining an improved chromatographic and mass spectrometric behaviour with a good thermal and hydrolytic stability as compared with the trimethylsilyl derivatives The method has proved to be very useful in the gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of organic acid profiles.
Chronic Treatment With Allopurinol Boosts Survival and Cardiac Contractility in Murine Postischemic Cardiomyopathy (2004)

Oxidative stress is a hallmark of systemic illnesses, including heart failure. Nevertheless, the overall importance of radical production in the heart remains conjectural; is it merely a marker of illness, or can intervention alter the progression of disease? This question was addressed by blocking xanthine oxidase (XO), a superoxide-generating enzyme that is upregulated in animal models of heart failure. In a randomized prospective trial design, we administered the XO inhibitor allopurinol orally to mice that had undergone massive myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac XO activity was elevated in untreated mice after MI; allopurinol suppressed the XO activity to levels comparable to those in sham-operated mice. Eighty-one percent of untreated mice died of advanced heart failure over 2 to 4 weeks of follow-up. Survival doubled in the allopurinol-treated mice, whereas cardiac contractile function (both in vivo and in isolated muscle) was markedly improved. Response to isoproterenol was restored to near-normal levels in the allopurinol group but was attenuated in untreated mice. Oxidative modifications to proteins were prevented in the allopurinol-treated mice. Our findings indicate that targeted blockade of just one source of oxidants, XO, impacts dramatically on the progression of postischemic cardiomyopathy in mice and prevents oxidative protein modifications.
Lack of Effect of Pancreatic Polypeptide in the Rate of Gastric Emptying and Gut Hormone Release during Breakfast (1981)

Bovine pancreatic polypeptide (PP) was infused intravenously in 5 healthy subjects on two separate occasions with mean doses of 1 and 2 pmol kg-1 min-1, respectively, which achieved plasma levels equal to and twice those observed after a normal mixed breakfast. The gastric emptying rate of a carbohydrate-rich breakfast 20 min after the start of each PP infusion was not significantly different from a control infusion of 0.15 M saline. PP is unlikely to be an important physiological modulator of gastric emptying rate in man.