gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Biological activity of catecholamines covalently linked to synthetic polymers: proof of immobilized drug theory. (1976)

l-Isoproterenol was covalently coupled via an azo linkage to soluble copolypeptides of molecular weight 1500 and 10,000 containing an aromatic amine. The polymeric azo-isoproterenol derivatives were purified by gel chromatography which reduced contamination by the parent isoproterenol to undetectable levels (i.e., less than 0.01%) and by 6-aminoisoproterenol to less than 0.4%. Both polymeric isoproterenol derivatives were found to elicit positive chronotropic responses in isolated perfused guinea pig hearts. The mean effective doses (ED50S) for the 1500 and 10,000 molecular weight derivatives were within 1.3 and 2.0 orders of magnitude, respectively, of the ED50 of l-isoproterenol. The responses cannot be attributed to free isoproterenol because this drug could not be detected in our preparations. Neither can the observed biological activity be attributed to 6-aminoisoproterenol, since this compound's dose-response is shifted 3 orders of magnitude to the right of l-isoproterenol and 1-2 orders of magnitude to the right of the polymeric derivatives. Inotropic response decay times in isolated cat papillary muscles following washouts indicate that the polymer-bound drug does not diffuse into the muscle tissues. We feel that our findings demonstrate that under controlled conditions the catecholamines can retain biological activity while covalently bound to a polymeric support.
Targeted Disruption of the kstD Gene Encoding a 3-Ketosteroid Δ 1 -Dehydrogenase Isoenzyme of Rhodococcus erythropolis Strain SQ1 (2000)

Microbial phytosterol degradation is accompanied by the formation of steroid pathway intermediates, which are potential precursors in the synthesis of bioactive steroids. Degradation of these steroid intermediates is initiated by Delta(1)-dehydrogenation of the steroid ring structure. Characterization of a 2.9-kb DNA fragment of Rhodococcus erythropolis SQ1 revealed an open reading frame (kstD) showing similarity with known 3-ketosteroid Delta(1)-dehydrogenase genes. Heterologous expression of kstD yielded 3-ketosteroid Delta(1)-dehydrogenase (KSTD) activity under the control of the lac promoter in Escherichia coli. Targeted disruption of the kstD gene in R. erythropolis SQ1 was achieved, resulting in loss of more than 99% of the KSTD activity. However, growth on the steroid substrate 4-androstene-3,17-dione or 9alpha-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione was not abolished by the kstD gene disruption. Bioconversion of phytosterols was also not blocked at the level of Delta(1)-dehydrogenation in the kstD mutant strain, since no accumulation of steroid pathway intermediates was observed. Thus, inactivation of kstD is not sufficient for inactivation of the Delta(1)-dehydrogenase activity. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell extracts stained for KSTD activity showed that R. erythropolis SQ1 in fact harbors two activity bands, one of which is absent in the kstD mutant strain.
Expression profiling of genes in rheumatoid fibroblast‑like synoviocytes regulated by tumor necrosis factor‑like ligand 1A using cDNA microarray analysis (2019)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation in synovial tissues. Hyperplasia of synovial tissue leads to the formation of pannus, which invades joint cartilage and bone resulting in joint destruction. Tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A), a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF15), contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including RA. In the present study, a cDNA microarray was used to search for genes whose expression in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were regulated by TL1A. Four individual lines of primary cultured RA-FLS were incubated either with recombinant human TL1A protein or phosphate-buffered saline, as an unstimulated control, for 12 h. Gene expression was then detected through the microarray assay. The results revealed the expression profiles of genes in RA-FLS regulated by TL1A. The present study also demonstrated the functions of those genes whose expression in RA-FLS was regulated by TL1A. Among the genes in this profile, the present study focused on the following genes: Spectrin repeat-containing nuclear envelope 1, Fc receptor-like 2, PYD (pyrin domain)-containing 1, cell division cycle 45 homolog, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B, and interferon regulatory factor 4. These genes may affect the pathogenesis of RA, including proliferation, regulation of B cells and T cells, inflammation, and cytokine processing. The present study revealed for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the expression profile of genes in RA-FLS regulated by TL1A. The data indicate that TL1A may regulate the gene expression of various key molecules in RA-FLS, thus affecting the pathogenesis of RA. Further investigations of the genes detected in the current profiles may provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and a novel target for the treatment of RA.
Imaging spatial distributions of resistivity using applied potential tomography (1983)

A method of obtaining images of electrical resistivity is described. It uses measurements of voltage differences on the periphery of the region to be imaged, and a reconstruction method using backprojection. An image of a human forearm is presented.
Increased MDSC Accumulation and Th2 Biased Response to Influenza A Virus Infection in the Absence of TLR7 in Mice (2011)

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the induction of innate and adaptive immune response against influenza A virus (IAV) infection; however, the role of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) during the innate immune response to IAV infection and the cell types affected by the absence of TLR7 are not clearly understood. In this study, we show that myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) accumulate in the lungs of TLR7 deficient mice more so than in wild-type C57Bl/6 mice, and display increased cytokine expression. Furthermore, there is an increase in production of Th2 cytokines by TLR7(-/-) compared with wildtype CD4+ T-cells in vivo, leading to a Th2 polarized humoral response. Our findings indicate that TLR7 modulates the accumulation of MDSCs during an IAV infection in mice, and that lack of TLR7 signaling leads to a Th2-biased response.
Development of Ruby Laser System for Medical Use (1991)

We have developed new Ruby laser system (TMRL series) for the treatment of hyperpigmented skin lesions, such as pigmented nevus (melanin particle deposition), tattoos and so on. The prototype of this series invented in 1980 included a lens-type applicator, which was attached to the oscillator. In 1981 we developed a kaleidoscope (quartz square pillar), which enables us to obtain a homogenous output energy distribution. In addition, it provides a square area of irradiation. So, we can perform efficient treatment. In 1982 we also succeeded in developing a fiber optic induced system using quartz fibers, first in the world. The fiber manipulator and the handpiece separated from the oscillator assure us of much better handiness. After that we have improved the power supply into a smaller and lighter one and adopted a shorter irradiation interval. In 1987 we commenced delivery of commercial units, model LRT-301A, after obtaining the approval for its manufacture and clinical application from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. This equipment is characterized by the output energy of 20-40J/cm2, pulse width of 2 msec, irradiation interval of 10 sec, irradiated area of 10×10 and 15×15mm, and electrical input of 100V (single phase), 30A, 50/60Hz. We can obtain far better results by ruby laser treatment than by the conventional methods, though we realized its limitation. We are now developing a shorter pulse width in expectation of better selective effects of laser treatment.
Strong coupling between adenine nucleobases in DNA single strands revealed by circular dichroism using synchrotron radiation (2008)

Circular dichroism (CD) experiments on DNA single strands (dA(n)) at the ASTRID synchrotron radiation facility reveal that eight adenine (A) bases electronically couple upon 190 nm excitation. After n=8, the CD signal increases linearly with n with a slope equal to the sum of the coupling terms. Nearest neighbor interactions account for only 24% of the CD signal whereas electronic communication is limited to nearest neighbors for two other exciton bands observed at 218 and 251 nm (i.e., dimer excited states). Electronic coupling between bases in DNA is important for nonradiative deexcitation of electronically excited states since the hazardous energy is spread over a larger spatial region.
Effects of amniotic fluid on proteases: a possible role of amniotic fluid in fetal wound healing. (1994)

Fetuses are surrounded by amniotic fluid rich in nutrients and other factors essential to fetal development and possibly to its scarless wound healing. The purpose of this study was to determine whether amniotic fluid contains factors that regulate activities of major proteases involved in the process of wound healing (e.g., collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, and cathepsin B). Human amniotic fluid was assayed in vitro for inhibition or stimulation of the activity of these enzymes. Our results showed that amniotic fluid enhanced collagenase activity at a concentration of 66 micrograms protein (p < 0.01), but inhibited activities of hyaluronidase (132 micrograms protein; p < 0.05), elastase (170 micrograms protein; p < 0.05), and cathepsin B (19 micrograms protein; p < 0.01). This finding suggests that amniotic fluid could have an important role in flawless fetal wound healing by regulating these matrix-degrading enzymes.
Identification of the promoter region of human interleukin 1 type I receptor gene: multiple initiation sites, high G+C content, and constitutive expression. (1993)

To better understand the role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and its receptor in disease, we have isolated a genomic clone of the human IL-1 type I receptor and have identified the promoter region. There are multiple transcriptional initiation sites as demonstrated by primer extension. DNA sequence analysis shows that the promoter region contains neither a TATA nor a CAAT box; however, the 5' upstream regulatory elements contain two AP-1-like binding sites. The internal regulatory sequences found immediately downstream to the 5' transcriptional start site contain four Sp1 binding domains and have a high G+C content of 75%. This portion of the 5' untranslated region of the mRNA can form stable secondary structure as predicted by computer modeling. Base pairs -4 to + 10 share striking resemblance to an initiator sequence that directs basal expression of certain TATA-less genes-e.g., terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase in lymphocytes. The IL-1 receptor promoter directs basal expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in transiently transfected cells. Overall, the promoter of the IL-1 type I receptor gene resembles that of constitutively expressed genes that have housekeeping- and/or growth-related functions. The constitutive nature of the promoter may account for this gene being expressed at low levels in diverse cell types. Our finding sheds more understanding into the mechanisms governing the regulation of the IL-1 receptor in health and disease.
Weighted fair blocking mechanisms for discrete-time multiplexing (2002)

A major challenge in integrated services packet networks is the design of packet multiplexing systems to support different QoS requirements. We focus on the problem of satisfying different loss requirements. In time-slotted multiplexing systems, one may have batch arrivals (i.e., simultaneous arrivals in a time slot), and it is necessary to reject some of the packets in a batch when there is an insufficient number of available buffers. We propose a simple and intelligent probabilistic mechanism for rejecting packets in order to meet the loss requirements. It may be used as a selective discard mechanism to provide different QoS levels in terms of loss (weighted fair blocking). It may also be used to achieve fairness (balanced fair blocking). It offers important advantages and gains relative to existing approaches while being very simple. It allows decoupling of buffer dimensioning from the parameterization of a discard mechanism. It is universal in the sense that it may be used on top of many discrete-time multiplexing schemes. It also reduces the buffer space needed to meet loss requirements compared to natural rejection methods such as random selection. The mechanism is derived explicitly for two Markov modulated Bernoulli sources. The derivation for an arbitrary number of Bernoulli sources is formulated as a linear programming problem.
AN ADVANCED VISUALIZATION PLATFORM FOR REAL-TIME POWER SYSTEM OPERATIONS (2002)

The size and complexity of the intercon- nected power grid pose significant challenges to system operators. The requirement of rapid response under di- verse conditions in a highly complex environment under- scores the need for tools that can help operators detect potential problems and identify solutions quickly and accurately. This paper discusses the design, development, and deployment of a software application that attempts to address this need. The software illustrates system condi- tions on a geographic map of the interconnection using a variety of innovative visualization techniques that help the application convey the current state of the system in a clear, unambiguous, and engaging way. This paper dis- cusses the architecture of the application, the benefits, design, and implementation of each of its visualization tools, guidelines for designing displays that take maximum advantage of the platform's strengths, and planned future enhancements. It also emphasizes a key ingredient to the success of the application: seeking and responding to the ideas and needs of the operators who depend on the plat- form for the information they require to operate the power system. Several figures are included that demon- strate the types of displays currently being shown in the control room.
Soft-Heuristic Detectors for Large MIMO Systems (2013)

We propose low-complexity detectors for large MIMO systems with BPSK or QAM constellations. These detectors work at the bit level and consist of three stages. In the first stage, maximum likelihood decisions on certain bits are made in an efficient way. In the second stage, soft values for the remaining bits are calculated. In the third stage, these remaining bits are detected by means of a heuristic programming method for high-dimensional optimization that uses the soft values (“soft-heuristic” algorithm). We propose two soft-heuristic algorithms with different performance and complexity. We also consider a feedback of the results of the third stage for computing improved soft values in the second stage. Simulation results demonstrate that, for large MIMO systems, our detectors can outperform state-of-the-art detectors based on nulling and canceling, semidefinite relaxation, and likelihood ascent search.
Primary Bioassay of Human Tumor Stem Cells (1977)

A simple method has been developed to support human tumor stem cell colony growth in soft agar. The technique appears suitable for culture of a variety of neoplasms of differing histopathology. Tumor stem cell colonies arising from different types of cancer have differing growth characteristics and colony morphology. This bioassay should be suitable for clinical studies of effects of anticancer drugs or irradiation on human tumor stem cells.
Decrease in photovoltaic power output from ripple: Simple general calculation and effect of partial shading (2011)

The effect of voltage ripple on the power output of a photovoltaic panel is calculated and tested experimentally. Voltage ripple induces a much larger power reduction than would be predicted from a conventional small-signal model of the panels I-V characteristic, even with small ripple amplitude. A simple expression is provided to calculate power reduction from rms ripple voltage, for any ripple waveform shape. The effect of ripple on power output can be much more severe under non-uniform irradiance as can result from partial shading. The results are important for consideration of 120 Hz ripple in single-phase inverters; high-frequency switching ripple with any power converter in a photovoltaic system; and perturbations and tracking errors in maximum-power-point tracking systems.
Inflammatory mediators of uveitis: cytokines and chemokines (2006)

The spectrum of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines known to be implicated in uveitis has increased over recent years. Many of these molecules have also been found in experimental models of disease and may represent attractive therapeutic targets for the future. With recent advances in cytokine detection, an extension of these techniques with a more detailed analysis of different uveitis conditions may provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information for this potentially blinding group of diseases.
Ionizing Radiation Activates the Nrf2 Antioxidant Response (2010)

The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) binds the antioxidant DNA response element (ARE) to activate important cellular cytoprotective defense systems. Recently several types of cancers have been shown to overexpress Nrf2, but its role in the cellular response to radiation therapy has yet to be fully determined. In this study, we report that single doses of ionizing radiation from 2 to 8 Gy activate ARE-dependent transcription in breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, but only after a delay of five days. Clinically relevant daily dose fractions of radiation also increased ARE-dependent transcription, but again only after five days. Downstream activation of Nrf2-ARE-dependent gene and protein markers, such as heme oxygenase-1, occurred, whereas Nrf2-deficient fibroblasts were incapable of these responses. Compared with wild-type fibroblasts, Nrf2-deficient fibroblasts had relatively high basal levels of reactive oxygen species that increased greatly five days after radiation exposure. Further, in vitro clonogenic survival assays and in vivo sublethal whole body irradiation tests showed that Nrf2 deletion increased radiation sensitivity, whereas Nrf2-inducing drugs did not increase radioresistance. Our results indicate that the Nrf2-ARE pathway is important to maintain resistance to irradiation, but that it operates as a second-tier antioxidant adaptive response system activated by radiation only under specific circumstances, including those that may be highly relevant to tumor response during standard clinical dose-fractionated radiation therapy.
Reducing Carbon in LiFePO[sub 4]/C Composite Electrodes to Maximize Specific Energy, Volumetric Energy, and Tap Density (2002)

Efforts were made to synthesize composites showing good rate capability and high energy density while attempting to minimize the amount of carbon in the composite. First, three carbon-coated samples, one coated with carbon after the synthesis of pure one synthesized with sugar added before the heating steps, and one synthesized with sugar added before heating and subsequently coated with carbon, were studied. The resulting carbon contents for these samples are 2.7, 3.5, and 6.2 wt %, respectively. Electrochemical tests showed that the latter two samples had comparable rate capabilities to the composite (15 wt % carbon) recently reported by Huang et al. We believe the synthesis of with sugar added before heating is the best method because it gives particles having uniform small size that are covered by carbon. Further studies of samples made by this method show that a very small percentage of carbon, even less than 1 wt %, causes a significant increase in rate capability, but unfortunately, a dramatic decrease in tap density. To make composites having good rate capability, high energy density, and high tap density, the carbon content and method for coating carbon onto the particles must be given careful attention. However, based on the studies reported here, we are not certain that all desired parameters can be simultaneously achieved, and this may limit the usefulness of in some practical applications. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
Oligosaccharide/Silicon-Containing Block Copolymers with 5 nm Features for Lithographic Applications (2012)

Block copolymers demonstrate potential for use in next-generation lithography due to their ability to self-assemble into well-ordered periodic arrays on the 3-100 nm length scale. The successful lithographic application of block copolymers relies on three critical conditions being met: high Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (χ), which enable formation of <10 nm features, etch selectivity between blocks for facile pattern transfer, and thin film self-assembly control. The present paper describes the synthesis and self-assembly of block copolymers composed of naturally derived oligosaccharides coupled to a silicon-containing polystyrene derivative synthesized by activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The block copolymers have a large χ and a low degree of polymerization (N) enabling formation of 5 nm feature diameters, incorporate silicon in one block for oxygen reactive ion etch contrast, and exhibit bulk and thin film self-assembly of hexagonally packed cylinders facilitated by a combination of spin coating and solvent annealing techniques. As observed by small angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy, these materials exhibit some of the smallest block copolymer features in the bulk and in thin films reported to date.
A rapid method for site-specific mutagenesis and directional subcloning by using the polymerase chain reaction to generate recombinant circles. (1990)

Site-specific mutagenesis and directional subcloning were accomplished by using the polymerase chain reaction to generate products that can recombine to form circular DNA. This DNA was transfected into E. coli without phosphorylation of primers, restriction enzyme digestion or ligation. Specifically, the polymerase chain reaction was used to generate products that when combined, denatured and reannealed, form double-stranded DNA with discrete, cohesive single-stranded ends. The generation of these cohesive ends of DNA permits the formation of precise, directional DNA joints without dependence on enzyme restriction sites. The primers were designed such that these cohesive single-stranded ends annealed to form circular DNA. The recombinant of interest was generated following only 14 amplification cycles. These recombinant circles of DNA were directly transfected into E. coli. In the mutagenesis protocol, the desired mutant was obtained at 83%-100% efficiency. Unwanted mutations were not detected, indicating a less than 0.025% nucleotide misincorporation frequency. In the directional subcloning protocol, inserts were positioned precisely in the recipient plasmid and were in the correct orientation. One unwanted mutation was detected after sequencing 900 bases, indicating a 0.11% nucleotide misincorporation frequency. Each manipulation, from setting up for the DNA amplification to transfection into E. coli. can easily be accomplished in one day.