gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cross-Linkers for in Vivo Injectable Hydrogels (2008)

New poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) derivatives containing different pendant chemoselective functionalities have been prepared for the in situ formation of hydrogels at physiological conditions. Particularly, incorporations of thiol, cysteine 1,2-aminothiol, and aminooxy side chains to PVA were performed for the first time by direct coupling of the protected nucleophilic functionalities to PVA’s hydroxyl groups via carbamate linkages followed by acidic deprotection. In the second approach, PVA was first derivatized to a low degree (3%) with amino groups which were used to quantitatively react with different N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of carboxylic acids containing maleimide, α-iodoacetyl, or acrylate thiophilic functionalities. The utility of the amino-derivatized PVA was also demonstrated for further functionalization with semicarbazide terminated side chains. The ability of the new PVA derivatives to act as multifunctional cross-linking agents was examined in the course of in situ cross-linking reactions with hyaluronic acid carrying aldehyde groups. Use of multifunctional PVA cross-linkers was shown to give short gelation times, i.e., within half a minute, which is critical for clinical applications. The hyaluronan hydrogels were enzymatically degradable as evidenced by the results of in vitro degradation by hyaluronidase. Moreover, these hydrogels were found to be nontoxic to human dermal fibroblasts. Hence, PVA-based multifunctional cross-linkers can extend the scope of in situ preparation and properties of hydrogel-based synthetic mimics of extracellular matrix as compared with well established bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) analogs.
A unified non-rectangular device and circuit simulation model for timing and power (2006)

For 65nm and below devices, even after optical proximity correction (OPC), the gate may still be non-rectangular. There are several limited works on the device and circuit characterizations for the post-OPC non-ideal-shape wafer images, with significant impacts on timing and power. Most of them, however, are based on the equivalent gate length models, which are different for timing and leakage, and thus hard to use for coherent circuit simulations. In this paper, we propose a unified post-litho device characterization model and circuit simulation for timing and power. To our best knowledge, this is the most accurate methodology for post-litho analysis, including timing, leakage and transient simulation. Based on this method, the parameter extraction is also included in the model which was omitted by previous works. A post-litho model card is proposed for circuit simulation to combine these two techniques. Our experimental results validate the new model.
An Investigation of Using K-d Tree to Improve Image Retrieval Efficiency (2002)

Content-based image retrieval problem is in essence to determine distance or similarity between multi-dimensional image feature vectors. Linear comparison will be too slow when vector dimensions and image database are large. We investigate the use of K-d tree in image retrieval based on color histograms and found that K-d trees improve retrieval efficiency significantly. We evaluate the impact of leaf node size and the number of images required to retrieval on the retrieval performance. Finally, we discuss the relationship between vector dimensions and retrieval efficiency. 1.
Decitabine enhances targeting of AML cells by CD34+ progenitor-derived NK cells in NOD/SCID/IL2Rgnull mice (2017)

Combining natural killer (NK) cell adoptive transfer with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is an attractive therapeutic approach for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, data regarding the impact of HMAs on NK cell functionality are mostly derived from in vitro studies with high nonclinical relevant drug concentrations. In the present study, we report a comparative study of azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) in combination with allogeneic NK cells generated from CD34<sup>+</sup> hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC-NK cells) in in vitro and in vivo AML models. In vitro, low-dose HMAs did not impair viability of HSPC-NK cells. Furthermore, low-dose DAC preserved HSPC-NK killing, proliferation, and interferon gamma production capacity, whereas AZA diminished their proliferation and reactivity. Importantly, we showed HMAs and HSPC-NK cells could potently work together to target AML cell lines and patient AML blasts. In vivo, both agents exerted a significant delay in AML progression in NOD/SCID/IL2Rg<sup>null</sup> mice, but the persistence of adoptively transferred HSPC-NK cells was not affected. Infused NK cells showed sustained expression of most activating receptors, upregulated NKp44 expression, and remarkable killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor acquisition. Most importantly, only DAC potentiated HSPC-NK cell anti-leukemic activity in vivo. Besides upregulation of NKG2D- and DNAM-1-activating ligands on AML cells, DAC enhanced messenger RNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, perforin, and TRAIL by HSPC-NK cells. In addition, treatment resulted in increased numbers of HSPC-NK cells in the bone marrow compartment, suggesting that DAC could positively modulate NK cell activity, trafficking, and tumor targeting. These data provide a rationale to explore combination therapy of adoptive HSPC-NK cells and DAC in patients with AML.
X-ray cross correlation analysis uncovers hidden local symmetries in disordered matter (2009)

We explore the different local symmetries in colloidal glasses beyond the standard pair correlation analysis. Using our newly developed X-ray cross correlation analysis (XCCA) concept together with brilliant coherent X-ray sources, we have been able to access and classify the otherwise hidden local order within disorder. The emerging local symmetries are coupled to distinct momentum transfer (Q) values, which do not coincide with the maxima of the amorphous structure factor. Four-, 6-, 10- and, most prevalently, 5-fold symmetries are observed. The observation of dynamical evolution of these symmetries forms a connection to dynamical heterogeneities in glasses, which is far beyond conventional diffraction analysis. The XCCA concept opens up a fascinating view into the world of disorder and will definitely allow, with the advent of free electron X-ray lasers, an accurate and systematic experimental characterization of the structure of the liquid and glass states.
Age-related macular degeneration and risk factors for the development of choroidal neovascularization in the fellow eye (1998)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Most of the severe vision loss associated with AMD is due to the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The specific causes of AMD and in particular, its neovascular phase, remain uncertain. During the past two decades a number of large prospective clinical trials, observational epidemiologic studies, and population-based cohort studies have furthered our understanding of this blinding ocular condition. The Macular Photocoagulation Study has received praise for its many contributions in the laser treatment of neovascular complications of AMD; however, these trials have made other significant contributions by helping to better define the natural history of AMD, and in particular, risk factors for the development of CNV in eyes with non-neovascular disease. This type of information may provide significant clues for researchers regarding disease pathogenesis and identify a high-risk group in whom to target new treatment strategies. For patients currently diagnosed with macular degeneration, this information can lead to a better understanding of their condition and a more accurate prognosis of their ocular health and vision status. This article reviews information from a variety of sources to investigate incidence rates and risk factors for the development of CNV in the fellow eye of patients with AMD and unilateral neovascular maculopathy.
The effects on inhibition of corneal neovascularization after human amniotic membrane transplantation in severely damaged rabbit corneas (1995)

Human amniotic membrane isolated from the placenta contained basement membrane components such as type IV collagen, laminin, and 6 and 4 integrins, all of which remained detectable while preserved in glycerin for one week. One month after the n-heptanol removal of the total corneal epithelium and the limbal lamellar keratectomy, all rabbit eyes carried features of limbal deficiency, including conjunctival epithelial ingrowth, vascularization and chronic inflammation. Ten control eyes then received a total keratectomy, and 13 experimental eyes received an additional amniotic membrane transplantation. Three-month follow-ups revealed that all control corneas were revascularized to the center with granuloma and retained a conjunctival phenotype. In contrast, in the experimental groups, 5 corneas became clear with either minimal or no vascularization; the rest had either mild peripheral (5) or total (3) vascularization and more cloudy stroma. Using monoclonal antibodies for epithelial markers and matrix components, we concluded that the success correlated with the return of a cornea-like epithelial phenotype and the preservation of the amniotic membrane, whereas the failure maintained a conjunctival epithelial phenotype and the amniotic membrane was either partially degraded or covered by host fibrovascular stroma. Measures taken to facilitate the former might prove this procedure clinically useful for ocular surface reconstruction.
On the Interpretation of Our Anterior Cruciate Ligament Data (1985)

Design of a synthetic replacement or selection of a biologic substitute requires detailed knowledge of the mechanical properties of the normal ligament. Femur-anterior cruciate ligament-tibia unit (ACL) data have been frequently used for this purpose, although not always properly. Mechanical properties of the human ACL-bone unit are reviewed. Ligament stiffness, elongation, and energy results are based on grip-to-grip motion and thus include ligament and limited bone deformations. Maximum bone-ligament-bone force in young donors (1730 +/- 66N) is higher than reported previously and represents only ligamentous failures. Methods for measuring tissue dimensions are provided and must be duplicated for obtaining accurate material property data. Bone-ligament-bone strain data are higher than those in reports where midsubstance collagen strains are measured and differ from data obtained on isolated ligaments. The authors have examined many factors that affect ligament-bone unit response. Increasing age weakens the tissue-bone preparation, and only when testing is performed at high rates will ligamentous failures predominate. Use of the authors' data in prosthetic ligament evaluation requires that the material be selected based on ligament bundle properties, the prosthesis be examined under similar testing conditions, and anticipated functional loads and margins of safety be determined.
The Rat and Mouse Homologues of MASP-2 and MAp19, components of the Lectin Activation Pathway of Complement (1999)

Recently, we described two novel constituents of the multimolecular initiation complex of the mannan-binding lectin (MBL) pathway of complement activation, a serine protease of 76 kDa, termed MASP-2, and a MASP-2 related plasma protein of 19 kDa, termed MAp19. Upon activation of the MBL/MASPs/MAp19 complex, MASP-2 cleaves the fourth complement component C4, while the role of MAp19 within the MBL/MASP-1/MASP-2/MAp19 complex remains to be clarified. In humans, the mRNA species encoding MASP-2 (2.6 kb) and MAp19 (1.0 kb) arise by an alternative polyadenylation/splicing mechanism from a single structural MASP-2 gene. Here, we report the complete primary structures of the rat homologue of MASP-2 and of rat and mouse MAp19. We show that both MASP-2 and MAp19 are part of the rat MBL pathway activation complex and demonstrate their exclusively hepatic biosynthesis. Southern blot and PCR analyses of rat genomic DNA indicate that as in humans, rat MASP-2 and MAp19 are encoded by a single structural gene.
Serum GFAP is a diagnostic marker for glioblastoma multiforme (2007)

A serum marker for malignant cerebral astrocytomas could improve both differential diagnosis and clinical management of brain tumour patients. To evaluate whether the serum concentration of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) may indicate glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in patients with single supratentorial space-occupying lesions, we prospectively examined 50 consecutive patients with histologically proven GBM, World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV, 14 patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), 4 patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 13 patients with diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II), 17 patients with a single cerebral metastasis and 50 healthy controls. Serum was taken from the patients before tumour resection or stereotactic biopsy. Serum GFAP levels were determined using a commercially available ELISA test and were detectable in 40 out of the 50 GBM patients (median: 0.18 microg/l; range: 0-5.6 microg/l). The levels were significantly elevated compared with those of the non-GBM tumour patients and healthy controls (median: 0 mug/l; range: 0-0.024 microg/l; P < 0.0001, respectively). Non-GBM tumour patients and all healthy subjects showed zero serum GFAP levels. There was a significant correlation between tumour volume (Spearman Rho, CC = 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.67; P < 0.001), tumour necrosis volume (CC = 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.72; P = 0.004), the amount of necrotic GFAP positive cells (CC = 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.81; P = 0.007) and serum GFAP level among the GBM patients. A serum GFAP level of >0.05 microg/l was 76% sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of GBM in patients with a single supratentorial mass lesion in this series. Therefore, it can be concluded that serum GFAP constitutes a diagnostic biomarker for GBM. Future studies should investigate whether serum GFAP could also be used to monitor therapeutic effects and whether it may have a prognostic value.
ANTAGONIZING SUBSTANCES OBTAINED FROM WHALE HEART EXTRACT TO VASOPRESSIN INDUCED MYOCARDIAL HYPOXIA (1970)

There are several reports that a protein-free extract of heart muscles from mammalian animals dilates coronary vessels (1, 2), increases the amplitude of heart (3), and improves the efficiency of contractions in heart lung preparations (4). Clinically, the extract has been used as an antianginal drug (5, 6), and a drug for heart failure contradictorily (7, 8). One of the main approaches to antianginal drugs has been studies of coronary dilators. However, the majority of pharmacological studies have been carried out in animals with a normal coronary circulation and the results obtained may not predict the status of the abnormal coronary circulation. Certainly, studies in man indicate that the coronary bed of the anginal patient is incapable of dilatation so that nitroglycerin produces no increase in coronary flow (9, 10). Furthermore, some reports show that dipyridamol having specific potent coronary vasodilating activity is not effective for angina pectoris (11-13). Thus, many other approaches have been tried to investigate antianginal drugs. Clinically, ST segment depression in electrocadiogram of patients of angina pectoris is very common phenomenon, and we consider ST segment depression in rats produced with vasopressin or adrenaline might be one of the experimental models of angina pectoris. Lindner et al. have shown that the vasopressin induced ischemia of the dog heart was improved after three daily injections of the large doses of a heart extract (14). Black have shown that oral administration of a heart extract for two weeks produced improvement on the above mentioned ischemia in rabbits (15). This paper describes a modification of similar experimental methods in rats and the identification of components which improves the ST segment depression in the heart extract.
Successful Treatment of the Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome in a Randomized Double-Blind Trial of Oxycodone Versus Placebo (1993)

In a double-blind randomized crossover trial, oxycodone or placebo was given in divided night-time doses to 11 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) for 2 weeks prior to appropriate polysomnographic studies. Under double-blinded conditions, patients were asked to do daily ratings of their leg sensations, motor restlessness and daytime alertness on a 1-4 scale for the 2 weeks prior to the polysomnographic studies and for the nights of the polysomnographic studies as well. Leg sensations (p < 0.009), motor restlessness (p < 0.006) and daytime alertness (p < 0.03) were significantly improved on oxycodone as compared to baseline or placebo. Patients were studied polysomnographically under double-blinded conditions for 2 nights in each phase of the protocol. On an average dose of 15.9 mg oxycodone (equivalent to approximately three 5-mg tablets of commercial preparation), there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of periodic limb movements in sleep [(PLMS)/hour sleep (p < 0.004)] and in the number of arousals/hour sleep (p < 0.009) on drugs as compared to baseline or placebo. A statistically significant improvement was also noted in sleep efficiency (p < 0.006) and 10 of the 11 patients preferred oxycodone over placebo. We conclude that oxycodone is an effective treatment for RLS and PLMS.
Recent Advances in the Biocatalytic Asymmetric Reduction of Acetophenones and α.β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds (2004)

Whole cells of living organisms, mainly of yeasts, have been used as reliable biocatalysts by synthetic organic chemists to perform redox reactions of various functional groups. This review focuses on the potential of these whole cells to reduce acetophenones and α.β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) furnishing relevant chiral building blocks for fine chemicals and the pharmaceutical industries.
Evolution of mobile group I introns: recognition of intron sequences by an intron-encoded endonuclease. (1994)

Mobile group I introns are hypothesized to have arisen after invasion by endonuclease-encoding open reading frames (ORFs), which mediate their mobility. Consistent with an endonuclease-ORF invasion event, we report similarity between exon junction sequences (the recognition site for the mobility endonuclease) and intron sequences flanking the endonuclease ORF in the sunY gene of phage T4. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the ability of the intron-encoded endonuclease to recognize and cleave these intron sequences when present in fused form in synthetic constructs. These observations and accompanying splicing data are consistent with models in which the invading endonuclease ORF is provided safe haven within a splicing element. In turn the intron is afforded immunity to the endonuclease product, which imparts mobility to the intron.
The Erbin PDZ Domain Binds with High Affinity and Specificity to the Carboxyl Termini of δ-Catenin and ARVCF (2002)

Erbin is a recently described member of the LAP (leucine-rich repeat and PDZ domain) protein family. We used a C-terminally displayed phage peptide library to identify optimal ligands for the Erbin PDZ domain. Phage-selected peptides were type 1 PDZ ligands that bound with high affinity and specificity to the Erbin PDZ domain in vitro. These peptides most closely resembled the C-terminal PDZ domain-binding motifs of three p120-related catenins: delta-catenin, ARVCF, and p0071 (DSWV-COOH). Analysis of the interactions of the Erbin PDZ domain with synthetic peptides matching the C termini of ARVCF or delta-catenin also demonstrated specific high affinity binding. We characterized the interactions between the Erbin PDZ domain and both ARVCF and delta-catenin in vitro and in vivo. The Erbin PDZ domain co-localized and coprecipitated with ARVCF or delta-catenin complexed with beta-catenin and E/N-cadherin. Mutagenesis and peptide competition experiments showed that the association of Erbin with the cadherin-catenin complex was mediated by the interaction of its PDZ domain with the C-terminal PDZ domain-binding motifs (DSWV-COOH) of ARVCF and delta-catenin. Finally, we showed that endogenous delta-catenin and Erbin co-localized in and co-immunoprecipitated from neurons. These results suggest that delta-catenin and ARVCF may function to mediate the association of Erbin with the junctional cadherin-catenin complex. They also demonstrate that C-terminal phage-display technology can be used to predict physiologically relevant ligands for PDZ domains.
The Larger Linear N-Heteroacenes (2015)

The close structural and chemical relationship of N-heteroacenes to pentacene suggests their broad applicability in organic electronic devices, such as thin-film transistors. The superb materials science properties of azaacenes result from their improved resistance toward oxidation and their potential for electron transport, both of which have been demonstrated recently. The introduction of nitrogen atoms into the aromatic perimeter of acenes stabilizes their frontier molecular orbitals and increases their electron affinity. The HOMO-LUMO gaps in azaacenes in which the nitrogen atoms are symmetrically placed are similar to those of the acenes. The judiciously placed nitrogen atoms induce an "umpolung" of the electronic behavior of these pentacene-like molecules, i.e., instead of hole mobility in thin-film transistors, azaacenes are electron-transporting materials. The fundamental synthetic approaches toward larger azaacenes are described and discussed. Several synthetic methodologies have been exploited, and some have been newly developed to assemble substituted azaacenes. The oldest methods are condensation-based. Aromatic o-diamines are coupled with o-dihydroxyarenes in the melt without solvent. This method works well for unsubstituted azaacenes only. The attachment of substituents to the starting materials renders these "fire and sword" methods less useful. The starting materials decompose under these conditions. The direct condensation of substituted o-diamines with o-quinones proceeds well in some cases. Fluorinated benzene rings next to a pyrazine unit are introduced by nucleophilic aromatic substitution employing hexafluorobenzene. However, with these well-established synthetic methodologies, a number of azaacene topologies cannot be synthesized. The Pd-catalyzed coupling of aromatic halides and aromatic diamines has therefore emerged as versatile tool for azaacene synthesis. Now substituted diaza- and tetraazaacenes, azapentacenes, azahexacenes, and azaheptacenes are accessible. Pd-catalysis-based coupling methods for both activated and nonactivated o-dihalides have been developed. The larger azaacene representatives were unknown before but are of conceptual and theoretical interest. Azaacenes, particularly the symmetrical bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)-substituted tetraazapentacene, are primarily used in organic field-effect transistors, but smaller azaacenes shine in the field as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) emitters. Diazatetracenes and substituted benzoquinoxalines are successful, improving electron injection and increasing OLED brightness, as compared to that of pure tetracenes. On the basis of the acene framework, nitrogen atoms in the acene perimeter and aggregation-precluding molecular appendages create solid-state fluorescent species. Azaacenes are expanding the range and complementing the purview of acenes in organic electronic applications. They enlarge the profiles of acenes with respect to synthetic strategies, structures, properties, and applications.