gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Effect of genioglossus contraction on pharyngeal lumen and airflow in sleep apnoea patients (2007)

The purpose of the present study was to quantify the mechanical effect of genioglossus stimulation on flow mechanics and pharyngeal cross-sectional area in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, and to identify variables that determine the magnitude of the respiratory effect of tongue protrusion. The pressure/flow and pressure/cross-sectional area relationships of the velo- and oropharynx were assessed in spontaneously breathing propofol-anaesthetised subjects before and during genioglossus stimulation. Genioglossus contraction decreased the critical pressure significantly from 1.2+/-3.3 to -0.7+/-3.8 cmH(2)O, with individual decreases ranging -0.6-5.9 cmH(2)O. Pharyngeal compliance was not affected by genioglossus contraction. The pharyngeal response to genioglossus stimulation was related to the magnitude of advancement of the posterior side of the tongue, but not to the severity of sleep apnoea, critical pressure, compliance or the shape and other characteristics of the velopharynx. Genioglossus contraction enlarges both the velo- and the oropharynx and lowers the critical pressure without affecting pharyngeal stiffness. The response to genioglossus stimulation depends upon the magnitude of tongue protrusion achieved rather than on inherent characteristics of the patient and their airway.
The role of antimicrobial peptides in animal defenses (2000)

It is becoming clear that the cationic antimicrobial peptides are an important component of the innate defenses of all species of life. Such peptides can be constitutively expressed or induced by bacteria or their products. The best peptides have good activities vs. a broad range of bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant isolates. They kill very rapidly, do not easily select resistant mutants, are synergistic with conventional antibiotics, other peptides, and lysozyme, and are able to kill bacteria in animal models. It is known that bacterial infections, especially when treated with antibiotics, can lead to the release of bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid, resulting in potentially lethal sepsis. In contrast to antibiotics, the peptides actually prevent cytokine induction by bacterial products in tissue culture and human blood, and they block the onset of sepsis in mouse models of endotoxemia. Consistent with this, transcriptional gene array experiments using a macrophage cell line demonstrated that a model peptide, CEMA, blocks the expression of many genes whose transcription was induced by LPS. The peptides do this in part by blocking LPS interaction with the serum protein LBP. In addition, CEMA itself has a direct effect on macrophage gene expression. Because cationic antimicrobial peptides are induced by LPS and are able to dampen the septic response of animal cells to LPS, we propose that, in addition to their role in direct and lysozyme-assisted killing of microbes, they have a role in feedback regulation of cytokine responses. We are currently developing variant peptides as therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Adult Crying: A Model and Review of the Literature (2000)

Crying is one of the most powerfully compelling forms of human emotional expression, and yet, until recently, crying has received little attention from behavioral scientists. In this article, a model of adult crying is presented that describes the situations and emotions that elicit crying and characterizes the possible moderating effects of environmental, personal, and cultural factors on crying. Empirical data relevant to the model are summarized, and areas in need of further investigation are identified. In addition, the question of whether and how crying may affect mood and health is considered. It is concluded that the literature is full of ungrounded speculation and that research until now has been rather unsystematic and not sufficiently theory driven. Recently available data, however, pave the way for formulating a more comprehensive theoretical framework for generating testable hypotheses about crying.
Clonidine or Xylazine as Provocative Tests for Growth Hormone Secretion in the Dog (1981)

Base-line values of plasma growth hormone (GH) are low in most species, requiring provocative tests to assess GH deficiency. Clonidine, an antihypertensive drug, and its analogue, xylazine, a sedative hypnotic, were found to stimulate GH secretion. Administration (IV) of clonidine to conscious healthy, dogs at doses of 30, 16.5, and 3 microgram/kg produced significant increases in plasma GH by 15 minutes and the effects subsided by 120 minutes. Plasma glucose concentration increased slowly with all doses, but less so and for shorter duration in dogs given the 3 microgram/kg dose. Xylazine increased plasma GH when injected at doses of 300 and 100 microgram/kg, but not at 30 microgram/kg. Plasma glucose increased only with the 300 microgram/kg dose. The alpha-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, markedly attenuated these responses. Thus, both clonidine and xylazine, when used at appropriate doses, can stimulate GH secretion, with minimal effect on plasma glucose and without causing significant sedation.
Characterization of functional states in nicotine‐ and cotinine‐imprinted poly(4‐vinylphenol) films by nanoindentation (2011)

Abstract Thin, imprinted poly(4‐vinylphenol) (PVP) films were produced by spin coating using nicotine or its metabolite, cotinine, as template molecules. The template molecules were extracted from these films and later reloaded (or cross‐loaded) from solution. Depth sensing nanoindentation was applied to measure the nanomechanical properties of the imprinted polymer films. Changes in the nanomechanical properties were correlated to the functional state of the imprinted polymer, allowing identification of the films in their “as produced” state, “template removed state or “reloaded” state. In addition, the nanomechanical properties were capable of identifying which of the two template molecules were inserted in to a film. Reinsertion of a template molecule into a “template removed” film was found to increase the nanohardness over the values recorded for the “as produced” film. This behavior was discussed in terms of the hydrogen bonding characteristics of the materials (through density functional calculations) and the physical properties of poly(4‐vinylphenol) coatings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Genetic alterations associated with squamous cell lung carcinoma progression (2005)

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005

875 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in North America. Despite advances in lung cancer treatment the overall 5 year survival rate for those diagnosed with lung cancer is bleak. In order to provide new treatment strategies that will ultimately result in increase survival rate we must determine the genetic alterations that drive this disease. Due to the genomic instability associated with late stage tumors the understanding of disease progression can only be achieved by studying both premalignant as well as invasive tumors. The objective of this study is to identify novel genetic alterations in the progression of squamous cell lung carcinoma. Using a tiling path bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) array comprised of 32,433 over-lapping BAC clones that span the entire human genome we profiled 12 microdissected carcinoma in situ (CIS) and 12 invasive squamous cell lung carcinoma samples. The normalized hybridization data was run through a smoothing algorithm in the aCGH-Smooth program and the frequency of alteration for each BAC was then determined. Analysis of the premalignant lesions allowed for characterization of causal genetic alterations that are often masked by the genomic instability associated with later stage disease. Coupling pre-invasive lesions with tiling resolution arrayCGH technology provides the most comprehensive and informative analysis from which candidate genes can be selected.
Detection of Minimal Residual Cells Carrying the t(14;18) by DNA Sequence Amplification (1987)

By means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, DNA sequences were amplified that flank the crossover sites of a characteristic chromosomal translocation for follicular lymphomas, t(14;18)(q32;q21). This technique permitted the detection of cells carrying the t(14;18) hybrid DNA sequences at a dilution of 1:100,000. The remission marrow and blood samples of a patient with follicular lymphoma and the t(14;18) failed to show any abnormality by morphological examination and conventional Southern blot analysis. However, the t(14;18) hybrid DNA sequences were detected by the PCR technique. Thus, this technique is a highly sensitive tool to detect minimal residual cells carrying the t(14;18) and has the potential to identify a subpopulation of patients with subclinical disease.
Identification of proteins in the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis (2004)

Spores of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, possess an exosporium. As the outer surface layer of these mature spores, the exosporium represents the primary contact surface between the spore and environment/host and is a site of spore antigens. The exosporium was isolated from the endospores of the B. anthracis wild-type Ames strain, from a derivative of the Ames strain cured of plasmid pXO2(-), and from a previously isolated pXO1(-), pXO2(-) doubly cured strain, B. anthracis UM23Cl2. The protein profiles of SDS-PAGE-separated exosporium extracts were similar for all three. This suggests that avirulent variants lacking either or both plasmids are realistic models for studying the exosporium from spores of B. anthracis. A number of loosely adsorbed proteins were identified from amino acid sequences determined by either nanospray-MS/MS or N-terminal sequencing. Salt and detergent washing of the exosporium fragments removed these and revealed proteins that are likely to represent structural/integral exosporium proteins. Seven proteins were identified in washed exosporium: alanine racemase, inosine hydrolase, ExsF, CotY, ExsY, CotB and a novel protein, named ExsK. CotY, ExsY and CotB are homologues of Bacillus subtilis outer spore coat proteins, but ExsF and ExsK are specific to B. anthracis and other members of the Bacillus cereus group.
Characterization and receptor specific toxicity of two diphtheria toxin‐related interleukin‐3 fusion proteins DAB389–mIL‐3 and DAB389–(Gly4Ser)2‐mIL‐3 (1997)

We have constructed two fusion proteins, DAB389-mIL-3 and DAB389-(Gly4Ser)2-mIL-3, in which the receptor-binding domain of diphtheria toxin is replaced by mouse interleukin-3 (IL-3). Cytotoxic activity of the fusion toxins was observed on three out of six cell lines assayed. This toxicity was mediated through binding to the IL-3 receptor as it was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with murine IL-3 or anti-IL-3 neutralizing antibodies. DAB389-(Gly4Ser)2-mIL-3 was up to 5 times more toxic than DAB389-mIL-3, depending on the cell line (0.8 x 10(-10) M < IC50 < 3 x 10(-10) M). These proteins can be used for the detection of IL-3 receptors on mouse cells and should allow for the selective elimination of IL-3 receptor-positive pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells prior to bone marrow transplantation.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatric Practice Action Group and Task Force on Medical Informatics. Privacy protection and health information: patient rights and pediatrician responsibilities. (1999)

Pediatricians and pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists should know their legal responsibilities to protect the privacy of identifiable patient health information. Although paper and electronic medical records have the same privacy standards, health data that are stored or transmitted electronically are vulnerable to unique security breaches. This statement describes the privacy and confidentiality needs and rights of pediatric patients and suggests appropriate security strategies to deter unauthorized access and inappropriate use of patient data. Limitations to physician liability are discussed for transferred data. Any new standards for patient privacy and confidentiality must balance the health needs of the community and the rights of the patient without compromising the ability of pediatricians to provide quality care.
Synthesis and In Vivo Imaging of a 18F‐Labeled PARP1 Inhibitor Using a Chemically Orthogonal Scavenger‐Assisted High‐Performance Method (2011)

Pedal to the metal: The catalyst-free Diels–Alder cycloaddition of trans-cyclooctene and tetrazine was used to quickly and selectively generate an 18F-labeled AZD2281 derivative from a tetrazine-linked precursor. The probe was tested in biological assays, and its targeted accumulation was confirmed in vivo. This protocol allows the parallel synthesis of a library of potential PET imaging agents in a short time, thus increasing the efficiency of lead compound development.
The Natural History of Congestive Heart Failure: The Framingham Study (1971)

The natural history of congestive heart failure was studied over a 16-year period in 5192 persons initially free of the disease. Over this period, overt evidence of congestive heart failure developed in 142 persons. In almost every five-year age group, from 30 to 62 years, the incidence rate was greater for men than for women. Although the usual etiologic precursors were found, the dominant one was clearly hypertension, which preceded failure in 75 per cent of the cases. Coronary heart disease was noted at an earlier examination in 39 per cent, but in 29 per cent of the cases it was accompanied by hypertension. Precursive rheumatic heart disease, noted in 21 per cent of cases of congestive heart failure, was accompanied by hypertension in 11 per cent. Despite modern management, congestive heart failure proved to be extremely lethal. The probability of dying within five years from onset of congestive heart failure was 62 per cent for men and 42 per cent for women.
Biochemical Characterization of Hyperactive β2-Chimaerin Mutants Revealed an Enhanced Exposure of C1 and Rac-GAP Domains (2009)

Recent studies established that the Rac-GAP beta2-chimaerin plays important roles in development, neuritogenesis, and cancer progression. A unique feature of beta2-chimaerin is that it can be activated by phorbol esters and the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG), which bind with high affinity to its C1 domain and promote beta2-chimaerin translocation to membranes, leading to the inactivation of the small G-protein Rac. Crystallographic evidence and cellular studies suggest that beta2-chimaerin remains in an inactive conformation in the cytosol with the C1 domain inaccessible to ligands. We developed a series of beta2-chimaerin point mutants in which intramolecular contacts that occlude the C1 domain have been disrupted. These mutants showed enhanced translocation in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in cells. Binding assays using [(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([(3)H]PDBu) revealed that internal contact mutants have a reduced acidic phospholipid requirement for phorbol ester binding. Moreover, disruption of intramolecular contacts enhances binding of beta2-chimaerin to acidic phospholipid vesicles and confers enhanced Rac-GAP activity in vitro. These studies suggest that beta2-chimaerin must undergo a conformational rearrangement in order to expose its lipid binding sites and become activated.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (1994)

Currently, a central question in biology is how signals from the cell surface modulate intracellular processes. In recent years phosphoinositides have been shown to play a key role in signal transduction. Two phosphoinositide pathways have been characterized, to date. In the canonical phosphoinositide turnover pathway, activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C results in the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and the generation of two second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. The 3-phosphoinositide pathway involves protein-tyrosine kinase-mediated recruitment and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, resulting in the production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. The 3-phosphoinositides are not substrates of any known phospholipase C, are not components of the canonical phosphoinositide turnover pathway, and may themselves act as intracellular mediators. The 3-phosphoinositide pathway has been implicated in growth factor-dependent mitogenesis, membrane ruffling and glucose uptake. Furthermore the homology of the yeast vps34 with the mammalian phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase has suggested a role for this pathway in vesicular trafficking. In this review the different mechanisms employed by protein-tyrosine kinases to activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and its involvement in the signaling cascade initiated by tyrosine phosphorylation, are examined.
Two-spin dephasing by electron-phonon interaction in semiconductor double quantum dots (2011)

We study electron-phonon interaction induced decoherence between two-electron singlet and triplet states in a semiconductor double quantum dot using a spin-boson model. We investigate the onset and time evolution of this dephasing, and study its dependence on quantum dot parameters such as dot size and double dot separations, as well as the host materials (GaAs and Si). At the short time limit, electron-phonon interaction only causes an incomplete initial Gaussian decay of the off-diagonal density matrix element in the singlet-triplet Hilbert space; a complete long-time exponential decay due to phonon relaxation would eventually dominate over two-spin decoherence. We analyze two-spin decoherence in both symmetric and biased double quantum dots, identifying their difference in electron-phonon coupling and the relevant consequences.
Comparisons among self-excited parallel resonant, series resonant and current-fed push-pull electronic ballasts (2002)

Comparisons and examinations among self-excited parallel resonant, series resonant and current-fed push-pull electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps in the aspects of soft starting, component stress, suitability of multi-lamp connection, variation of lumen under the operational condition of partial lamps extinguishment and/or removal, effect of lamp lifetime, inherence of short-/open-circuited protection, future expansion, double hot spots, lamp current crest factor and cost are presented in this paper. The operational principles and limitations of the aforementioned electronic ballasts are described qualitatively on which the comparison and examination of these aspects are, consequently, addressed. This work provides physical insight of electronic ballasts and furnishes thorough background knowledge for designers in selecting an appropriate one. The theoretical discussions and analyses are verified by experimental measurements.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Modification of DNA bases in mammalian chromatin by radiation-generated free radicals (1990)

Modification of DNA bases in mammalian chromatin in aqueous suspension by ionizing radiation generated free radicals was investigated. Argon, air, N2O, and N2O/O2 were used for saturation of the aqueous system in order to provide different radical environments. Radiation doses ranging from 20 to 200 Gy (J.kg-1) were used. Thirteen products resulting from radical interactions with pyrimidines and purines in chromatin were identified and quantitated by using the technique of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring after acidic hydrolysis and trimethylsilylation of chromatin. The methodology used permitted analysis of the modified bases directly in chromatin without the necessity of isolation of DNA from chromatin first. The results indicate that the radical environment provided by the presence of different gases in the system had a substantial effect on the types of products and their quantities. Some products were produced only in the presence of oxygen, whereas other products were detected only in the absence of oxygen. Products produced under all four gaseous conditions were also observed. Generally, the presence of oxygen in the system increased the yields of the products with the exception of formamidopyrimidines. Superoxide radical formed in the presence of air, and to a lesser extent in the presence of N2O/O2, had no effect on product formation. The presence of oxygen dramatically increased the yields of 8-hydroxypurines, whereas the yields of formamidopyrimidines were not affected by oxygen, although these products result from respective oxidation and reduction of the same hydroxyl-adduct radicals of purines. The yields of the products were much lower than those observed previously with DNA.
The diversity and host interactions of Propionibacterium acnes bacteriophages on human skin (2015)

The viral population, including bacteriophages, is an important component of the human microbiota, yet is poorly understood. We aim to determine whether bacteriophages modulate the composition of the bacterial populations, thus potentially playing a role in health or disease. We investigated the diversity and host interactions of the bacteriophages of Propionibacterium acnes, a major human skin commensal implicated in acne pathogenesis. By sequencing 48 P. acnes phages isolated from acne patients and healthy individuals and by analyzing the P. acnes phage populations in healthy skin metagenomes, we revealed that P. acnes phage populations in the skin microbial community are often dominated by one strain. We also found phage strains shared among both related and unrelated individuals, suggesting that a pool of common phages exists in the human population and that transmission of phages may occur between individuals. To better understand the bacterium-phage interactions in the skin microbiota, we determined the outcomes of 74 genetically defined Propionibacterium strains challenged by 15 sequenced phages. Depending on the Propionibacterium lineage, phage infection can result in lysis, pseudolysogeny, or resistance. In type II P. acnes strains, we found that encoding matching clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat spacers is insufficient to confer phage resistance. Overall, our findings suggest that the prey-predator relationship between bacteria and phages may have a role in modulating the composition of the microbiota. Our study also suggests that the microbiome structure of an individual may be an important factor in the design of phage-based therapy.