gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Biolistic plant transformation (1990)

The biolistic process represents a completely new approach to the problem of how to deliver DNA into intact cells and tissues. High velocity microprojectiles are used to carry DNA or other substances past cell walls and membranes. Because DNA is being ‘shot’ into cells, it represents a type of biological ballistics, hence the term “biolistics”. There are several fundamental advantages to the biolistic process over other plant transformation techniques. The biolistic process appears to be effective regardless of species or tissue type, it is a rapid and very simple procedure, and it should facilitate the direct transformation of totipotent tissues such as pollen, embryos, meristems and morphogenic cell cultures. In addition, the biolistic process appears to be uniquely suitable for organelle transformation. The disadvantages of the biolistic process are that it requires special instrumentation, and is still in the early stages of its development. Consequently, delivery efficiencies are still not as high as can be achieved in highly optimized transformation systems such as electroporation or agrobacterial‐infection of tobacco. Furthermore, potential users should be prepared to spend some time adapting existing protocols to their specific species or tissue of interest.
Peptide inhibitors of sickle hemoglobin aggregation: effect of hydrophobicity (1980)

Thirty-three peptides have been synthesized which have the ability to inhibit aggregation of sickle hemoglobin which occurs upon deoxygenation. Evidence is presented which indicates that the hydrophobicity of the side chains is the predominant factor. A linear correlation exists between the capacity of peptides to inhibit gelation and the additivity of the side-chain hydrophobic contributions. Small di- and tri-peptides are more responsive to changes in their nonpolar content than are larger oligopeptides whose antigelling activity is a slowly varying function of hydrophobicity. With few exceptions, charged substituent groups on the side chain do not appear to contribute to the inhibitory process. Thus, if hydrogen bonding or ionic interactions are involved with these residues, they appear to play only a secondary role in the molecular interactions responsible for inhibiting or delaying the deoxy-HbS gelation.
Hardware Architectures for Software Security (2006)

The need for hardware-based software protection stems primarily from the increasing value of software coupled with the inability to trust software that utilizes or manages shared resources. By correctly utilizing security functions in hardware, trust can be removed from software. Existing hardware-based software protection solutions generally suffer from utilization of trusted software, lack of implementation, and/or extreme measures such as processor redesign. In contrast, the research outlined in this document proposes that substantial, hardware-based software protection can be achieved, without trusting software or redesigning the processor, by augmenting existing processors with security management hardware placed outside of the processor boundary. Benefits of this approach include the ability to add security features to nearly any processor, update security features without redesigning the processor, and provide maximum transparency to the software development and distribution processes. The major contributions of this research include the the augmentation methodology, design principles, and a graph-based method for analyzing hardware-based security systems.
Temperature-Sensitive Micrometer-Thick Layers of Hyaluronan Grafted on Microspheres (2006)

The giant polyelectrolyte glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (1-10 MDa) is a major component of the pericellular coat on a variety of cells, where it is an important modulator and mediator of early cell adhesion events. This pericellular layer can reach 5 mum thickness on cells that produce cartilage (chondrocytes), and up to 2 mum on Xenopus laevis kidney epithelial cells (A6). We are interested in generating model systems for the pericellular coat in order to learn more about the structure and function of hyaluronan on biological or artificial surfaces. We report here the synthesis of model systems where a coat of coordinatively cross-linked hyaluronan of up to 2 mum thickness was covalently photografted onto polystyrene microspheres. The hydrated coat was imaged directly by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) at close to 100% relative humidity. The key feature of the procedure is the reversible reverse-temperature phase transition of hyaluronan induced by trivalent lanthanide cations, which is exploited to achieve sufficient density for grafting of thick layers. The microsphere-grafted coat shows a temperature-dependent swelling when labeled with lanthanide ions (Gd(3+) or Tb(3+)). We directly observed a volume contraction of 20% with increasing temperature between 1 and 11 degrees C by wet-mode ESEM.
Ultrastructural differences in the exosporium of the Sterne and Vollum strains of Bacillus anthracis (1968)

Spores from three different strains of Bacillus anthracis were examined by electron microscopy for the presence of a hair-like nap previously reported to be present on the exosporium of spores of the Sterne strain (avirulent). In addition to that strain, the Vollum strain (virulent) and a rough, avimlent variant of the Vollum were utilized in the current studies.Spores were fixed with Kellenberger's standard OsO 4 fixative and embedded in Maraglas. Thin sections were poststained with various combinations of the following: potassium permanganate, uranyl acetate, lead citrate. The nap on the exosporium of spores of the Sterne strain was revealed most clearly when thin sections were poststained with all of the aforementioned stains. Post-staining by a single application of any of the three reagents resulted in a nap that was barely perceptible.The surface of the exosporium of spores from the Vollum strain and the rough, avirulent variant was found to be quite different from that of the Sterne strain. On the two former, the surface layer is approximately one-third as thick as the layer of hairs in the nap on the latter.
Effect of Ramipril vs Amlodipine on Renal Outcomes in Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis<SUBTITLE>A Randomized Controlled Trial</SUBTITLE> (2001)

Ramipril, compared with amlodipine, retards renal disease progression in patients with hypertensive renal disease and proteinuria and may offer benefit to patients without proteinuria.
Comparison of positive ions formed in nickel-63 and corona discharge ion sources using nitrogen, argon, isobutane, ammonia and nitric oxide as reagents in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (1976)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTComparison of positive ions formed in nickel-63 and corona discharge ion sources using nitrogen, argon, isobutane, ammonia and nitric oxide as reagents in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometryI. Dzidic, D. I. Carroll, R. N. Stillwell, and E. C. HorningCite this: Anal. Chem. 1976, 48, 12, 1763–1768Publication Date (Print):October 1, 1976Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 October 1976https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac50006a035https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50006a035research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views1103Altmetric-Citations155LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts
Constitutively Active Inflammasome in Human Melanoma Cells Mediating Autoinflammation via Caspase-1 Processing and Secretion of Interleukin-1β (2009)

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a pleiotropic cytokine promoting inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling as well as regulation of immune responses. Although IL-1beta contributes to growth and metastatic spread in experimental and human cancers, the molecular mechanisms regulating the conversion of the inactive IL-1beta precursor to a secreted and active cytokine remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that NALP3 inflammasome is constitutively assembled and activated with cleavage of caspase-1 in human melanoma cells. Late stage human melanoma cells spontaneously secrete active IL-1beta via constitutive activation of the NALP3 inflammasome and IL-1 receptor signaling, exhibiting a feature of autoinflammatory diseases. Unlike human blood monocytes, these melanoma cells require no exogenous stimulation. In contrast, NALP3 functionality in intermediate stage melanoma cells requires activation of the IL-1 receptor to secrete active IL-1beta; cells from an early stage of melanoma require stimulation of the IL-1 receptor plus the co-stimulant muramyl dipeptide. The spontaneous secretion of IL-1beta from melanoma cells was reduced by inhibition of caspase-1 or the use of small interfering RNA directed against ASC. Supernatants from melanoma cell cultures enhanced macrophage chemotaxis and promoted in vitro angiogenesis, both prevented by pretreating melanoma cells with inhibitors of caspases-1 and -5 or IL-1 receptor blockade. These findings implicate IL-1-mediated autoinflammation as contributing to the development and progression of human melanoma and suggest that inhibiting the inflammasome pathway or reducing IL-1 activity can be a therapeutic option for melanoma patients.
Factor X Stockton (1996)

A unique blood coagulation factor X variant has been identified in a family with a history of bleeding. Plasma from affected family members had prolonged prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times, low to below normal factor X coagulant activity, and normal factor X antigen levels. Sequencing of DNA from the propositus revealed a single G to A substitution in one allele of factor X at base 964 resulting in an amino acid substitution of Asn for Asp at residue 282. This residue corresponds with the active site Asp102 of chymotrypsin. The substitution eliminates a TaqI restriction site and provided the basis for a screening assay to detect the mutation in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified factor X exon VIII DNA. Fourteen additional family members were identified as having the mutation at base 964. Plasma factor X purified from the proposita using an anti-factor X monoclonal antibody immunoadsorbent exhibited an approximately 50% decrease in specific activity compared with factor X purified from a normal individual in a similar manner. Bleeding in family members with the mutation, termed factor X Stockton, appears to be due to disruption of normal hemostasis by the presence in plasma of circulating abnormal factor X. Factor X Stockton is the first naturally occurring substitution at the active site Asp of a serine protease and underscores the importance of this amino acid residue in factor Xa coagulant activity.
Increase of Escherichia coli Inoculum Doses Induces Faster Innate Immune Response in Primiparous Cows (2004)

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the dynamics of infection and the immunological response to varying numbers of Escherichia coli injected into the mammary glands of primiparous cows during the periparturient period. Primiparous cows have been shown to be more resistant to intramammary E. coli challenge, and an increase of the inoculum dose by 2 log10 units induced a more rapid clinical response and clearance of the organisms. Recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key event in the innate immunity response to gram-negative infection and is mediated by the accessory molecules CD14 and LPS-binding protein (LBP). Primiparous cows were inoculated with 1 x 10(4) (Group A; n=8) or 1 x 10(6) (Group B; n=8) cfu E. coli P4:O32 in their 2 left quarters during the periparturient period. Clinical examination and analysis of blood and milk parameters, including IL-8, complement fragment 5a (C5a), LBP, and soluble CD14 (sCD14), were performed from d -4 to d +3 relative to infection. Primiparous cows in Group B initiated a more rapid clinical response following intramammary infection (IMI), resulting in typical clinical signs and changes in blood and milk parameters approximately 3 h earlier compared with primiparous cows in Group A. Based on average milk production in the noninfected quarters on d +2 postinoculation, all heifers reacted as moderate responders. Distinct differences in the kinetic patterns of rectal temperature, somatic cell count (SCC), IL-8, C5a, LBP, and sCD14 were observed between both groups during the early phase of inflammation. Both C5a and IL-8 increased before cellular influx into the infected glands, followed by increases in sCD14 and LBP. In conclusion, primiparous cows are able to clear an intramammary E. coli infection efficiently. Moreover, increasing the inoculum dose induces a more rapid inflammatory reaction, mainly because of early activation of the innate host immune response.
Phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus has sphingomyelinase activity (1982)

AbstractPurified, electrophoretically homogeneous phospholipase C (PLC) preparations can be separated into two peaks by isoelectric focusing in sucrose gradients. The main peak has an isoelectric pH of 6.6–6.8 and contains two Zn2+ per molecule. The more acid peak (isoelectric pH about 6.2) contains about one Zn2+ per molecule and has a markedly reduced specific activity which can be raised by adding Zn2+. The purified enzyme has a low sphingomyelinase activity which coincides completely with the lecithinase activity in fractions from isoelectric focusing. The sphingomyelinase activity was greatly enhanced by substitution of Co2+ for Zn2+ but remained essentially unaltered when the levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were changed. These findings provide evidence that the sphingomyelinase activity is a true endogenous activity of PLC and not caused by contaminating sphingomyelinase.Key-words: Isoelectric focusingmetal ionsphospholipase Csphingomyelinase
Molecular characterization of an autolytic amidase of Listeria monocytogenes EGD (1998)

The gene encoding a 102 kDa autolysin has been cloned from an expression library of Listeria monocytogenes EGD genomic DNA, using a direct screening protocol. The encoded protein has two domains, an N-terminal enzymic domain showing a high level of homology to the amidase domain of the major autolysin (atl) of Staphylococcus aureus, and a C-terminal, putative cell-wall-binding domain containing four imperfect direct repeats. In order to examine the role of the enzyme, the autolysin-encoding gene was insertionally inactivated by site-specific integration of a temperature sensitive plasmid. The enzyme accounts for 66% of the total lytic enzyme activity when L. monocytogenes walls are used as substrate and several of the major autolytic bands are missing on renaturing gels when compared to the wild-type. The enzyme does not appear to be directly involved in cell separation but has a role in motility. Characterization of the recombinant enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli has revealed it to be an amidase and to be able to hydrolyse a range of peptidoglycan substrates.
Inhibition of Germination Gene Expression by Viviparous-1 and ABA during Maize Kernel Development (1998)

Two maize glyoxysomal genes expressed during germination, malate synthase (MS) and isocitrate lyase (ICL), were used to characterize the regulatory roles of the Viviparous-1 (Vp1) regulatory gene and abscisic aicd (ABA) in the induction of embryo quiescence during kernel development. In wild-type maize embryo, MS and ICL transcripts were first detected at 2 (MS) or 3 (ICL) days after germination (DAG), peaked at 5 DAG, and decreased thereafter. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the germination-specific genes were amplified in both ABA-insensitive (vp1) and ABA-deficient (vp7 and vp10) mutant embryos at 26 and 33 days after pollination (DAP), but not in wild-type embryos. The repression of these germination-specific genes thus requires the Vp1 gene product and normal levels of ABA to induce embryo quiescence during kernel development. This suggests that a genetic regulatory system exists to prevent vivipary in developing maize embryos. The involvement of the Vp1 gene product and ABA in repressing germination-specific genes complements their previously defined roles in the induction of seed-specific genes such as C1.
Cooperative Activity of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy with Antiangiogenic Thrombospondin-I Peptides, ABT-526 in Pet Dogs with Relapsed Lymphoma (2006)

Results of this preclinical trial suggest that the activity of ABT-526 is sustained when combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy; furthermore, the activity seems to be associated with the maintenance of CeeNu-induced treatment responses. Further studies of TSP-I peptide antiangiogenic therapy in pet dogs and humans with NHL are warranted.
Receptor mechanisms of antipsychotic drug action in bipolar disorder – focus on asenapine (2011)

The atypical antipsychotic drugs are considered a first-line treatment for mania in bipolar disorder with many having a proven superiority to the classical mood stabilisers. This review addresses the pharmacological mechanisms underlying this therapeutic efficacy, as well as those mechanisms considered responsible for the adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs, with a particular focus on the recently introduced asenapine. The high efficacy in bipolar mania of haloperidol, a relatively selective dopamine D2-like receptor antagonist, indicates that the one common receptor mechanism underlying antipsychotic effects on mania is antagonism at the D2 receptor. Serotonin receptors are implicated in antidepressant response, and relief of depressed mood in mixed states is likely to involve drug effects at one, or more likely several interacting, serotonin receptors. Asenapine shows a unique breadth of action at these sites, with potential effects at clinical doses at 5HT1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 6 and 7 receptors. Antagonism at alpha2 adrenoceptors may also be involved. Adverse effects include those classically associated with dopamine D2 receptor blockade, the extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), and which are relatively diminished in the atypical (in comparison with the conventional) antipsychotics. A variety of protective mechanisms against EPS associated with different drugs include low D2 affinity, D2 partial agonism, high 5-HT2A and 2C antagonism. Similar effects at the D2 and 5-HT2C receptors may underlie the low propensity for hyperprolactinaemia of the atypicals, although the strong prolactin-elevating effect of risperidone reflects its relatively high blood/brain concentration ratio, a consequence of it being a substrate for the p-glycoprotein pump. Weight gain is a further concern of antipsychotic treatment of bipolar disorder which is particularly severe with olanzapine. Histamine H1, alpha1 adrenergic and particularly 5-HT2C receptors are implicated in this effect, although the lower propensity for weight gain shown by asenapine which, like olanzapine, binds to these receptors, indicates that other protective receptor mechanisms, or subtle differences in the 5-HT2C receptor-mediated effects, may be important. Of other peripheral and central effects, the pharmacological basis of sedation (H1 receptors) and postural hypotension (alpha1 adrenoceptors) are rather better understood. The relative benefits of atypical antipsychotics like asenapine can be understood from their receptor pharmacology, and this understanding is key to the future development of improved treatment for bipolar disorder.
Flavonoids such as Luteolin, Fisetin and Apigenin Are Inhibitors of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 Production by ActivatedHuman Basophils (2004)

Due to the inhibitory activity of flavonoids on IL-4 and IL-13 synthesis, it can be expected that the intake of flavonoids, depending on the quantity and quality, may ameliorate allergic symptoms or prevent the onset of allergic diseases.
Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Capable of Removing Substrate Effects and Modulating Printing Characteristics (2009)

Electrohydrodynamic jet printing (EHDP) technique is widely used for the direct writing. However, in the existing EHDP method, the printing characteristics are affected by the printing substrate used, and the printed line width is determined by the geometry of the nozzle. We propose an EHDP method which is capable of (1) removing the effect from the substrate, and (2) controlling the line width through the ON/OFF control of the each nozzle in the nozzle array. Printing characteristics of our EHDP system were examined and successful ON/OFF control of the nozzle array were demonstrated. By using the proposed EHDP, it is expected that stable meniscus regardless of the effect from substrate and different line widths even using the same nozzle can be achieved.
Formation of prostamides from anandamide in FAAH knockout mice analyzed by HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry (2004)

We investigated the formation of PGF(2alpha) 1-ethanolamide, PGE(2) 1-ethanolamide, and PGD(2) 1-ethanolamide (prostamides F(2alpha), E(2), and D(2), respectively) in liver, lung, kidney, and small intestine after a single intravenous bolus administration of 50 mg/kg of anandamide to normal and fatty acid amide hydrolase knockout (FAAH -/-) male mice. One group of three normal mice was not dosed (naïve) while another group of three normal mice received a bolus intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg of anandamide. Three FAAH -/- mice also received an intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg of anandamide. After 30 min, the lung, liver, kidney, and small intestine were harvested and processed by liquid-liquid extraction. The concentrations of prostamide F(2alpha), prostamide E(2), prostamide D(2), and anandamide were determined by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Prostamide F(2alpha) was detected in tissues in FAAH -/- mice after administration of anandamide. Concentrations of anandamide, prostamide E(2), and prostamide D(2) in liver, kidney, lung, and small intestine were much higher in the anandamide-treated FAAH -/- mice than those of the anandamide-treated control mice. This report demonstrates that prostamides, including prostamide F(2alpha), were formed in vivo from anandamide, potentially by the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway when the competing FAAH pathway is lacking.