gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a murine monoclonal antibody that mimics heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibodies (2000)

Antibodies to PF4/heparin can be demonstrated in almost all patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis (HIT/HITT) and in some persons exposed to heparin who do not have clinical manifestations. The role of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies in the pathogenesis of HIT/HITT has been difficult to establish because the antibodies found in serum are generally polyclonal and polyspecific. To circumvent this problem, we developed a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) to human (h) PF4/heparin complexes. A monoclonal IgG(2bkappa )antibody (designated KKO) was identified that bound specifically to hPF4/heparin complexes. Maximal binding of KKO to hPF4/heparin complexes occurred at similar molar ratios of PF4:heparin observed for HIT/HITT antibodies. KKO also bound to hPF4 in association with other glycosaminoglycans. Platelet activation by KKO required heparin and was abrogated by blockade of FcgammaRIIA. In the presence of PF4, KKO bound to endothelial cells, but not to CHO cells lacking heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Variants of PF4 complexed to heparin were recognized equally well by KKO and HIT/HITT sera. KKO competes for binding with a subset of HIT/HITT antibodies that are relatively spared by mutations in the 3rd domain of PF4. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of KKO and RTO, a murine anti-hPF4 mAb that does not require heparin for binding, revealed no obvious relationship in either the heavy- or the light-chain immunoglobulin variable regions. These studies suggest that KKO recapitulates the antigenic and functional specificity of a subset of HIT/HITT antibodies and may, therefore, provide insight into the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in affected persons. (Blood. 2000;95:1533-1540)
Effects of FGF-2 and EGF removal on the differentiationof mouse neural precursor cells (2009)

Cell therapy for neurological disorders has advanced, and neural precursor cells (NPC) may become the ideal candidates for neural transplantation in a wide range of diseases. However, additional work has to be done to determine either the ideal culture environment for NPC expansion in vitro, without altering their plasticity, or the FGF-2 and EGF mechanisms of cell signaling in neurospheres growth, survival and differentiation. In this work we evaluated mouse neurospheres cultured with and without FGF-2 and EGF containing medium and showed that those growth factors are responsible for NPC proliferation. It is also demonstrated that endogenous production of growth factors shifts from FGF-2 to IGF-1/PDGFb upon EGF and FGF-2 withdrawal. Mouse NPC cultured in suspension showed different patterns of neuronal localization (core versus shell) for both EGF and FGF-2 withdrawal and control groups. Taken together, these results show that EGF and FGF-2 removal play an important role in NPC differentiation and may contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms of NPC differentiation. Our findings suggest that depriving NPC of growth factors prior to grafting might enhance their chance to effectively integrate into the host.
BRD4 is a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis (2015)

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the persistent deposition of extracellular matrix components by hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-derived myofibroblasts. It is the histological manifestation of progressive, but reversible wound-healing processes. An unabated fibrotic response results in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, a pathological precursor of hepatocellular carcinoma. We report here that JQ1, a small molecule inhibitor of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins, abrogate cytokine-induced activation of HSCs. Cistromic analyses reveal that BRD4 is highly enriched at enhancers associated with genes involved in multiple profibrotic pathways, where BRD4 is colocalized with profibrotic transcription factors. Furthermore, we show that JQ1 is not only protective, but can reverse the fibrotic response in carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis in mouse models. Our results implicate that BRD4 can act as a global genomic regulator to direct the fibrotic response through its coordinated regulation of myofibroblast transcription. This suggests BRD4 as a potential therapeutic target for patients with fibrotic complications.
(−)-Thebaine (1996)

The structure of the opioid thebaine (6,7,8,14-tetradehydro-4,5-epoxy-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl­morphinan), C19H21NO3, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques at low temperature. The thebaine molecule adopts the same T-shaped conformation of the five fused rings as found in closely related rigid opioids. The geometry of the double bond at the bridgehead carbon atom is significantly distorted from planarity.
“Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Time for Change” (1989)

In the thirty years since the flexible fibreoptic gastroscope was introduced, gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has undergone a spectacular evolution. The explosion in technology and an ever-increasing demand for procedures has left us poorly equipped to provide the quantity and quality of endoscopy required now and into the next century. With increasing sophistication, the risks of GI endoscopy have become appreciable, particularly in therapeutic procedures. These risks can only be contained by adequate training and experience. The present system of higher training in gastroenterology serves endoscopy badly: there is no structure for developing a career interest in GI endoscopy. This is a waste of limited financial and human resources. GI endoscopy should be identified as an area of gastroenterology requiring additional training. New teaching tools such as computer simulation may provide opportunities to learn endoscopy without patient involvement. Research in GI endoscopy, which has been neglected, should be actively encouraged.
Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinases 1, 2, 9 and Their Inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 as Serum Markers of Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C: Comparison With PIIINP and Hyaluronic Acid (2004)

Our results suggest that combining two serum markers reflecting fibrogenesis (PIIINP) and fibrolysis (MMP-1) may provide a useful tool for evaluating liver fibrosis.
Divergence of IL-1, IL-18, and cell death in NLRP3 inflammasomopathies (2013)

The inflammasome is a cytoplasmic multiprotein complex that promotes proinflammatory cytokine maturation in response to host- and pathogen-derived signals. Missense mutations in cryopyrin (NLRP3) result in a hyperactive inflammasome that drives overproduction of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, leading to the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) disease spectrum. Mouse lines harboring CAPS-associated mutations in Nlrp3 have elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18 and closely mimic human disease. To examine the role of inflammasome-driven IL-18 in murine CAPS, we bred Nlrp3 mutations onto an Il18r-null background. Deletion of Il18r resulted in partial phenotypic rescue that abolished skin and visceral disease in young mice and normalized serum cytokines to a greater extent than breeding to Il1r-null mice. Significant systemic inflammation developed in aging Nlrp3 mutant Il18r-null mice, indicating that IL-1 and IL-18 drive pathology at different stages of the disease process. Ongoing inflammation in double-cytokine knockout CAPS mice implicated a role for caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and confirmed that CAPS is inflammasome dependent. Our results have important implications for patients with CAPS and residual disease, emphasizing the need to explore other NLRP3-mediated pathways and the potential for inflammasome-targeted therapy.
Contractile function in canine right ventricle (1980)

Regional right ventricular (RV) motion was examined in six acutely instrumented dogs by implanting radiopaque markers in three regions of the free wall: the apex, the midventricle, and the outflow tract. These markers were filmed at the paced heart rate of 180 beats/min with a high-speed biplane X-ray system, and their motion was analyzed with a digital computer. Local deformation was separated into percent length changes in the two mutually perpendicular principal directions. The major component exhibited shortening along a path from apex to conus. (apex - 13.6%, midventricle -13.1%, conus -8.7%); the minor component exhibited small amounts of lengthening and some shortening (apex +4.7%, midventricle +1.8%, conus -0.5%). From these two measurements we calculated the peak RV free wall thickening (apex 13.6%, midventricle 14.1%, conus 10.9%). The experimental technique developed for this study was found to be suitable for the repeated analysis of intact ventricular performance in chronic animal studies. The results reveal that in systole the RV free wall undergoes a sequential contraction, which begins at the apex and ends in the conus.
Factors Affecting the Oral Uptake and Translocation of Polystyrene Nanoparticles: Histological and Analytical Evidence (1995)

Quantitative and qualitative evidence from our laboratories on the absorption and translocation of polystyrene latex nanoparticles both by histological (qualitative) and analytical measurement of levels of polystyrene (quantitative) is briefly reviewed in this paper. We have previously compared the uptake of nonionized polystyrene latex ranging in size from 50nm to 3 microns, and made some comparisons of uptake between carboxylated microspheres and nonionic systems, showing the lower uptake of the former through the lymphoid tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Size is a key parameter, uptake increasing with decreasing particle diameter. Early evidence suggested that uptake is by way of the Peyer's patches and other elements of the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Adsorption of hydrophilic block-copolymers onto polystyrene markedly reduces the uptake by intestinal GALT. Modification of the surface with specific ligands such as by covalent attachment of tomato lectin molecules has indicated widespread uptake by non-GALT tissues, following their binding to and internalisation by enterocytes. The ability to decrease and increase uptake is clear evidence of a phenomenon which has the potential for further control to allow it to be exploited fully for drug or vaccine delivery. The evidence to date with nanoparticles as carriers systems for labile drugs such as proteins by the oral route remains to be substantiated.
Thin Films of Octahedral Molecular Sieves of Manganese Oxide (1997)

Octahedral layered molecular sieve materials (OL-1) having the birnessite structure have been synthesized using sol−gel preparation methods. The sol obtained by redox reaction between sucrose and KMnO4 is then used to make films via (a) immersion, (b) spray coating, (c) spin coating, and (d) spatula coating. Crystalline OL-1 thin films have been prepared by methods a−c. Thin homogeneous films are most readily prepared by spray coating. Spin coating leads to noncrystalline and manganese-deficient films. The films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and scanning Auger microscopy. The microscopy and Auger experiments show that there was no charging, implying these samples are good electrical conductors. The films are free from large amounts of impurity ions and carbonaceous deposits formed during the syntheses.
Resonant tunneling of electrons via 20 nm scale InAs quantum dot and magnetotunneling spectroscopy of its electronic states (1997)

The resonant tunneling of electrons through a 20 nm scale InAs quantum dot bound by a pair of very thin AlAs barriers is studied. A well-resolved composite peak resulting from the ground 1s states was observed at 4.2 K in current–voltage characteristics. By investigating the effects of inplane magnetic fields, the shape of the wave function and the spatial extent of the first two electronic states are clarified.
Mosaic expression of dystrophin in carriers of canine X-linked muscular dystrophy. (1990)

The expression of dystrophin was examined immunocytochemically in skeletal and cardiac muscle of canine carriers of X-linked muscular dystrophy, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In skeletal muscle, the expression of dystrophin was heterogeneous, individual fibers being strongly positive, negative, or intermediate in staining. Some fibers expressed dystrophin discontinuously along their length. Between 4 and 24 weeks of age, the expression of dystrophin in skeletal muscle of carriers became more uniform and the number of negative fibers declined. In the heart dystrophin was also expressed in a mosaic pattern, individual cells being either fully positive or negative by immunocytochemistry. There was no apparent change in the pattern of expression between 12 weeks and 4 years of age. These results indicate that in the mosaic skeletal muscle fibers of carriers dystrophin is initially expressed in a heterogeneous pattern and that, in time, it becomes more uniformly distributed. This change could be explained by recruitment of competent satellite cells or by gradual diffusion of the protein.
Structure ofStaphylococcus aureus1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA synthase (MenB) in complex with acetoacetyl-CoA (2007)

Vitamin K(2), or menaquinone, is an essential cofactor for many organisms and the enzymes involved in its biosynthesis are potential antimicrobial drug targets. One of these enzymes, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA synthase (MenB) from the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, has been obtained in recombinant form and its quaternary structure has been analyzed in solution. Cubic crystals of the enzyme allowed a low-resolution structure (2.9 A) to be determined. The asymmetric unit consists of two subunits and a crystallographic threefold axis of symmetry generates a hexamer consistent with size-exclusion chromatography. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicates the presence of six states in solution, monomeric through to hexameric, with the dimer noted as being particularly stable. MenB displays the crotonase-family fold with distinct N- and C-terminal domains and a flexible segment of structure around the active site. The smaller C-terminal domain plays an important role in oligomerization and also in substrate binding. The presence of acetoacetyl-CoA in one of the two active sites present in the asymmetric unit indicates how part of the substrate binds and facilitates comparisons with the structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MenB.
Almost Exclusive Androgenic Action of Dehydroepiandrosterone in the Rat Mammary Gland (1998)

To determine the relative role of the androgenic and/or estrogenic components of the action of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the histomorphology and structure of the rat mammary gland, ovariectomized (OVX) female animals received DHEA administered alone or in combination with the pure antiandrogen flutamide or the pure antiestrogen EM-800 for 12 months. We have also evaluated the effect of estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone constantly released from SILASTIC brand silicon implants as well as medroxyprogesterone acetate released from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres. While 1-yr OVX resulted in a severe atrophy of the mammary gland, treatment of OVX animals with DHEA stimulated lobuloalveolar and ductal growth, as well as the secretory activity of the acinar cells, thus resulting in a lobuloalveolar type of development of the mammary gland. The addition of FLU to DHEA almost completely prevented the stimulatory effect observed with DHEA alone, whereas addition of the antiestrogen EM-800 had no significant effect on the action of DHEA on the mammary gland. At the doses used, medroxyprogesterone acetate and dihydrotestosterone also stimulated ductal and alveolar development, although to a lesser degree than that achieved with DHEA. The stimulatory effect of estradiol was mainly expressed on ductal growth with a smaller stimulatory effect on lobuloalveolar development. The above-indicated stimulatory effects on lobuloalveolar development were also reflected in significant increases of the total and parenchymal gland surface areas of the mammary gland. The present study shows that androgens induce a marked lobuloalveolar type of development of the mammary gland in the rat. Moreover, these data indicate the highly predominant or almost exclusive androgenic component in the potent stimulatory action of DHEA on the histomorphology and structure of the rat mammary gland. In fact, blockade of the potential estrogenic component of DHEA action by EM-800 did not affect the stimulatory action of DHEA on mammary gland histomorphology, whereas the antiandrogen FLU almost completely blocked the effect of DHEA.
Lack of Support for a Role for RLIP76 (RALBP1) in Response to Treatment or Predisposition to Epilepsy (2007)

No support for RLIP76 itself in directly mediating resistance to AEDs nor in increasing susceptibility to epilepsy was found. More evidence is required before either a role for RLIP76 in drug resistance can be accepted or focus directed away from other transporters, such as P-glycoprotein.
Generation of Anergic and Potentially Immunoregulatory CD25+CD4 T Cells In Vivo After Induction of Peripheral Tolerance with Intravenous or Oral Antigen (2001)

Immunoregulatory CD25(+)CD4 T cells are thought to arise from the thymus as a distinct lineage of CD4 T cells specific for self Ags. We used the DO11.10 TCR transgenic adoptive transfer system to show that cells of similar phenotype may also arise in the course of peripheral tolerance induction. Such cells emerged within 1 wk following Ag exposure and correlated negatively with the number of initial cell divisions. Limiting i.v. Ag dose or using an oral tolerance protocol yielded the greatest numbers of Ag-specific CD25(+)CD4 T cells. In contrast, immunogenic Ag exposure in the presence of an adjuvant did not lead to emergence of CD25(+)CD4 T cells. The profound anergic phenotype of these cells and their potential immunoregulatory properties make them an especially desirable population to induce in the course of immunotherapy in numerous clinical settings. This experimental system may be useful in future studies designed to optimize immunologic tolerance induction.
Mutation in the TCRα subunit constant gene (TRAC) leads to a human immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a lack of TCRαβ+ T cells (2011)

Inherited immunodeficiency disorders can be caused by mutations in any one of a large number of genes involved in the function of immune cells. Here, we describe two families with an autosomal recessive inherited immunodeficiency disorder characterized by increased susceptibility to infection and autoimmunity. Genetic linkage studies mapped the disorder to chromosomal region 14q11.2, and a homozygous guanine-to-adenine substitution was identified at the last base of exon 3 immediately following the translational termination codon in the TCRα subunit constant gene (TRAC). RT-PCR analysis in the two affected individuals revealed impaired splicing of the mRNA, as exon 3 was lost from the TRAC transcript. The mutant TCRα chain protein was predicted to lack part of the connecting peptide domain and all of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, which have a critical role in the regulation of the assembly and/or intracellular transport of TCR complexes. We found that T cells from affected individuals were profoundly impaired for surface expression of the TCRαβ complex. We believe this to be the first report of a disease-causing human TRAC mutation. Although the absence of TCRαβ+ T cells in the affected individuals was associated with immune dysregulation and autoimmunity, they had a surprising level of protection against infection.
Methanol: Coenzyme M Methyltransferase from Methanosarcina Barkeri (1997)

In Methanosarcina barkeri, methanogenesis from methanol is initiated by the formation of methylcoenzyme M from methanol and coenzyme M. This methyl transfer reaction is catalyzed by two enzymes, designated MT1 and MT2. Transferase MT1 is a corrinoid protein. The purification, catalytic properties and encoding genes of MT2 (MtaA) have been described previously [Harms, U. and Thauer, R.K. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 235, 653-659]. We report here on the corresponding analysis of MT1. The corrinoid protein MT1 was purified to apparent homogeneity and showed a specific activity of 750 mumol min-1 mg-1. The enzyme catalyzed the methylation of its bound corrinoid in the cob(I)amide oxidation state by methanol. In addition to this automethylation, the purified enzyme was found to catalyze the methylation of free cob(I)alamin to methylcob(III)alamin. It was composed of two different subunits designated MtaB and MtaC, with apparent molecular masses of 49 kDa and 24 kDa, respectively. The subunit MtaC was shown to harbour the corrinoid prosthetic group. The genes mtaB and mtaC were cloned and sequenced. They were found to be juxtapositioned and to form a transcription unit mtaCB. The corrinoid-harbouring subunit MtaC exhibits 35% sequence similarity to the cobalamin-binding domain of methionine synthase from Escherichia coli.
The Role of Temperature and Binder Type on the Fracture Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures at Low Temperatures (2006)

ABSTRACT In the past decade fracture mechanics concepts have been introduced to the study of the fracture behavior of asphalt mixtures. One of the main goals was to obtain reliable fracture properties that could be used in the selection of crack resistant material and in the development of performance models. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the low temperature properties of asphalt mixtures using a testing protocol and analyses based on the semi circular bend test. The load, the load-line displacement, and the crack mouth opening displacement were recorded during the test and used to calculate the stiffness, the fracture toughness, and fracture energy of three asphalt mixtures used in three test sections at MnROAD facility. The statistical analysis of the experimental data shows that both the fracture toughness and fracture energy are significantly affected by the type of asphalt binder used and the testing temperature. For all three mixtures the fracture energy decreased as the temperature dropped. However, the fracture toughness evolution showed a maximum value at approximately the PG low temperature limit of the binder.
High expression in involuting reproductive tissues of uterocalin/24p3, a lipocalin and acute phase protein (2002)

During reproduction the mass and number of cells in the uterus and the mammary gland increase rapidly and then diminish more rapidly after their reproductive functions are completed. The diminishment of tissue mass, known as involution, involves an ordered series of events that includes apoptosis of resident cells, neutrophil invasion, the release of degradative enzymes and phagocytosis of cellular debris. Local signals are believed to regulate the progression of involution in each tissue. Here we show that the mammary gland and uterus express high levels of uterocalin, a protein that specifically induces apoptosis in neutrophils and other leucocytes. In the mammary gland, uterocalin expression is induced by weaning. In both tissues, uterocalin is expressed at extremely high levels such that it constitutes an average of 0.2-0.5% of the total extractable protein at its peak. Epithelial cells in the uterus and mammary gland produce uterocalin. In each case, the protein is secreted into the tissue lumen, with mammary-derived uterocalin being found in the milk. The period of highest uterocalin expression in vivo is consistent with the hypothesis that one of its physiological roles is to induce apoptosis of infiltrating neutrophils and thereby delay the entry of neutrophils into the tissue. It is proposed that the role of uterocalin during involution is to provide a window of time during which resident cells are protected from the degradative enzymes, free radicals and other secreted products of activated phagocytes to allow these cells to prepare to survive the processes of involution.