gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Autotaxin--an LPA producing enzyme with diverse functions (2010)

Autotaxin (ATX) is an ecto-enzyme responsible for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) production in blood. ATX is present in various biological fluids such as cerebrospinal and seminal fluids and accounts for bulk LPA production in these fluids. ATX is a member of the nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) family and was originally isolated from conditioned medium of melanoma cells as an autocrine motility stimulating factor. LPA, a second-generation lipid mediator, binds to its cognate G protein-coupled receptors through which it exerts a number of biological functions including influencing cell motility and proliferation stimulating activity. Some of the biological roles of LPA can be mediated by ATX. However, there are other LPA-producing pathways independent of ATX. The accumulating evidences for physiological and pathological functions of ATX strongly support that ATX is an important therapeutic target. This review summarizes the historical aspects, structural basis, pathophysiological functions identified in mice studies and clinical relevance discovered by measuring the blood ATX level in human. The general features and functions of each NPP family member will be also briefly reviewed. The presence of the ATX gene in other model organisms and recently developed ATX inhibitors, both of which will be definitely useful for further functional analysis of ATX, will also be mentioned.
Sinusitis and Atopy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (1993)

Sinusitis is increased in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To determine the underlying mechanism(s), 37 HIV-positive patients were evaluated. HIV-negative controls included 21 with rhinosinusitis, 32 with atopy, and 16 without sinusitis. Twenty-two HIV-positive patients (59%) had sinusitis; 14 of them had AIDS. There was a significant association between sinusitis severity and stage of HIV infection (P < .05). IgE levels were higher in the HIV-positive patients, increased with disease progression, and were strongly correlated with sinusitis severity (P < .01). Of HIV-positive patients, 72% exhibited more than two positive skin tests compared with 24% of HIV-negative rhinosinusitis patients and 12.5% of controls (P < .05). Sinusitis is common in HIV-positive patients, especially those with AIDS. HIV causes an allergic diathesis with increased IgE levels and allergic reactivity. There is a significant correlation between IgE levels and sinusitis severity, suggesting sinusitis is part of this acquired atopic state.
The Player/Stage Project: Tools for Multi-Robot and Distributed Sensor Systems (2003)

This paper describes the Player/Stage software tools applied to multi-robot, distributed-robot and sensor network systems. Player is a robot device server that provides network transparent robot control. Player seeks to constrain controller design as little as possible; it is device independent, non-locking and language- and style-neutral. Stage is a lightweight, highly configurable robot simulator that supports large populations. Player/Stage is a community Free Software project. Current usage of Player and Stage is reviewed, and some interesting research opportunities opened up by this infrastructure are identified. 1
Differential inhibitory effects of garlic‐derived organosulfur compounds on cholesterol biosynthesis in primary rat hepatocyte cultures (1996)

Using primary rat hepatocyte cultures, the potency of several garlic-derived organosulfur compounds to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis in toto as well as at early and late steps of this metabolic pathway was compared. Concerning early steps, allicin significantly inhibited incorporation of [14C]acetate into nonsaponifiable neutral lipids already at concentrations as low as 10 microM, while diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan were effective above 100 microM only. Likewise, inhibition in response to the two vinyl-dithiins started at 500 microM. If [14C]acetate was replaced by [14C]mevalonate, inhibition due to allicin, diallyl disulfide, and allyl mercaptan disappeared suggesting that HMGCoA-reductase was the target of inhibition. In contrast, for the vinyl-dithiins a stimulation of mevalonate incorporation was found. Concerning the late step, the potency to exert accumulation of lanosterol presumably by inhibiting lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase decreased in the order allicin > diallyl disulfide > allyl mercaptan = 1,3-vinyl-dithiin >> 1,2-vinyldithiin, the effect of the latter compound being close to zero. With respect to the total inhibition of [14C]acetate labeling of cholesterol, the half-maximal effective concentration-value of allicin was determined to be 17 +/- 2 microM compared to 64 +/- 7 microM for diallyl disulfide and to 450 +/- 20 microM for allyl mercaptan. Cytotoxicity as determined by the lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay was slightly higher for the two vinyl-dithiins than for diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan, but was apparent only at concentrations higher than 10 mM and, consequently, was irrelevant for the effects described. These results demonstrate that different garlic-derived organosulfur compounds interfere differently with cholesterol biosynthesis and, thus, may provoke multiple inhibition of this metabolic pathway in response to garlic consumption. The fact that allicin was the most effective inhibitor argues against the possibility that its degradation products, namely diallyl disulfide or allyl mercapatan, might mediate its effects, a possibility that might be true, however, in the case of the vinyl-dithiins.
Differential Expression of Full-length Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase mRNA and Telomerase Activity between Normal and Malignant Renal Tissues (2005)

Activation of telomerase, a key event during immortalization and malignant transformation, requires expression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Consistently, lack of telomerase activity and hTERT expression occurs in most normal human somatic cells. However, it has been observed that both normal and cancerous renal tissues express hTERT whereas only the latter exhibits telomerase activity. The mechanism underlying the dissociation between hTERT expression and telomerase activity is unclear. In the present study, we examined telomerase activity and alternative splicing of hTERT transcripts in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) specimens and adjacent normal tissues from 33 patients with RCC. Telomerase activity was detectable in 27 of 33 (82%) RCC samples but none in their normal counterparts. Thirty-two of 33 tumors expressed overall hTERT mRNA and 27 of them contained full-length hTERT transcripts, all with telomerase activity. Although 42% (14 of 33) of normal renal samples expressed hTERT mRNA, none of them had full-length hTERT transcripts, coinciding with lack of telomerase activity. The presence of full-length hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity was significantly associated with c-MYC induction. In tumors, absence of full-length hTERT mRNA or telomerase activity defines a subgroup of nonmetastatic, early-stage RCCs. Taken together, telomerase repression in normal renal tissues is attributed to the absence of full-length hTERT transcripts, whereas telomerase activation is achieved via induction of or switch to expression of full-length hTERT mRNA during the oncogenic process of kidneys, and associated with aggressive RCCs.
Measurement of TG synthesis and turnover in vivo by2H2O incorporation into the glycerol moiety and application of MIDA (2003)

A method is presented for measurement of triglyceride (TG) synthesis that can be applied to slow-turnover lipids. The glycerol moiety of TG is labeled from 2H2O, and mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA) is applied. Mice and rats were given 4-8% 2H2O in drinking water; TG-glycerol was isolated from adipose and liver during < or =12-wk of 2H2O labeling. Mass isotopomer abundances in the glycerol moiety of TG were measured by GC-MS. The combinatorial pattern of isotopomers revealed the number of H atoms in glycerol incorporating label from 2H2O (n) to be 3.8-4.0 of a possible 5 for adipose tissue and 4.6-4.8 for liver TG. Hepatic TG-glycerol in fact reached 97% predicted maximal value of label incorporation (4.4-4.6 x body 2H2O enrichment), indicating near-complete replacement of the liver TG pool. Label incorporation into adipose tissue revealed turnover of mesenteric TG to be faster (k = 0.21 day-1) than other depots (k = 0.04-0.06 day-1) in mice. TG isolated from subcutaneous depots of growing adult rats plateaued at 85-90% of calculated maximal values at 12 wk (k = 0.05 day-1), excluding significant dilution by unlabeled alpha-glycerol phosphate. Turnover of plasma TG, modeled from 2H incorporation over 60 min, was 0.06 min-1 (half-life 11.5 min). In summary, use of 2H2O labeling with MIDA of TG-glycerol allows measurement of new alpha-glycerol phosphate-derived TG synthesis and turnover. The hypothesis that mesenteric TG is more lipolytically active than other depots, previously difficult to prove by isotope dilution techniques, was confirmed by this label incorporation approach.
Prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of p53, bax, Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL in resected non‐small‐cell lung cancers (2004)

This study confirms a relevant role for apoptosis-regulatory proteins in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, and highlights the possible role of Bcl-2 as a prognostic factor for this tumour.
The EstA esterase is responsible for the main capacity of Lactococcus lactis to synthesize short chain fatty acid esters in vitro (2002)

Since esters are potent aroma compounds, esterase is probably a key enzyme in the development of food flavour.
Stromal myofibroblasts are drivers of invasive cancer growth (2008)

Tissue integrity is maintained by the stroma in physiology. In cancer, however, tissue invasion is driven by the stroma. Myofibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts are important components of the tumor stroma. The origin of myofibroblasts remains controversial, although fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived precursors are considered to be the main progenitor cells. Myofibroblast reactions also occur in fibrosis. Therefore, we wonder whether nontumorous myofibroblasts have different characteristics and different origins as compared to tumor-associated myofibroblasts. The mutual interaction between cancer cells and myofibroblasts is dependent on multiple invasive growth-promoting factors, through direct cell-cell contacts and paracrine signals. Since fibrosis is a major side effect of radiotherapy, we address the question how the main methods of cancer management, including chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and surgery affect myofibroblasts and by inference the surrogate endpoints invasion and metastasis.
Effect of transplantation of antibody heavy chain complementarity determining regions on ligand binding. (1994)

Active site structure-function analyses of anti-fluorescein single chain antibody 4-4-20 and anti-single-stranded DNA single chain antibody 04-01 were conducted studying the ligand binding properties of hybrid antibodies resulting from systematic transplantation of heavy chain complementarity regions (HCDRs) from monoclonal antibody 4-4-20 into 04-01. Two prototype monoclonal antibodies were chosen because the primary structures of their respective light chains were nearly identical but the specificities and shape of their active sites were distinctly different. Based on nearly identical light chains, the diverse active site conformations (i.e. 4-4-20 pocket and 04-01 cleft) and subsequent specificities of the two antibodies were likely dictated by heavy chain properties. As a result, specificities of each HCDR transplant were analyzed in terms of binding reactivity with either fluorescein or (dT)8. Results of binding studies, together with idiotypic and secondary structure analyses, were used to determine the relative contribution of each HCDR to the active site conformations and ligand specificities of monoclonal antibodies 4-4-20 and 04-01. Collectively the various analyses led to the conclusion that the intradomain conformational dynamics and cooperativity necessary for the structural integrity of the low affinity cleft-shaped 04-01 anti-single-stranded DNA active site are probably less stringent than those of a high affinity pocket-shaped anti-fluorescein active site.
Retinoid X receptor ablation in adult mouse keratinocytes generates an atopic dermatitis triggered by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (2005)

To investigate the role of retinoid X receptors (RXRs) in epidermal homeostasis, we generated RXRalphabeta(ep-/-) somatic mutants in which both RXRalpha and RXRbeta are selectively ablated in epidermal keratinocytes of adult mice. These mice develop a chronic dermatitis mimicking that observed in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. In addition, they exhibit immunological abnormalities including elevated serum levels of IgE and IgG, associated with blood and tissue eosinophilia, indicating that keratinocyte-selective ablation of RXRs also generates a systemic syndrome similar to that found in AD patients. Furthermore, the profile of increased expression of cytokines and chemokines in skin of keratinocyte-selective RXRalphabeta-ablated mutants was typical of a T helper 2-type inflammation, known to be crucially involved in human AD pathogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that thymic stromal lymphopoietin, whose expression is rapidly and strongly induced in RXRalphabeta-ablated keratinocytes, plays a key role in initiating the skin and systemic AD-like pathologies.
Fucoidan Protects against Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Rat Neuronal Damage and Inhibits the Production of Proinflammatory Mediators in Primary Microglia (2012)

This is the first study to demonstrate that fucoidan possesses neuroprotective effects on injured dopaminergic neurons in a LPS-induced animal model of Parkinson's disease. The mechanisms underlying these effects may include its potent down-regulation of intracellular ROS and subsequent proinflammatory cytokine release in LPS-activated microglia.
Magnetically enhanced protection of bone marrow from beta particles emitted by bone-seeking radionuclides: Theory of application (1995)

Utilization of radiopharmaceuticals that directly target radioactivity to tumors for treatment has a great deal of promise. Ideally, lethal doses of radiation could be delivered precisely to areas of disease, while, for the most part, sparing normal tissues. This potential, however, has not yet been fully realized. Current limitations of this approach are low tumor uptake of radiopharmaceuticals and dose-limiting radiotoxicity. In an effort to offset low uptake, radionuclides that emit high average-energy electrons have been proposed. Unfortunately, use of these radionuclides increases myelosuppression on a per decay basis. In order to allow for the utilization of high doses of this class of high-energy beta emitters, we propose the application of a strong static homogeneous magnetic field to constrain the beta particles. Monte Carlo computer simulations indicate that application of a 10 T magnetic field can decrease the total radiation dose from bone-avid tracers to marrow located in shafts of human long bones by 14%. More significantly, however, the penetration depth of high-energy electrons from the bone surface into the marrow can be reduced by up to 74.6%. Preservation of marrow in areas distal to the bone has previously been shown to facilitate relatively rapid recovery from pancytopenia produced by radiation damage to trabecular marrow (without marrow transplantation). Magnetically enhanced protection of bone marrow, therefore, may allow administered doses of high-energy beta-emitting radionuclides to be increased. By raising the limits on injected quantities of such highly ionizing radionuclides, amounts of the radiation dose absorbed by both soft and calcified tissue tumors will be increased, compared to conventional treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Direct Identification of Protein Epitopes by Mass Spectrometry without Immobilization of Antibody and Isolation of Antibody−Peptide Complexes (1999)

A rapid new approach is described that combines the selectivity and sensitivity of immunoaffinity and mass spectrometric based techniques for mapping protein epitopes. The approach alleviates the need to immobilize antibody, extract the antibody-peptide complex, and dissociate bound peptide, which are requirements of other methods. It avoids problems associated with limited proteolysis of an antigen-antibody complex particularly in the vicinity of the binding domain which can hinder identification of the epitope. Epitopic peptides are identified from a direct comparison of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectra of the antibody reaction mixture and an unreacted control. Samples are prepared for mass spectrometric analysis by heat-assisted and electrospray deposition to afford reproducible spectra that enable epitopic peptides to be identified in complex mixtures analyzed at the femtomole level. Indirect evidence is presented to suggest that the antibody-peptide complex is resilient to both sample deposition and the ionization event. The utility and sensitivity of the approach are illustrated for the lysozyme model. IgG-binding domains of human lysozyme are identified, and one epitope is refined to six residues that comprise part of an extended beta-loop region.
Criminality and Sexual Morality in New York, 1920-1980 (1993)

This article will examine some remarkable cyclical movements in the law dealing with rape, prostitution, pornography, homosexuality, and gender-related violence in New York State from 1920 to 1980. By focusing on this single state, which for most of the period under study was the most populous state and the economic and cultural leader of the nation, the historian can examine both familiar leading cases and lesserknown cases in the state's highest court, as well as the often revealing work product of intermediate and trial court judges, who at times responded more openly than higher-court judges to social and cultural attitudes and pressures. Moreover, New York was in one important respect more typical of the nation than any other single state: with its metropolitan center on the Atlantic coast, its upstate industrial cities little different from those of the Midwest, its expanding suburbs, and its rural farmlands and environmentally protected woodlands, New York contained locales similar to those in all the rest of the nation except the Deep South and the Far West. One would accordingly expect to find a wider variety of the socio-political forces that shape law in New York than in other jurisdictions. Of course, those forces would converge differently in New York than elsewhere, and the end legal product molded by them would differ: for example, social forces emerging out of the metropolitan center would have much greater weight in New York, where the City typically contained nearly half of the state's population, than in the nation at large, where New York City has never equalled even five percent of total population. When adjustments are made for these differences in configuration, however, the findings that emerge from this study about how socio-political forces influenced the law's treatment of sexual immorality and gender-related violence in New York can serve as preliminary hypotheses about more general national developments, at least until scholars examine in similar detail the law governing sexual behavior in other states such as California, Texas, and a Southeastern state like Georgia.
Dynamic Balance Analysis of Drum-Shape Rotor (2007)

For rigid rotor that widely applied in gyroscopes, high precision dynamic balance is very important. The paper introduces a dynamic balance method for drum-shape gyroscope rotor: the rotor is supported by gas bearing; detecting the displacement of three points on the drum-shape rotor’s end-plane, obtaining its normal direction. Then according to geometrical relation of geometric axis and polar inertia axis, the dynamic trace of the rotor can be obtained, and the rotor’s mass imbalance is calculated. Experiment result shows that the method has high balance accuracy, particularly suit for high-speed gyroscope rotor whose mass imbalance is small.
Nicotine-Mediated Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis: New Twists to an Old Story (2006)

Tobacco smoking is one of the major etiologic factors associated with cancer. While there are many carcinogenic compounds present in tobacco smoke, its main addictive component, nicotine, is not carcinogenic by itself. The addictive properties of nicotine are achieved through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that are widely distributed in the brain and neuromuscular junctions; at the same time, they were found to be expressed in a variety of non-neuronal tissues in the body including those of the lung. Recent studies show that these non-neuronal nAChRs can induce cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying nicotine-mediated cell proliferation showed the involvement of Src kinase and the scaffolding protein beta-arrestin-1. Further, nAChRs were found to activate the basic components of the cell cycle machinery similar to growth factor receptors. This involved increased binding of Raf-1 kinase to the Rb protein, activation of cyclins D and E as well as induction of proliferative promoters. This article describes pathway involved in nicotine-induced cell proliferation and angiogenesis and the potential steps that are amenable for developing novel anti-cancer therapies.
Co‐delivery of GM‐CSF gene enhances the immune responses of hepatitis C viral core protein‐expressing DNA vaccine: Role of dendritic cells (2002)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become a critical public health problem worldwide. In Taiwan, it has been estimated that more than 300,000 people, 2% of the general population, have HCV infection. It has been well documented that direct delivery of gene intramuscularly can generate both humoral and cellular immunity, which more closely simulates the conditions of infection. In this study, female Balb/c mice immunized with HCV core plasmid DNA with or without adjuvant GM-CSF cytokine gene could induce both cellular immune response and HCV core-specific antibody titers after injection. Furthermore, the mice immunized with HCV core plus GM-CSF genes showed higher antibody titer and cytotoxic T cell activity compared to those of mice immunized with HCV core gene only (P < 0.05). To explore the effect of GM-CSF gene, the mice were immunized with reporter gene and cytokine gene plasmid. Increased levels of reporter protein and infiltrating cells around muscle tissue were noted. Moreover, the protein could be detected in inguinal node 24 hr after injection, especially in mice immunized with HCV/core plasmid plus GM-CSF gene. It was also observed that reporter protein expressing CD11c(+) dendritic cells could be seen in the inguinal node. These data suggest that the GM-CSF gene did enhance HCV core specific immune response when co-immunized with HCV core DNA plasmid. Although more studies are needed, dendritic cells that appeared around the naked DNA injection area and that local lymph nodes might play a critical role in the immune response induced by naked DNA immunization.