gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Arterial Delivery of Genetically Labelled Skeletal Myoblasts to the Murine Heart: Long-Term Survival and Phenotypic Modification of Implanted Myoblasts (1996)

The ability to replace damaged myocardial tissue with new striated muscle would constitute a major advance in the treatment of diseases that irreversibly injure cardiac muscle cells. The creation of focal grafts of skeletal muscle has been reported following the intramural injection of skeletal myoblasts into both normal and injured myocardium. The goals of this study were to determine whether skeletal myoblast-derived cells can be engrafted into the murine heart following arterial delivery. The murine heart was seeded with genetically labeled C2C12 myoblasts introduced into the arterial circulation of the heart via a transventricular injection. A transventricular injection provided access to the coronary and systemic circulations. Implanted cells were characterized using histochemical staining for β-galactosidase, immunofluorescent staining for muscle-specific antigens, and electron microscopy. Initially the injected cells were observed entrapped in myocardial capillaries. One week after injection myoblasts were present in the myocardial interstitium and were largely absent from the myocardial capillary bed. Implanted cells underwent myogenic development, characterized by the expression of a fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA1) and formation of myofilaments. Four months following injection myoblast-derived cells began to express a slow-twitch/cardiac protein, phospholamban, that is normally not expressed by C2C12 cells in vitro. Most surprisingly, regions of close apposition between LacZ labeled cells and native cardiomyocytes contained structures that resembled desmosomes, fascia adherens junctions, and gap junctions. The cardiac gap junction protein, connexin43, was localized to some of the interfaces between implanted cells and cardiomyocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that arterially delivered myoblasts can be engrafted into the heart, and that prolonged residence in the myocardium may alter the phenotype of these skeletal muscle-derived cells. Further studies are necessary to determine whether arterial delivery of skeletal myoblasts can be developed as treatment for myocardial dysfunction.
EFFECT OF METHOTREXATE ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH SULPHASALAZINE ON THE PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATING CONCENTRATIONS OF CYTOKINES AND THEIR ANTAGONISTS. LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (1995)

In a recent study from our group, the combination of methotrexate and sulphasalazine (MTX + SASP) seemed superior to MTX alone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To assess the impact of these therapies on the cytokine cascade, the in vitro production and circulating concentrations of several cytokines and endogenous cytokine antagonists were measured in 30 healthy controls and longitudinally in a subset of 26 patients enrolled in this study. Compared to controls, RA patients had significantly higher circulating concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble receptors for tumour necrosis factor (sTNFR), soluble receptors for interleukin-2 (sIL-2R) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA), and their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) showed a higher spontaneous production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and IL-1RA (both secreted and cell-associated) and a higher stimulated production of cell-associated TNF alpha, IL-1RA and (to a lesser extent) IL-1 beta. Treatment with MTX alone (n = 12) or combined with SASP (n = 14), resulted in significant reductions of circulating IL-6 and sIL-2R but did not alter IL-1 beta, TNF alpha or IL-1RA concentrations. Decreases in circulating levels of sTNFR and in the in vitro production of cell-associated IL-1 beta and IL-1RA after stimulation were only observed in patients treated with MTX + SASP. The concentrations of IL-1RA and sTNFR in the circulation exceeded moderately those of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha but this is probably insufficient to block IL-1 and TNF alpha activity. In conclusion, therapy with MTX alone or with SASP modulates IL-6 and sIL-2R concentrations in RA. Decreased production of IL-1 beta and IL-1RA and circulating sTNFR levels were only observed during therapy with MTX + SASP. Whether this relates to the better clinical effect observed with the combination therapy remains to be investigated. Circulating levels of IL-6, sIL-2R and sTNFR seem useful markers of disease activity in RA.
Processible Optically Transparent Block Copolymer Films Containing Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoclusters (1997)

Free-standing block copolymer films containing magnetic iron oxide nanoclusters within the microdomains were produced by static casting. The thickness of the nanocomposite films was easily controlled to make optically transparent thin films. The size distribution of the nanoclusters was relatively narrow and the nanoclusters were uniformly distributed within the films. The spherical nanoclusters, ca. 5 nm in diameter, were identified as γ-Fe2O3 and had a well-defined crystalline structure. Magnetic measurements revealed that the nanocomposite films are superparamagnetic.
Dichotomy of the glial cell response to axonal injury and regeneration (1989)

Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) have a poor capacity for regenerating their axons after injury. In contrast, neurons in the CNS of lower vertebrates and in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of mammals are endowed with a high posttraumatic capacity to regenerate. The differences in regenerative capacity have been attributed to the different compositions of the respective cellular environments and to different responses to injury the nonneuronal cells display, which range from supportive and permissive to nonsupportive and hostile for regeneration. The same cell type may support or inhibit regeneration, depending on its state of maturity or differentiation. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are examples of cells in which such a dichotomy is manifested. In developing and in spontaneously regenerating nerves, these cells support (astrocytes) and permit (oligodendrocytes) growth. However, in nonregenerating adult mammalian nerves, astrocytes form the nonsupportive scar tissue; and the mature oligodendrocytes inhibit axonal growth. Maturation of these cells may be regulated differently during development than after injury. Among the putative regulators are factors derived from astrocytes, resident microglia; or cytokines produced by macrophages. During development, regulation leads to a temporal separation between axonal growth and maturation of the cellular environment, which might not occur spontaneously after injury in a nonregenerating CNS without intervention at the appropriate time. Data suggest that temporal intervention aimed at the glial cells might enhance the poor regenerative capacity of the mammalian CNS. Possible regulation of the nonneuronal cell response to injury via involvement of protooncogenes is proposed.
Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction Is Associated With Inflammation and Vasa Vasorum Proliferation in Patients With Early Atherosclerosis (2014)

Epicardial endothelial dysfunction was associated with optical coherence tomography -identified macrophages and microchannels in mild coronary atherosclerosis. The current study further supports the role of inflammation and vasa vasorum proliferation in the early stage of coronary atherosclerosis.
Comparison of Different Buffers for Protein Extraction from Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Specimens (2015)

We determined the best extraction buffer for proteomic investigation using formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. A Zwittergent 3-16 based buffer, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing buffer with/without polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG20000), urea-containing buffer, and FFPE-FASP protein preparation kit were compared for protein extraction from different types of rat FFPE tissues, including the heart, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. All of the samples were divided into two groups of laser microdissected (LMD) and non-LMD specimens. For both kinds of specimens, Zwittergent was the most efficient buffer for identifying peptides and proteins, was broadly applicable to different tissues without impairing the enzymatic digestion, and was well compatible with mass spectrometry analysis. As a high molecular weight carrier substance, PEG20000 improved the identification of peptides and proteins; however, such an advantage is limited to tissues containing submicrograms to micrograms of protein. Considering its low lytic strength, urea-containing buffer would not be the first alternative for protein recovery. In conclusion, Zwittergent 3-16 is an effective buffer for extracting proteins from FFPE specimens for downstream proteomics analysis.
Measurement of 100 nm and 60 nm Particle Standards by Differential Mobility Analysis (2006)

The peak particle size and expanded uncertainties (95 % confidence interval) for two new particle calibration standards are measured as 101.8 nm ± 1.1 nm and 60.39 nm ± 0.63 nm. The particle samples are polystyrene spheres suspended in filtered, deionized water at a mass fraction of about 0.5 %. The size distribution measurements of aerosolized particles are made using a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) system calibrated using SRM(®) 1963 (100.7 nm polystyrene spheres). An electrospray aerosol generator was used for generating the 60 nm aerosol to almost eliminate the generation of multiply charged dimers and trimers and to minimize the effect of non-volatile contaminants increasing the particle size. The testing for the homogeneity of the samples and for the presence of multimers using dynamic light scattering is described. The use of the transfer function integral in the calibration of the DMA is shown to reduce the uncertainty in the measurement of the peak particle size compared to the approach based on the peak in the concentration vs. voltage distribution. A modified aerosol/sheath inlet, recirculating sheath flow, a high ratio of sheath flow to the aerosol flow, and accurate pressure, temperature, and voltage measurements have increased the resolution and accuracy of the measurements. A significant consideration in the uncertainty analysis was the correlation between the slip correction of the calibration particle and the measured particle. Including the correlation reduced the expanded uncertainty from approximately 1.8 % of the particle size to about 1.0 %. The effect of non-volatile contaminants in the polystyrene suspensions on the peak particle size and the uncertainty in the size is determined. The full size distributions for both the 60 nm and 100 nm spheres are tabulated and selected mean sizes including the number mean diameter and the dynamic light scattering mean diameter are computed. The use of these particles for calibrating DMAs and for making deposition standards to be used with surface scanning inspection systems is discussed.
Green Purchasing Strategies: Trends and Implications (1997)

IN BRIEF Over the last two decades, growing concerns about ecosystem quality have led to a renewed interest in environmentalism. Purchasing professionals should also be concerned and need to rethink purchasing strategies which have traditionally neglected environmental impacts. To help foster environmentally concerned purchasing strategies, this article presents the findings of an empirical survey of NAPM members in firms with a high level of awareness and frequent applications of “green” purchasing. Environmental factors are identified that may reshape supplier selection decisions. The role of “green” purchasing in reducing and eliminating waste is discussed. Also, effects of “green” purchasing on packaging decisions are explored. Finally, some important practical guidelines are suggested which may enhance the effectiveness of regulatory compliance, pollution prevention, and resource recovery.
The Radial Trifocal Tensor: A Tool for Calibrating the Radial Distortion of Wide-Angle Cameras (2005)

We present a technique to linearly estimate the radial distortion of a wide-angle lens given three views of a real-world plane. The approach can also be used with pure rotation as in this case all points appear as lying on a plane. The three views can even be recorded using three different cameras as long as the deviation from the pin-hole model for each camera is distortion along radial lines. We introduce the 1D radial camera which projects scene points onto radial lines and the radial trifocal tensor which encodes the multi-view relations between radial lines. Given at least seven triplets of corresponding points the radial trifocal tensor can be computed linearly. This allows recovery of the radial cameras and the projective reconstruction of the plane up to a two fold ambiguity. This 2D reconstruction is unaffected by radial distortion and can be used in different ways to compute the radial distortion parameters. We propose to use the division model as in this case we obtain a linear algorithm that computes the radial distortion coefficients and the 3 remaining degrees of freedom of the homography relating the reconstructed 2D plane to the undistorted image. Each feature point that has at least one corresponding point yields one linear constraint on those unknowns. Our method is validated on real-world images. We successfully calibrate several wide-angle cameras.
Purification and Characterization of Two Potent Heat-Stable Protein Inhibitors of Protein Phosphatase 2A from Bovine Kidney (1995)

Two heat-stable protein inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), tentatively designated I1PP2A and I2PP2A, have been purified to apparent homogeneity from extracts of bovine kidney. The purified preparations of I1PP2A exhibited an apparent M(r) approximately 30,000 and 250,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel permeation chromatography on Sephacryl S-300, respectively. In contrast, the purified preparations of I2PP2A exhibited an apparent M(r) approximately 20,000 and 80,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel permeation chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, respectively. The purified preparations of I1PP2A and I2PP2A inhibited PP2A with 32P-labeled myelin basic protein, 32P-labeled histone H1, 32P-labeled pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, 32P-labeled phosphorylase, and protamine kinase as substrates. By contrast, I1PP2A and I2PP2A exhibited little effect, if any, on the activity of PP2A with 32P-labeled casein, and did not prevent the autodephosphorylation of PP2A in incubations with the autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase [Guo, H., & Damuni, Z. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 2500-2504]. The purified preparations of I1PP2A and I2PP2A had little effect, if any, on the activities of protein phosphatase 1, protein phosphatase 2B, protein phosphatase 2C, and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase. With 32P-labeled MBP as a substrate, kinetic analysis according to Henderson showed that I1PP2A and I2PP2A were noncompetitive and displayed a Ki of about 30 and 25 nM, respectively. Following cleavage with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, I1PP2A and I2PP2A displayed distinct peptide patterns, indicating that these inhibitor proteins are the products of distinct genes. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the purified preparations indicate that I1PP2A and I2PP2A are novel proteins.
Autoimmune kidney disease in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice inhibited by OK-432, a streptococcal preparation. (1989)

Autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/l) mice were treated with the immunostimulating anti-cancer drug OK-432 (a streptococcal preparation), a potent inducer of tumour necrosis factor. Treatment was initiated at 8 weeks of age, before the onset of the autoimmune disease. OK-432 prevented the development of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in a dose-dependent manner, and prolonged the life in this strain of mice. At 36 weeks of age, the incidence of proteinuria was 90% in the controls, 60% in the 0.5-KE(1 KE = 0.1 mg) treatment group, and 33% in the 2.0-KE group. The 50% survival time was 23 weeks for the controls; 32 weeks for the 0.5-KE group; and greater than 36 weeks for the 2.0-KE group. Immune complex deposition in glomeruli was significantly reduced in the treated groups. The IgM class of serum autoantibody levels was significantly increased by OK-432 treatment but the IgG class was almost unchanged. Furthermore, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were not suppressed. The results indicate that OK-432 may be useful in the treatment of autoimmune disease in humans.
Alzheimer's disease; taking the edge off with cannabinoids? (2007)

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative condition associated with cognitive decline. The pathological hallmarks of the disease are the deposition of beta-amyloid protein and hyperphosphorylation of tau, which evoke neuronal cell death and impair inter-neuronal communication. The disease is also associated with neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. In recent years the proclivity of cannabinoids to exert a neuroprotective influence has received substantial interest as a means to mitigate the symptoms of neurodegenerative conditions. In brains obtained from Alzheimer's patients alterations in components of the cannabinoid system have been reported, suggesting that the cannabinoid system either contributes to, or is altered by, the pathophysiology of the disease. Certain cannabinoids can protect neurons from the deleterious effects of beta-amyloid and are capable of reducing tau phosphorylation. The propensity of cannabinoids to reduce beta-amyloid-evoked oxidative stress and neurodegeneration, whilst stimulating neurotrophin expression neurogenesis, are interesting properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol can also inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and limit amyloidogenesis which may improve cholinergic transmission and delay disease progression. Targeting cannabinoid receptors on microglia may reduce the neuroinflammation that is a feature of Alzheimer's disease, without causing psychoactive effects. Thus, cannabinoids offer a multi-faceted approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by providing neuroprotection and reducing neuroinflammation, whilst simultaneously supporting the brain's intrinsic repair mechanisms by augmenting neurotrophin expression and enhancing neurogenesis. The evidence supporting a potential role for the cannabinoid system as a therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease will be reviewed herewith.
Lytic Activity of Recombinant Bacteriophage φ11 and φ12 Endolysins on Whole Cells and Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus (2006)

The recombinant phi11 endolysin hydrolyzed heat-killed staphylococci as well as staphylococcal biofilms. Cell wall targeting appeared to be a prerequisite for lysis of whole cells, and the combined action of the endopeptidase and amidase domains was necessary for maximum activity. In contrast, the phi12 endolysin was inactive and caused aggregation of the cells.
Real-time dual-wavelength digital holographic microscopy with a single hologram - art. no. 661615 (2007)

We report on a method to achieve real-time dual-wavelength digital holographic microscopy with a single hologram acquisition. By recording both interferograms from two laser sources at different wavelengths in only one spatially-multiplexed digital hologram, we are able to independently propagate and apply numerical corrections on both wavefronts in order to obtain a beat-wavelength phase map of the specimen. This beat-wavelength being up to 10-100 times larger than the original wavelengths, we are in a situation where the 27 pi phase ambiguity of conventional DHM is removed and the phase measurement range of the technique is extended up to several tens of microns in height. The unique capability to perform such an operation with a single acquisition unables real-time dual-wavelength DHM measurements. Results on a moving micro-mirror are presented in this paper. We think that such a real-time dual-wavelength method represents a strong improvement to the current DHM state-of-the-art, and that it opens a whole new field of applications for this technique.
The N Terminus of the MUC2 Mucin Forms Trimers That Are Held Together within a Trypsin-resistant Core Fragment (2002)

The N terminus of the human MUC2 mucin (amino acids 1-1397) has been expressed as a recombinant tagged protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The intracellular form was found to be an endoglycosidase H-sensitive monomer, whereas the secreted form was an oligomer that gave monomers upon disulfide bond reduction. The secreted MUC2 N terminus contained a trypsin-resistant core fragment. Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry of the peptides obtained localized this core fragment to the C-terminal end of the recombinant protein. This core retained its oligomeric nature with an apparent mass of approximately 240 kDa. Upon reduction, peptides of approximately 85 kDa were found, suggesting that the N terminus forms trimers. This interpretation was also supported by gel electrophoresis and gel filtration of the intact MUC2 N terminus. Electron microscopy revealed three globular domains each linked via an extended and flexible region to a central part in a trefoil-like manner. Immunostaining with gold-labeled antibodies localized the N-terminal end to the three globular structures, and the antibodies directed against the Myc and green fluorescent protein tags attached at the C terminus localized these to the stalk side of the central trefoil. The N terminus of the MUC2 mucin is thus assembled into trimers that contain proteolytically stable parts, suggesting that MUC2 can only be partly degraded by intestinal proteases and thus is able to maintain a mucin network protecting the intestine.
Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation (2006)

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, which is used to treat both malignant and nonmalignant conditions, was first conceived more than 50 years ago, but problems associated with transplanting a nonsolid organ and modulating the immune response had to be solved before the procedure could be used clinically. This review summarizes background information about hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and discusses the current role of the procedure.
Recombinant adeno-associated virus targets passenger gene expression to cones in primate retina (2007)

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a promising vector for gene therapy of photoreceptor-based diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that rAAV serotypes 2 and 5 can transduce both rod and cone photoreceptors in rodents and dogs, and it can target rods, but not cones in primates. Here we report that using a human cone-specific enhancer and promoter to regulate expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene in an rAAV-5 vector successfully targeted expression of the reporter gene to primate cones, and the time course of GFP expression was able to be monitored in a living animal using the RetCam II digital imaging system.
Validation of the Berlin Questionnaire and American Society of Anesthesiologists Checklist as Screening Tools for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Surgical Patients (2008)

Similar to the STOP questionnaire, the Berlin questionnaire and ASA checklist demonstrated a moderately high level of sensitivity for OSA screening. The STOP questionnaire and the ASA checklist were able to identify the patients who were likely to develop postoperative complications.