gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal activity of black silicon (2013)

Black silicon is a synthetic nanomaterial that contains high aspect ratio nanoprotrusions on its surface, produced through a simple reactive-ion etching technique for use in photovoltaic applications. Surfaces with high aspect-ratio nanofeatures are also common in the natural world, for example, the wings of the dragonfly Diplacodes bipunctata. Here we show that the nanoprotrusions on the surfaces of both black silicon and D. bipunctata wings form hierarchical structures through the formation of clusters of adjacent nanoprotrusions. These structures generate a mechanical bactericidal effect, independent of chemical composition. Both surfaces are highly bactericidal against all tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and endospores, and exhibit estimated average killing rates of up to ~450,000 cells min(-1) cm(-2). This represents the first reported physical bactericidal activity of black silicon or indeed for any hydrophilic surface. This biomimetic analogue represents an excellent prospect for the development of a new generation of mechano-responsive, antibacterial nanomaterials.
New insights into the role of cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) in microsomal redox biology (2012)

Cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) is an essential electron transfer protein located on the endoplasmic reticulum of most cell types, and has long been appreciated for its role in cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism. Additional roles and electron acceptors for POR have been described, but it is largely with the recent availability of POR-null tissues that these supplemental roles for POR have been able to be explored. These studies have confirmed POR as the principal redox partner for the microsomal P450s responsible for drug and xenobiotic metabolism as well as cholesterol and bile acid synthesis, and for heme oxygenase, which catalyzes the initial step in the breakdown of heme. Surprisingly, these studies have revealed that squalene monooxygenase, an enzyme essential to cholesterol synthesis, has a second unknown redox partner in addition to POR, and that 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, previously proposed to require POR as an electron donor, functions fully independently of POR. These studies have also helped define the role of cytochrome b5 in P450 catalysis, and raise the question as to the extent to which POR contributes to b5-dependent redox pathways.
Gunnar Syréhn, Gycklaren och vanmakten. Studier i Lars Forssells »kabarédramatik». Almqvist a Wiksell International. Stockholm 1991 (1992)

Gunnar Syrehn, Gycklaren och vanmakten. Studier i Lars Forssells »kabaredramatik». Almqvist & Wiksell International. Stockholm 1991
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: natural history and long term treatment effects (2006)

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a lifetime, probably systemic condition of unknown cause, resulting in a spinal curve or curves of ten degrees or more in about 2.5% of most populations. However, in only about 0.25% does the curve progress to the point that treatment is warranted.Untreated, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis does not increase mortality rate, even though on rare occasions it can progress to the >100 degrees range and cause premature death. The rate of shortness of breath is not increased, although patients with 50 degrees curves at maturity or 80 degrees curves during adulthood are at increased risk of developing shortness of breath. Compared to non-scoliotic controls, most patients with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis function at or near normal levels. They do have increased pain prevalence and may or may not have increased pain severity. Self-image is often decreased. Mental health is usually not affected. Social function, including marriage and childbearing may be affected, but only at the threshold of relatively larger curves.Non-operative treatment consists of bracing for curves of 25 degrees to 35 degrees or 40 degrees in patients with one to two years or more of growth remaining. Curve progression of >/= 6 degrees is 20 to 40% more likely with observation than with bracing. Operative treatment consists of instrumentation and arthrodesis to realign and stabilize the most affected portion of the spine. Lasting curve improvement of approximately 40% is usually achieved.In the most completely studied series to date, at 20 to 28 years follow-up both braced and operated patients had similar, significant, and clinically meaningful reduced function and increased pain compared to non-scoliotic controls. However, their function and pain scores were much closer to normal than patient groups with other, more serious conditions.Risks associated with treatment include temporary decrease in self-image in braced patients. Operated patients face the usual risks of major surgery, a 6 to 29% chance of requiring re-operation, and the remote possibility of developing a pain management problem.Knowledge of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis natural history and long-term treatment effects is and will always remain somewhat incomplete. However, enough is know to provide patients and parents the information needed to make informed decisions about management options.
Usefulness of 99Tcm-N,N′-ethylene-l-dicysteine complex for dynamic kidney investigations (1994)

To assess the usefulness of the 99Tcm-N,N'-ethylene-1-dicysteine (99Tcm-EC) complex for examination of kidney function, dynamic kidney scintigraphy with 99Tcm-EC and clearance determinations were performed. During renoscintigraphy the kidney images were of superb quality, with overlying organs (liver, spleen) not visualized. Renograms showed typical shapes, their Tmax and T1/2 values being unsignificantly different from the values obtained with other radiopharmaceuticals used in renoscintigraphy (mercaptoacetyl triglycine, hippuran). Very strict correlations were found between values of 99Tcm-EC and 131I-iodohippurate (OIH) clearances (r = 0.91) and excretion rate constants (r = 0.92) for both radiopharmaceuticals. The correlation enabled the formulation of an equation by which effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) could be established from 99Tcm-EC clearance: ERPFOIH = 1.245 x ClEC + 51.52. On the basis of this equation a lower boundary of the normal 99Tcm-EC clearance was established; it amounts to 300 ml min-1 1.73 m-2.
Correlations between liquid crystal director reorientation and optical response time of a homeotropic cell (2004)

Correlations between the director reorientation time and its consequent optical response time (both decay and rise) of a homeotropic liquid crystal (LC) cell under crossed polarizers are derived theoretically based on small angle approximation. Results indicate that the optical response time is linearly proportional to the LC director reorientation time and is weakly dependent on the initial bias voltage. To validate the derived correlations, transient phase and transmittance responses at various bias voltages are analyzed numerically by solving the Erickson–Leslie equation. Pretilt angle is found to make an important contribution to the optical response time. Gray scale switching of the homeotropic cell is also investigated.
Nonreciprocal measurements in femtosecond ring lasers (1992)

Sensitive gyroscopic response has been demonstrated with a passively mode-locked ring dye laser. Rapid change in the phase of scattering has been identified as an important mechanism responsible for the extremely low lock-in threshold of this laser gyro. Coupling between counterpropagating pulses has been confirmed to take place only in the overlapping region of the pulses. Intracavity measurements of the electro-optical effect are demonstrated with fields as small as 20 mV/cm.
Retinal vein thrombosis in a patient with pernicious anemia and anticardiolipin antibodies. (1989)

A 45-year-old man with pernicious anemia presented with sudden loss of vision due to central retinal vein thrombosis, and was found to have anticardiolipin antibodies and a clotting disorder consistent with the presence of a lupus anticoagulant. He was treated with low dose aspirin and has remained free of recurrent thrombosis over a period of one year. The association between lupus anticoagulant and pernicious anemia is rare, having been reported in only one prior case.
Quantization (1998)

The history of the theory and practice of quantization dates to 1948, although similar ideas had appeared in the literature as long ago as 1898. The fundamental role of quantization in modulation and analog-to-digital conversion was first recognized during the early development of pulse-code modulation systems, especially in the 1948 paper of Oliver, Pierce, and Shannon. Also in 1948, Bennett published the first high-resolution analysis of quantization and an exact analysis of quantization noise for Gaussian processes, and Shannon published the beginnings of rate distortion theory, which would provide a theory for quantization as analog-to-digital conversion and as data compression. Beginning with these three papers of fifty years ago, we trace the history of quantization from its origins through this decade, and we survey the fundamentals of the theory and many of the popular and promising techniques for quantization.
Psychedelics for Psychological and Existential Distress in Palliative and Cancer Care (2019)

In recent years, there has been renewed scientific interest in, and associated media coverage of, psychedelics. [...]
Effects of Thermal Neutron Irradiation on Some Potential Excipients for Colonic Delivery Systems (1999)

Different excipients, which are currently being studied for colon delivery systems, were examined with respect to their stability toward neutron irradiation as a potential method of radiolabeling the formulations for gamma-scintigraphic studies. Three different pectin and four different hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) types, in addition to two types of polymethacrylate films, were exposed to 1, 2, and 3 min of thermal neutron irradiation in a flux of 1.1 x 10(13) n cm-2 s-1. The physicochemical characteristics of pectins and HPMCs and the mechanical properties of the polymethacrylate films were examined after the radioactivity of the samples had declined to background levels. Methods included ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, pH measurements, loss on drying, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), viscosimetry, gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of pectin monosaccharides, and tensile strength testing of the films. The results suggest that pectins and HPMCs undergo degradation, as expressed by a significant reduction in the dynamic and intrinsic viscosities of the samples. Generally, HPMCs were more sensitive than pectins to neutron irradiation. However, calcium pectinate proved to be the most sensitive among all the investigated polymers. Both polymethacrylate films (Eudragit L and S) resisted loss of mechanical properties following 1 and 2 min of neutron irradiation, whereas irradiation for 3 min implied significant changes in the appearance and the mechanical properties of Eudragit L films. As a conclusion, neutron irradiation results in dose-dependent degradation of the investigated polysaccharides and polymethacrylates. The consequences on the in vitro behavior of a formulation containing such polymers are discussed.
Culture of bovine mammary epithelial cells in D-valine modified medium: Selective removal of contaminating fibroblasts (1988)

Bovine mammary epithelial cells were cultured in nutrient medium containing D-valine substituted for L-valine in an attempt to control fibroblast overgrowth. Contamination of epithelial cell cultures with fibroblasts was prevented in cultures maintained in D-valine but not in control cultures containing L-valine. Microscopic examination of cells cultured in the D-valine medium demonstrated similar morphology as controls after 27 days in culture. Concentration of alpha-lactalbumin in the D-valine medium was similar to levels found in control medium. Results suggest D-valine modified medium controls fibroblast overgrowth of cell cultures, but doesn't impair epithelial cell morphology or function.
False positive rates of thalassemia screening in rural clinical setting: 10-year experience in Thailand. (2009)

This retrospective study aimed to describe the magnitude of false positive screening for thalassemia in a primary care setting of Thailand. The study was conducted from 1999 to 2008 and analyzed 13,745 positive cases. It involved a combination of one tube osmotic fragility (OF) and dichlorophenol indophenol (DCIP) precipitation tests. The number of cases increased over the ten-year period, corresponding well to an exponential model. Based on hemoglobin and DNA analysis, cases with alpha-thalassemia 1, beta-thalassemia, and hemoglobin E were defined as true positive cases, and the remaining were considered as false positives. The false positive rate was in the range of 20.1-36.1%. The proportion of false positive cases of thalassemia from the screening tests was associated with a trend which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The estimated cost of further hemoglobin analysis resulting from false positive cases was approximately 40.2-72.2 million THB/year for an estimated 800,000 annual births. The combination of the OF and DCIP test, which has been the strategy for screening of thalassemia and HbE in pregnant women throughout this country, resulted in a large economic burden in terms of high cost and workload associated with further hemoglobin and DNA analyses of false positive samples. Measures to reduce false positive should be developed and implemented.
Bacteriophage T4 regA protein binds to mRNAs and prevents translation initiation. (1987)

The bacteriophage T4 regA protein is a translational repressor of a subset of phage mRNAs. We show here that purified regA protein binds specifically to target mRNAs near the initiating AUG and occludes binding of ribosomes. Translational repression by regA protein diminishes expression of many genes whose mRNA sequences around the initiating AUG codons are different. A comparison of nucleotide sequences from several regA-repressed mRNAs suggests that the initiating AUG is an important, but not sufficient, sequence for regA binding.
Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Activity in Human BloodMononuclear Cells (1989)

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD; EC 1.3.1.2) catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction in the catabolism of endogenous uracil and thymine and exogenous fluoropyrimidines. DPD activity was studied in human blood mononuclear cell supernatants utilizing a new and sensitive radiochromatographic assay. Total DPD activity showed a linear correlation with supernatant protein concentration. The affinity constants (Km) for NADPH and thymine were approximately 10 and 1 mumol/l, respectively. Maximal activity (Vmax) was observed at 0.25 mmol/l NADPH and 10 mumol/l thymine, respectively. DPD activity in normal individuals was 8.0 +/- (SD) 2.2 nmol/mg protein/h, and ranged from 4.4 to 12.3 nmol/mg/h (n = 25). This activity range was quite similar to values obtained in patients with metastatic solid tumors treated with fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR; n = 33, p = 0.57). No correlation was found to exist between mononuclear leucocyte DPD activity and the observed toxicity of FUdR in the tested patients. A bimodal distribution of DPD activity was observed in the patients and in normal individuals. The entire study population tested could be divided into two groups with respect to DPD activity; one group with high (greater than 8 nmol/mg/h) activity and another with low (less than 8 nmol/mg/h) activity. The possibility that sex differences may have been responsible for this distribution of DPD activity could not be excluded. The findings of this study are relevant to the pharmacogenetics of fluoropyrimidines in humans.
Thickness and Birefringence of Healthy Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Tissue Measured with Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (2004)

Birefringence of healthy RNFL is constant as a function of scan radius but varies as a function of position around the ONH, with higher thickness values occurring superior and inferior to the ONH. Measured double-pass phase retardation per unit depth around the ONH ranged between 0.10 and 0.35 deg/microm, equivalent to birefringences of 1.2 x 10(-4) and 4.1 x 10(-4) respectively, measured at a wavelength of 840 nm. Consequently, when a spatially constant birefringence around the ONH is assumed, the conversion of scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) phase-retardation measurements to RNFL thickness may yield incorrect values. The data do not invalidate the clinical value of a phase-retardation measurement, but affect the conversion of phase retardation to RNFL thickness.
Physicochemical and Safety Evaluation of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in Novel Liposomes as Carrier for Skin Delivery (2008)

In this study we successfully entrapped 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in liposome, although it exists as a zwitter ion. A molar ratio of 2:1:2.5 phosphatidyle-thanolamine (PE)/cholesterol/sodium stearate represented the best condition to achieve high entrapment efficiency (29.37 +/- 1.21%), and the average vehicle size was 133.6 +/- 2.8 nm. After 32 days of storage, the vehicle sizes of formulations with PE series were still approximately less than 200 nm. The safety of liposomes was tested and ensured both with regard to cellular cytotoxicity and erythrocyte hemolysis. Safety studies showed that liposome formulations did not affect cell viability except when both potassium stearate and sodium oleate were added. Moreover, PE and PE/cholesterol did not damage human erythrocytes in this study. The range of the hemolytic effect caused by liposomes was 5 to 37% and the effect was dependent on the amount of sodium stearate added to the formulation. According to the release rates and skin penetration of ALA liposomes in vitro, PE/cholesterol/sodium stearate liposomes might increase skin penetration, and it was shown that penetration across the stratum-corneum (sc) layer was the rate-limiting process. Images from confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed the great potency of liposomes for delivering ALA into skin.
A Mutant Drosophila Insulin Receptor Homolog That Extends Life-Span and Impairs Neuroendocrine Function (2001)

The Drosophila melanogaster gene insulin-like receptor (InR) is homologous to mammalian insulin receptors as well as to Caenorhabditis elegans daf-2, a signal transducer regulating worm dauer formation and adult longevity. We describe a heteroallelic, hypomorphic genotype of mutant InR, which yields dwarf females with up to an 85% extension of adult longevity and dwarf males with reduced late age-specific mortality. Treatment of the long-lived InR dwarfs with a juvenile hormone analog restores life expectancy toward that of wild-type controls. We conclude that juvenile hormone deficiency, which results from InR signal pathway mutation, is sufficient to extend life-span, and that in flies, insulin-like ligands nonautonomously mediate aging through retardation of growth or activation of specific endocrine tissue.
Exacerbation of Delayed Cell Injury After Transient Global Ischemia in Mutant Mice With CuZn Superoxide Dismutase Deficiency (1999)

These data suggest that superoxide radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of delayed injury in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 subregion after transient global ischemia.
A new apoptotic pathway for the complement factor B-derived fragment Bb (2000)

Apoptosis is involved in both the cellular and humoral immune system destroying tumors. An apoptosis-inducing factor from HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells was obtained, purified, and sequenced. The protein found has been identified as a human complement factor B-derived fragment Bb, although it is known that factor B is able to induce apoptosis in several leukemia cell lines. Monoclonal antibodies against fragment Ba and Bb inhibited the apoptotic activity of factor B. When the purified fragment Bb was used for apoptosis induction, only the anti-Bb antibody inhibited Bb-induced apoptosis, and not the anti-Ba antibody. The apoptosis-inducing activity was found to be enhanced under conditions facilitating the formation of Bb. Blocking TNF/TNFR or FasL/Fas interactions did not interfere with the factor B-induced apoptosis. CD11c (iC3bR) acts as the main subunit of a heterodimer binding to fragment Bb in the apoptosis pathway, and the factor B-derived fragment Bb was found to possess the previously unknown function of inducing apoptosis in leukemic cells through a suicide mechanism of myeloid lineage cells during the differentiation stage.
Differentiation and expansion of endothelial cells from human bone marrow CD133+ cells (2001)

We report a method of purifying, characterizing and expanding endothelial cells (ECs) derived from CD133(+) bone marrow cells, a subset of CD34(+) haematopoietic progenitors. Isolated using immunomagnetic sorting (mean purity 90 +/- 5%), the CD133(+) bone marrow cells were grown on fibronectin-coated flasks in M199 medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin growth factor (IGF-1). The CD133(+) fraction contained 95 +/- 4% CD34(+) cells, 3 +/- 2% cells expressing VEGF receptor (VEGFR-2/KDR), but did not express von Willebrand factor (VWF), VE-cadherin, P1H12 or TE-7. After 3 weeks of culture, the cells formed a monolayer with a typical EC morphology and expanded 11 +/- 5 times. The cells were further purified using Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1)-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and anti-FITC microbeads, and expanded with VEGF for a further 3 weeks. All of the cells were CD45(-) and CD14(-), and expressed several endothelial markers (UEA-1, VWF, P1H12, CD105, E-selectin, VCAM-1 and VE-cadherin) and typical Weibel-Palade bodies. They had a high proliferative potential (up to a 2400-fold increase in cell number after 3 weeks of culture) and the capacity to modulate cell surface antigens upon stimulation with inflammatory cytokines. Purified ECs were also co-cultivated with CD34(+) cells, in parallel with a purified fibroblastic cell monolayer. CD34(+) cells (10 x 10(5)) gave rise to 17,951 +/- 2422 CFU-GM colonies when grown on endothelial cells, and to 12,928 +/- 4415 CFU-GM colonies on fibroblast monolayers. The ECs also supported erythroid blast-forming unit (BFU-E) colonies better. These results suggest that bone marrow CD133(+) progenitor cells can give rise to highly purified ECs, which have a high proliferative capacity, can be activated by inflammatory cytokines and are superior to fibroblasts in supporting haematopoiesis. Our data support the hypothesis that endothelial cell progenitors are present in adult bone marrow and may contribute to neo-angiogenesis.
Elution Behavior of Daptomycin-loaded Calcium Sulfate Pellets (2007)

Daptomycin is a new antibiotic active against many resistant Gram-positive organisms and seems an appropriate candidate for local delivery for severe musculoskeletal infections. Calcium sulfate dihydrate as a delivery vehicle is readily resorbable, allows new bone formation, and can be combined with therapeutic agents. We compared the elution of daptomycin and tobramycin in calcium sulfate pellets over time and determined the dissolution rates of the pellets. Unlike other water-soluble antibiotics, daptomycin required special techniques to convert the calcium sulfate from a hemihydrate powder to a hardened dihydrate shape. The elution of daptomycin on day 1 (537 microg/mL/g) was greater than that from days 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. The concentration fell to 153 microg/mL/g and 37 microg/mL/g on days 2 and 3, respectively, then remained at between 5 microg/mL/g and 7 microg/mL/g for the remainder of the study. The elution behavior of the daptomycin pellets differed from that of the tobramycin-containing pellets on days 1 through 3, but was similar from day 7 through day 28. Daptomycin-containing pellets dissolved more rapidly in vitro than tobramycin-containing pellets, although the importance of this more rapid dissolution in an in vivo situation is unknown. Using the techniques described in this paper, daptomycin can be incorporated within a calcium sulfate matrix.