gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Determination of lysozyme activity by a fluorescence technique in comparison with the classical turbidity assay. (2008)

The aim of this comparable study was to evaluate two different methods for the assay of lysozyme activity. Lysozyme activity was assayed by turbidimetric and fluorescence-based methods with hen egg white lysozyme as standard. The standard activity of each assay was calibrated in units of activity per mg under the experimental conditions (37 degrees C) so that direct comparison between these two assays could be made. The turbidimetric assay was performed using a 0.36 mg/ml Micrococcus lysodeikticus suspension and a microtiter plate reader capable of analyzing enzyme kinetics at 450 nm, and the linearity, in the range of 2.3-23.8 units/ml, presented a correlation coefficient (R2) as high as 0.9967. The fluorescence-based assay was performed with EnzChek kit using a suspension of Micrococcus lysodeikticus labeled with fluorescein and a fluorescence microplate reader. The linearity in the range of 0.47-5.28 units/ml, presented a correlation coefficient (R2) as high as 0.9881. Thus, the turbidimetric assay provides a simple rapid accurate and specific method for the determination of lysozyme activity but with relatively low sensitivity in comparison with the fluorescence-based method which was demonstrated to be a high sensitivity assay, and hence a reliable applicable technique to determine lysozyme activity at low levels e.g. in cell culture systems.
Interactions between CD47 and Thrombospondin Reduce Inflammation (2007)

CD47 on the surface of T cells was shown in vitro to mediate either T cell activation or, in the presence of high amounts of thrombospondin (TSP), T cell apoptosis. We report here that CD47-deficient mice, as well as TSP-1 or TSP-2-deficient mice, sustain oxazolone-induced inflammation for more than four days, whereas wild-type mice reduce the inflammation within 48 h. We observe that prolonged inflammation in CD47-, TSP-1-, or TSP-2-deficient mice is accompanied by a local deficiency of T cell apoptosis. Finally, we show that upon activation normal T cells increase the expression of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member BNIP3 (Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein) and undergo CD47-mediated apoptosis. This finding is consistent with our previous demonstration of a physical interaction between BNIP3 and CD47 that inhibits BNIP3 degradation by the proteasome, sensitizing T cells to CD47-induced apoptosis. Overall, these results reveal an important role in vivo for this new CD47/BNIP3 pathway in limiting inflammation by controlling the number of activated T cells.
Quality assessment for spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images (2009)

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, a measure of glaucoma progression, can be measured in images acquired by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The accuracy of RNFL thickness estimation, however, is affected by the quality of the OCT images. In this paper, a new parameter, signal deviation (SD), which is based on the standard deviation of the intensities in OCT images, is introduced for objective assessment of OCT image quality. Two other objective assessment parameters, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and signal strength (SS), are also calculated for each OCT image. The results of the objective assessment are compared with subjective assessment. In the subjective assessment, one OCT expert graded the image quality according to a three-level scale (good, fair, and poor). The OCT B-scan images of the retina from six subjects are evaluated by both objective and subjective assessment. From the comparison, we demonstrate that the objective assessment successfully differentiates between the acceptable quality images (good and fair images) and poor quality OCT images as graded by OCT experts. We evaluate the performance of the objective assessment under different quality assessment parameters and demonstrate that SD is the best at distinguishing between fair and good quality images. The accuracy of RNFL thickness estimation is improved significantly after poor quality OCT images are rejected by automated objective assessment using the SD, SNR, and SS.
Characterization of Differentiated Quiescent and Nonquiescent Cells in Yeast Stationary-Phase Cultures (2008)

Cells in glucose-limited Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures differentiate into quiescent (Q) and nonquiescent (NQ) fractions before entering stationary phase. To understand this differentiation, Q and NQ cells from 101 deletion-mutant strains were tested for viability and reproductive capacity. Eleven mutants that affected one or both phenotypes in Q or NQ fractions were identified. NQ fractions exhibit a high level of petite colonies, and nine mutants affecting this phenotype were identified. Microarray analysis revealed >1300 mRNAs distinguished Q from NQ fractions. Q cell-specific mRNAs encode proteins involved in membrane maintenance, oxidative stress response, and signal transduction. NQ-cell mRNAs, consistent with apoptosis in these cells, encode proteins involved in Ty-element transposition and DNA recombination. More than 2000 protease-released mRNAs were identified only in Q cells, consistent with these cells being physiologically poised to respond to environmental changes. Our results indicate that Q and NQ cells differentiate significantly, with Q cells providing genomic stability and NQ cells providing nutrients to Q cells and a regular source of genetic diversity through mutation and transposition. These studies are relevant to chronological aging, cell cycle, and genome evolution, and they provide insight into complex responses that even simple organisms have to starvation.
Automatic classification of single facial images (1999)

We propose a method for automatically classifying facial images based on labeled elastic graph matching, a 2D Gabor wavelet representation, and linear discriminant analysis. Results of tests with three image sets are presented for the classification of sex, "race", and expression. A visual interpretation of the discriminant vectors is provided.
Collaborative Problem Solving and Groupware for Software Development (2007)

This publication contains reprint articles for which IEEE does not hold copyright. Full text is not available on IEEE Xplore for these articles.
Recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in the treatment of patients with sepsis syndrome. Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phase III rhIL-1ra Sepsis Syndrome Study Group. (1994)

There was not a statistically significant increase in survival time for rhIL-1ra treatment compared with placebo among all patients who received the study medication or among patients with shock at study entry. Secondary and retrospective analyses of efficacy suggest that treatment with rhIL-1ra results in a dose-related increase in survival time among patients with sepsis who have organ dysfunction and/or a predicted risk of mortality of 24% or greater.
Hormone and Receptor Studies: Relationship to Linear Growth in Childhood and Puberty* (1991)

Preliminary data suggested different patterns of hormonal control of linear growth in males and females. To better define these patterns, serum samples were collected from 75-125 boys and a similar number from girls for each year of age between 3-16 yr (n = 2416). Fewer samples were collected from 2-yr-olds, newborns, and adults (n = 151). Samples for each age were aliquoted, combined, and assayed for GH, GH-binding protein (GHBP), insulin-like growth factor-I, and testosterone. GHBP, expressed as a percentage of the [125I]GH bound, increased yearly in males and females, with no relationship to the secretion of sex hormones. The increase in binding of [125I]GH and, by inference, GH receptors occurred at a greater rate between the ages of 2-10 yr than between 10-16 yr (in terms of absolute binding, 1.2 +/- 0.11% vs. 0.38 +/- 0.04% yearly; P less than 0.001). In each age group, however, the increase in GHBP exhibited a strong positive correlation with linear height (r = 0.96-0.98 in males; r = 0.92-0.99 in females). Before puberty, GH and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were consistently greater in females. Between 10-16 yr of age, height velocity (centimeters of growth per yr) correlated strongly with GH in girls (r = 0.86), but did not correlate with GH in boys of a similar age (r = -0.13). The major pubertal growth spurt in males strongly correlated with a rise in serum testosterone concentration beginning at age 11 yr (r = 0.92). Small peaks of GH secretion before and after the major period of accelerated growth in males possibly prolonged the major growth phase, but did not initiate it.
Nucleotide sequence and expression of Escherichia coli trpR, the structural gene for the trp aporepressor. (1980)

The nucleotide sequence of trpR of Escherichia coli was determined. This gene codes for a polypeptide (Mr 12,356) that is 108 amino acid residues in length. NH2-terminal, COOH-terminal, and total amino acid analyses of purified aporepressor agree with the deduced amino acid sequence and establish the translation start and stop codons of the structural gene. The transcription start site for trpR mRNA synthesis in vitro was shown to be 56 base pairs prior to the translation start site. The nucleotide sequence on either side of the transcription start site is homologous to the trp operon operator. Purified trp aporepressor, when activated by L-tryptophan, protects restriction sites in this region, the presumed trpR operator, from cleavage by the respective restriction endonucleases. Bound RNA polymerase protects the same restriction sites. These findings and the additional observation that trp repressor inhibits transcription initiation in vitro establish that there is a functional overlap of operator and promoter sequences in the regulatory region of the trpR operon. These findings indicate that expression of trpR is autoregulatory.
Phosphorylation of Plk1 at S137 and T210 is Inhibited in Response to DNA Damage (2004)

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) regulates multiple processes during mitosis. Plk1 is activated by phosphorylation at the G2/M phase boundary. Active Plk1 is involved in promotion of mitotic entry through activation of Cdc25C, and through nuclear import of cyclin B1 that together activate Cdc2/cyclin B kinase. In earlier work, phosphopeptide mapping identified several phosphorylation sites in Plk1. Mutational analysis pinpointed threonine 210, which is located in the activation loop of the kinase domain, as the major activation site of Plk1. In response to DNA damage, ATM/ATR-dependent checkpoint pathways inhibit Plk1 activity. Insensitivity of Plk1T210D, a constitutively active mutant, to DNA damage-induced inhibition of Plk1 indicates that regulation of Plk1 phosphorylation is a potential target of DNA damage checkpoints. In the present paper, we report that in vivo phosphorylation of Plk1 at serine 137 (S137) and threonine 210 (T210) occurs in mitosis. DNA damage prevents phosphorylation of Plk1 at both S137 and T210 in asynchronous cells but not in mitotic cells. Inhibitors of ATM/ATR and Chk1/Chk2 protein kinases avert the inhibition of Plk1 phosphorylation in response to DNA damage. These data suggest a participation of DNA damage checkpoints in regulation of the signaling pathways upstream of Plk1.
Real-world use of liposomal irinotecan-based regimens among patients (pts) with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) in the United States (U.S.). (2020)

e16740 Background: The goals of randomized control trials (RCTs) are to make causal inferences and precise treatment comparisons, not to describe large heterogeneous pt populations. RWE allows population-based healthcare decision makers to assess and manage therapeutic and economic options for their pts, including those who would and would not have met inclusion/exclusion criteria of a given RCT and are instead managed under usual care, irrespective of clinical trial protocols. In the pivotal phase 3 trial, NAPOLI-1, 117 pts were treated with liposomal irinotecan + 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, median age 63 years; 66% were treated first- (1L) or second line (2L), and 91% had performance score ECOG 0 or 1. Pts in the trial had overall survival (OS) of 6.2 months (mos), time to treatment failure (TTF) 2.3 mos, and 27% experienced grades 3-4 neutropenia. The present study describes the patient characteristics and outcomes of pts with mPDAC treated with liposomal irinotecan in the US. Methods: This retrospective observational study used data from Flatiron Health EHR-derived de-identified database from over 280 cancer clinics. Patient characteristics, OS, TTF, and rates of neutropenia during treatment (tx) were assessed in adult pts diagnosed with mPDAC who received liposomal irinotecan based tx between November 1, 2015 and October 31, 2019. Results: 600 pts with mPDAC treated with a liposomal irinotecan based regimen were identified. Of these, 56% were initially diagnosed with stage IV disease, 53% were male, 21% had undergone a previous Whipple procedure, and 61% initiated liposomal irinotecan in the 1L or 2L metastatic setting. Median age at tx initiation was 68 (IQR: 62 – 75) years. 92% of pts were treated in the community setting. Among pts with available ECOG (n = 440), 77.5% were score 0-1. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 11% (n = 66). Overall, median OS was 5.0 mos [95%CI: 4.2–5.6]. mOS among pts treated in 1L (n = 88), 2L (n = 280), and third line plus (3L+, n = 232) were 6.9 mos [5.3–9.2], 5.4 mos [4.6–6.4], and 4.0 mos [3.4–4.5], respectively. Overall, median TTF was 1.9 mos [1.6–2.1]. TTF by line was 3.5 mos [2.3–4.8] in 1L, 2.1 mos [1.7–2.8] in 2L, and 1.4 mos [1.2–1.6] in 3L. Conclusions: This real-world cohort of pts with mPDAC were older, had worse performance status, and had more prior lines compared to the pivotal trial for liposomal irinotecan. Median OS, TTF, and neutropenia were similar to those previously reported. As expected, pts receiving liposomal irinotecan in earlier lines had higher median OS and TTF.
OLED technology and displays (2012)

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) are a different type of solid-state lighting source. An OLED device is typically formed in a sheet with emissive organic layer(s) located between a cathode and anode and deposited on a substrate. The substrate can be rigid such as glass or metal or flexible using a polymer plastic. The number of emissive layers depends on the desired light output of the device. OLED technology has great potential for new uses such flexible paper-thin OLED panels, transparent OLED panels and white OLED. White OLED was developed as device with extremely high power efficiency and long lifetime. The performance achieved was 64lm/W, and 10.000 hours of lifetime at initial luminance of 1000cd/m2 with light out-coupling technique. New technologies, such as sophisticated organic layer structure, were applied to the device. The device also exhibited good durability such as storage stability, which is important performance in practical use. We hope that this paper will show possibilities to practical use of OLED in different types of displays, lighting sources for illumination use, back light and others. From a recent environmental problem and energy supply circumstances, light sources of low energy consumption and eco-friendly are demanded. An enormous amount of research effort goes into the field. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is regarded as a powerful candidate because it is an area light source, can be driven at low voltage, and does not include a material which is harmful to the human body and environment like mercury. As a light source for illumination or backlight, a white light is usually required. To realize a white OLED device, plural light emissive materials such as blue, green, red are used generally.
Frequency of gastric pacesetter potential depends on volume and site of distension (1996)

Little is known about the response of the frequency of gastric pacesetter potential (PP) to luminal distension. When volume distension occurs as a result of a meal, gastric emptying may play an important role, since the site of distension shifts as the meal is displaced from the stomach to the small bowel. In this study, using does equipped with duodenal fistulas and serosal electrodes on the antrum, we compared the frequency of gastric PP during the course of gastric emptying while isolating the volume distension to either the stomach or the small bowel. We found that 1) the frequency of gastric PP decreased linearly with greater initial meal volume when volume distension was isolated to either the stomach -P<0.05, analysis of variance (ANOVA)- or small bowel (P<0.01, ANOVA), and 2) the frequency of gastric PP decreased linearly with increased volume remaining in the stomach or increased volume entering the small intestine. We conclude that the frequency of gastric PP depends on the volume and site of distension.
Differential positive and negative transcriptional regulation by tamoxifen (1995)

Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen and breast cancer chemotherapeutic, exhibits both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties. Rat GC3 cells grown under estrogen-free conditions were analyzed for the expression of model luciferase reporter genes, either positively or negatively regulated by estrogens. Expression assays adding tamoxifen alone or in combination with 17 beta-estradiol were performed to determine agonist or antagonist activities. In rat GC3 cells, tamoxifen acts as an estrogen antagonist for gene activation, but as an agonist for repression. Regulation by tamoxifen is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER), not via nonreceptor tamoxifen effects. Evaluation of human ER shows that although the wild-type receptor behaves similarly to the rat receptor, the Gly400 to Val400 mutant receptor does not. Tamoxifen, an effective agonist for gene repression with rat and wild-type receptor, shows no agonist activity using this mutated Val400 receptor. Yet, 17 beta-estradiol and clomiphene, another mixed agonist/antagonist, are effective agonists for gene repression with all three receptors. In this model system, tamoxifen functions as antagonist or agonist, depending on whether the ER acts to activate or repress its gene target. In other systems regulated by estrogens, functional analyses of ER action might also serve to predict the agonist or antagonist activity of tamoxifen.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke (1995)

Thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke has been approached cautiously because there were high rates of intracerebral hemorrhage in early clinical trials. We performed a randomized, double-blind trial of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for ischemic stroke after recent pilot studies suggested that t-PA was beneficial when treatment was begun within three hours of the onset of stroke.
Hair Follicles – A Long-Term Reservoir for Drug Delivery (2006)

Nanoparticles represent an important drug carrier system. Recently, we have reported on the penetration and storage behavior of particular and non-particular substances revealing the superiority of particular substances in the range of 300-400 nm. In this regard, it was assumed that the rigid hair shaft acts as a geared pump, moving the particles deeper into the hair follicle. In the present investigation, the storage reservoir capacity of the stratum corneum and the hair follicle infundibulum and canal are compared. Interestingly, we could demonstrate a 10 times longer storage within the hair follicles. These results underscore the importance of the hair follicle for drug delivery purposes, mainly highlighting new possibilities for the future concerning retarded delivery, application frequency, and galenic design.
Surface Plasmon Resonances of Cu Nanowire Arrays (2009)

Surface plasmon resonances of arrays of parallel copper nanowires, embedded in ion track-etched polycarbonate membranes, were investigated by systematic changes of nanowires’ topology and arrays area density. The extinction spectra exhibit two peaks which are attributed to interband transitions of Cu bulk metal and to a dipolar surface plasmon resonance, respectively. The resonances were investigated as a function of wire diameter and length, mean distance between adjacent wires, and angle of incidence of the light field with respect to the long wire axis. The dipolar peak shifts to larger wavelengths with increasing diameter and length, and diminishing mean distance between adjacent wires. Additionally, the shape effect on the dipolar peak is investigated.
Alpha-folate receptor expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and non-neoplastic ovarian tissue. (2009)

Compared with nonneoplastic ovaries, alpha-FR protein is overexpressed in human ovarian carcinoma tissue.
The Possible Importance of Contact between Pancreatic Islet Cells for the Control of Insulin Release* (1982)

Insulin secretion was studied using adult rat intact islets, dissociated isolated islet cells, and isolated islet cells that had been allowed to reaggregate. The three preparations were maintained for 2 h in tisue culture medium at 37 C in order to allow for equilibration after the isolation procedures and to permit restoration of contacts between the reaggregated cells. The isolated cells appeared well preserved at the ultrastructural level. Evidence for intimate contacts between the reaggregated cells was demonstrated by the reappearance of gap junctions between adjacent cells. Basal insulin release (2.8 mM glucose) during 30 min was elevated in the isolated cell suspension but was restored to the level found in intact islets when isolated cells from the same population were reaggregated. The elevated basal release did not appear to be due to cell damage since there was a commensurate increase in the rate of insulin biosynthesis relative to intact islets. Although there was a marked stimulation of insulin release from the intact islets at 16.7 mM glucose, the response was smaller in the reaggregated cells and in the isolated cell suspension. All three preparations responded to elevated cAMP levels evoked by glucagon in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose. Similar results were obtained when insulin release was studied in various preparations derived from newborn rat pancreatic endocrine cells. Thus, basal insulin release was elevated in isolated cells, whereas cultures with cell contacts displayed lower basal insulin release. Taken together, the restoration of lower basal insulin release and the parallel appearance of contacts between the reaggregated cells suggest that these two phenomena are interrelated. Thus, cell contacts may be important in regulating basal insulin release. Whether such regulation is a consequence merely of cell association or of direct communication between cells remains to be established.
The C Terminus of HIV-1 Tat Modulates the Extent of CD178-mediated Apoptosis of T Cells (2005)

HIV infection and the progression to AIDS are characterized by the depletion of CD4(+) T cells through apoptosis of the uninfected bystander cells and the direct killing of HIV-infected cells. This is mediated in part by the human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 Tat protein, which is secreted by virally infected cells and taken up by uninfected cells and CD178 gene expression, which is critically involved in T cell apoptosis. The differing ability of HIV strains to induce death of infected and uninfected cells may play a role in the clinical and biological differences displayed by HIV strains. We chemically synthesized the 86-residue truncated short variant of Tat and its full-length form. We show that the trans-activation ability of Tat at the long terminal repeat does not correlate with T cell apoptosis but that the ability of Tat to up-regulate CD178 mRNA expression and induce apoptosis in T cells is critically dependent on the C terminus of Tat. Moreover, the greater 86-residue Tat-induced apoptosis is via the extrinsic pathway of CD95-CD178.