gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Laboratory guidelines for monitoring of antimicrobial drugs (1998)

Few antimicrobial drugs meet the requirements for therapeutic drug monitoring. Those that are monitored include the aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin), chloramphenicol, and in some cases, vancomycin. For these drugs, there is evidence of a relationship between serum concentration, efficacy, and/or the incidence of adverse or toxic events. Monitoring begins with the appropriate timing of collection and continues through the analytical process to the integration of all data used to guide the clinician's next decision.
Phenotypic modulation of the swarm rat chondrosarcoma induced by morphogenetic bone matrix. (1987)

The recognized similarities between developing embryonic tissues and neoplastic cells have led to a number of experimental demonstrations which indicate that inductive microenvironments can alter the malignant phenotype. In postnatal life a morphogenetic cascade resembling endochondral bone development can be induced by s.c. implantation of demineralized diaphyseal bone matrix. We have examined the ability of this microenvironment to alter the phenotype of the transplantable Swarm rat chondrosarcoma in mixed implants. Neoplastic chondrocytes could be distinguished from host cells by nuclear morphometry since the nuclear area of the neoplastic chondrocytes was 2 to 3 times larger than that of comparable host-derived chondrocytes. Through the first 7 days post-implantation tumor cells in the presence of morphogenetically active matrix are morphologically indistinguishable from those implanted with morphogenetically inactivated matrix or implanted by themselves. With the advent of host cell chondrogenesis, however, adjacent neoplastic cells begin to undergo chondrolysis and calcification. Only those cells in the immediate proximity of host morphogenetic foci appear affected. An average of 26.7 +/- 7.0% (SD) of the implant surface areas examined revealed such changes. Chondrosarcoma cells implanted by themselves or in the presence of morphogenetically inactivated bone matrix underwent no such changes. These results suggest that factors released from host cells induced to undergo bone morphogenesis are capable of altering the differentiated phenotype of neoplastic cells.
Caenorhabditis elegans Mutants Resistant to Phosphine Toxicity Show Increased Longevity and Cross-Resistance to the Synergistic Action of Oxygen (2003)

Phosphine (hydrogen phosphide, PH3) is the fumigant most widely used to protect stored products from pest infestation. Despite the importance of this chemical, little is known about its mode of action. We have created three phosphine-resistant lines (pre-1, pre-7, pre-33) in the model organism C. elegans, with LC50 values 2, 5, and 9 times greater than the fully susceptible parental strain. Molecular oxygen was shown to be an extremely effective synergist with phosphine as, under hyperoxic conditions, 100% mortality was observed in wild-type nematodes exposed to 0.1 mg/l phosphine, a nonlethal concentration in air. All three mutants were resistant to the synergistic effects of oxygen in proportion to their resistance to phosphine with one mutant, pre-33, showing complete resistance to this synergism. We take the proportionality of cross-resistance between phosphine and the synergistic effect of oxygen to imply that all three mutants circumvent a mechanism of phosphine toxicity that is directly coupled to oxygen metabolism. Compared with the wild-type strain, all three mutants have an extended average life expectancy of from 12.5 to 25.3%. This is consistent with the proposed involvement of oxidative stress in both phosphine toxicity and ageing. Because the wild-type and mutant nematodes develop at the same rate, the longevity is unlikely to be caused by a clk-type reduction in oxidative metabolism, a potential alternative mechanism of phosphine resistance.
Melanocortin receptor-mediated mobilization of intracellular free calcium in HEK293 cells (2001)

Mouse melanocortin receptors, MC1-R, MC3-R, MC4-R, and MC5-R, when expressed in HEK293 cells and stimulated with either alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) or desacetyl-alpha-MSH, mediate increases in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) with EC(50) values between 0.3 and 4.3 nM. The increase in [Ca(2+)](i) is cholera toxin sensitive and pertussis toxin insensitive. The mechanism involves calcium mobilization from intracellular stores without a transient rise in inositol trisphosphate. Mouse agouti protein (55 nM) is a competitive antagonist of alpha-MSH (6-fold) and desacetyl-alpha-MSH (8-fold), coupling the mMC1-R to increased [Ca(2+)](i). Agouti protein (55 nM) significantly increased the EC(50) for alpha-MSH (3-fold), and 550 nM agouti protein significantly increased the EC(50) for desacetyl-alpha-MSH (4-fold), coupling the mMC4-R to a rise in [Ca(2+)](i). However, agouti protein antagonism of the MC4-R may not be competitive since there was a trend for the maximum response to also increase. There was no significant antagonism of the MC3-R and MC5-R by agouti protein (55 nM). Understanding the physiological relevance of the transduction of a calcium signal by melanocortin peptides may be important for future development of therapeutic targeting of the melanocortin receptors.
Effect of Gabapentin on the Anticonvulsant Activity of Antiepileptic Drugs against Electroconvulsions in Mice: An Isobolographic Analysis (2002)

The isobolographic analysis revealed that combinations of GBP with other AEDs generally results in synergistic (supraadditive) interactions.
Production of antibody associated with non-A, non-B hepatitis in a chimpanzee lymphoblastoid cell line established by in vitro transformation with Epstein-Barr virus. (1985)

A continuous cell line of chimpanzee lymphocytes producing an antibody specifically associated with non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANB) was established. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of a chimpanzee convalescent from experimental infection with NANB hepatitis were transformed in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus infection into lymphoblastoid cell lines. Supernatants of the cell cultures were screened by immunofluorescence for antibody activity against the liver tissue of a chimpanzee with NANB hepatitis. Nineteen of the 1402 cultures were found to be positive for the activity. Ten of these 19 gave cytoplasmic reactions and the remaining 9 gave nuclear reactions in hepatocytes. One culture (48-1) stably producing the antibody was further characterized. The antibody produced in 48-1 was IgM and gave granular cytoplasmic reactions in hepatocytes. Cloning of 48-1 was performed by the soft agar method and cloned cell lines stably producing the antibody were obtained. The 48-1 antibody reacted with liver biopsy specimens from 12 chimpanzees obtained during the acute or chronic phase of hepatitis caused by five different NANB strains, but not with biopsy specimens from chimpanzees with hepatitis A or B or from normal chimpanzees. In addition, examinations of serial liver biopsy specimens obtained from 2 chimpanzees experimentally infected with NANB hepatitis demonstrated that the antibody reacted with the biopsies obtained during the preacute, acute, and chronic hepatitis, but not with those obtained before inoculation, early incubation period, or during convalescence. The present results indicate the specific association of the antibody with NANB hepatitis. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the antibody reacted with the microtubular aggregates identical to those previously described in a patient and chimpanzees with NANB hepatitis.
Smartphone sensor based algorithms for Dead Reckoning using magnetic field sensor and accelerometer for localization purposes (2014)

Dead Reckoning has successfully been used as a navigational method in the maritime field for positioning between two fixed locations. This approach can be also implemented for smartphones using acceleration sensor and magnetic field sensor. The reliability of the compass values obtained is important in order to calculate the new position. Different tests of accuracy of compass readings of two different smartphones under various test conditions are presented. Moreover, the accuracy of the reconstruction of two walked indoor/outdoor paths using Dead Reckoning will be investigated.
Biobased chitosan hybrid aerogels with superior adsorption: Role of graphene oxide in CO2 capture (2013)

Currently extensive research is focused on developing and designing novel porous materials for clean energy and environmental applications such as reducing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). In this work, hybrid monolith aerogels of chitosan (CTS), an environmentally-benign biopolymer, with different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) are prepared using freeze-drying. The sorption performance of the developed aerogels for CO2 capture is studied. The aerogels are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. Homogeneous dispersion of GO in CTS is studied beyond the particle concentration where agglomeration takes place. The effects of GO on the specific surface area of the aerogels and CO2 capture are investigated and shown to increase with GO content. The BET surface area is dramatically increased from 153 to 415 m2 g−1 by loading 20 wt% GO into the CTS adsorbent. The amount of CO2 adsorbed at 25 °C increases from 1.92 to 4.15 mol kg−1 with the addition of 20 wt% GO. Adsorption–desorption cycles exhibit the stability of the hybrid aerogels during prolonged cyclic operations, suggesting excellent potential for CO2 capture technology.
Pharmacological basis for the therapy of pain and inflammation with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (2000)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) belong to the most frequently used drugs. The discovery of an inducible isoform of cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) has led to an intensive worldwide search and the introduction of selective COX-2 inhibitors. In this review, recent advances in understanding the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and, in this context, clinical findings on NSAID-induced gastrointestinal side effects are summarized. This knowledge is important for the effective treatment of pain and inflammation, as well as for preventing serious and sometimes lethal gastrointestinal side effects.
Quantitative investigations of the adhesiveness of circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes to blood vessel walls (1972)

1. A new simple method is described for quantitating the adhesiveness of circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes, or granulocytes, to the walls of blood vessels. The cheek pouch of anaesthetized hamsters or a small part of the mesentery of anaesthetized mice were prepared for continuous microscopic observation of selected venules. Those granulocytes which moved sufficiently slowly to be individually visible were counted for 1 or 2 min periods as they rolled past a selected point on one side of a vessel. The velocity distribution of these cells was determined by analysing films. Films were used also to measure mean blood flow velocity in the venules by observing embolizing platelet thrombi induced by the iontophoretic application of adenosine diphosphate. Emigration of granulocytes into the tissues was quantitated by enumerating them in standard areas of stained histological sections.2. In control experiments with hamster cheek pouch venules, the rolling granulocyte count usually passed through a maximum shortly after the preparation was set up and then fell to a low constant value. In mouse mesentery venules the count remained at a low approximately constant value from the beginning for at least 3 hr.3. The mean velocity of blood flow in the venules was between 900 and 200 mu/sec. All rolling granulocytes moved much more slowly; in hamster cheek pouch venules the mean velocity was about 20 mu/sec and in mouse mesentery venules about 10 mu/sec. Around these means the velocity distribution of individual cells was narrow.4. Rolling of granulocytes was abolished by superfusing ethylenediamine tetra-acetate (EDTA, 0.1 M) suggesting that the phenomenon depends on calcium or magnesium ions.5. Agents were applied locally to the observed venules. Human serum albumin, trypsin or histamine in high concentrations did not affect the rolling granulocyte count.6. The rolling granulocyte count was increased during the application of Hammarsten casein or Escherichia coli culture filtrate which are chemotactic to granulocytes in vitro. These agents did not cause alterations in mean blood flow velocity in the observed venules which might have accounted for the effect on the rolling granulocyte counts. When E. coli culture filtrate was perfused through mouse intestine the increase in rolling granulocyte count in the draining venous blood was proportional to the logarithm of the concentration of filtrate.7. The rolling granulocyte count was also increased by the local application of plasma globulin permeability factor or lymph node permeability factor.8. Granulocyte counts in standard histological sections showed no significant increases in control preparations but considerable increases following the application of Hammarsten casein.
Annexins: from structure to function. (1997)

Annexins are a family of calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins. They are abundant in the eukaryotic kingdom. Though structurally well investigated in the last twenty years the in vivo function of the annexins is still unclear. The determination of the crystal structure of human annexin V was the first milestone in the structural investigation of this protein family. Succeedingly, a variety of three-dimensional structures of annexin crystals as well as of membrane bound annexins were solved. They should provide tools to understand the in vivo function of the annexin family. Based on the structural knowledge mutagenesis studies and biophysical investigations were started to elucidate possible functions of annexins like membrane binding and ion channel activity.
Tissue factor expression by endothelial cells in sickle cell anemia. (1998)

The role of the vascular endothelium in activation of the coagulation system, a fundamental homeostatic mechanism of mammalian biology, is uncertain because there is little evidence indicating that endothelial cells in vivo express tissue factor (TF), the system's triggering mechanism. As a surrogate for vessel wall endothelium, we examined circulating endothelial cells (CEC) from normals and patients with sickle cell anemia, a disease associated with activation of coagulation. We find that sickle CEC abnormally express TF antigen (expressed as percent CEC that are TF-positive), with 66+/-13% positive in sickle patients in steady-state, 83+/-19% positive in sickle patients presenting with acute vasoocclusive episodes, and only 10+/-13% positive in normal controls. Repeated samplings confirmed this impression that TF expression is greater when sickle patients develop acute vasoocclusive episodes. Sickle CEC are also positive for TF mRNA, with excellent concurrence between antigen and mRNA expression. The TF expressed on the antigen-positive CEC is functional, as demonstrated by a binding assay for Factor VIIa and a chromogenic assay sensitive to generation of Factor Xa. By establishing that endothelial cells in vivo can express TF, these data imply that the vast endothelial surface area does provide an important pathophysiologic trigger for coagulation activation.
Translating Tumor Antigens into Cancer Vaccines (2010)

Vaccines represent a strategic successful tool used to prevent or contain diseases with high morbidity and/or mortality. However, while vaccines have proven to be effective in combating pathogenic microorganisms, based on the immune recognition of these foreign antigens, vaccines aimed at inducing effective antitumor activity are still unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the two licensed cancer-preventive vaccines targeting tumor-associated viral agents (anti-HBV [hepatitis B virus], to prevent HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, and anti-HPV [human papillomavirus], to prevent HPV-associated cervical carcinoma), along with the recent FDA approval of sipuleucel-T (for the therapeutic treatment of prostate cancer), represents a significant advancement in the field of cancer vaccines and a boost for new studies in the field. Specific active immunotherapies based on anticancer vaccines represent, indeed, a field in continuous evolution and expansion. Significant improvements may result from the selection of the appropriate tumor-specific target antigen (to overcome the peripheral immune tolerance) and/or the development of immunization strategies effective at inducing a protective immune response. This review aims to describe the vast spectrum of tumor antigens and strategies to develop cancer vaccines.
Block-Based Distributed File Systems (1997)

Distributed file systems have become popular because they allow information to be shared be between computers in a natural way. A distributed file system often forms a central building block in a distributed system.&#13;\n&#13;\nCurrently most distributed file systems are built using a communications interface that transfers messages about files between machines. This thesis proposes a different, lower level, communications interface. This `block-based' interface exchanges information about the blocks that make up the file but not about the files themselves. No other distributed file system is built this way.&#13;\n&#13;\nBy demonstrating that a distributed file system can be implemented in a block-based manner, this thesis opens the way for many advances in distributed file systems. These include a reduction of the processing required at the server, uniformity in managing file blocks and fine-grained placement and replication of data. The simple communications model also lends itself to efficient implementation both at the server and in the communications protocols that support the interface. These advantages come at the cost of a more complex client implementation and the need for a lower level consistency mechanism. &#13;\nA block-based distributed file system (BB-NFS) has been implemented. BB-NFS provides the Unix file system interface and demonstrates the feasibility and implementability of the block-based approach. Experience with the implementation lead to the development of a lock cache mechanism which gives a large improvement in the performance of the prototype. Although it has not been directly measured it is plausible that the prototype will perform better than the file based approach.&#13;\n&#13;\nThe block-based approach has much to offer future distributed file system developers. This thesis introduces the approach and its advantages, demonstrates its feasibility and shows that it can be implemented in a way that performs well.
Improvement in Nuclear Entry and Transgene Expression of Baculoviruses by Disintegration of Microtubules in Human Hepatocytes (2005)

Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), a potent virus for mammalian cell gene delivery, possesses an ability to transduce mammalian cells without viral replication. We examined the role of the cellular cytoskeleton in the cytoplasmic trafficking of viral particles toward the nucleus in human hepatic cells. Microscopic studies showed that capsids were found in the nucleus after either viral inoculation or cytoplasmic microinjection of nucleocapsids. The presence of microtubule (MT) depolymerizing agents caused the amount of nuclear capsids to increase. Overexpression of p50/dynamitin, an inhibitor of dynein-dependent endocytic trafficking from peripheral endosomes along MTs toward late endosomes, did not significantly affect the amount of nuclear accumulation of nucleocapsids in the inoculated cells, suggesting that viral nucleocapsids are released into the cytosol during the early stages of the endocytic pathway. Moreover, studies with recombinant viruses containing the nuclear-targeted expression beta-galactosidase gene (beta-gal) showed a markedly increased level in the cellular expression of beta-galactosidase in the presence of MT-disintegrating drugs. The maximal increase in expression at 10 h postinoculation was observed in the presence of 80 muM nocodazole or 10 muM vinblastine. Together, these data suggest that the intact MTs constitute a barrier to baculovirus transport toward the nucleus.
Recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor induces acute phase proteins and raises the blood platelet counts in nonhuman primates (1993)

Recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor (rhLIF) produced by Escherichia coli was administered subcutaneously (sc) to rhesus monkeys at doses of 2, 10, and 50 micrograms/kg body weight/d for 14 days to assess its biologic activities in vivo. Serum levels of positively regulated acute phase proteins (APP) (C-reactive protein, alpha 1- antitrypsin, haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin) were increased, whereas the negatively regulated APP prealbumin decreased in response to rhLIF treatment. During the second week of treatment, blood platelet counts began to increase, resulting in a maximum of a twofold increase above normal levels a week after termination of the rhLIF treatment. No changes were seen in total and differential white blood cell counts in blood progenitor levels and in red blood cell numbers. The low- and medium-dose rhLIF treatments were tolerated without significant side effects. The animals treated with the high dose showed a reduction in body weight of approximately 10%. In conclusion, rhLIF was shown to stimulate APP and to increase the number of platelets in circulation in nonhuman primates.
Aggressive fuzzy distributed dynamic channel assignment algorithm (2002)

Constraint based channel assignment schemes often rely on crisp evaluations of radio interference constraints to determine if an open channel is feasible for assignment. Such an approach has been popularly adopted to formulate fixed channel assignment (FCA) schemes, dynamic channel assignment (DCA) schemes, and more recently distributed DCA (DDCA) schemes. DDCA schemes are localized DCA schemes where every cell site is responsible for channel assignments to calls generated within that cell. The paper introduces the aggressive fuzzy DDCA (AFDDCA) scheme in which the feasibility evaluation of the constraints is soft. The scheme is in the polite mode when a perfectly feasible channel exists, and in an aggressive mode otherwise. The aggressive policy is progressive. We demonstrate that, when the traffic is heavy, AFDDCA scheme can outperform globally optimal DCA in terms of spectral efficiency while the voice quality degradation is surprisingly mild.