gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
The genetic regulation of the induction of experimental SLE. (1990)

We have recently reported the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in C3H.SW female mice by their immunization with a human monoclonal anti-DNA antibody that bears a common idiotype termed 16/6 Id. In the present study, the ability to induce experimental SLE in seven inbred mouse strains by immunization with the 16/6 Id was examined. Two out of the seven strains failed to develop the disease. These two strains did not produce antibodies specific to the 16/6 Id, while the other five strains produced high titres of anti-16/6 Id antibodies. The anti-16/6 Id antibody response, followed by the induction of the disease, was not found to be MHC or Ig heavy chain allotype linked. F1 hybrids between a resistant strain and two of the susceptible strains were found to be resistant to the induction of the disease, indicating that susceptibility is inherited as a recessive trait. In the autoimmune NZB/W F1 female mice, immunization with the 16/6 Id resulted in an early onset of the SLE-like disease. The results of the present study indicate the role of the anti-16/6 Id antibodies in the induction of experimental SLE, and provide direct evidence for the importance of the genetic background in determining susceptibility to SLE.
Strategies for labelling branched polypeptides with a poly(L‐lysine) backbone with radioiodines (123I, 125I, 131I) and radiometals (111In, 51Cr) for biodistribution studies and radiopharmaceutical development (1995)

Abstract Methods have been developed for radiolabelling synthetic branched polypeptides, these being based on a poly(L‐lysine) backbone with short side chains of three DL‐alanine residues and one other amino acid at the end of the branches (MW ∼45‐100 kDa). Labelling has been carried out with gamma emitting radionuclides suitable for use in biodistribution studies or for gamma scintigraphy. Labelling with 125 I was achieved by reaction of the polypeptides' terminal amino groups with pre‐iodinated Bolton and Hunter Reagent ( N ‐Succinimidyl 3‐(4‐hydroxy‐5‐[ 125 I]iodophenyl)propionate). Alternatively, polypeptides were reacted with non‐labelled Bolton and Hunter reagent, which could subsequently be iodinated with 123 I, 125 I or 131 I by oxidative incorporation from [ 123 I]Nal, [ 125 I]Nal, or [ 123 I]Nal. For labelling with radiometals, the polypeptides' terminal amino groups were reacted with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) anhydride, and the conjugated DTPA subsequently labelled with 111 In or 51 Cr by chelation. An amphoteric polypeptide, having terminal glutamic acid residues on its side chains (EAK), and a polycationic polypeptide, with terminal D‐lysine (D‐KAK) were labelled in these ways. In addition EAK previously conjugated to the cis ‐aconityl derivative of daunomycin (EAK‐cAD) was similarly labelled. Gel permeation chromatography on Sephacryl S‐300, which was possible with the amphoteric EAK, showed virtually identical elution profiles with 123 I, 125 I 131 I, 111 In and 51 Cr labelled EAK and its cAD conjugate. Biodistribution studies in mice showed prolonged blood survival of the radionuclide of 125 I, 111 In or 51 Cr labelled EAK and EAK‐cAD. There were, however, differences in organ levels of the radionuclides. Generally kidney, spleen and liver levels of radiometals were higher than those of radioiodine, while levels in the gastrointestinal tract were higher with radioiodine. D‐KAK labelled with any of the three radionuclides was cleared rapidly from the blood, high levels of all tracers being found in spleen, liver, kidney and lung.
Processing and characterization of new thermoset nanocomposites based on cellulose whiskers (2000)

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Biochemical and pharmacological properties of SR 49059, a new, potent, nonpeptide antagonist of rat and human vasopressin V1a receptors. (1993)

SR 49059, a new potent and selective orally active, nonpeptide vasopressin (AVP) antagonist has been characterized in several in vitro and in vivo models. SR 49059 showed high affinity for V1a receptors from rat liver (Ki = 1.6 +/- 0.2) and human platelets, adrenals, and myometrium (Ki ranging from 1.1 to 6.3 nM). The previously described nonpeptide V1 antagonist, OPC-21268, was almost inactive in human tissues at concentrations up to 100 microM. SR 49059 exhibited much lower affinity (two orders of magnitude or more) for AVP V2 (bovine and human), V1b (human), and oxytocin (rat and human) receptors and had no measurable affinity for a great number of other receptors. In vitro, AVP-induced contraction of rat caudal artery was competitively antagonized by SR 49059 (pA2 = 9.42). Furthermore, SR 49059 inhibited AVP-induced human platelet aggregation with an IC50 value of 3.7 +/- 0.4 nM, while OPC-21268 was inactive up to 20 microM. In vivo, SR 49059 inhibited the pressor response to exogenous AVP in pithed rats (intravenous) and in conscious normotensive rats (intravenous and per os) with a long duration of action (> 8 h at 10 mg/kg p.o). In all the biological assays used, SR 49059 was devoid of any intrinsic agonistic activity. Thus, SR 49059 is the most potent and selective nonpeptide AVP V1a antagonist described so far, with marked affinity, selectivity, and efficacy toward both animal and human receptors. With this original profile, SR 49059 constitutes a powerful tool for exploring the therapeutical usefulness of a selective V1a antagonist.
Rotavirus contains integrin ligand sequences and a disintegrin-like domain that are implicated in virus entry into cells (1997)

Rotavirus contains two outer capsid viral proteins, the spike protein VP4 and major capsid component VP7, both of which are implicated in cell entry. We show that VP4 and VP7 contain tripeptide sequences previously shown to act as recognition sites for integrins in extracellular matrix proteins. VP4 contains the alpha2beta1 integrin ligand site DGE. In VP7, the alphaxbeta2 integrin ligand site GPR and the alpha4beta1 integrin ligand site LDV are embedded in a novel disintegrin-like domain that also shows sequence similarity to fibronectin and the tie receptor tyrosine kinase. Microorganism sequence homology to these ligand motifs and to disintegrins has not been reported previously. In our experiments, peptides including these rotaviral tripeptides and mAbs directed to these integrins specifically blocked rotavirus infection of cells shown to express alpha2beta1 and beta2 integrins. Rotavirus VP4-mediated cell entry may involve the alpha2beta1 integrin, whereas VP7 appears to interact with alphaxbeta2 and alpha4beta1 integrins.
Adenovirus Protein V Induces Redistribution of Nucleolin and B23 from Nucleolus to Cytoplasm (2001)

Adenovirus infection inhibits synthesis and processing of rRNA and redistributes nucleolar antigens. Adenovirus protein V associates with nucleoli in infected cells. This study delineates regions of protein V independently capable of nucleolar targeting. Also, evidence is presented that protein V has the unique property of relocating nucleolin and B23 to the cytoplasm when transiently expressed on its own in uninfected cells. Point mutation analysis indicates a role for the C terminus of protein V in the redirection of nucleolin and B23 to the cytoplasm. This is the first time an adenovirus protein has been shown to have a direct effect on nucleolar antigens in isolation from viral infection. Moreover, adenovirus protein V is the first protein demonstrated to be capable of redirecting nucleolin and B23 to the cytoplasm.
The folate-binding protein of rat kidney. Purification, properties, and cellular distribution. (1984)

Folate-binding protein (FBP) from rat kidney was isolated, and its properties and location in the kidney were determined. The particulate fraction of rat kidney homogenate was freed of its bound folate, solubilized with Triton X-100, and the FBP was purified using a combination of DEAE-cellulose and affinity chromatography. The purified protein migrated as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-disc gel electrophoresis, has an isoelectric point of 5.7, contains 21.7% carbohydrate, and has an Mr of 28,500-30,000. The purified protein retained its affinities for different folate derivatives and its sensitivity to inorganic anions. Inorganic anions enhanced the binding of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate; chloride ion was the most effective, followed by Br- greater than I- greater than SO2-4. Chloride ion was also found to lower the dissociation constant of the folic acid-FBP complex at 50 degrees C by about 10-fold. This effect is thought to derive from the formation of a ternary FBP-folic acid-Cl- complex which is more stable than the binary FBP-folic acid complex. An antiserum raised against the purified protein in rabbits was used to determine the location of FBP in the kidney by immunofluorescence. Intense fluorescence staining for FBP was localized at the apices (brush border) of proximal tubules. The choroid plexus, an organ previously shown to contain FBP, also exhibited intense fluorescent staining.
The effects of three non‐antibiotic, antimicrobial agents on the surface hydrophobicity of certain micro‐organisms evaluated by different methods (1991)

The effects of three non-antibiotic, antimicrobial agents (taurolidine, chlorhexidine acetate and providone-iodine) on the surface hydrophobicity of the clinical strains Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans were examined. Three recognized techniques for hydrophobicity measurements, Bacterial Adherence to Hydrocarbons (BATH), the Salt Aggregation Test (SAT) and Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC) were compared. At concentrations reported to interfere with microbial-epithelial cell adherence, all three agents altered the cell surface hydrophobicity. However, these effects failed to exhibit a uniform relationship. Generally, taurolidine and povidone-iodine treatments decreased the hydrophobicity of the strains examined whereas chlorhexidine acetate effects depended upon the micro-organism treated. Subsequently, the exact contribution of altered cell surface hydrophobicity to the reported microbial anti-adherence effects is unclear. Comparison of the three techniques revealed a better correlation between the results obtained with the BATH test and HIC than the results obtained with the BATH and SAT or SAT and HIC. However, these differences may be due to the inaccuracy associated with the visual assessment of results employed by the SAT.
Terahertz photoconductivity and plasmon modes in double-quantum-well field-effect transistors (2002)

Double-quantum-well field-effect transistors with a grating gate exhibit a sharply resonant, voltage tuned terahertz photoconductivity. The voltage tuned resonance is determined by the plasma oscillations of the composite structure. The resonant photoconductivity requires a double-quantum well but the mechanism whereby plasma oscillations produce changes in device conductance is not understood. The phenomenon is potentially important for fast, tunable terahertz detectors.
The response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to iron: genetics, biochemistry and virulence (1999)

During the past decade significant progress has been made towards identifying some of the schemes that Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses to obtain iron and towards cataloguing and characterizing many of the genes and gene products that are likely to play a role in these processes. This review will largely recount what we have learned in the past few years about how P. aeruginosa regulates its acquisition, intake and, to some extent, trafficking of iron, and the role of iron acquisition systems in the virulence of this remarkable opportunistic pathogen. More specifically, the genetics, biochemistry and biology of an essential regulator (Ferric uptake regulator - Fur) and a Fur-regulated alternative sigma factor (PvdS), which are central to these processes, will be discussed. These regulatory proteins directly or indirectly regulate a substantial number of other genes encoding proteins with remarkably diverse functions. These genes include: (i) other regulatory genes, (ii) genes involved in basic metabolic processes (e.g. Krebs cycle), (iii) genes required to survive oxidative stress (e.g. superoxide dismutase), (iv) genes necessary for scavenging iron (e.g. siderophores and their cognate receptors) or genes that contribute to the virulence (e.g. exotoxin A) of this opportunistic pathogen. Despite this recent expansion of knowledge about the response of P. aeruginosa to iron, many significant biological issues surrounding iron acquisition still need to be addressed. Virtually nothing is known about which of the distinct iron acquisition mechanisms P. aeruginosa brings to bear on these questions outside the laboratory, whether it be in soil, in a pipeline, on plants or in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.
Histamine suppresses gene expression and synthesis of tumor necrosis factor alpha via histamine H2 receptors. (1991)

Histamine and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) can each contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic reactions and chronic inflammatory diseases. We now report the effect of histamine on gene expression and total cellular synthesis of TNF-alpha. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced synthesis of TNF-alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 18 healthy donors was suppressed by histamine concentrations from 10(-6) to 10(-4) M, levels comparable with those measured in tissues after mast cell degranulation. Histamine (10(-5) M) markedly suppressed LPS-induced synthesis of TNF-alpha in both unfractionated PBMC (83% inhibition, p less than 0.001) and monocytes purified by positive selection of LeuM3+ cells (62% inhibition, p less than 0.05). The suppressive effect of histamine on TNF-alpha synthesis did not require the presence of T cells. The histamine-mediated decrease in TNF-alpha synthesis was not affected by indomethacin, nor by diphenhydramine, an H1 receptor antagonist, but was reversed by cimetidine or ranitidine, H2 receptor antagonists, in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression of TNF-alpha synthesis by histamine is likely to be a transcriptional event, since histamine (10(-5) M) reduced TNF-alpha mRNA levels fourfold. These results suggest that histamine release from mast cells may paradoxically limit the extent of inflammatory and immune reactions by suppressing local cytokine synthesis in H2 receptor-bearing cells.
3D navigation for endoscope by magnetic field (2001)

For navigating inside the patient's body, the physician needs to know exactly the 3D position of endoscope probe. We develop a new approach to determine the 3D position of endoscope inside the body using harmless magnetic field, and the pose of endoscope tip by attached a 3D magnetic sensor to endoscope. The experience of this research can be conducted for solving the positioning problem of endoscope inside the patient's body.
Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis Based on Its Immunopathogenesis (2011)

The prognosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) has improved dramatically due to advances in critical-care medicine and symptomatic treatments. Its immunopathogenesis is fundamentally a T-cell-dependent autoimmune process resulting from loss of tolerance toward self-antigens in the thymus. Thymectomy is based on this immunological background. For MG patients who are inadequately controlled with sufficient symptomatic treatment or fail to achieve remission after thymectomy, remission is usually achieved through the addition of other immunotherapies. These immunotherapies can be classified into two groups: rapid induction and long-term maintenance. Rapid induction therapy includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange (PE). These produce improvement within a few days after initiation, and so are useful for acute exacerbation including myasthenic crisis or in the perioperative period. High-dose prednisone has been more universally preferred for remission induction, but it acts more slowly than IVIg and PE, commonly only after a delay of several weeks. Slow tapering of steroids after a high-dose pulse offers a method of maintaining the state of remission. However, because of significant side effects, other immunosuppressants (ISs) are frequently added as "steroid-sparing agents". The currently available ISs exert their immunosuppressive effects by three mechanisms: 1) blocking the synthesis of DNA and RNA, 2) inhibiting T-cell activation and 3) depleting the B-cell population. In addition, newer drugs including antisense molecule, tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor blocker and complement inhibitors are currently under investigation to confirm their effectiveness. Until now, the treatment of MG has been based primarily on experience rather than gold-standard evidence from randomized controlled trials. It is hoped that well-organized studies and newer experimental trials will lead to improved treatments.
Functional Evaluation of the Endotics System, a New Disposable Self-Propelled Robotic Colonoscope: in vitro tests and clinical trial (2009)

The new Endotics System demonstrates efficacy in the diagnosis of colonic pathologies using a procedure nearly completely devoid of pain. Therefore, this system can also be looked upon as the first step toward developing and implementing colonoscopy with atraumatic locomotion through the bowel while maintaining a high level of diagnostic accuracy;
Systemic lidocaine in pain due to peripheral nerve injury and predictors of response (2004)

These data indicate modality-specific antihyperalgesic effects of IV lidocaine in patients with peripheral nerve injury. Patients with mechanical allodynia may be good candidates for treatment with local anesthetic-like drugs and possibly with other sodium-channel blockers.
Receptor for mouse hepatitis virus is a member of the carcinoembryonic antigen family of glycoproteins. (1991)

The receptor for mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a murine coronavirus, is a 110- to 120-kDa glycoprotein on intestinal brush border membranes and hepatocyte membranes. The N-terminal 25-amino acid sequence of immunoaffinity-purified MHV receptor was identical to the predicted mature N termini of two mouse genes related to human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and was strongly homologous to the N termini of members of the CEA family in humans and rats. Polyclonal antibodies to human CEA recognized the immunoaffinity-purified MHV receptor and the MHV receptor in liver membranes and intestinal brush border membranes from MHV-susceptible mouse strains. In membranes from MHV-resistant SJL/J mice, the anti-CEA antibodies recognized a homologous glycoprotein that failed to bind MHV. The MHV receptor glycoprotein was detected in membranes of BALB/c colon, small intestine, and liver, which are the principal targets for MHV replication in vivo. The MHV receptor glycoprotein resembled members of the human CEA family in molecular weight, acidic pI, extensive glycosylation, solubility in perchloric acid, and tissue distribution. Thus, the MHV receptor is, to our knowledge, the first member of the CEA family of glycoproteins to be identified as a virus receptor.
WHEN LESS IS MORE: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR TENACITY ENHANCEMENT BY DIVISION OF CONTACT AREA (2004)

Most recent data on hairy systems demonstrated their excellent adhesion and high reliability of contact. In contrast to smooth systems, some hairy systems seem to operate with dry adhesion and do not require supplementary fluids in the contact area. Contacting surfaces in such devices are subdivided into patterns of micro- or nanostructures with a high aspect ratio (setae, hairs, pins). The size of single points gets smaller and their density gets higher as the body mass increases. Previous authors explained this general trend by applying the JKR theory, according to which splitting up the contact into finer subcontacts increases adhesion. Fundamental importance of contact splitting for adhesion on smooth and rough substrata has been previously explained by a very small effective elastic modulus of the fibre array. This article provides the first experimental evidence of adhesion enhancement by division of contact area. A patterned surface made out of polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) has significantly higher adhesion on a glass surface than a smooth sample made out of the same material. This effect is even more pronounced on curved substrata. An additional advantage of patterned surfaces is the reliability of contact on various surface profiles and the increased tolerance to defects of individual contacts.
Good lattice constellations for both Rayleigh fading and Gaussian channels (1996)

Recent work on lattices matched to the Rayleigh fading channel has shown how to construct good signal constellations with high spectral efficiency. We present a new family of lattice constellations, based on complex algebraic number fields, which have good performance on Rayleigh fading channels. Some of these lattices also present a reasonable packing density and thus may be used at the same time over a Gaussian channel. Conversely, we show that particular versions of the best lattice packings (D/sub 4/, E/sub 6/, E/sub 8/, K/sub 12/, /spl Lambda//sub 16/, /spl Lambda//sub 24/), constructed from totally complex algebraic cyclotomic fields, present better performance over the Rayleigh fading channel. The practical interest in such signal constellations rises from the need to transmit information at high rates over both terrestrial and satellite links. Some further results in algebraic number theory related to ideals and their factorization are presented and the decoding algorithm used with these lattice constellations are illustrated together with practical results.
SASWOPR: A Program to Operate on Spectral Analysis of Surface Wave Data (1989)

The spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) method is a nondestructive method for determining elastic properties and thicknesses of pavement systems as well as natural soil deposits. This method consists of three phases: 1. Collecting data from field testing. 2. Converting these data to a dispersion curve. 3. Determining the shear wave velocity profile by inverting the dispersion curve. The computer program SASWOPR, developed at the University of Kentucky, performs the second of these three phases. SASWOPR is an easy-to-use interactive program that provides great flexibility to operate on field data in the process of generating a single dispersion curve (surface wave phase velocity versus frequency or wavelength). This graphics-oriented program is written in compiled BASIC and runs on a personal computer.
Regulation of the pAD1 sex pheromone response in Enterococcus faecalis: construction and characterization of lacZ transcriptional fusions in a key control region of the plasmid (1988)

Strains carrying the Enterococcus (formerly Streptococcus) faecalis plasmid pAD1 responded to exogenous sex pheromone by inducing a number of gene products which facilitated mating. A 7-kilobase region of pAD1 was identified which contained genes that are important for the regulation of this response. Using the transposon Tn917-lac delivery vector pTV32Ts, we generated a number of fusions that allowed us to examine transcription in this region. At least three transcriptional units were identified by grouping fusions by their phenotype, direction of transcription, and response to pheromone. Transcription from one set of fusions was sensitive to the presence of pheromone. Analysis of the patterns of protein production previously shown to be induced in the presence of pheromone provided more information on the function of the genes of interest. We postulate the existence of two negative regulatory proteins that act coordinately to repress the pheromone response, one of which may be involved in sensing or transmitting the pheromone signal, and at least one positive regulatory protein whose synthesis is dependent on the presence of pheromone. In addition, the isolation of a relatively small deletion mutant capable of producing cAD1. the pheromone specific for pAD1-containing cells, indicates that a factor(s) that is important for the shutdown of endogenous pheromone is also present in this region.