gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Screening of Ion Channel Receptor Agonists Using Capillary Electrophoresis-Patch Clamp Detection with Resensitized Detector Cells (2001)

Efficient techniques for identifying endogenous and synthetic ligands of ion channels are important in understanding neuronal communication and for screening drug libraries. This paper describes a technique based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation coupled to patch-clamp (PC) detection where a pulsed-flow superfusion scheme was implemented for improved detection. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChr) agonists acetylcholine, carbachol, and (-)-nicotine were fractionated and detected by patch-clamped pheochromcytoma detector cells. The high-conductance state of the nAChr during CE-PC detection was maintained and repetitively resensitized using pulsed-flow superfusion with agonist-free buffer. In this way, each agonist evoked an ensemble of peak currents that reflected the spatiotemporal distribution for the ligand at the cell surface. The technique takes advantage of the intrinsic high selectivity and sensitivity of membrane-expressed receptors and allowed for resolution and identification of closely migrating ligands. The method was employed for determination of acetylcholine content in cell lysates.
Diffuse biphasic cutaneous amyloidosis with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (2010)

Auteur(s) : Jinran Lin, Minghua Chen Department of Dermatology, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, No.12 Wulumuqi Zhong Road, 200040 Shanghai, China Cutaneous amyloidosis was originally classified as systemic, localized or hereditary amyloidosis, and localized types can be subclassified as primary and secondary. Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis includes macular, lichenoid and nodular amyloidosis. Macular and lichenoid amyloidosis may coexist in an affected individual (biphasic amyloidosis) [...]
Cyclosporine in Collagen Particles: Corneal Penetration and Suppression of Allograft Rejection (1995)

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine in the cornea and aqueous humor following topical application in collagen particles and to determine the capacity of cyclosporine in collagen particles to suppress corneal allograft rejection. Cyclosporine was prepared for topical application in three vehicles: collagen particles suspended in methylcellulose, collagen shields, and corn oil. Rabbit eyes were treated with a single application of one formulation. Corneas, aqueous humor samples, and blood samples were collected at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Peak concentrations of drug were reached between 2 and 4 hours in the cornea and between 4 and 8 hours in the aqueous humor. No drug was found in the blood. Collagen particles and shields produced significantly higher concentrations of cyclosporine in the aqueous humor and cornea, compared with corn oil drops, at virtually all time points. In the second part of the study, rabbits with vascularized corneas underwent corneal transplantation and were treated with one of the formulations beginning either at the time of transplantation (prophylactically) or at the first sign of an allograft immune reaction (delayed treatment). Cyclosporine delivered in collagen particles was effective in preventing primary corneal allograft rejection in nearly all of the grafts (96%) treated prophylactically, and in 67% of the grafts treated when signs of the first stage (grade 1) of immune graft reaction were observed. Grafts treated with cyclosporine in collagen shields showed similar survival rates (87% and 64%, respectively), whereas only 40% of the grafts treated prophylactically and only one (18%) receiving delayed treatment with the corn oil preparation survived. These results demonstrate the efficacy of collagen particles for delivery of hydrophobic drugs to the ocular surface and the potential for preventing corneal graft rejection with topically applied cyclosporine in a collagen-particle vehicle.
Large-scale and low-cost synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by the catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbons (1998)

Rope-like bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) similar to those obtained by laser vaporization and electric-arc techniques were synthesized on a relatively large scale and at low cost by the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons at a temperature of about 1200 °C using an improved floating catalyst method. The SWNTs thus obtained have larger diameters and are self-organized into ropes. The addition of thiophene was found to be effective in promoting the growth of SWNTs and in increasing the yield of either SWNTs or multiwalled carbon nanotubes under different growth conditions.
Subcellular Localization of the Type 2 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (1996)

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) is thought to confer aldosterone specificity to mineralocorticoid target cells by protecting the inherently non-selective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from occupancy by endogenous glucocorticoids. Recently, we characterized a novel isoform of 11beta-HSD in aldosterone target cells, which has high affinity for its substrate, is unidirectional, and prefers NAD as cofactor. In this study we utilized a green fluorescent protein (GFP) technique to determine the subcellular localization of this isoform, 11beta-HSD2. We generated a chimeric gene encoding the full-length rabbit 11beta-HSD2 and, fused to its C terminus, the coding sequence of GFP. This construct was stably transfected into CHO cells. The enzymatic characteristics of the expressed 11beta-HSD2/GFP fusion protein were undistinguishable from those of the native enzyme: high affinity for corticosterone (KM 8-10 nM), NAD dependence, and lack of reductase activity. The intracellular location of the recombinant protein was determined by fluorescence microscopy. 11beta-HSD2-associated fluorescence was observed as a reticular network over the cytoplasm and nuclear envelope, whereas the plasma membrane and the nucleus were negative, suggesting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization. Staining of CHO cells expressing 11beta-HSD2/GFP with established subcellular organelle markers revealed a colocalization of 11beta-HSD2/GFP only with ER markers and tubulin. To examine the orientation of 11beta-HSD2 within the ER, we selectively permeabilized CHO cells and stained them with an anti-GFP antibody. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that the C-terminal region of 11beta-HSD2 is on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER membrane, since it was accessible to the GFP antibody. This conclusion was confirmed by trypsin treatment of permeabilized cells followed by Western blotting. The C-terminal region of 11beta-HSD2 was accessible to trypsin, indicating that it is on the cytoplasmic side of the ER membrane. These results indicate that 11beta-HSD2 is localized exclusively to the ER. Since 11beta-HSD2 does not contain any known ER retrieval signal, experiments are currently under way to determine what structural motifs are responsible for its ER localization.
CD-NP: A Novel Engineered Dual Guanylyl Cyclase Activator with Anti-Fibrotic Actions in the Heart (2012)

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are cardioprotective through the activation of guanylyl cyclase (GC) receptors A and B. CD-NP, also known as cenderitide, is a novel engineered NP that was designed to uniquely serve as a first-in-class dual GC receptor agonist. Recognizing the aldosterone suppressing actions of GC-A activation and the potent inhibitory actions on collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation through GC-B activation, the current study was designed to establish the anti-fibrotic actions of CD-NP, administered subcutaneously, in an experimental rat model of early cardiac fibrosis induced by unilateral nephrectomy (UNX). Our results demonstrate that a two week subcutaneous infusion of CD-NP significantly suppresses left ventricular fibrosis and circulating aldosterone, while preserving both systolic and diastolic function, in UNX rats compared to vehicle treated UNX rats. Additionally we also confirmed, in vitro, that CD-NP significantly generates the second messenger, cGMP, through both the GC-A and GC-B receptors. Taken together, this novel dual GC receptor activator may represent an innovative anti-fibrotic therapeutic agent.
Prognosis in HIV-1 Infection Predicted by the Quantity of Virus in Plasma (1996)

The relation between viremia and clinical outcome in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) has important implications for therapeutic research and clinical care. HIV-1 RNA in plasma was quantified with a branched-DNA signal amplification assay as a measure of viral load in a cohort of 180 seropositive men studied for more than 10 years. The risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death in study subjects, including those with normal numbers of CD4+ T cells, was directly related to plasma viral load at study entry. Plasma viral load was a better predictor of progression to AIDS and death than was the number of CD4+ T cells.
Neurochemical alterations of serotonergic neuronal systems in depression. (1992)

A burgeoning literature has accumulated over the past three decades implicating alterations in central nervous system (CNS) serotonergic neurotransmission both in the pathophysiology of depression and in the mechanism and action of antidepressant drug treatment. Specifically, studies have revealed (1) decreases in brain concentrations of serotonin and decreases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in a sizeable subgroup of depressed patients; (2) alterations in both presynaptic and postsynaptic CNS serotonergic receptors in depressed patients; (3) alterations in putative peripheral markers of CNS serotonergic function such as platelet serotonin uptake, platelet [3H]imipramine or [3H]paroxetine binding, platelet 5-HT2 receptor density, and whole blood serotonin content in depressed patients; (4) that virtually all known antidepressant agents, regardless of their receptor-specific properties, have been shown to increase the efficacy of CNS serotonergic neurotransmission; (5) that in patients treated with antidepressants who exhibit a remission, rapid depletion of serotonin results in a prompt clinical relapse; and (6) that all known serotonin re-uptake blockers thus far studied have been demonstrated to be clinically effective antidepressant medications. The recent identification and cloning of multiple serotonergic receptor subtypes and the identification and cloning of the serotonin transporter offer further promise for elucidating the role of CNS serotonergic neurons in the pathogenesis of depression and, moreover, for the development of innovative treatment strategies for this disorder.
Rapid Deletion of Mossy Cells Does Not Result in a Hyperexcitable Dentate Gyrus: Implications for Epileptogenesis (2004)

Loss of cells from the hilus of the dentate gyrus is a major histological hallmark of human temporal lobe epilepsy. Hilar mossy cells, in particular, are thought to show dramatic numerical reductions in pathological conditions, and one prominent theory of epileptogenesis is based on the assumption that mossy cell loss directly results in granule cell hyperexcitability. However, whether it is the disappearance of hilar mossy cells from the dentate gyrus circuitry after various insults or the subsequent synaptic-cellular alterations (e.g., reactive axonal sprouting) that lead to dentate hyperexcitability has not been rigorously tested, because of the lack of available techniques to rapidly remove specific classes of nonprincipal cells from neuronal networks. We developed a fast, cell-specific ablation technique that allowed the targeted lesioning of either mossy cells or GABAergic interneurons in horizontal as well as axial (longitudinal) slices of the hippocampus. The results demonstrate that mossy cell deletion consistently decreased the excitability of granule cells to perforant path stimulation both within and outside of the lamella where the mossy cell ablation took place. In contrast, ablation of interneurons caused the expected increase in excitability, and control aspirations of the hilar neuropil or of interneurons in the presence of GABA receptor blockers caused no alteration in granule cell excitability. These data do not support the hypothesis that loss of mossy cells from the dentate hilus after seizures or traumatic brain injury directly results in hyperexcitability.
Mobility Enhancement of SOI MOSFETs due to Subband Modulation in Ultrathin SOI Films (1998)

We propose that silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) with SOI films thinner than the inversion layer of the bulk MOSFETs can provide higher inversion-layer mobility than the bulk Si MOSFETs, because of the significant modulation of the subband structure due to the size effect of the ultrathin SOI films. In order to examine the effectiveness of this device structure on the mobility enhancement, a theoretical calculation of the inversion-layer mobility at room temperature is performed. It is found that the mobility of the SOI MOSFETs with a SOI thickness of around 3 nm can be higher than that of the bulk MOSFETs. This mobility enhancement is attributed to an increase in the occupancy of the 2-fold valleys and the suppression of inter-valley phonon scattering, associated with the energy splitting between the 2-fold and the 4-fold valleys due to the size effect of the SOI films.
Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater and Drinking Water in Vietnam:  A Human Health Threat (2001)

This is the first publication on arsenic contamination of the Red River alluvial tract in the city of Hanoi and in the surrounding rural districts. Due to naturally occurring organic matter in the sediments, the groundwaters are anoxic and rich in iron. With an average arsenic concentration of 159 micrograms/L, the contamination levels varied from 1 to 3050 micrograms/L in rural groundwater samples from private small-scale tubewells. In a highly affected rural area, the groundwater used directly as drinking water had an average concentration of 430 micrograms/L. Analysis of raw groundwater pumped from the lower aquifer for the Hanoi water supply yielded arsenic levels of 240-320 micrograms/L in three of eight treatment plants and 37-82 micrograms/L in another five plants. Aeration and sand filtration that are applied in the treatment plants for iron removal lowered the arsenic concentrations to levels of 25-91 micrograms/L, but 50% remained above the Vietnamese Standard of 50 micrograms/L. Extracts of sediment samples from five bore cores showed a correlation of arsenic and iron contents (r2 = 0.700, n = 64). The arsenic in the sediments may be associated with iron oxyhydroxides and released to the groundwater by reductive dissolution of iron. Oxidation of sulfide phases could also release arsenic to the groundwater, but sulfur concentrations in sediments were below 1 mg/g. The high arsenic concentrations found in the tubewells (48% above 50 micrograms/L and 20% above 150 micrograms/L) indicate that several million people consuming untreated groundwater might be at a considerable risk of chronic arsenic poisoning.
The effect of estrogen on the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells is mediated by ERRγ through AKT and ERK1/2 (2014)

The objective of this study was to explore the effects and underlying mechanism of estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) on the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cells. Ishikawa cells, human endometrial cancer cells, were treated with estrogen. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression of ERRγ. Stable transfection with the plasmid containing ERRγ shRNA was carried out to knock down the expression of ERRγ in Ishikawa cells. MTT assays were performed to analyze the proliferation of Ishikawa cells. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2 and activated protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways was identified using specific phosphorylated antibodies against ERK1/2 and AKT. PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, were used in the inhibition experiments. ERRγ could translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in Ishikawa cells after exposure to estrogen. Knockdown of ERRγ inhibited estrogen-induced proliferation of Ishikawa cells. More interestingly, knockdown of ERRγ abolished the activation of ERK1/2 and AKT in the Ishikawa cells treated with estrogen. Inhibition of AKT in Ishikawa cells with LY294002 resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of phospho-ERK1/2, whereas inhibition of ERK1/2 with PD98059 exerted no effects on AKT activation. Our data showed that ERRγ mediated the effects of estrogen on the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells through the activation AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, which indicated that ERRγ plays a key role in endometrial cancer.
The dreamy state: hallucinations of autobiographic memory evoked by temporal lobe stimulations and seizures (2006)

Using results from cortical stimulations, as well as the symptoms of spontaneous epileptic seizures recorded by stereoelectroencephalography we re-studied the phenomenon of the dreamy state, as described by Jackson (Jackson JH. Selected writings of John Hughlins Jackson. Vol 1. On epilepsy and epileptiform convulsions. Taylor J, editor. London: Hodder and Stoughton; 1931). A total of 15 sensations of déjà vécu, 35 visual hallucinations consisting of the image of a scene and 5 'feelings of strangeness' occurred. These were recorded during 40 stimulations in 16 subjects, and 15 seizures in 5 subjects. Forty-five per cent of dreamy states were evoked by stimulation of the amygdala, 37.5% by the hippocampus and 17.5% by the para-hippocampal gyrus. During both spontaneous and provoked dreamy state, the electrical discharge was localized within mesial temporal lobe structures, without involvement of the temporal neocortex. Early spread of the discharge to the temporal neocortex appeared to prevent the occurrence of the dreamy state. Semiological analysis showed a clinical continuity between déjà vécu and visual hallucinations, the latter often consisting of a personal memory that was 'relived' by the subject; such memories could be recent, distant or from childhood. With one exception, the particular memory evoked differed from one seizure to another, but were always drawn from the same period of the subject's life. Given the role of the amygdala and hippocampus in autobiographic memory, their pathological activation during seizures may trigger memory recall. This study of the dreamy state is in keeping with other evidence demonstrating the constant and central role of the amygdala and hippocampus (right as much as left) in the recall of recent and distant memories. It demonstrates the existence of large neural networks that produce recall of memories via activation of the hippocampus, amygdala and rhinal cortex.
Cloning of the cDNA for a human homologue of the Drosophila white gene and mapping to chromosome 21q22.3. (1996)

In an effort to contribute to the transcript map of human chromosome 21 and the understanding of the pathophysiology of trisomy 21, we have used exon trapping to identify fragments of chromosome 21 genes. Two trapped exons, from pools of chromosome 21-specific cosmids, showed homology to the Drosophila white (w) gene. We subsequently cloned the corresponding cDNA for a human homologue of the Drosophila w gene (hW) from human retina and fetal brain cDNA libraries. The gene belongs to the ATP-binding cassette transporter gene family and is homologous to Drosophila w (and to w genes from other species) and to a lesser extent to Drosophila brown (bw) and scarlet (st) genes that are all involved in the transport of eye pigment precursor molecules. A DNA polymorphism with 62% heterozygosity due to variation of a poly (T) region in the 3' UTR of the hW has been identified and used for the incorporation of this gene to the genetic map of chromosome 21. The hW is located at 21q22.3 between DNA markers D21S212 and D21S49 in a P1 clone that also contains marker BCEI. The gene is expressed at various levels in many human tissues. The contributions of this gene to the Down syndrome phenotypes, to human eye color, and to the resulting phenotypes of null or missense mutations are presently unknown.
The REVOLUTA gene is necessary for apical meristem development and for limiting cell divisions in the leaves and stems of Arabidopsis thaliana (1995)

The form of seed plants is determined by the growth of a number of meristems including apical meristems, leaf meristems and cambium layers. We investigated five recessive mutant alleles of a gene REVOLUTA that is required to promote the growth of apical meristems and to limit cell division in leaves and stems of Arabidopsis thaliana. REVOLUTA maps to the bottom of the fifth chromosome. Apical meristems of both paraclades (axillary shoots) and flowers of revoluta mutants frequently fail to complete normal development and form incomplete or abortive structures. The primary shoot apical meristem sometimes also arrests development early. Leaves, stems and floral organs, in contrast, grow abnormally large. We show that in the leaf epidermis this extra growth is due to extra cell divisions in the leaf basal meristem. The extent of leaf growth is negatively correlated with the development of a paraclade in the leaf axil. The thickened stems contain extra cell layers, arranged in rings, indicating that they may result from a cambium-like meristem. These results suggest that the REVOLUTA gene has a role in regulating the relative growth of apical and non-apical meristems in Arabidopsis.
The influence of a heat and moisture exchanger on tracheal climate in a cold environment (2009)

In a cold environment, presence of an HME significantly increases both inspiratory and expiratory temperature and humidity values. Relative humidity calculations suggest the formation of condense droplets during inspiration. To further increase its effectiveness, improvement of the HME's thermal capacity should be aimed for.
<title>Automated analysis and annotation of basketball video</title> (1997)

Automated analysis and annotation of video sequences are important for digital video libraries, content-based video browsing and data mining projects. A successful video annotation system should provide users with useful video content summary in a reasonable processing time. Given the wide variety of video genres available today, automatically extracting meaningful video content for annotation still remains hard by using current available techniques. However, a wide range video has inherent structure such that some prior knowledge about the video content can be exploited to improve our understanding of the high-level video semantic content. In this paper, we develop tools and techniques for analyzing structured video by using the low-level information available directly from MPEG compressed video. Being able to work directly in the video compressed domain can greatly reduce the processing time and enhance storage efficiency. As a testbed, we have developed a basketball annotation system which combines the low-level information extracted from MPEG stream with the prior knowledge of basketball video structure to provide high level content analysis, annotation and browsing for events such as wide- angle and close-up views, fast breaks, steals, potential shots, number of possessions and possession times. We expect our approach can also be extended to structured video in other domains.