gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Cystoid macular edema (2008)

Tryfon G Rotsos1, Marilita M Moschos21Medical Retina Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; 2Department of Ophthalmology, University of Athens, GreeceAbstract: We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and etiology of cystoid macular edema (CME). Inflammatory, diabetic, post-cataract, and macular edema due to age-related macular degeneration is described. The role of chronic inflammation and hypoxia and direct macular traction is evaluated in each case according to different views from the literature. The different diagnostic methods for evaluating the edema are described. Special attention is given to fluoroangiography and the most modern methods of macula examination, such as ocular coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography. Finally, we discuss the treatment of cystoid macular edema in relation to its etiology. In this chapter we briefly refer to the therapeutic value of laser treatment especially in diabetic maculopathy or vitrectomy in some selected cases. Our paper is focused mainly on recent therapeutic treatment with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and anti-VEGF factors like bevacizumab (Avastin), ranibizumab (Lucentis), pegaptamid (Macugen), and others. The goal of this paper is to review the current status of this treatment for macular edema due to diabetic maculopathy, central retinal vein occlusion and post-cataract surgery. For this reason the results of recent multicenter clinical trials are quoted, as also our experience on the use of intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF factors and we discuss its value in clinical practice.Keywords: cystoid macular edema, anti-VEGF, fluoroangiography, OCT, multifocal electroretinography
Two-step deposition process of piezoelectric ZnO film and its application for film bulk acoustic resonators (2000)

In this article, a two-step deposition technique of piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) film formation using radio-frequency (rf) sputtering and its successful applications for film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR) are presented. Several critical sputtering process parameters such as deposition pressure, rf power, and O2 concentration were investigated to understand their impacts on the resulting crystal structures and surface morphologies of the ZnO films. The ZnO films formed by the two-step deposition have shown the growth characteristic of the strongly preferred orientation toward c axis. The FBAR with the ZnO films showed a large return loss of ∼50 dB at the center frequency of 1.49 GHz. It was also found that the impedance matching of the FBAR could be easily achieved by simply controlling the resonance area of the resonator.
Evidence for capillarity contributions to gecko adhesion from single spatula nanomechanical measurements (2005)

The hairy attachment system on a gecko's toes, consisting of one billion spatulae in the case of Gekko gecko [Ruibal, R. & Ernst, V. (1965) J. Morphol. 117, 271-294], allows it to adhere to nearly all surface topographies. The mechanistic basis for gecko adhesion has been intensely investigated, but the lowest hierarchical level, that of the spatula, has become experimentally accessible only recently. This report details measurements of the adhesion force exerted by a single gecko spatula for various atmospheric conditions and surface chemistries. Through judicious choice and modification of substrates, the short- and long-range adhesive forces are separated. In contrast to previous work [Autumn, K., Sitti, M., Liang, Y. C. A., Peattie, A. M., Hansen, W. R., Sponberg, S., Kenny, T. W., Fearing, R., Israelachvili, J. N. & Full, R. J. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 12252-12256], our measurements clearly show that humidity contributes significantly to gecko adhesion on a nanoscopic level. These findings are crucial for the development of artificial biomimetic attachment systems.
Content-adaptive focus configuration for near-eye multi-focal displays (2016)

Near-eye multi-focal (light field) displays are known to be more advantageous than conventional stereoscopic 3D displays, because they can alleviate the vergence-accommodation conflict. While stereoscopic 3D displays are restricted to projecting images on a single focal plane, near-eye light field displays can form multiple focal planes and volumetrically render 3D data. Most existing near-eye light field displays use simplistic, uniformly spaced focal plane configuration (in dioptric space). In this paper, we present a novel technique that optimizes the focal plane configuration based on characteristics of the content to be rendered. We show that this technique can significantly improve the perceived visual quality of content visualized on such displays.
E(z): a polycomb group gene or a trithorax group gene? (1996)

The products of the Polycomb group of genes are cooperatively involved in repressing expression of homeotic selector genes outside of their appropriate anterior/posterior boundaries. Loss of maternal and/or zygotic function of Polycomb group genes results in the ectopic expression of both Antennapedia Complex and Bithorax Complex genes. The products of the trithorax group of genes are cooperatively involved in maintaining active expression of homeotic selector genes within their appropriate anterior/posterior boundaries. Loss of maternal and/or zygotic function of trithorax group genes results in reduced expression of both Antennapedia Complex and Bithorax Complex genes. Although Enhancer of zeste has been classified as a member of the Polycomb group, in this paper we show that Enhancer of zeste can also be classified as a member of the trithorax group. The requirement for Enhancer of zeste activity as either a trithorax group or Polycomb group gene depends on the homeotic selector gene locus as well as on spatial and temporal cues.
Intermodulation Distortion in Multicarrier Satellite Systems: Analysis and Turbo Volterra Equalization (2011)

The urgent objective of transmitting high data rates over satellite, coupled with the challenge to maximize satellite mass efficiency, has necessitated that multiple carriers share the same transponder high-power amplifier (HPA). This paper presents analytical framework that characterizes the resulting intermodulation distortion (IMD) by utilizing Volterra series representation to account for the memory within the carrier itself and those associated with other carriers. Also provided is analytical evaluation of nonlinear IMD which involves computing statistical averages of higher-order products of Volterra series containing complex-valued symbols from multiple carriers. Using this theoretical characterization, novel algorithms are developed to overcome IMD in highly distortion-limited environments by employing the powerful Turbo equalization method with linear minimum mean-squared error criterion. Further, the solution is adaptive so compensation does not require prior knowledge of the HPA characteristics and can be rapidly responsive to variations in the environment. Through extensive simulations, it is shown that the proposed multicarrier analysis and Turbo Volterra techniques can be used to substantially remove IMD resulting from operating the nonlinear transponder HPA, shared by multiple carriers, near saturation. By applying more iterations of joint equalization and decoding, the solution can approach the ideal performance when feeding back correct decisions.
Combined Serological, Genetic, and Inflammatory Markers Differentiate Non-IBD, Crohnʼs Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis Patients (2013)

Incorporating a combination of serological, genetic, and inflammation markers into a diagnostic algorithm improved the accuracy of identifying IBD and differentiating CD from UC versus using serological markers alone.
Activation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, DNA synthesis, and myocyte mitotic division in pacing-induced heart failure in dogs. (1999)

The inability of myocytes to reenter the cell cycle in vitro may result from a block in the activation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk). This inhibition may not occur in vivo because myocyte proliferation is present in the failing heart. Thus, cardiac failure was induced by ventricular pacing in dogs, and changes in the quantity of cyclin D2, cyclin A, cyclin B, cdk2, and cell-division cycle-2 (cdc2) in control and paced myocytes were measured. The kinase activity of these nuclear proteins was also established. Finally, DNA synthesis and mitotic indices in myocytes were evaluated. Cyclin D2 in myocytes increased 7-fold after pacing, and cyclin D2-associated kinase activity increased 3-fold. Similarly, cyclin A quantity and activity increased 4-fold. Comparable changes were observed for cyclin B. cdc2 protein increased 8-fold, and cdk2 and cdc2 activity increased 3-fold and 5-fold, respectively. DNA synthesis was detected in 556 myocyte nuclei/10(6) and 2,467 myocyte nuclei/10(6) in control and paced hearts, respectively. Corresponding mitotic indices were 16/10(6) and 95/106, respectively. In conclusion, myocytes react to cardiac failure by activating cyclins and cdk, which are coupled with cell regeneration and the recovery of muscle mass.
Systemic α-Interferon in Multiple Sclerosis (1987)

Twelve patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis who had participated in a clinical trial of systemic (subcutaneous) natural alpha-interferon were interviewed and reexamined 4.3 years after beginning interferon treatment and 2.3 years after completion of the study. There was a progressive reduction in exacerbation rate from 1.33 per year to 0.47 per year. Overall neurologic function and disability did not change significantly. Six patients stabilized or improved, and were able to carry on normal daily activities. There were no long-term deleterious side effects. These results are similar to those described for patients treated with intrathecal beta-interferon. The mechanism of the prolonged beneficial effect is unknown, but is unlikely to represent antiviral activity in the central nervous system, and more probably involves systemic immunoregulatory functions. The systemic route of administration of interferon may be as effective as the intrathecal route in multiple sclerosis, and is potentially less hazardous.
Plasma myeloperoxidase levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke. (2010)

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a glycoprotein released by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils, which takes part in the defence of the organism through production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potent oxidant. MPO has a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the time course of MPO plasma levels in the early stage of ischemic stroke. The study included 78 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 46 females and 32 males, mean age 74.3 +/- 6.8 years. Blood samples for MPO measurement were taken within 24 hours after the onset of ischemic stroke. Seventy-two patients served as matched controls 43 females and 29 males, mean age 71.3 +/- 6.4 years. MPO was measured in plasma using the Abbott Architect platform (Abbott Diagnostics Inc., Abbott Parck IL). Comparisons between patients and controls and patients group were expressed as relative risk with its 95% confidence interval (RR [95% CI]), where a lower limit > 1.0 was considered significant. All p values were determined by Fischer's exact test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean plasma MPO level was in patients with acute ischemic stroke 583 +/- 48 pmol/L. Seventy-one patients out of seventy-eight patients with ischemic stroke presented mean plasma MPO levels greater than the upper of normal (425 +/- 36 pmol/L, p < 0.0001, (RR 8.188, [95% CI 4.038 to 16.600]). Twelve controls presented mean plasma MPO level greater than the upper of normal. In conclusion, plasma MPO levels were statistically significantly higher in patients after ischemic stroke as compared to controls. MPO has been associated with acute ischemic stroke but its direct role in its pathogenesis has not been established. MPO could be proposed as a potential prognostic marker of such lesions rather than a marker of diagnosis. MPO is a new biomarker and a possible future therapeutic target.
Cytokines and T cells in atopic dermatitis (2013)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by an impaired immune response. Several effector T cell subsets, such as pro-inflammatory cells like Th9, Th17 and Th22 cells, expressing high levels of IL-9, IL-17 and IL-22, together with the anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulating Treg cells constitutively producing IL-10, seem to play a role in this condition. IL-9 and IL-9 receptors are significantly increased in lesional AD skin compared to normal control skin. In addition, some polymorphisms in IL-9 and IL-9r genes have been associated with AD. The role of IL-17 and IL-17-producing T cells remains under debate and conflicting data are available. IL-22-producing T-cells seem to correlate with the severity of the AD. The number and function of Treg cells, producing IL-10, have been widely investigated in AD with conflicting results. Other studies suggest that high levels of IL-31 or low levels of IL-21 might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. This review was undertaken in order to provide a better understanding of the relevance of certain cytokines in AD. We have analysed the new insight into the pathogenesis of AD, with special attention to those cytokines produced by the different T cell subpopulations.
High average power blue generation from a copper vapour laser pumped titanium sapphire laser (1998)

Abstract A high power (6.2W) titanium sapphire laser pumped by a high beam quality copper vapour laser (CVL) at 6.2kHz has been demonstrated. The high beam quality copper vapour laser consisted of a small-scale master oscillator and a double-pass power amplifier giving nearly 20 W output with better than 2 times diffraction-limited beam quality. Up to 5.0 W of narrow-band 780nm output was obtained from a ring Ti:sapphire laser when seeded with a 7 mW CW single mode diode laser. Wavelength tuning of an astigmatically compensated Z-cavity Ti:sapphire laser using up to four intracavity Brewster prisms yielded up to 3.3 W output at 920nm, and up to 1.8 W blue output at 460nm when frequency doubled in an intracavity LBO crystal.
Effects of compressive strains on electrical conductivities of a macroscale carbon nanotube block (2007)

A macroscopic block (∼9mm3) of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was grown by chemical vapor deposition and its simultaneous electrical conductivity and compressive strain responses were measured parallel and perpendicular to the CNT alignment. The block exhibits elastic moduli of 0.9 and 1.6MPa for compressive strain of &amp;lt;20% in parallel and perpendicular configurations, respectively. The electrical conductivity increases with increasing compressive strain in both configurations. The reversible electrical conductivity and compressive strain responses of block is attributed to elastic bending of CNTs. These excellent properties of CNT block can be used in compressive strain sensing applications.
Lazy snapping (2004)

In this paper, we present Lazy Snapping, an interactive image cutout tool. Lazy Snapping separates coarse and fine scale processing, making object specification and detailed adjustment easy. Moreover, Lazy Snapping provides instant visual feedback, snapping the cutout contour to the true object boundary efficiently despite the presence of ambiguous or low contrast edges. Instant feedback is made possible by a novel image segmentation algorithm which combines graph cut with pre-computed over-segmentation. A set of intuitive user interface (UI) tools is designed and implemented to provide flexible control and editing for the users. Usability studies indicate that Lazy Snapping provides a better user experience and produces better segmentation results than the state-of-the-art interactive image cutout tool, Magnetic Lasso in Adobe Photoshop.
Sensory Responses during Sleep in Primate Primary and Secondary Auditory Cortex (2008)

Most sensory stimuli do not reach conscious perception during sleep. It has been thought that the thalamus prevents the relay of sensory information to cortex during sleep, but the consequences for cortical responses to sensory signals in this physiological state remain unclear. We recorded from two auditory cortical areas downstream of the thalamus in naturally sleeping marmoset monkeys. Single neurons in primary auditory cortex either increased or decreased their responses during sleep compared with wakefulness. In lateral belt, a secondary auditory cortical area, the response modulation was also bidirectional and showed no clear systematic depressive effect of sleep. When averaged across neurons, sound-evoked activity in these two auditory cortical areas was surprisingly well preserved during sleep. Neural responses to acoustic stimulation were present during both slow-wave and rapid-eye movement sleep, were repeatedly observed over multiple sleep cycles, and demonstrated similar discharge patterns to the responses recorded during wakefulness in the same neuron. Our results suggest that the thalamus is not as effective a gate for the flow of sensory information as previously thought. At the cortical stage, a novel pattern of activation/deactivation appears across neurons. Because the neural signal reaches as far as secondary auditory cortex, this leaves open the possibility of altered sensory processing of auditory information during sleep.
Comprehensive viral oligonucleotide probe design using conserved protein regions (2007)

Oligonucleotide microarrays have been applied to microbial surveillance and discovery where highly multiplexed assays are required to address a wide range of genetic targets. Although printing density continues to increase, the design of comprehensive microbial probe sets remains a daunting challenge, particularly in virology where rapid sequence evolution and database expansion confound static solutions. Here, we present a strategy for probe design based on protein sequences that is responsive to the unique problems posed in virus detection and discovery. The method uses the Protein Families database (Pfam) and motif finding algorithms to identify oligonucleotide probes in conserved amino acid regions and untranslated sequences. In silico testing using an experimentally derived thermodynamic model indicated near complete coverage of the viral sequence database.
Contactless nerve stimulation and signal detection by inductive transducer (1970)

In an attempt to avoid the undesirable aspects of galvanic nerve stimulation, a toroidal inductive transducer was developed and tested. It was found that a nerve threading the lumen of the toroid could be stimulated by a magnetic field which generated an EMF of 0.7-volts peak amplitude and 50-μs duration in a monitor wire. The stimulation was sufficient to cause contraction of major leg muscles in anesthetised mammals. Some earlier indication that a similar arrangement would allow detection of compound action potentials from nerve has not yet been verified by subsequent experiments. The method and its relation to established theory and procedure is described. An example of a stimulus-pulse generator is given. Possible applications and future plans of study are discussed.
Regulation of the Jak2 Tyrosine Kinase by Its Pseudokinase Domain (2000)

Activation of Jak tyrosine kinases through hematopoietic cytokine receptors occurs as a consequence of ligand-induced aggregation of receptor-associated Jaks and their subsequent autophosphorylation. Jak kinases consist of a C-terminal tyrosine kinase domain, a pseudokinase domain of unknown function, and Jak homology (JH) domains 3 to 7, implicated in receptor-Jak interaction. We analyzed the functional roles of the different protein domains in activation of Jak2. Deletion analysis of Jak2 showed that the pseudokinase domain but not JH domains 3 to 7 negatively regulated the catalytic activity of Jak2 as well as Jak2-mediated activation of Stat5. Phosphorylation of Stat5 by wild-type Jak2 was dependent on the SH2 domain of Stat5; however, this requirement was lost upon deletion of the pseudokinase domain of Jak2. Investigation of the mechanisms of the pseudokinase domain-mediated inhibition of Jak2 suggested that this regulation did not involve protein tyrosine phosphatases. Instead, analysis of interactions between the tyrosine kinase domain and Jak2 suggested that the pseudokinase domain interacted with the kinase domain. Furthermore, coexpression of the pseudokinase domain inhibited the activity of the single tyrosine kinase domain. Finally, deletion of the pseudokinase domain of Jak2 deregulated signal transduction through the gamma interferon receptor by significantly increasing ligand-independent activation of Stat transcription factors. These results indicate that the pseudokinase domain negatively regulates the activity of Jak2, probably through an interaction with the kinase domain, and this regulation is required to keep Jak2 inactive in the absence of ligand stimulation. Furthermore, the pseudokinase domain may have a role in regulation of Jak2-substrate interactions.
Hydrogels in Spinal Cord Injury Repair Strategies (2011)

Nowadays there are at present no efficient therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI), and new approaches have to be proposed. Recently, a new regenerative medicine strategy has been suggested using smart biomaterials able to carry and deliver cells and/or drugs in the damaged spinal cord. Among the wide field of emerging materials, research has been focused on hydrogels, three-dimensional polymeric networks able to swell and absorb a large amount of water. The present paper intends to give an overview of a wide range of natural, synthetic, and composite hydrogels with particular efforts for the ones studied in the last five years. Here, different hydrogel applications are underlined, together with their different nature, in order to have a clearer view of what is happening in one of the most sparkling fields of regenerative medicine.
Biomarkers of sepsis (2013)

Sepsis is an unusual systemic reaction to what is sometimes an otherwise ordinary infection, and it probably represents a pattern of response by the immune system to injury. A hyper-inflammatory response is followed by an immunosuppressive phase during which multiple organ dysfunction is present and the patient is susceptible to nosocomial infection. Biomarkers to diagnose sepsis may allow early intervention which, although primarily supportive, can reduce the risk of death. Although lactate is currently the most commonly used biomarker to identify sepsis, other biomarkers may help to enhance lactate's effectiveness; these include markers of the hyper-inflammatory phase of sepsis, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines; proteins such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin which are synthesized in response to infection and inflammation; and markers of neutrophil and monocyte activation. Recently, markers of the immunosuppressive phase of sepsis, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines, and alterations of the cell surface markers of monocytes and lymphocytes have been examined. Combinations of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in a multi-marker panel may help identify patients who are developing severe sepsis before organ dysfunction has advanced too far. Combined with innovative approaches to treatment that target the immunosuppressive phase, these biomarkers may help to reduce the mortality rate associated with severe sepsis which, despite advances in supportive measures, remains high.