gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Cytokine cytotoxicity against oligodendrocytes. Apoptosis induced by lymphotoxin (1991)

The cytotoxic effect of recombinant human cytokines was tested on glial cells cultured from mature bovine brain. Lymphotoxin (LT) and TNF induced injury to oligodendrocytes in a time and dose-dependent fashion. The other cytokines tested, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-2, did not affect oligodendrocytes in culture over a 72-h observation period. None of the cytokines injured astrocytes cultured from the same source. LT showed a much more potent cytotoxicity than TNF toward oligodendrocytes; cytotoxic changes were noted earlier (24 h) and at lower units of activity. Morphologic studies showed that the LT-mediated effects were associated with early retraction of cell processes, depolymerization of F-actin and subsequent nuclear degeneration. Lack of early cytoplasmic membrane injury as measured by 51Cr release and electron microscope studies demonstrating nuclear disintegration suggested an apoptotic mechanism of oligodendrocyte injury evoked by LT, which was supported by DNA integrity assay. These results demonstrate that LT possesses potent cytotoxic activity against oligodendrocytes and that the major mechanism involved in this process is DNA fragmentation.
Cortagine, a specific agonist of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1, is anxiogenic and antidepressive in the mouse model (2004)

Two subtypes of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor, CRF(1) and CRF(2), differentially modulate brain functions such as anxiety and memory. To facilitate the analysis of their differential involvement, we developed a CRF(1)-specific peptidic agonist by synthesis of chimeric peptides derived from human/rat CRF, ovine CRF (oCRF), and sauvagine (Svg). High affinity to the CRF-binding protein was prevented by introduction of glutamic acid in the binding site of the ligand. The resulting chimeric peptide, [Glu(21),Ala(40)][Svg(1-12)]x[human/rat CRF(14-30)]x[Svg(30-40)], named cortagine, was analyzed pharmacologically in cell culture by using human embryonic kidney-293 cells transfected with cDNA coding for CRF(1) or CRF(2), in autoradiographic experiments, and in behavior experiments using male C57BL/6J mice for its modulatory action on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors with the elevated plus-maze test and the forced swim test (FST), respectively. We observed that cortagine was more selective than oCRF, frequently used as CRF(1)-specific agonist, in stimulating the transfected cells to release cAMP. Cortagine's specificity was demonstrated in autoradiographic experiments by its selective binding to CRF(1) of brain sections of the mouse. After injection into the brain ventricles, it enhanced anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus-maze at a lower dose than oCRF. Whereas at high doses, oCRF injected into the lateral intermediate septum containing predominantly CRF(2) increased anxiety-like behavior as CRF(2)-specific agonists do, cortagine did not. In contrast to its anxiogenic actions, cortagine reduced significantly the immobility time in the FST as described for antidepressive drugs. Thus, cortagine combines anxiogenic properties with antidepressive effects in the FST.
The cDNA and derived amino acid sequence of porcine factor VIII (1996)

The cDNA corresponding to 137 bp of the 5′ untranslated region, the signal peptide, and the A1, A3, C1, and C2 domains of porcine factor VIII (fVIII) have been cloned and sequenced. Along with previously determined sequences of the porcine fVIII B domain and the A2 domain, this completes the sequence determination of the cDNA corresponding to the translated protein. Alignments of the derived amino acid sequence of porcine fVIII with human and murine fVIII indicate that the A1, A2, A3, C1, and C2 domains are more conserved than the B domains or the proteolytic cleavage peptides corresponding to residues 337–372 and 1649–1689. The knowledge of the porcine fVIII cDNA may be useful to understand functional and immunological differences between human and porcine fVIII and may lead to improved fVIII replacement products for hemophilia. A patients through the development of recombinant porcine fVIII or hybrid human/porcine fVIII derivatives.
A tactile sensor skin for measuring surface contours (2003)

The design and construction of a compliant tactile sensory skin intended for use in robotics applications are described. Sensor compliance increases the information gathering capabilities of the sensor, accommodates a degree of inaccuracy in robot positioning, aids stable grasping and resists damage. The sensor consists of a quantity of fluid contained behind a neoprene rubber skin. The electrical resistance between points on the rubber skin and the rigid substrate provides a measure of the surface profile of objects indented into the sensor. Results obtained using a prototype version of the sensor are presented.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Biodegradable Nanofibers-Reinforced Microfibrous Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering (2010)

Native bone extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex hierarchical fibrous composite structure, resulting from the assembling of collagen fibrils at several length scales, ranging from the macro to the nanoscale. The combination of nanofibers within microfibers after conventional reinforcement methodologies seems to be a feasible solution to the rational design of highly functional synthetic ECM substitutes. The present work aims at the development of bone ECM inspired structures, conjugating electrospun chitosan (Cht) nanofibers within biodegradable polymeric microfibers [poly(butylene succinate)-PBS and PBS/Cht], assembled in a fiber mesh structure. The nanofibers-reinforced composite fiber mesh scaffolds were seeded with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and cultured under osteogenic differentiation conditions. These nanofibers-reinforced composite scaffolds sustained ECM deposition and mineralization, mainly in the PBS/Cht-based fiber meshes, as depicted by the increased amount of calcium phosphates produced by the osteogenic differentiated hBMSCs. The osteogenic genotype of the cultured hBMSCs was confirmed by the expression of osteoblastic genes, namely Alkaline Phosphatase, Osteopontin, Bone Sialoprotein and Osteocalcin, and the transcription factors Runx2 and Osterix, all involved in different stages of the osteogenesis. These data represent the first report on the biological functionality of nanofibers-reinforced composite scaffolds, envisaging the applicability of the developed structures for bone tissue engineering.
Drought response in self‐compatible species of tomato (Solanaceae) (2009)

Wild tomatoes occur in habitats from the extremely dry Atacama Desert to moist areas in the Andean highlands, which may have resulted in adaptation of populations or species to differences in soil moisture availability. However, when two accessions representing extremes in habitat water availability from each of the five self-compatible species were grown in a common garden, we observed no differences in leaf physiological responses to soil drought within or between species. All five species had drought avoidance characteristics with the same threshold soil moisture availability for decline of assimilation, stomatal conductance, and leaf water potential (Ψ(l)) in response to slowly decreasing soil moisture. After rewatering, all species rapidly recovered to near predrought Ψ(l), but bulk leaf solute potential after recovery did not indicate any osmotic adjustment. The lack of variation in shoot physiological traits during soil drought is unexpected as water deficit is commonly thought to have imposed selective pressure in the evolution of plant physiology. However, species did differ in assimilation under nonstressed conditions, which may contribute to differential soil water conservation and growth or survival during drought.
Tutorial on Off-Axis Electron Holography (2002)

Multiphoton laser scanning microscopy offers advantages in depth of penetration into intact samples over other optical sectioning techniques. To achieve these advantages it is necessary to detect the emitted light without spatial filtering. In this nondescanned (nonconfocal) approach, ambient room light can easily contaminate the signal, forcing experiments to be performed in absolute darkness. For multiphoton microscope systems employing mode-locked lasers, signal processing can be used to reduce such problems by taking advantage of the pulsed characteristics of such lasers. Specifically, by recovering fluorescence generated at the mode-locked frequency, interference from stray light and other ambient noise sources can be significantly reduced. This technology can be adapted to existing microscopes by inserting demodulation circuitry between the detector and data collection system. The improvement in signal-to-noise ratio afforded by this approach yields a more robust microscope system and opens the possibility of moving multiphoton microscopy from the research lab to more demanding settings, such as the clinic.
ChemInform Abstract: Stereoselective Construction of Eight‐Membered Carbocycles by Brook Rearrangement‐Mediated [3 + 4] Annulation. (2002)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Increased Frequency of CD4+ Cells Expressing CD161 in Cancer Patients (2006)

CD4(+)CD161(+)CD56(-) cells represent a distinct memory T-cell population significantly increased in cancer patients. Depending on the type of signals provided by the tumor microenvironment, CD4(+)CD161(+) cells may regulate the immune response.
Negative vascular remodelling after implantation of bioabsorbable magnesium alloy stents in porcine coronary arteries: a randomised comparison with bare-metal and sirolimus-eluting stents (2008)

Coronary implantation of absorbable magnesium stents, compared to two non-absorbable stents, was associated with the smallest lumen area at three-month follow-up because of negative vascular remodelling.
Epistasis between catechol- O -methyltransferase and type II metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 genes on working memory brain function (2007)

Dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems are critical components responsible for prefrontal signal-to-noise tuning in working memory. Recent functional MRI (fMRI) studies of genetic variation in these systems in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and in metabotropic glutamate receptor mgluR3 (GRM3), respectively, suggest that these genes influence prefrontal physiological signal-to-noise in humans. Here, using fMRI, we extend these individual gene findings to examine the combined effects of COMT and GRM3 on dissociable components of the frontoparietal working memory network. We observed an apparent epistatic interaction of these two genes on the engagement of prefrontal cortex during working memory. Specifically, the GRM3 genotype putatively associated with suboptimal glutamatergic signaling was significantly associated with inefficient prefrontal engagement and altered prefrontal-parietal coupling on the background of COMT Val-homozygous genotype. Conversely, COMT Met-homozygous background mediated against the effect of GRM3 genotype. These findings extend putative brain dopaminergic and glutamatergic relationships indexed by COMT and GRM3 to a systems-level interaction in human cortical circuits implicated in working memory dysfunction such as in schizophrenia.
Detection of Legionellae in Hospital Water Samples by Quantitative Real-Time LightCycler PCR (2001)

Contamination of hospital water systems with legionellae is a well-known cause of nosocomial legionellosis. We describe a new real-time LightCycler PCR assay for quantitative determination of legionellae in potable water samples. Primers that amplify both a 386-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene from Legionella spp. and a specifically cloned fragment of the phage lambda, added to each sample as an internal inhibitor control, were used. The amplified products were detected by use of a dual-color hybridization probe assay design and quantified with external standards composed of Legionella pneumophila genomic DNA. The PCR assay had a sensitivity of 1 fg of Legionella DNA (i.e., less than one Legionella organism) per assay and detected 44 Legionella species and serogroups. Seventy-seven water samples from three hospitals were investigated by PCR and culture. The rates of detection of legionellae were 98.7% (76 of 77) by the PCR assay and 70.1% (54 of 77) by culture; PCR inhibitors were detected in one sample. The amounts of legionellae calculated from the PCR results were associated with the CFU detected by culture (r = 0.57; P < 0.001), but PCR results were mostly higher than the culture results. Since L. pneumophila is the main cause of legionellosis, we further developed a quantitative L. pneumophila-specific PCR assay targeting the macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) gene, which codes for an immunophilin of the FK506 binding protein family. All but one of the 16S rRNA gene PCR-positive water samples were also positive in the mip gene PCR, and the results of the two PCR assays were correlated. In conclusion, the newly developed Legionella genus-specific and L. pneumophila species-specific PCR assays proved to be valuable tools for investigation of Legionella contamination in potable water systems.
Prevalence and Burden of Migraine in the United States: Data From the American Migraine Study II (2001)

Two methodologically identical national surveys in the United States conducted 10 years apart show that the prevalence and distribution of migraine have remained stable over the last decade. Migraine-associated disability remains substantial and pervasive. The number of migraineurs has increased from 23.6 million in 1989 to 27.9 million in 1999 commensurate with the growth of the population. Migraine is an important target for public health interventions because it is highly prevalent and disabling.
An improved algorithm for respiration signal extraction from electrocardiogram measured by conductive textile electrodes using instantaneous frequency estimation (2008)

In this paper, an improved algorithm for the extraction of respiration signal from the electrocardiogram (ECG) in home healthcare is proposed. The whole system consists of two-lead electrocardiogram acquisition using conductive textile electrodes located in bed, baseline fluctuation elimination, R-wave detection, adjustment of sudden change in R-wave area using moving average, and optimal lead selection. In order to solve the problems of previous algorithms for the ECG-derived respiration (EDR) signal acquisition, we are proposing a method for the optimal lead selection. An optimal EDR signal among the three EDR signals derived from each lead (and arctangent of their ratio) is selected by estimating the instantaneous frequency using the Hilbert transform, and then choosing the signal with minimum variation of the instantaneous frequency. The proposed algorithm was tested on 15 male subjects, and we obtained satisfactory respiration signals that showed high correlation (r(2) > 0.8) with the signal acquired from the chest-belt respiration sensor.
Treatment of High-Risk Neuroblastoma with Intensive Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation, and 13-cis-Retinoic Acid (1999)

Treatment with myeloablative therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation improved event-free survival among children with high-risk neuroblastoma. In addition, treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid was beneficial for patients without progressive disease when it was administered after chemotherapy or transplantation.
Lysophosphatidylcholine, a component of atherogenic lipoproteins, induces mononuclear leukocyte adhesion molecules in cultured human and rabbit arterial endothelial cells. (1992)

Accumulation of monocyte-derived foam cells in focal areas of the arterial intima is one of the key events in early atherogenesis. We have examined the effect of lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC; lysolecithin), a major phospholipid component of atherogenic lipoproteins, on the expression of adhesion molecules for monocytes, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), in cultured human and rabbit arterial endothelial cells. Cultured rabbit aortic endothelial cells treated with lyso-PC showed increased mRNA and cell surface expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, which was associated with increased adhesion of monocytes and monocyte-like cells (THP-1, U937). In cultured human iliac artery endothelial cells, lyso-PC similarly induced both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, whereas in umbilical vein endothelial cells only ICAM-1 was up-regulated. In all endothelial cells examined, the effect of lyso-PC on E-selectin (endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1) expression was negligible, thus differentiating this stimulus from other endothelial activators, such as interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, or lipopolysaccharide. We conclude that lyso-PC can selectively induce VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in arterial endothelial cells and that this action, in addition to its monocyte chemoattractant activity, may play an important role in monocyte recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions.
The V3-directed immune response in natural human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection is predominantly directed against a variable, discontinuous epitope presented by the gp120 V3 domain (1997)

The specific binding of antibodies to the V3 loop in sera from human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals was investigated. Different V3 structures were analyzed as full-length loops or by pepscan. Our data show that on full-length V3 loops, both variable regions on either side of the tip of the loop (GPGRAF) contribute to a common epitope for type-specific antibodies. Type-specific antibodies bound strongly and at high titers to native V3 loops but negligibly once the loop was denatured. In contrast to the type-specific, discontinuous epitope, the linear, conserved epitopes presented by the full-length V3 loop, the tip, the amino-terminal base, and the carboxy-terminal base were not accessible to serum antibody. When the V3 sequences were analyzed with linear peptides, antibodies bound preferentially to peptides containing the conserved GPGRAF sequence. Thus, two different specificities of V3-directed antibodies were detected in patient sera. Unlike group-specific antibodies directed against GPGRAF peptides, lack of type-specific antibodies directed against the discontinuous epitope was correlated with viral escape from autologous neutralization. Our data suggest that the full-length conformation of the V3 loop is accessible predominantly to highly type-specific antibodies present in sera from HIV-1-infected individuals. These antibodies are directed against discontinuous V3 epitopes, not against conserved linear V3 targets. The implications of these findings for viral escape and blockade of infection with V3-based vaccines are discussed.
Direct comparison of ELISPOT and ELISA-based assays for detection of individual cytokine-secreting cells. (1994)

A direct comparison was made between the insoluble ELISPOT, solubilized ELISPOT, and ELISA assays, to detect cytokine secretion by cells, using sterile ELISA plates and commercially available monoclonal antibodies. We evaluated the IL-6 secretion by resident peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice and the secretion of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 by the murine T helper clone, D10.G4.1 cells. Our results demonstrated that ELISPOT can detect cytokine secretion at the single cell level in either adherent or nonadherent cells. The level of detection by ELISPOT was 10 to 200 times more sensitive than ELISA performed on culture supernatants. We also demonstrated that the solubilized ELISPOT can detect cytokine secretion by cells with greater sensitivity than conventional ELISA. These ELISPOT assays can be used to characterize the cytokine secretion pattern of different cell populations in a simple, reproducible, and reliable manner.
Theory and implementation of a new interpolation method based on random sampling (1996)

In this paper we present a new method for the interpolation of functions using Feynman path integrals. It is argued that least-biased interpolations are obtained. The interpolation method is essentially numerical and an algorithm is given for determining the interpolation values. The core of the method is the identification of the interpolation values as expectation values of a random function. The expectation values are obtained by a Metropolis algorithm. The method is illustrated with a number of examples and an application in TCAD.
The adjuvant effect of a non‐toxic mutant of heat‐labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli for the induction of measles virus‐specific CTL responses after intranasal co‐immunization with a synthetic peptide (1996)

The intranasal route has been shown to be effective for immunization. However, immunization via this route may require the use of potent and safe adjuvant. The construction of non-toxic mutants of heat labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LT), which is a potent mucosal adjuvant, is a major breakthrough for the development of mucosal vaccines. In this study we have assessed the ability of an LT mutant (LTK63) to act as an adjuvant following intranasal co-immunization with a peptide corresponding to a measles virus cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope. LTK63 was more effective at potentiating the in vivo induction of peptide-specific and measles virus-specific CTL responses than was administration of the peptide in saline. A concentration of 10 micrograms/dose of LTK63 was found to be the most effective in potentiating the in vivo priming of peptide-specific and measles virus-specific CTL responses. These findings highlight the potential of the non-toxic mutant of LT as a safe mucosal adjuvant for use in humans.