gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Role of the NMDA-receptor in Prepulse Inhibition in the Rat (2010)

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan. Studies have revealed increased brain KYNA levels in patients with schizophrenia. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a behavioral model for sensorimotor gating and found to be reduced in schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown that pharmacologically elevated brain KYNA levels disrupt PPI in the rat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the receptor(s) involved in this effect. Rats were treated with different drugs selectively blocking each of the sites that KYNA antagonizes, namely the glutamate recognition site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the α7* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and the glycine site of the NMDAR. Kynurenine (200 mg/kg) was given to replicate the effects of increased levels of KYNA on PPI. In order to block the glutamate recognition site of the NMDAR, CGS 19755 (10 mg/kg) or SDZ 220-581 (2.5 mg/kg) were administered and to antagonize the α7nAChR methyllycaconitine (MLA; 6 mg/kg) was given. L-701,324 (1 and 4 mg/kg) or 4-Chloro-kynurenine (4-Cl-KYN; 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg), a drug in situ converted to 7-Chloro-kynurenic acid, were used to block the glycine-site of the NMDAR. Administration of SDZ 220-581 or CGS 19755 was associated with a robust reduction in PPI, whereas L-701,324, 4-Cl-KYN or MLA failed to alter PPI. Kynurenine increased brain KYNA levels 5-fold and tended to decrease PPI. The present study suggests that neither antagonism of the glycine-site of the NMDA receptor nor antagonism of the α7nAChR disrupts PPI, rather with regard to the effects of KYNA, blockade of the glutamate recognition-site is necessary to reduce PPI.
Activation of T Lymphocytes via Monoclonal Antibodies against Rat Cell Surface Antigens with Particular Reference to CD2 Antigen (1989)

In the rat, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the T-lymphocyte receptor (TCR), CD3 antigen and CD2 antigen are mitogenic for T lymphocytes. Antibodies against CD43 (leukosialin) and CD5 are not, but can enhance the effects of other stimuli. Activation of a T-lymphocyte cell line in terms of triggering an increase in free cytoplasmic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) was mediated by mAbs against Class 1 MHC and CD4 in addition to the mitogenic mAbs. In the presence of non-activating levels of anti-TCR mAb a strong synergistic signal was seen with anti-CD4, but incubation with anti-CD4 prior to activation with anti-CD3 inhibited the CD3 signal. Stimulation of DNA synthesis in resting T cells via anti-CD2 mAbs required a combination of two non-competitive antibodies and addition of a third anti-CD2 mAb inhibited the activation. The anti-CD2 mAbs were active on all types of mature T cells from peripheral lymphoid organs and the thymus, but cells in the thymus that lacked a TCR could not be activated via CD2. Rat CD2 was transfected into Jurkat cells and cross-linking with anti-rat CD2 mAbs gave an increase in [Ca2+]i similar to that seen with an anti-human CD3 mAb. All three types of anti-rat CD2 mAbs gave a signal including the mAb that inhibited mitogenesis. Signal transduction via CD2 was not seen in L cells and was only weakly observed in TCR-ve Jurkat cells that had been transfected with rat CD2. The cytoplasmic domain of transfected CD2 was shown to be important for the signal transduction since no increase in [Ca2+]i could be triggered in cells expressing mutant CD2 that lacked the cytoplasmic domain. Mutant forms with increasing lengths of cytoplasmic domain showed functions that progressively approached that of the native function.
Cell Death Independent of Caspases: A Review (2005)

Patterns of cell death have been divided into apoptosis, which is actively executed by specific proteases, the caspases, and accidental necrosis. However, there is now accumulating evidence indicating that cell death can occur in a programmed fashion but in complete absence and independent of caspase activation. Alternative models of programmed cell death (PCD) have therefore been proposed, including autophagy, paraptosis, mitotic catastrophe, and the descriptive model of apoptosis-like and necrosis-like PCD. Caspase-independent cell death pathways are important safeguard mechanisms to protect the organism against unwanted and potential harmful cells when caspase-mediated routes fail but can also be triggered in response to cytotoxic agents or other death stimuli. As in apoptosis, the mitochondrion can play a key role but also other organelles such as lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum have an important function in the release and activation of death factors such as cathepsins, calpains, and other proteases. Here we review the various models of PCD and their death pathways at molecular and organelle level and discuss the relevance of the growing knowledge of caspase-independent cell death pathways for cancer.
Combined temporal and inter-layer prediction for scalable video coding using HEVC (2013)

In the context of scalable video coding, we present in this paper a general prediction mechanism to combine temporal and inter-layer reference signals for compressing the enhancement-layer (EL). By utilizing the proposed combinations, the EL temporal prediction residue can be further predicted from a referenced base-layer (BL) temporal residue; or, the inter-layer prediction residue between EL and BL can itself be temporal predicted, leading to improved coding efficiency. Furthermore, we investigate the complexity associated with the proposed generalized combined prediction method, and present techniques to significantly reduce its worst-case complexity while still achieving substantial coding gains. Simulation results on HEVC Scalable Extension reported average of 1.6%, 2.7%, 4.2% EL+BL BD-rate gains for random access, low-delay B and low-delay P configurations respectively, with only about 2% decoding runtime increase. The worst-case complexity of the proposed combined prediction, in terms of computation and memory bandwidth, is only about 120% and 75% of the worst-case complexity of HEVC temporal prediction.
Restriction of Amino Acid Change in Influenza A Virus H3HA: Comparison of Amino Acid Changes Observed in Nature and In Vitro (2003)

We introduced 248 single-point amino acid changes into hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) strain by a PCR random mutation method. These changes were classified as positive or negative according to their effect on hemadsorption activity. We observed following results. (i) The percentage of surviving amino acid changes on the HA1 domain that did not abrogate hemadsorption activity was calculated to be ca. 44%. In nature, it is estimated to be ca. 39.6%. This difference in surviving amino acid changes on the HA protein between natural isolates and in vitro mutants might be due to the immune pressure against the former. (ii) A total of 26 amino acid changes in the in vitro mutants matched those at which mainstream amino acid changes had occurred in the H3HA1 polypeptide from 1968 to 2000. Of these, 25 were positive. We suggest that the majority of amino acid changes on the HA protein during evolution might be restricted to those that were positive on the HA of A/Aichi/2/68. (iii) We constructed two-point amino acid changes on the HA protein by using positive mutants. These two-point amino acid changes with a random combination did not inhibit hemadsorption activity. It is possible that an accumulation of amino acid change might occur without order. (iv) From the analysis of amino acids participating in mainstream amino acid change, each antigenic site could be further divided into smaller sites. The amino acid substitutions in the gaps between these smaller sites resulted in mostly hemadsorption-negative changes. These gap positions may play an important role in maintaining the function of the HA protein, and therefore amino acid changes are restricted at these locations.
Flocculation of kaolinite due to the attraction of oppositely charged crystal faces (1954)

R. K. Schofield and H. R. Samson, Discuss. Faraday Soc., 1954, 18, 135 DOI: 10.1039/DF9541800135
Monoclonal antibodies capable of discriminating the human inhibitory Fcγ‐receptor IIB (CD32B) from the activating Fcγ‐receptor IIA (CD32A): biochemical, biological and functional characterization (2007)

Human CD32B (FcgammaRIIB), the low-affinity inhibitory Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR), is highly homologous in its extracellular domain to CD32A (FcgammaRIIA), an activating FcgammaR. Available monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the extracellular region of CD32B recognize both receptors. Through immunization of mice transgenic for human CD32A, we generated a set of antibodies specific for the extracellular region of CD32B with no cross-reactivity with CD32A, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance with recombinant CD32A and CD32B, and by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of CD32 transfectants. A high-affinity mAb, 2B6, was used to explore the expression of CD32B by human peripheral blood leucocytes. While all B lymphocytes expressed CD32B, only a fraction of monocytes and almost no polymorphonuclear cells stained with 2B6. Likewise, natural killer cells, which express CD32C, a third CD32 variant, did not react with 2B6. Immune complexes co-engage the inhibitory receptor with activating Fcgamma receptors, a mechanism that limits cell responses. 2B6 competed for immune complex binding to CD32B as a monomeric Fab, suggesting that it directly recognizes the Fc-binding region of the receptor. Furthermore, when co-ligated with an activating receptor, 2B6 triggered CD32B-mediated inhibitory signalling, resulting in diminished release of inflammatory mediators by FcepsilonRI in an in vitro allergy model or decreased proliferation of human B cells induced by B-cell receptor stimulation. These antibodies form the basis for the development of investigational tools and therapeutics with multiple potential applications, ranging from adjuvants in FcgammaR-mediated responses to the treatment of allergy and autoimmunity.
Improved Biofilm Antimicrobial Activity of Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Tobramycin Compared to Tobramycin inPseudomonas aeruginosaBiofilms (2015)

The objective of this study was to develop a functionally enhanced antibiotic that would improve the therapeutic activity against bacterial biofilms. Tobramycin was chemically conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) via site-specific conjugation to form PEGylated-tobramycin (Tob-PEG). The antibacterial efficacy of Tob-PEG, as compared to tobramycin, was assessed on the planktonic phase and biofilms phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC80) of Tob-PEG was higher (13.9 μmol/L) than that of tobramycin (1.4 μmol/L) in the planktonic phases. In contrast, the Tob-PEG was approximately 3.2-fold more effective in eliminating bacterial biofilms than tobramycin. Specifically, Tob-PEG had a MIC80 lower than those exhibited by tobramycin (27.8 μmol/L vs 89.8 μmol/L). Both confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy further confirmed these data. Thus, modification of antimicrobials by PEGylation appears to be a promising approach for overcoming the bacterial resistance in the established biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Developmental Potential of Rat Extraembryonic Stem Cells (2009)

We have previously found that certain stem cells that are derived from rat blastocysts and named extraembryonic endoderm precursor (XEN-P) cells show a unique molecular signature sharing some of the characteristics of embryonic stem cells (ES), trophoblast stem cells (TS), and extraembryonic endoderm stem cells (XEN). These XEN-P cells are positive for AP, SSEA1, Oct4, and Rex1 markers similar to ES cells and also express signature markers of TS-eomesodermin (Eomes) and XEN-Gata6. Here we show that these cells integrate into the visceral and parietal extraembryonic endoderm lineages as well as into the inner cell mass (ICM), the primitive endoderm, and the polar and mural trophectoderm (TE) of cultured embryos. In addition, we find that the XEN-P cells colonize yolk sac and contribute to trophoblast lineages of postimplantation embryos following transfer to surrogate mothers. We also find that the XEN-P cell culture propagates by shedding cell clusters into the media in addition to typical expansion of colonies. Interestingly, the cell cultures exist as mixed populations of two interconvertible phenotypes of flat and round cells with preferential expression of stem cell markers Oct4 and SSEA1 in round cells. We believe these cells represent a metastable stage during ICM cellular segregation. These results are important for developing hypotheses of cell fate plasticity in the ICM and provide a model for the study of development and differentiation along the extraembryonic lineages.
Cloning and characterization of DNA sequences complementary to messenger ribonucleic acids coding for the synthesis of two surface antigens of Trypanosoma brucei (1980)

Full length double-stranded complementary DNAs (ds cDNAs) could be synthesized on mRNAs enriched in sequences coding for the synthesis of the variant specific antigens (VSAs) AnTat 1.1 and AnTat 1.8 from Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The size of these ds cDNAs is about 1700 and 1850 base pairs for AnTat 1.1 and AnTat 1.8 respectively. The ds cDNAs were cloned in the plasmid pBR322; two clones harboring a copy of each coding sequence were selected. Both the hybrid-arrested translation and the positive hybridization elution methods confirmed that these recombinants contain VSA-specific inserts. A restriction map was constructed in each case. The two sequences seem to be inserted in a reversed 3'--5' orientation, respective to the plasmid polarity. The AnTat 1.8 cloned sequence is a palindrome probably due to a cloning artefact. Hybridization of the cloned DNAs with "Northern" blots of total or poly(A)+ RNA revealed in each case a single, specific band. The expression of these VSA genes appears thus to be regulated at the transcriptional level.
Recent Developments in the Use of Layered Double Hydroxides as Host Materials for the Storage and Triggered Release of Functional Anions (2009)

An extensive and systematic study of the intercalation of a number of commercially important anions into a range of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) has been undertaken. A pseudo-combinatorial approach was employed to determine rapidly the ideal reaction conditions for the intercalation of each guest. Over 50 LDH nanohybrids are reported, the vast majority of them having never previously been synthesized. Guest anions include key drugs, important agrochemicals, vitamins, fragrances, a dye, and a color fixant. The immense potential of LDH systems as reservoirs and to remove agrochemical pollutants from effluvium flows was demonstrated. The release of the guest anions was studied in representative conditions. Some of the thiosulfate intercalates show temperature programmable release characteristics which have not be observed previously.
Liposomes as a controlled-release system (1985)

Conference Article| April 01 1985 Liposomes as a controlled-release system HARISH M. PATEL HARISH M. PATEL 1Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Biochem Soc Trans (1985) 13 (2): 513–516. https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0130513 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Citation HARISH M. PATEL; Liposomes as a controlled-release system. Biochem Soc Trans 1 April 1985; 13 (2): 513–516. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0130513 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsBiochemical Society Transactions Search Advanced Search This content is only available as a PDF. © 1985 Biochemical Society1985 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.
Therapeutic Vaccination of HIV-1-Infected Patients on Haart with a Recombinant HIV-1 Nef-Expressing Mva: Safety, Immunogenicity and Influence on Viral Load during Treatment Interruption (2005)

The safety and immunogenicity of an HIV-1 nef-expressing modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) was investigated in 14 HIV-1-positive patients (CD4 >400/microl) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Patients were vaccinated at weeks 0, 4 and 16, followed by interruption of HAART at week 18. MVA-nef was well-tolerated except for local reactions, with only mild systemic side effects reported in a few patients. Vaccination with MVA-nef was associated with recognition of new HIV-1 T-cell epitopes (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes in 9/14 patients, CD4 epitope/recombinant Nef protein in 2/14) and an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. All patients had been vaccinated against smallpox and a strong T-cell and antibody response to MVA was induced in all patients. After interruption of HAART, viral load rebounded in all patients, but after a median time of 36 (4-76) weeks in 9/14 patients, viraemia remained below the pre-HAART viral load and CD4 counts stayed above the pre-HAART levels. While six patients have remained off therapy for a median time of 64 (57-76) weeks, HAART was resumed in 8/14 patients after a median treatment interruption time of 15 (4-38) weeks. This study has demonstrated that MVA-nef is safe and immunogenic in HIV-1-infected subjects and has provided encouraging data on the potential of therapeutic vaccinations.
Dexmedetomidine as intramuscular premedication in outpatient cataract surgery (1993)

Alpha 2 agonists have been shown to decrease intra-ocular pressure in ophthalmic surgery. We studied the effects of dexmedetomidine, a new alpha 2 agonist, on intra-ocular pressure, haemodynamic parameters, sedation, anxiolysis and dryness of mouth in 35 (ASA physical status 1-3) patients undergoing day-case cataract surgery under peri-ocular anaesthesia. Five different doses of dexmedetomidine (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 micrograms.kg-1) were used in this double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled study. The trial drug was administered into the deltoid muscle 60 min before surgery. The 1.0 micrograms.kg-1 dose of dexmedetomidine produced a 32% reduction of intra-ocular pressure (p = 0.002). This dose induced moderate sedation, but was not associated with significant haemodynamic changes. A significant decrease in heart rate and systolic blood pressure was seen only with the highest dose of dexmedetomidine. Our results suggest that dexmedetomidine 1.0 micrograms.kg-1 produces sedation and a reduction of intra-ocular pressure with minimal haemodynamic side effects when given intramuscularly as premedication before cataract surgery under regional anaesthesia.
Estimating prokaryotic diversity: When are 16S rDNA libraries large enough? (2004)

As a necessary step in the study of prokaryotic diversity using 16S rDNA libraries, authors should evaluate how well their libraries represent diversity in the source environment. Phylotype‐richness estimates can be used to judge whether a library represents diversity sufficiently for its intended purpose. We have argued that richness estimates are most useful if libraries are first shown to be large enough to yield stable estimates. In this article, we (1) evaluate two potentially suitable, non‐parametric richness estimators (S ACE and S Chao1 ), tested against model libraries and libraries drawn from natural prokaryotic communities; (2) evaluate whether stable richness estimates are also unbiased; and (3) examine characteristics of prokaryotic libraries that influence the usefulness of richness estimators. Richness estimates consistently reached a stable asymptotic value for libraries that sampled diversity exhaustively. Stable estimates appear to be unbiased or minimally biased estimates of phylotype richness. The S ACE estimator was often undefined, sometimes overestimated phylotype richness at intermediate sampling efforts, and sometimes stabilized at a larger library size than the S Chao1 estimator. The S Chao1 estimator appears well suited for estimating phylotype richness from prokaryotic 16S rDNA libraries. Libraries judged too small to yield a stable richness estimate typically had a highly uneven frequency distribution of phylotypes, with a preponderance of phylotypes that occurred only once in the library. Libraries considered large enough typically had a more even frequency distribution of phylotypes. A software tool is provided to aid others in assessing whether their libraries are large enough to yield stable phylotype‐richness estimates.
Bacillus anthracis pXO1 Plasmid Sequence Conservation among Closely Related Bacterial Species (2002)

The complete sequencing and annotation of the 181.7-kb Bacillus anthracis virulence plasmid pXO1 predicted 143 genes but could only assign putative functions to 45. Hybridization assays, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing were used to determine whether pXO1 open reading frame (ORF) sequences were present in other bacilli and more distantly related bacterial genera. Eighteen Bacillus species isolates and four other bacterial species were tested for the presence of 106 pXO1 ORFs. Three ORFs were conserved in most of the bacteria tested. Many of the pXO1 ORFs were detected in closely related Bacillus species, and some were detected only in B. anthracis isolates. Three isolates, Bacillus cereus D-17, B. cereus 43881, and Bacillus thuringiensis 33679, contained sequences that were similar to more than one-half of the pXO1 ORF sequences examined. The majority of the DNA fragments that were amplified by PCR from these organisms had DNA sequences between 80 and 98% similar to that of pXO1. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed large potential plasmids present in both B. cereus 43881 (341 kb) and B. thuringiensis ATCC 33679 (327 kb) that hybridized with a DNA probe composed of six pXO1 ORFs.
Architecture and Function of Membrane Proteins in Planar Supported Bilayers:  A Study with Photosynthetic Reaction Centers (1996)

We present a simple and convenient method for creating fluid supported bilayers which contain oriented and functional photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs). The supported bilayers are prepared by fusion of proteoliposomes with a glass surface. The proteoliposomes are prepared by spontaneous insertion of RCs into preformed small, unilamellar vesicles. The RCs in these vesicles are shown to be oriented with the cytochrome c binding surface on the outside and the H-subunit facing inside. Upon fusion to glass surfaces, the RCs remain functional and highly oriented, with the cytochrome c binding surface exposed to the bulk solution. The RCs in the supported bilayers are at a surface density of order 10(11) RCs/cm2. The quality of the supported lipid bilayer is characterized by epifluorescence microscopy and the long-range lateral mobility of the lipids by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. We demonstrate that homogeneous, fluid bilayers can be prepared over large areas (e.g., 1 cm2) of clean glass surfaces. The lipids in these supported bilayers are laterally mobile, and their diffusion coefficient agrees with values obtained in other fluid bilayer systems. This fluidity is unaffected by the presence of RCs; however, the RCs bearing a site-specific fluorescent label are immobile, despite retaining their charge separation and cytochrome c binding properties. We speculate that this results from interactions between the globular domain of the H-subunit and the glass substrate. Because of the unique spectroscopic and functional signatures associated with intact RCs, this system is one of the best characterized examples of a transmembrane protein in a supported bilayer at a nonbiological interface.