gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Safety and Immunogenicity of Increasing Doses of a Clostridium difficile Toxoid Vaccine Administered to Healthy Adults (2001)

Clostridium difficile is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhea in industrialized countries. Although most illnesses respond to available therapy, infection can increase morbidity, prolong hospitalization, and produce life-threatening colitis. Vaccines are being explored as an alternative means for protecting high-risk individuals. We assessed the safety, immunogenicity, and dose response of a parenteral vaccine containing C. difficile toxoids A and B. Thirty healthy adults were assigned to receive four spaced inoculations on days 1, 8, 30, and 60 with one of three doses of vaccine (6.25, 25, or 100 microg). At each dose level, subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive either the soluble toxoids (n = 5) or toxoids adsorbed to alum (n = 5). Subjects were monitored for clinical and immunologic responses to vaccination. Vaccination was generally well tolerated, with occasional, usually mild, systemic reactions (abdominal pain, arthralgia, and diarrhea). The most common local reaction, mild arm pain, was reported by all recipients of the toxoid-alum formulation. Nearly all subjects (> or = 90%) developed vigorous serum antibody responses to both toxins, as measured by immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralization of cytotoxicity, whereas fecal IgA increases occurred in approximately 50%. Statistically significant effects of dose and formulation on immunogenicity were not seen, although antibody levels tended to be higher with the alum-adjuvanted formulations and with increasing doses of soluble toxoid. Serum antibody responses among the toxoid-alum group appeared to plateau at 25 microg. We concluded that the C. difficile toxoid vaccine is safe and immunogenic in healthy volunteers. Further development as a prophylactic vaccine or for producing C. difficile hyperimmune globulin is justified.
Design of a simulation of multiple perspectives in road safety education (2005)

The possibilities afforded by new multimedia technology, combined with contemporary ideas about learning, have opened up new design opportunities for educational simulations. In particular, the use of sophisticated multimedia environments have made the design of experiential simulations, in which the learner plays an authentic role carrying out complex tasks, a much more tractable design task This paper describes the use of an educational simulation paradigm to represent multiple perspectives in a road safety context and the evaluative strategies that were undertaken to ensure the teaching resource will lead learners to a stronger understanding of the various factors that interact and contribute to the potential harm in road safety contexts. We also suggest that students will be more able to identify these factors in their own personal contexts and make decisions about modifying their behaviour to decrease any potential harm.
Multiplicity of Ca2+ Messengers and Ca2+ Stores: A Perspective from Cyclic ADP-Ribose and NAADP (2004)

It is generally believed that multiple Ca2+ stores are present in cells, a notion that has now been made substantive by the discovery of multiple Ca2+ mobilizing messengers. Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and nicotinic acid dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) are two such messengers that are derived from NAD and NADP, respectively. A wide variety of cells, from plants to mammals, including human, have been shown to be responsive to these two novel Ca2+ messengers. Not only are their structures and mechanisms of action different, their targeted Ca2+ stores are also distinct and separable. This article explores the implications of the multiplicity of Ca2+ stores in cellular signaling. Special emphasis will be put on the recent progress in the understanding of the physiological functions of NAADP.
The amino acid sequence of boar H1t, a testis-specific H1 histone variant. (1984)

H1t is a testis-specific H1 variant found in spermatocytes and spermatids of mammals. The complete amino acid sequence has been determined for H1t isolated from boar testes. The protein is composed of 211 amino acids with the composition 3 aspartic acids, 6 asparagines, 13 threonines, 21 serines, 7 glutamic acids, 7 glutamines, 15 prolines, 14 glycines, 37 alanines, 11 valines, 1 methionine, 3 isoleucines, 14 leucines, 1 tyrosine, 1 phenylalanine, 42 lysines, 15 arginines and a calculated molecular weight of 22,059 disregarding the post-translational acetylation of the amino-terminal alanine. The protein shows typical H1 domains with basic amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions separated by a conserved, presumably globular, core sequence. The core region is very homologous to the highly conserved core sequence found in somatic mammalian H1 histones but does differ from this sequence in 15 places. Accordingly, it may be appropriate to consider H1t as new variant category. The carboxyl-terminal half of H1t is distinguished from the standard somatic family by being somewhat shorter and by the presence of 10 arginine residues. In contrast to many H1 proteins, the carboxyl-terminal region of H1t does not show an obvious pattern of peptide repeats.
Overview of recent developments in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (2012)

Multiple advances have been made in our understanding of pathobiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These developments in the laboratory include new prognostic markers, risk stratification of the disease and newer therapeutic agents in CLL. These advances in CLL have come a long way in the past three decades since the development of Rai and Binet clinical staging systems. Important strides in the pathobiology, from defining mutational status of IGHV, to B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathways and CLL microenvironment have made a major difference in our understanding of this disease. Mutational status of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IGHV), CD38 and Zap-70, chromosomal aberrations and newer mutations, are the most clinically relevant prognostic markers. Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) has become the treatment of choice for young and fit CLL patients. Various inhibitors of BCR signaling pathways and immunomodulatory drugs have shown efficacy in clinical trials. The most recent advance is the use of chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR) based on autologous T-lymphocytes. Nevertheless, CLL remains an incurable disease today. Coordinated developments between laboratory and clinic will hopefully translate into a cure for CLL. This short review focuses on advances in prognostication and therapy in CLL.
Polyol Synthesis of Uniform Silver Nanowires:  A Plausible Growth Mechanism and the Supporting Evidence (2003)

We have recently demonstrated an approach based on the polyol process for the large-scale synthesis of silver nanowires with uniform diameters (see Sun, Y.; Gates, B.; Mayers, B.; Xia, Y. Nano Lett. 2002, 2, 165. Sun, Y.; Xia, Y. Adv. Mater. 2002, 14, 833. Sun, Y.; Yin, Y.; Mayers, B. T.; Herricks, T.; Xia, Y. Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 4736). Although the capability and feasibility of this method have been successfully illustrated with the production of silver nanowires 30−60 nm in diameter and 1−50 μm in length, the growth mechanism of this process is yet to be elucidated. Here we report some progress on this matter: First, electron microscopy studies on microtomed samples indicated that the cross sections of such silver nanowires had a pentagonal shape, together with a 5-fold twinned crystal structure. Second, the side surfaces (bounded by {100} facets) and the ends (bounded by {111} facets) of each nanowire were shown to have significant difference in reactivity toward dithoil molecules, with the side surfaces being completely passivated by poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and the ends being partially passivated (or essentially uncovered) by PVP. This result implied that the PVP macromolecules interacted more strongly with the {100} planes than with the {111} planes of silver. On the basis of these new results, we proposed that each silver nanowire evolved from a multiply twinned nanoparticle (MTP) of silver with the assistance of PVP at the initial stage of the Ostwald ripening process. The anisotropic growth was maintained by selectively covering the {100} facets with PVP while leaving the {111} facets largely uncovered by PVP and thus highly reactive.
Central Role of Pyrophosphate in Acellular Cementum Formation (2012)

Results from these studies demonstrate a novel developmental regulation of acellular cementum, wherein cementoblasts tune cementogenesis by modulating local levels of PP(i), directing and regulating mineral apposition. These findings underscore developmental differences in acellular versus cellular cementum, and suggest new approaches for cementum regeneration.
Culture and Cryopreservation of Chondrocytes from Human Cartilage: Relevance for Cartilage Allografting in Otolaryngology (1992)

One of the reasons for failure of cartilage allografts is the impaired condition of the transplant during storage. In this paper we describe methods for the isolation and culture of viable chondrocytes obtained from nasal septum cartilage. Furthermore, we evaluate the possibility of growing such specific chondrocytes under culture conditions and storing them in a frozen state. Age-dependent differences were observed in the growth rate of the cultured cells. Our results confirm that chondrocytes survive freezing and remain able to proliferate. Knowledge gained from this study may be applied to the culture and freezing of viable intact cartilage for use in reconstructive surgery in otolaryngology.
Terahertz frequency comb by multifrequency-heterodyning photoconductive detection for high-accuracy, high-resolution terahertz spectroscopy (2006)

We report a terahertz spectroscopy technique based on a stable terahertz frequency comb from a photoconductive terahertz emitter driven by a stabilized femtosecond laser. To this end, a photocurrent frequency comb is induced in a photoconductive terahertz detector by instantaneous photogating with another detuned femtosecond laser and is applied to read out the terahertz frequency comb. The detailed structure of the terahertz frequency comb was clearly observed with frequency accuracy of 2.5×10−7 and resolution of 81.8MHz using multifrequency-heterodyning photoconductive detection, which in turn is caused by the slightly mismatched frequency spacing between terahertz and photocurrent frequency combs.
Fast, Completely Reversible Li Insertion in Vanadium Pentoxide Nanoribbons (2007)

Layered-structure nanoribbons with efficient electron transport and short lithium ion insertion lengths are promising candidates for Li battery applications. Here we studied at the single nanostructure level the chemical, structural, and electrical transformations of V2O5 nanoribbons. We found that transformation of V2O5 into the omega-Li3V2O5 phase depends not only on the width but also the thickness of the nanoribbons. Transformation can take place within 10 s in thin nanoribbons, suggesting a Li diffusion constant 3 orders of magnitude faster than in bulk materials, resulting in a significant increase in battery power density (360 C power rate). For the first time, complete delithiation of omega-Li3V2O5 back to the single-crystalline, pristine V2O5 nanoribbon was observed, indicating a 30% higher energy density. These new observations are attributed to the ability of facile strain relaxation and phase transformation at the nanoscale. In addition, efficient electronic transport can be maintained to charge a Li3V2O5 nanoribbon within less than 5 s. These exciting nanosize effects can be exploited to fabricate high-performance Li batteries for applications in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
Modeling of Flow Rate, Pore Size, and Porosity for the Dispensing-Based Tissue Scaffolds Fabrication (2009)

Dispensing technique is one of the promising solid freeform (SFF) methods to fabricate scaffolds with controllable pore sizes and porosities. In this paper, a model to represent the dispensing-based SFF fabrication process is developed. Specifically, the mechanical properties of the scaffold material and its influence on the fabrication process are examined; the flow rate of the scaffold material dispensed and the pore size and porosity of the scaffold fabricated in the process are represented. In order to generate scaffold strands without either tensile or compressive stress, the optimal moving speed of the dispensing head is determined from the flow rate of the scaffold material dispensed. Experiments were also carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the model developed.
Low-Temperature Chemical-Vapor-Deposition of Silicon-Nitride Film from Hexachloro-Disilane and Hydrazine (1996)

We have successfully deposited SiNx:H films at temperatures as low as 350°C by the chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) method using hexachloro-disilane (Si 2 Cl 6 ) and hydrazine (N 2 H 4 ). The atomic ratio (N/Si) of the film deposited at 400°C was 1.26 with a total hydrogen content of about 30 at.%. The breakdown-field strength was 5.3 MV/cm at a leakage-current density of 1 µA/cm 2 , and the low-field resistivity was more than 10 15 Ω·cm. Amorphous-silicon thin-film transistors equipped with this film as the gate dielectric showed clear transfer characteristics.
Differential effects of glycosaminoglycans on neurite growth on laminin and L1 substrates (1995)

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the carbohydrate moieties of proteoglycans, are thought to be positive and negative regulators of axonal growth. The physiological role of GAGs is controversial as some studies have shown that GAGs inhibit cell adhesion and neurite elongation (Exp Neurol 109:111, 1990) whereas other studies have reported a growth stimulatory effect of GAGs (Development 114:17, 1992). These and other studies have examined the effects of GAGs using different types of neurons and different substrate conditions thereby making a direct comparison of the experimental data difficult. To resolve the controversy concerning the ability of exogenous GAGs to modulate neurite growth, we examined the effects of a panel of structurally different GAGs on the growth of postnatal rat cerebellar granule neurons and embryonic rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons on substrates of either laminin or the L1 glycoprotein. Here we show that chondroitin 4-sulfate (CS4), chondroitin 6-sulfate (CS6), and keratan sulfate (KS) inhibit neurite growth from both cerebellar and DRG neurons on laminin-coated surfaces. On L1 surfaces, however, these GAGs are either extremely weak inhibitors of neurite extension or, in the case of CS4, a modest stimulator of neurite growth. Heparan sulfate (HS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) inhibited the growth of cerebellar neurons but not the growth of DRG neurons on L1-coated surfaces. On laminin surfaces, DS and HS had no effect on neurite growth from both cerebellar and DRG neurons. These results demonstrate a cellular and a substrate specificity to the effects of exogenous GAGs on neurite extension in vitro. They suggest that while CS and KS GAGs may not exert strong negative influences over axonal growth in regions of the developing CNS where the L1 glycoprotein is abundant, these GAGs are capable of inhibiting the growth of axons that extend within an environment rich in laminin.
Update on benefit of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in melanoma: the changing landscape (2014)

Malignant melanoma is on the rise. There have been recent advances in targeted agents and immunotherapies that have improved the management and treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. This review discusses the clinical efficacy and unique side effects of targeted immunotherapy and the role of predictive biomarkers in better selection of patients who would derive most benefit from specific treatments. Additionally, this review addresses concerns about the best sequencing algorithms for the currently available targeted agents. By thoroughly and extensively researching through PubMed and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 69 published articles and abstracts were identified as addressing topics related to malignant melanoma and immunotherapy. The research was divided into subcategories discussing cytokine-based therapy, immunotherapy, molecularly targeted agents, other novel targeted agents, and combination regimens for malignant melanoma. New immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted agents are able to improve immune-mediated regulatory effects against tumors and, specifically in advanced melanoma, are associated with improvement in overall survival. These new agents have distinct side effects that are often controlled and reversed with dose reductions and/or use of corticosteroids. Currently, there are clinical trials underway to assess the role of combination therapy, whereas other trials are focusing on devising algorithms to delineate how best to sequentially administer these drugs. Although there has been tremendous progress in the management of advanced melanoma with immunotherapy and targeted agents, there is still much to be learned about clinically useful predictive biomarkers and combination therapies as well as how to administer these agents safely.
EFFECT OF INCREASED INTRA-ABDOMINAL PRESSURE ON MESENTERIC ARTERIAL AND INTESTINAL MUCOSAL BLOOD FLOW (1992)

The effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on intestinal blood flow were studied in eight anesthetized pigs. Mesenteric artery blood flow (MABF), intestinal mucosal blood flow (IMBP), tonometric intramucosal pH (pHi), mean BP (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) were measured as IAP was raised to 10, 20, 30, and 40 mm Hg by infusing lactated Ringer's solution (LR) into the peritoneal cavity. The MAP was kept constant with IV LR. Cardiac output fell slightly from 5.4 +/- 1.1 at baseline to 4.0 +/- 1.2 L/min at an IAP of 40 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). An IAP of 20 mm Hg caused significant decreases in MABF (73% +/- 22% of baseline) (p less than 0.05) and IMBF (61% + 12% of baseline) (p less than 0.05). These changes became progressively greater as the IAP was increased to 40 mm Hg. The pHi fell to 6.98 +/- 0.14 at 40 mm Hg IAP (p less than 0.01), indicating severe mucosal ischemia. Thus increased IAP can cause severe intestinal ischemia, which may be more important than the cardiac, pulmonary, and renal changes usually described.
Methionine and threonine synthesis are limited by homoserine availability and not the activity of homoserine kinase in Arabidopsis thaliana (2005)

Homoserine kinase (HSK) produces O-phospho-l-homoserine (HserP) used by cystathionine gamma-synthase (CGS) for Met synthesis and threonine synthase (TS) for Thr synthesis. The effects of overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana HSK, CGS, and Escherichia coli TS (eTS), each controlled by the 35S promoter, were compared. The results indicate that in Arabidopsis Hser supply is the major factor limiting the synthesis of HserP, Met and Thr. HSK is not limiting and CGS or TS control the partitioning of HserP. HSK overexpression had no effect on the level of soluble HserP, Met or Thr, however, when treated with Hser these plants produced far more HserP than wild type. Met and Thr also accumulated markedly after Hser treatment but the increase was similar in HSK overexpressing and wild-type plants. CGS overexpression was previously shown to increase Met content, but had no effect on Thr. After Hser treatment Met accumulation increased in CGS-overexpressing plants compared with wild type, whereas HserP declined and Thr was unaffected. Arabidopsis responded differentially to eTS expression depending on the level of the enzyme. At the highest eTS level the Thr content was not increased, but the phenotype was negatively affected and the T1 plants died before reproducing. Comparatively low eTS did not affect phenotype or Thr/Met level, however after Hser treatment HserP and Met accumulation were reduced compared with wild type and Thr was increased slightly. At intermediate eTS activity seedling growth was retarded unless Met was supplied and CGS expression was induced, indicating that eTS limited HserP availability for Met synthesis.
MicroRNA 144 Impairs Insulin Signaling by Inhibiting the Expression of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (2011)

We demonstrate that peripheral blood microRNAs can be developed as unique biomarkers that are reflective and predictive of metabolic health and disorder. We have also identified signature miRNAs which could possibly explain the pathogenesis of T2D and the significance of miR-144 in insulin signaling.
Inhibition of murine embryonic growth by human immunodeficiency virus envelope protein and its prevention by vasoactive intestinal peptide and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor. (1997)

Intrauterine growth retardation and neurodevelopmental handicaps are common among infants born to HIV-positive mothers and may be due to the actions of virions and/or maternally derived viral products. The viral envelope protein, gp120, is toxic to neurons, induces neuronal dystrophy, and retards behavioral development in neonatal rats. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, a neuropeptide regulator of early postimplantation embryonic growth, and the neuroprotective protein, activity-dependent neurotrophic factor, prevent gp120-induced neurotoxicity. Whole embryo culture of gestational day 9.5 mouse embryos was used to assess the effect of gp120 on growth. Embryos treated with gp120 exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of growth. gp120-treated embryos (10(-8) M) grew 1.2 somites in the 6-h incubation period, compared with 3.9 somites by control embryos. Embryos treated with gp120 were significantly smaller in cross-sectional area and had significantly less DNA and protein than controls. Growth inhibition induced by gp120 was prevented by cotreatment with vasoactive intestinal peptide or activity-dependent neurotrophic factor. gp120 may play a role in the growth retardation and developmental delays experienced by infants born to HIV-positive mothers. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and related factors may provide a therapeutic strategy in preventing developmental deficits.
Quantum cryptography with coherent states (1995)

The safety of a quantum key distribution system relies on the fact that any eavesdropping attempt on the quantum channel creates errors in the transmission. For a given error rate, the amount of information that may have leaked to the eavesdropper depends on both the particular system and the eavesdropping strategy. In this work, we discuss quantum cryptographic protocols based on the transmission of weak coherent states and present a system, based on a symbiosis of two existing systems, for which the information available to the eavesdropper is significantly reduced. This system is therefore safer than the two previous ones. We also suggest a possible experimental implementation.