gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress and the use of antioxidants in diabetes: Linking basic science to clinical practice (2005)

Cardiovascular complications, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes. There is growing evidence that excess generation of highly reactive free radicals, largely due to hyperglycemia, causes oxidative stress, which further exacerbates the development and progression of diabetes and its complications. Overproduction and/or insufficient removal of these free radicals result in vascular dysfunction, damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids. Despite overwhelming evidence on the damaging consequences of oxidative stress and its role in experimental diabetes, large scale clinical trials with classic antioxidants failed to demonstrate any benefit for diabetic patients. As our understanding of the mechanisms of free radical generation evolves, it is becoming clear that rather than merely scavenging reactive radicals, a more comprehensive approach aimed at preventing the generation of these reactive species as well as scavenging may prove more beneficial. Therefore, new strategies with classic as well as new antioxidants should be implemented in the treatment of diabetes.
Computation of edge diffraction for more accurate room acoustics auralization (2001)

Inaccuracies in computation and auralization of room impulse responses are related in part to inadequate modeling of edge diffraction, i.e., the scattering from edges of finite surfaces. A validated time-domain model (based on analytical extensions to the Biot-Tolstoy-Medwin technique) is thus employed here to compute early room impulse responses with edge diffraction. Furthermore, the computations are extended to include combinations of specular and diffracted paths in the example problem of a stage-house. These combinations constitute a significant component of the total nonspecular scattering and also help to identify edge diffraction in measured impulse responses. The computed impulse responses are then convolved with anechoic signals with a variety of time-frequency characteristics. Initial listening tests with varying orders and combinations of diffraction suggest that (1) depending on the input signal, the diffraction contributions can be clearly audible even in nonshadow zones for this conservative open geometry and (2) second-order diffraction to nonshadowed receivers can often be neglected. Finally, a practical implementation for binaural simulation is proposed, based on the singular behavior of edge diffraction along the least-time path for a given source-edge-receiver orientation. This study thus provides a first major step toward computing edge diffraction for more accurate room acoustics auralization.
N-terminal truncated human RAG1 proteins can direct T-cell receptor but not immunoglobulin gene rearrangements (2000)

The proteins encoded by RAG1 and RAG2 can initiate gene recombination by site-specific cleavage of DNA in immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor (TCR) loci. We identified a new homozygous RAG1 gene mutation (631delT) that leads to a premature stop codon in the 5' part of the RAG1 gene. The patient carrying this 631delT RAG1 gene mutation died at the age of 5 weeks from an Omenn syndrome-like T(+)/B(- )severe combined immunodeficiency disease. The high number of blood T-lymphocytes (55 x 10(6)/mL) showed an almost polyclonal TCR gene rearrangement repertoire not of maternal origin. In contrast, B-lymphocytes and immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were hardly detectable. We showed that the 631delT RAG1 gene can give rise to an N-terminal truncated RAG1 protein, using an internal AUG codon as the translation start site. Consistent with the V(D)J recombination in T cells, this N-terminal truncated RAG1 protein was active in a plasmid V(D)J recombination assay. Apparently, the N-terminal truncated RAG1 protein can recombine TCR genes but not immunoglobulin genes. We conclude that the N-terminus of the RAG1 protein is specifically involved in immunoglobulin gene rearrangements.
Sows Seropositive to Lawsonia intracellularis (LI) Influence Performance and LI Seropositivity of their Offspring (2004)

The aim of the study was to test, if seropositivity to L. intracellularis does decline more rapidly in the offspring of Lawsonia intracellularis (LI) positive gilts than in the offspring of LI negative gilts in units infected with endemic Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy (PPE). In a Croatian pigproduction unit late-pregnant gilts were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) serum assay for LI. Twenty IFA-positive and 20 IFA-negative gilts were selected. Their 2-weekold piglets (191 from positive gilts, and 192 from negative gilts) were inoculated intragastrically with pure-culture of LI. These animals were tested until 25 weeks of age for seroprevalence of LI. Blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 weeks of age.
Winnowing DNA for Rare Sequences: Highly Specific Sequence and Methylation Based Enrichment (2012)

Rare mutations in cell populations are known to be hallmarks of many diseases and cancers. Similarly, differential DNA methylation patterns arise in rare cell populations with diagnostic potential such as fetal cells circulating in maternal blood. Unfortunately, the frequency of alleles with diagnostic potential, relative to wild-type background sequence, is often well below the frequency of errors in currently available methods for sequence analysis, including very high throughput DNA sequencing. We demonstrate a DNA preparation and purification method that through non-linear electrophoretic separation in media containing oligonucleotide probes, achieves 10,000 fold enrichment of target DNA with single nucleotide specificity, and 100 fold enrichment of unmodified methylated DNA differing from the background by the methylation of a single cytosine residue.
Glutathione depletion in HIV-infected patients: role of cysteine deficiency and effect of oral N-acetylcysteine. (1992)

Oral N-acetylcysteine transiently increases the concentrations of cysteine and glutathione in mononuclear cells of patients with HIV infection. A sustained increase in intracellular cysteine may be necessary to normalize intracellular glutathione. This may be accomplished by repeat administration of N-acetylcysteine.
Focal laser photophacoablation of normal and cataractous lenses in rabbits: Preliminary report (1995)

We evaluated the effect of focal laser photophacoablation on (1) a normal lens and (2) previously induced traumatic anterior cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts in New Zealand albino rabbits. A Q-switched neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser was used to deliver 6 to 97 50 μm laser spots of 2.0 mJ to 8.3 mJ of energy/pulse to the normal lens. A neodymium:YLF (Nd:YLF) laser was used to deliver 60 μJ to 140 μJ of energy/pulse with a 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm cube at 1053 nm to ablate selective parts of the normal and cataractous lens. The Nd:YAG laser photoablation of the normal lens produced persistent circular opacities lasting up to one year. The Nd:YLF laser photoablation of the normal lens produced an empty space in the area of treatment (visualized as increased translucency), followed by a return to normal lens architecture at two days. The area remained translucent by slitlamp biomicroscopy for up to six months. Partial photoablation of the induced cataracts with an Nd:YLF laser produced partial clearing of the opacity without any evidence of surrounding lenticular damage. Focal Nd:YLF laser photoablation of lenticular opacities appears to be a relatively safe and noninvasive procedure that can be used for focal lens ablation without lens capsule disruption. The potential use of this treatment for selective removal of focal lens opacities requires further study.
Isolation of Smooth Muscle Relaxing 1,3-Diarylpropan-2-ol Derivatives fromAcacia tortilis (1987)

Stem bark (covered with gum) of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan, used as a remedy against asthma in Somalia, contains two new pharmacologically active compounds named quracol A and B. Quracol A is 1-(2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol. Quracol B is 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol. The compounds have very low optical activity. No optical activity can be determined for quracol A. 1H-NMR with chiral shift reagents does not indicate quracol A to be racemic. In a CD-experiment, [θ]290 = -807 is found for quracol B. Both substances inhibit electrically induced contractions of the isolated guinea pig ileum at concentrations in the bath of 20 µg/ml. Histamine-induced contractions are also inhibited.
Targeting and therapy of carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing tumors in transgenic mice with an antibody-interleukin 2 fusion protein. (2000)

The purpose of this study was to engineer a bivalent single-chain anticarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody and an interleukin 2 (IL-2) fusion protein derivative for selective tumor targeting of cytokines. The variable domains of a high affinity anti-CEA antibody, T84.66, were used to form a single-gene-encoded antibody [single-chain variable fragment joined to the crystallizable fragment, Fc (scFvFc)]. The fusion protein (scFvFc.IL-2) consisted of mouse IL-2-fused to the COOH-terminal end of the scFvFc. The engineered proteins were assembled as complete molecules and were similar to the intact anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (Mab) in antigen-binding properties. Based on IL-2 content of the fusion protein, its ability to support proliferation of CTLL-2 cells was identical with that of IL-2. Despite a molecular size similar to that of the intact Mab, the blood clearance of the fusion protein was markedly faster than that of the intact Mab or scFvFc. Incubation of radiolabeled scFvFc.IL-2 but not the intact or scFvFc antibodies in mouse serum was accompanied by the appearance of complexes, suggesting that the latter may contribute to the accelerated clearance of the fusion protein. Biodistribution and tumor targeting studies were carried out in CEA-transgenic mice bearing CEA-positive murine tumors as well as the antigen-negative parental tumor. The bivalent anti-CEA scFvFc had tumor localization properties similar to those of the intact Mab. Although fusion of IL-2 to the COOH-terminal end of the bivalent scFvFc altered its pharmacokinetic properties, the fusion antibody was able to target tumors specifically. Maximum uptake of the intact Mab, scFvFc, and scFvFc.IL-2 in CEA-positive tumors was 29.3 +/- 5.0, 19.5 +/- 2.1, and 6.6 +/- 0.9% injected dose/g, respectively. Maximum tumor localization ratios (CEA-positive/CEA-negative tumor) were similar for all three antibody types (4.6-6.0), demonstrating the antigen specificity of the tumor targeting. Significant antigen-specific targeting to CEA-positive normal tissues of transgenic mice was not observed. Although the tumor-targeting properties of the fusion protein were low, the growth of CEA-expressing (P = 0.01) but not antigen-irrelevant (P = 0.22) syngeneic tumor cells was inhibited after treatment of transgenic mice with the anti-CEA-IL-2 antibody. Therapy of CEA-expressing tumors was improved after i.v. administration of the fusion protein (P = 0.0001). These studies indicate that anti-CEA antibody-directed cytokine targeting may offer an effective treatment for CEA-expressing carcinomas. The availability of an immunocompetent CEA transgenic mouse model will also help to determine the immunotherapeutic properties of these fusion proteins.
Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing with Accurate Motion Detection and Anti-Aliasing Interpolation Filter (2006)

Both the motion-detection and infra-field interpolation filter are important factors affect the efficiency of motion adaptive de-interlacing. New accurate motion detection (AMD) algorithm is proposed to improve the accuracy of motion detection, which reduces the possibility of error motion detection with a median filter. To improve the efficiency of intra-field interpolation deinterlacing in moving regions, an anti-aliasing interpolation filter (AAIF) is proposed, which is better than the typical windowed sine function. The simulation results show that peak signal noise ratio (PSNR) of our proposed deinterlacing method is 0.5-7.5 dB higher than that of previous studies and attains the best quality of subjective view.
Unchecked CD70 Expression on T Cells Lowers Threshold for T Cell Activation in Rheumatoid Arthritis (2007)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by premature immune aging with accumulation of degenerate T cells deficient for CD28. Gene expression profiling of CD4(+)CD28(-) and CD4(+)CD28(+) T cells to discover disease-promoting activities of CD28(-) T cells identified expression of CD70 as a most striking difference. Hence, CD70 was significantly more expressed in CD4 T cells from RA patients compared with age-matched controls (p < 0.006). The underlying mechanism was a failure to repress CD70 expression after activation-dependent induction. This defect in RA was not related to differential promoter demethylation. CD70 on bystander CD4(+)CD28(-) T cells functioned by lowering the threshold for T cell activation; admixture of CD4(+)CD28(-) T cells augmented TCR-induced responses of autologous naive CD4(+)CD28(+) T cells, particularly of low-avidity T cells. The data support a model in which CD70 expressed on T cells causes degeneracy in T cell responses and undermines tolerance mechanisms that normally control T cell autoreactivity.
Forward dynamics algorithms for multibody chains and contact (2002)

We describe a framework for derivation of several forward dynamics algorithms used in robotics. The framework is based on formulating an augmented system and performing block matrix elimination on this system. Several popular algorithms such as the O(N) articulated body method, and the composite rigid body method can be easily derived. We also derive an algorithm for simulation of contact between smooth bodies of arbitrary shape, in contact coordinates. Finally, we discuss some potential numerical difficulties that could arise and their solution.
Independent Component Analysis Applied in Biomedical Signal Processing (2004)

Abstract. The EEG is composed of electrical potentials arising from several sources. Each source (including separate neural clusters, blink artifact, or pulse artifact) projects a unique topography onto the scalp-&amp;apos;scalp maps&amp;apos;. These maps are mixed according to the principle of linear superposition. Independent component analysis (ICA) attempts to reverse the superposition by separating the EEG into mutually independent scalp maps, or components so that the method used is the study is independent component analysis (ICA). The Polysomnogram (PSG), a complex of more signals recorded over night for the patients with respiratory problems contains also redundant information that can be removed using the ICA.
The two homologous domains of human angiotensin I-converting enzyme interact differently with competitive inhibitors. (1992)

The endothelial angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE; EC 3.4.15.1) has recently been shown to contain two large homologous domains (called here the N and C domains), each being a zinc-dependent dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase. To further characterize the two active sites of ACE, we have investigated their interaction with four competitive ACE inhibitors, which are all potent antihypertensive drugs. The binding of [3H] trandolaprilat to the two active sites was examined using the wild-type ACE and four ACE mutants each containing only one intact domain, the other domain being either deleted or inactivated by point mutation of the zinc-coordinating histidines. In contrast with all the previous studies, which suggested the presence of a single high affinity inhibitor binding site in ACE, the present study shows that both the N and C domains of ACE contain a high affinity inhibitor binding site (KD = 3 and 1 X 10(-10) M, respectively, at pH 7.5, 4 degrees C, and 100 mM NaCl). Chloride stabilizes the enzyme-inhibitor complex for each domain primarily by slowing its dissociation rate, as the k-1 values of the N and C domains are markedly decreased (about 30- and 1100-fold, respectively) by 300 mM NaCl. At high chloride concentrations, the chloride effect is much greater for the C domain than for the N domain resulting in a higher affinity of this inhibitor for the C domain. In addition, the inhibitory potency of captopril (C), enalaprilat (E), and lisinopril (L) for each domain was assayed by hydrolysis of Hip-His-Leu. Their Ki values for the two domains are all within the nanomolar range, indicating that they are all highly potent inhibitors for both domains. However, their relative potencies are different for the C domain (L greater than E greater than C) and the N domain (C greater than E greater than L). The different inhibitor binding properties of the two domains observed in the present study provide strong evidence for the presence of structural differences between the two active sites of ACE.
Single Domain Antibody Multimers Confer Protection against Rabies Infection (2013)

Post-exposure prophylactic (PEP) neutralizing antibodies against Rabies are the most effective way to prevent infection-related fatality. The outer envelope glycoprotein of the Rabies virus (RABV) is the most significant surface antigen for generating virus-neutralizing antibodies. The small size and uncompromised functional specificity of single domain antibodies (sdAbs) can be exploited in the fields of experimental therapeutic applications for infectious diseases through formatting flexibilities to increase their avidity towards target antigens. In this study, we used phage display technique to select and identify sdAbs that were specific for the RABV glycoprotein from a naïve llama-derived antibody library. To increase their neutralizing potencies, the sdAbs were fused with a coiled-coil peptide derived from the human cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP48) to form homogenous pentavalent multimers, known as combodies. Compared to monovalent sdAbs, the combodies, namely 26424 and 26434, exhibited high avidity and were able to neutralize 85-fold higher input of RABV (CVS-11 strain) pseudotypes in vitro, as a result of multimerization, while retaining their specificities for target antigen. 26424 and 26434 were capable of neutralizing CVS-11 pseudotypes in vitro by 90-95% as compared to human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), currently used for PEP in Rabies. The multimeric sdAbs were also demonstrated to be partially protective for mice that were infected with lethal doses of rabies virus in vivo. The results demonstrate that the combodies could be valuable tools in understanding viral mechanisms, diagnosis and possible anti-viral candidate for RABV infection.
Double-clad photonic crystal fiber coupler for compact nonlinear optical microscopy imaging (2006)

A 1 x 2 double-clad photonic crystal fiber coupler is fabricated by the fused tapered method, showing a low excess loss of 1.1 dB and a splitting ratio of 97/3 over the entire visible and near-infrared wavelength range. In addition to the property of splitting the laser power, the double-clad feature of the coupler facilitates the separation of a near-infrared single-mode beam from a visible multimode beam, which is ideal for nonlinear optical microscopy imaging. In conjunction with a gradient-index lens, this coupler is used to construct a miniaturized microscope based on two-photon fluorescence and second-harmonic generation. Three-dimensional nonlinear optical images demonstrate potential applications of the coupler to compact all-fiber and nonlinear optical microscopy and endoscopy.
Magnesium and outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease: focus on vascular calcification, atherosclerosis and survival (2012)

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high prevalence of vascular calcification, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in this population. However, the molecular mechanisms of vascular calcification, which are multifactorial, cell-mediated and dynamic, are not yet fully understood. We need to address ways to improve outcomes in CKD patients, both in terms of vascular calcification and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality-and to these ends, we investigate the role of magnesium. Magnesium's role in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification has not been extensively studied. Nonetheless, several in vitro and animal studies point towards a protective role of magnesium through multiple molecular mechanisms. Magnesium is a natural calcium antagonist and both human and animal studies have shown that low circulating magnesium levels are associated with vascular calcification. Clinical evidence from observational studies of dialysis patients has shown that low-magnesium levels occur concurrently with mitral annular calcification, peripheral arterial calcification and increased carotid intima-media thickness. Few interventional studies have been performed. Two interventional studies suggest that there may be benefits such as retardation of arterial calcification and/or reductions in carotid intima-media thickness in response to magnesium supplementation in CKD patients, though both studies have limitations. Finally, observational studies have shown that low serum magnesium may be an independent risk factor for premature death in CKD patients, and patients with mildly elevated serum magnesium levels could have a survival advantage over those with lower magnesium levels.
Magnesium – Alloys and Technology (2003)

The Current State of Technology and Potential for Further Development of Magnesium Applications (K. Kainer & F. von Buch).Die-Casting Magnesium (R. Fink).Vacuum Die-Casting of Magnesium Parts with High Pressure (M. Siederslebnen).Squeeze-Casting and Thixo-Casting of Magnesium Alloys (K. Kainer & T. Benzler).Deformation of Magnesium (E. Doege & K. Droder).Manufacturing and Potential of Extruded and Forged Magnesium Products (J. Becker & G. Fischer).High-Temperature Properties of Magnesium Alloys (F. von Buch & B. Mordike).High-Tech Machining of Magnesium and Magnesium Composites (K. Weinert, et al.).Joining Magnesium Alloys (A. Schram & C. Kettler).Rapid Solidification and Special Processes for Processing Magnesium Alloys (T. Ebert & K. Kainer).Fibre-Reinforced Magnesium Composites (C. Fritze).Particle-Reinforced Magnesium Alloys (F. Moll & K. Kainer).Corrosion and Corrosion Protection of Magnesium (P. Kurze).Magnesium Corrosion - Processes, Protection of Anode and Cathode (H. Haferkamp, et al.).Electroless Nickel-Phosphor Alloy Coatings for Magnesium (F. Leyendecker).Recycling of Magnesium Alloys D. Scharf).Index.