gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Triacylglycerol synthesis in isolated fat cells. Studies on the microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity using ethanol-dispersed diacylglycerols. (1976)

The acyl-CoA:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20) activity of isolated fat cells was predominantly (89%) localized to the microsomal subcellular fraction by assays based on the conversion of 1,2-[3H]diacyl-sn-glycerol to triacylglycerol using 1 to 4 mug of protein. A complementary assay based on the conversion of [3H]palmitoyl-CoA to triacylglycerol was developed. These methods, 100 to 1000 times more sensitive than those previously employed, were used to characterize the microsomal activity. The choice of dispersing agent for addition of diacylglycerol to the reaction mixture was crucial. Addition of diacylglycerol in ethanol resulted in the highest diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity of the methods tested. Tween 20, which has previously been employed as the dispersing agent, severely inhibited the activity. A broad pH optimum from 7.4 to 8.0 was noted and several salts stimulated the activity more than 2-fold. The activity was unstable at temperatures of 28 degrees and above. Dependences on acyl-CoAs containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms were investigated using bacterial diacylglycerol. Acetyl- and butyryl-CoA were not substrates. Highest diacylglycerol acyltransferase activities were observed with decanoyl-CoA and lower activities were noted with longer and shorter saturated chains. Maximal activity with oleoyl-CoA was only 34% of that seen with stearoyl-CoA. No simple relationship between the critical micellar concentrations of the acyl-CoAs employed and diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was observed. The dependences on diacylglycerols containing fatty acids 6 to 18 carbon atoms in length were investigated with [3H]palmitoyl-CoA. While all the 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols tested were substrates, diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was highest with 1,2-dioleoylglycerol. Maximum activity with the bacterial diacylglycerol was 86% that with 1,2-dioleoylglycerol. The diacylglycerol concentrations required for half-maximal velocity were 20 to 40 muM for long chain diacylglycerols and 2 to 3 muM for short chain diacylglycerols; these were 75- to 750-fold lower than previously reported. Microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase specific activities from isolated cells around 50 nmol/min/mg, 10- to 50-fold higher than previously reported from adipose tissue, were typical using dioleoylglycerol and palmitoyl-CoA as substrates. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase specific activities were 17-fold higher in microsomes from isolated fat cells than any other tissue examined. The diacylglycerol acyltransferase appears to have specificity with respect to acyl-CoAs and diacylglycerols, but a definitive interpretation is limited by the lack of data on the physical properties of these substrates in solution under the conditions employed.
Impact of CD8–MHC class I interaction in detection and sorting efficiencies of antigen-specific T cells using MHC class I/peptide multimers: contribution of pMHC valency (2006)

Recombinant soluble multimeric forms of MHC class I molecules loaded with antigenic peptides (pMHC) have turned out to be particularly useful to detect and isolate specific T cells. These applications both rely on the oligomerization of pMHC monomers in order to compensate for their inherent low affinity for the TCR. In this study, we have evaluated the precise contribution of CD8-pMHC interaction on the specificity and sorting efficiency of pMHC multimers according to their degree of oligomerization. To this end several wild-type versus mutated pMHC complexes (A*0201, B*0701, B*0801, B*3501) carrying point mutations known to reduce (245V mutants) or to abrogate (227,8KA mutants) CD8-pMHC interaction and showing various degrees of valency have been used. We show that irrespective of the HLA allele tested, 245V mutation strongly improves the binding specificity and immunomagnetic sorting efficiency of pMHC multimers. Our results also indicate that the contribution of CD8 to the binding of pMHC multimers to specific CD8+ T cells is inversely correlated to the degree of pMHC oligomerization. Consequently, efficient staining or specific sorting of high-affinity T cells (i.e. CD8 independent) can only be achieved using 227,8KA pMHC complexes with low-order oligomerization.
An Orally Active TRPV4 Channel Blocker Prevents and Resolves Pulmonary Edema Induced by Heart Failure (2012)

Pulmonary edema resulting from high pulmonary venous pressure (PVP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients, but current treatment options demonstrate substantial limitations. Recent evidence from rodent lungs suggests that PVP-induced edema is driven by activation of pulmonary capillary endothelial transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels. To examine the therapeutic potential of this mechanism, we evaluated TRPV4 expression in human congestive HF lungs and developed small-molecule TRPV4 channel blockers for testing in animal models of HF. TRPV4 immunolabeling of human lung sections demonstrated expression of TRPV4 in the pulmonary vasculature that was enhanced in sections from HF patients compared to controls. GSK2193874 was identified as a selective, orally active TRPV4 blocker that inhibits Ca(2+) influx through recombinant TRPV4 channels and native endothelial TRPV4 currents. In isolated rodent and canine lungs, TRPV4 blockade prevented the increased vascular permeability and resultant pulmonary edema associated with elevated PVP. Furthermore, in both acute and chronic HF models, GSK2193874 pretreatment inhibited the formation of pulmonary edema and enhanced arterial oxygenation. Finally, GSK2193874 treatment resolved pulmonary edema already established by myocardial infarction in mice. These findings identify a crucial role for TRPV4 in the formation of HF-induced pulmonary edema and suggest that TRPV4 blockade is a potential therapeutic strategy for HF patients.
Increased expression of specific protein tyrosine phosphatases in human breast epithelial cells neoplastically transformed by the neu oncogene. (1993)

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is a fundamental mechanism in the regulation of cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation; this metabolic process is modulated by the opposing activities of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). While the role of protein tyrosine kinases has been examined extensively in human breast tumorigenesis, the role of PTPases in this process is virtually unknown. To address this issue, an activated neu oncogene was introduced into an immortalized nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cell line (184B5). This resulted in a substantial increase in P185neu expression, which led to the formation of progressively growing carcinomas after such cells were inoculated into athymic nude mice. Importantly, a striking increase in the expression of specific PTPases, LAR and PTP1B, was observed in 3 independently neu transformed cell lines and their derived tumors. This elevation was verified at both the mRNA and protein levels. TC-PTP PTPase expression was only slightly increased in these neu transformed cells, and no expression of CD45 PTPase was observed. The level of neu expression, as well as the differential expression between P185neu and LAR/PTP1B, directly correlated with tumorigenicity. Furthermore, rat mammary carcinomas with elevated neu expression (neu-induced) also had sharply elevated LAR-PTPase expression when compared to rat mammary carcinomas with little or no neu expression (7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene induced); the level of expression of LAR PTPase was directly correlated with the level of neu expression. Thus, our results provide the first evidence that, in human breast carcinoma cells and in rat mammary carcinomas that have an induced increase in neu expression, a consistent and substantial increase in the expression of specific PTPases occurs. The relationship between P185neu-protein tyrosine kinase expression and specific PTPase expression may play a critical role in human breast tumorigenesis.
Replacement of Ala-166 with Cysteine in the High Affinity Rabbit Sodium/Glucose Transporter Alters Transport Kinetics and Allows Methanethiosulfonate Ethylamine to Inhibit Transporter Function (1998)

An alanine to cysteine mutation at position 166 has been introduced by site-directed mutagenesis into the rabbit sodium/glucose transporter (rSGLT1). When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, this mutant transporter (A166C rSGLT1) demonstrates a significantly lower apparent affinity for alpha-methyl glucoside (alphaMG) compared with the wild-type transporter (apparent Km = 0.8 versus 0.15 mM). Using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique, transient currents have also been measured, and for the mutant transporter, the transients induced by large depolarizations exhibit longer time constants than those for wild type. Moreover, the substitution of Ala-166 with a cysteine allows the sulfydryl specific reagent, methanethiosulfonate ethylamine (MTSEA), to react with and alter the function of the transporter. Whereas the wild-type transporter is unaffected by reaction with MTSEA, A166C rSGLT1 has its steady-state currents induced by 1 mM alphaMG inhibited 83% within a minute of exposure to MTSEA. Furthermore, the pre-steady-state transients of the A166C mutant after MTSEA exposure demonstrate much shorter time constants than before while the total amount of charge transferred is only slightly diminished. These results together provide evidence that position 166 is situated in a region critical to the functioning of rSGLT1.
Topical Ocular Delivery of NSAIDs (2008)

In ocular tissue, arachidonic acid is metabolized by cyclooxygenase to prostaglandins which are the most important lipid derived mediators of inflammation. Presently nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors are being used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. NSAIDs used in ophthalmology, topically, are salicylic-, indole acetic-, aryl acetic-, aryl propionic- and enolic acid derivatives. NSAIDs are weak acids with pKa mostly between 3.5 and 4.5, and are poorly soluble in water. Aqueous ophthalmic solutions of NSAIDs have been made using sodium, potassium, tromethamine and lysine salts or complexing with cyclodextrins/solubilizer. Ocular penetration of NSAID demands an acidic ophthalmic solution where cyclodextrin could prevent precipitation of drug and minimize its ocular irritation potential. The incompatibility of NSAID with benzalkonium chloride is avoided by using polysorbate 80, cyclodextrins or tromethamine. Lysine salts and alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate disrupt corneal integrity, and their use requires caution. Thus a nonirritating ophthalmic solution of NSAID could be formulated by dissolving an appropriate water-soluble salt, in the presence of cyclodextrin or tromethamine (if needed) in mildly acidified purified water (if stability permits) with or without benzalkonium chloride and polyvinyl alcohol. Amide prodrugs met with mixed success due to incomplete intraocular hydrolysis. Suspension and ocular inserts appear irritating to the inflamed eye. Oil drop may be a suitable option for insoluble drugs and ointment may be used for sustained effect. Recent studies showed that the use of colloidal nanoparticle formulations and the potent COX 2 inhibitor bromfenac may enhance NSAID efficacy in eye preparations.
Similarity of color images (1995)

We describe two new color indexing techniques. The first one is a more robust version of the commonly used color histogram indexing. In the index we store the cumulative color histograms. The L<SUB>1</SUB>-, L<SUB>2</SUB>-, L<SUB>(infinity</SUB> )-distance between two cumulative color histograms can be used to define a similarity measure of these two color distributions. We show that this method produces slightly better results than color histogram methods, but it is significantly more robust with respect to the quantization parameter of the histograms. The second technique is an example of a new approach to color indexing. Instead of storing the complete color distributions, the index contains only their dominant features. We implement this approach by storing the first three moments of each color channel of an image in the index, i.e., for a HSV image we store only 9 floating point numbers per image. The similarity function which is used for the retrieval is a weighted sum of the absolute differences between corresponding moments. Our tests clearly demonstrate that a retrieval based on this technique produces better results and runs faster than the histogram-based methods.
Partial Purification of an Osteolytic Toxin from Pasteurella multocida (1986)

A protein toxin apparently composed of one polypeptide with an estimated Mr of 155,000 was purified from sonicated cells of a type D strain of Pasteurella multocida (LFB3) by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and DEAE-Sephadex A50 chromatography. Its specific activity was 150-fold greater than that of the crude extract. The partially purified protein was cytotoxic for embryonic bovine lung cells, lethal for mice and caused turbinate atrophy in gnotobiotic pigs; a single intraperitoneal injection of approximately 360 ng kg-1 caused 50% turbinate atrophy. Reversal of the two-step purification procedure using DEAE-Sephacel chromatography followed by preparative PAGE increased the yield of toxin 30-fold; the specific activity of the partially purified toxin was 1970-fold greater than that of the crude extract.
The Hypersensitive Reaction of Tobacco to Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi (1985)

Net electrolyte efflux from suspension-cultured tobacco cells undergoing the hypersensitive reaction to Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi resulted from a specific efflux of K(+) which was accompanied by an equimolar net influx of H(+). These fluxes began 60 to 90 minutes after inoculation of tobacco cells with bacteria, reached maximum rates of 6 to 9 micromoles per gram fresh weight tobacco cells per hour within 2.5 to 3 hours, and dropped below 4 micromoles per gram per hour within 5 hours. Tobacco cells lost approximately 35% of total K(+) during this period, and average cellular pH declined by approximately 0.75 pH unit. These events were accompanied by a 30% decrease in cellular ATP. K(+) and H(+) fluxes were inhibited by the protonophore (p-trifluoromethoxy)carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone and by increasing the K(+) concentration of the external solution. Tobacco leaf discs inoculated with the bacterium also exhibited a specific net K(+) efflux and H(+) influx. These results suggest that induction of the hypersensitive reaction in tobacco proceeds through the activation of a passive plasmalemma K(+)/H(+) exchange mechanism. It is hypothesized that activation of this exchange is a major contributing factor in hypersensitive plant cell death.
The effects of the TRPV1 antagonist SB-705498 on TRPV1 receptor-mediated activity and inflammatory hyperalgesia in humans (2007)

TRPV1 is a cation channel activated by a range of noxious stimuli and highly expressed in nociceptive fibres. TRPV1 receptors are involved in pain and sensitisation associated with tissue injury and inflammation; hence, TRPV1 antagonists are potentially useful for the treatment of such pain states. SB-705498 is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable TRPV1 antagonist with demonstrated efficacy in a number of preclinical pain models. In this first-time-into-human study, we have investigated the pharmacodynamic and antihyperalgesic activity of SB-705498. The compound was safe and well tolerated at single oral doses up to 400mg. In a cohort of 19 healthy volunteers, we used a randomised placebo-controlled single-blind cross-over design to assess the effects of SB-705498 (400mg) on heat-evoked pain and skin sensitisation induced by capsaicin or UVB irradiation. Compared with placebo, SB-705498 reduced the area of capsaicin-evoked flare (P=0.0047). The heat pain threshold on non-sensitised skin was elevated following SB-705498 (estimated difference from placebo [95% confidence intervals]: 1.3 degrees C [0.07,2.53], P=0.019). Following capsaicin sensitisation, the heat pain threshold and tolerance were similar between SB-705498 and placebo. However, SB-705498 increased heat pain tolerance at the site of UVB-evoked inflammation (estimated difference from placebo: 0.93 degrees C [0.25,1.6], P=0.0054). The magnitude of the pharmacodynamic effects of SB-705498 appeared to be related to plasma concentration. These results indicate that SB-705498, at a clinically safe and well-tolerated dose, has target-specific pharmacodynamic activity in humans. These data provide the first clinical evidence that a TRPV1 antagonist may alleviate pain and hyperalgesia associated with inflammation and tissue injury.
Effects of lithium on mouse hematopoiesis. (1990)

Both in vitro and in vivo effects of lithium on mouse hematopoiesis were investigated. The addition of 1 mmol lithium carbonate to the culture enhanced in vitro colony formation of the granulocyte macrophage precursor (CFU-GM) by 26%, the megakaryocyte precursor (CFU-Meg) by 29%, and the erythrocyte precursor (CFU-E) by 46% as compared to the control culture without lithium carbonate. Lithium resulted in an increase of colony size for both the CFU-Meg and the CFU-E. Oral administration of lithium chloride at daily doses of 0.3 mg caused a significant increase in granulocytes 3 to 12 days after the start of administration. It also resulted in a mild elevation of the platelet count, but it had no influence on hematocrit. The number of the CFU-GM increased transiently on day 3 of the lithium administration and subsequently returned to the pretreatment level. Furthermore lithium accelerated the recovery of the granulocyte count and bone marrow CFU-GM content after 300 rad total body X ray irradiation.
Driving on Biomass (2009)

Burning biomass to produce electricity for battery-driven vehicles can power more travel and displace more petroleum than converting it to ethanol or other fermentation products.
Generation of cellular immunity to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is independent of CD1d1 expression (2001)

CD1 molecules are cell surface glycoproteins, structurally similar to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The murine CD1d1 molecule has been shown to be essential for the positive selection of a unique subpopulation of T cells [the natural killer (NK) T cells], as CD1d1-deficient mice lack NK T cells. These cells have recently been suggested to play an important role in the induction of innate immunity (i.e. NK cells) and the regulation of immune homeostasis. As such, it was asked whether NK T cells were necessary for the generation of cellular immunity to an acute virus infection. In these studies, the Armstrong strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a classic inducer of NK cells, and its pathogenic variant clone 13 were used. When NK-cell activity was assessed on day 3 post-LCMV infection, surprisingly, it was found that CD1d1-deficient mice could generate NK-cell activity at wild-type levels. Likewise, LCMV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity in CD1d1-deficient mice was indistinguishable from that generated in wild-type mice. Additionally, viral titres in the spleen (LCMV Armstrong) and blood (LCMV clone 13) of infected CD1d1-deficient mice were at comparable levels to those found in wild-type mice, as were virus infection-induced increases in cell surface H-2Kb in the spleen. Therefore, these results suggest that the LCMV-induced generation of NK-cell and virus-specific CTL activity, as well as viral clearance, are independent of CD1d1 expression.
High Incidence of New Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Year following a Sexually Transmitted Infection: A Case for Rescreening (2006)

Men and women who receive diagnoses of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, or T. vaginalis infections should return in 3 months for rescreening because they are at high risk for new asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Although single-dose therapy may adequately treat the infection, it often does not adequately treat the patient.
Kinetic characterization of a beta-glucosidase from a yeast, Candida wickerhamii (1993)

The extracytoplasmic, cell-bound beta-1,4-glucosidase of Candida wickerhamii was characterized kinetically. The enzyme was found to produce glucose from cellobiose and cellodextrins (degree of polymerization from three to six) by catalyzing the removal of the terminal glucose moiety from the nonreducing end of these beta-glucans. The Km values for the series, cellobiose through cellohexaose, were 210.7, 106.6, 106.3, 105.9, and 79.8 mM, respectively, whereas the kcat values were 14.79, 13.24, 13.78, 15.13, and 7.66 mumol of glucose.min-1.mg-1 of protein, respectively. A computer program was developed to estimate the integrated rate equation. When the above kinetic constants were used in the computer model, the predicted rates of glucose formation agreed well with the experimental data. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is unable to ferment cellobiose or cellodextrins, ferments glucose about twice as fast as C. wickerhamii. If S. cerevisiae is cultured on cellobiose or cellodextrins and the purified C. wickerhamii beta-glucosidase is added to the S. cerevisiae culture at levels that mimic the production of beta-glucosidase by a C. wickerhamii culture with time, the two cultures produce ethanol at equivalent rates. This suggests that the rate-limiting step in the fermentation of cellobiose/cellodextrins by C. wickerhamii is the production of beta-glucosidase.
High dimensional feature reduction via projection pursuit (2005)

The recent development of more sophisticated remote sensing systems enables the measurement of radiation in many more spectral intervals than previously possible. An example of that technology is the AVIRIS system, which collects image data in 220 bands. As a result of this, new algorithms must be developed in order to analyze the more complex data effectively. Data in a high dimensional space presents a substantial challenge, since intuitive concepts valid in a 2-3 dimensional space do not necessarily apply in higher dimensional spaces. For example, high dimensional space is mostly empty. This results from the concentration of data in the corners of hypercubes. Other examples may be cited. Such observations suggest the need to project data to a subspace of a much lower dimension on a problem specific basis in such a manner that information is not lost. Projection pursuit is a technique that will accomplish such a goal. Since it processes data in lower dimensions, it should avoid many of the difficulties of high dimensional spaces. The authors investigate some of the properties of projection pursuit.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Phosphatidylinositol as a Component of the Ice Nucleating Site of Pseudomonas syringae and Erwinia herbiola (1984)

Phosphatidylinositol has been identified as a major component of the ice nucleating site on the outer surface of two bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae and Erwinia herbicola. Plant lectins binding to inositol and a highly purified phosphatidylinositol-specific hydrolase (a C(II) lipase) inhibited or decreased the efficiency of the ice nucleating activity (INA) of both bacteria. Extracts of these two INA(+) bacteria had phosphatidylinositol synthase activity while extracts from related INA(-) Pseudomonas or Erwinia strains had no detectable synthase activity. An Escherichia coli strain acquired phosphatidylinositol synthase activity when transformed to the INA(+) phenotype with recombinant plasmids containing fragments of P. syringae DNA.