gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Aerosolized interferon-alpha treatment in patients with multi-drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. (2000)

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has emerged as an obstacle to the control of tuberculosis. Recent data however, suggest that interferon-(IFN)-gamma and IFN-alpha may improve disease evolution in subjects affected with pulmonary tuberculosis caused by multi-resistant (IFN-gamma) and sensitive (IFN-alpha) strains. The mechanisms involved are not known, even though it has been reported that IFN-gamma-secreting CD4+ Th cells may possess antitubercular effects. In addition, IFN-alpha can induce IFN-gamma secretion by CD4+ Th cells, and both types of IFN may stimulate macrophage activities. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility that aerosolized IFN-alpha, administered concomitantly with conventional antitubercular chemotherapy, may improve the course of pulmonary tuberculosis. After six months of directly observed therapy (DOT), seven patients who were non-responders to a second line antitubercular therapy were given an IFN-alpha aerosol (3 MU, three times a week) for two months as adjunctive therapy. All strains were resistant to at least two first-line drugs. After IFN-alpha administration, the patients were followed up for a further six months with the same DOT. Sputum samples were collected monthly during the study period, with the exception of the IFN-alpha administration period, when the observations were performed weekly. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scans were performed before and after IFN-alpha inhalations. The analysis of the results showed that the mean number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) had remained statistically unchanged (p = 0.80) during the first 6 months of DOT. During the following 2 months of IFN-alpha administration, 5 patients became negative (p = 0.02). After the end of treatment a progressive increase in Mt number was observed (p = 0. 02). Sputum cultures remained positive for all patients throughout the study period, although a significant decrease (p = 0.02) in the colony number per culture was observed after adjunctive treatment with IFN-alpha. After stopping administration of IFN-alpha, a significant increase (p = 0.03) in the colony number per culture was noted as well as in Mt numbers. HRCT scans were slightly improved in all patients. These preliminary data suggest that aerosolized IFN-alpha may be a promising adjunctive therapy for patients with MDR-TB. Optimal doses and schedules however, require further studies.
Electrophysiological properties of in vitro Purkinje cell somata in mammalian cerebellar slices. (1980)

1. The electrical activity of Purkinje cells was studied in guinea-pig cerebellar slices in vitro. Intracellular recordings from Purkinje cell somata were obtained under direct vision, and antidromic, synaptic and direct electroresponsiveness was demonstrated. Synaptic potentials produced by the activation of the climbing fibre afferent could be reversed by direct membrane depolarization. 2. Input resistance of impaled neurones ranged from 10 to 19 M omega and demonstrated non-linearities in both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing directions. 3. Direct activation of a Purkinje cell indicated that repetitive firing of fast somatic spikes (s.s.) occurs, after a threshold, with a minimum spike frequency of about 30 spikes/sec, resembling the '2-class' response of crab nerve (Hodgkin, 1948). 4. As the amplitude of the stimulus was increased, a second form of electroresponsiveness characterized by depolarizing spike bursts (d.s.b.) was observed and was often accomppanied by momentary inactivation of the s.s. potentials. Upon application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) or removal of Na+ ions from the superfusion fluid, the s.s. potentials were abolished while the burst responses remained intact. However, Ca conductance blockers such as Co, Cd, Mn and D600, or the replacement of Ca by Mg, completely abolish d.s.b.s. 5. If Ca conductance was blocked, or Ca removed from the superfusion fluid without blockage of Na conductance, two types of Na-dependent electroresponsiveness were seen: (a) the s.s. potentials and (b) slow rising all-or-none responses which reached plateau at approximately -15 mV and could last for several seconds. These all-or-none Na-dependent plateau depolarizations outlasted the stimulus and were accompanied by a large increase in membrane conductance. Within certain limits the rate of rise and amplitude of the plateau were independent of stimulus strength. The latency, however, was shortened as stimulus amplitude was increased. These potentials were blocked by TTX or by Na-free solutions. 6. Substitution of extracellular Ca by Ba or intracellular injection of tetraethylammonium generated prolonged action potentials lasting for several seconds and showing a plateau more ositive than those obtained in norrmal circumstances by either non-inactivating Na or Ca currents. 7. Spontaneous firing of the Purkinje cell was characterized by burst-like activity consisting of both s.s. and d.s.b. responses. Addition of TTX to the bath left the basic spontaneous activity and its frequency unaltered, indicating tha Ca spiking and Ca-dependent K conductance changes are the main events underlying this oscillatory behaviour. 8...
Evidence for two types of cytotoxic necrotizing factor in human and animal clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (1990)

We have characterized the in vitro and in vivo toxic properties of cell sonic extracts from 22 animal and human clinical isolates of Escherichia coli that caused both necrosis in the rabbit skin and multinucleation in tissue cultures, two toxic properties previously reported as being specific for E. coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF). Two distinct toxic phenotypes were observed. Type 1, which was displayed by originally described CNF strains, was characterized by extensive multinucleation and rounding of cells in HeLa cell culture assays, moderate necrosis in the rabbit skin test, and absence of necrosis in the mouse footpad test. Type 2, which has recently been shown to be associated with E. coli Vir plasmid, was characterized by moderate multinucleation, by polymorphism and elongation of HeLa cells, and by an intense necrotic response in both the rabbit skin test and the mouse footpad test. The distinction between the two cytotoxins accounting for these effects (CNF 1 and CNF 2), together with their partial relatedness, was confirmed by seroneutralization studies of both cytopathic effects and necrosis in the rabbit skin test. In addition, type 2 extracts were more lethal in the mouse intraperitoneal test and induced a moderate, although not totally repetitive, fluid accumulation in the ileal loop test. The original toxic properties of these recently recognized categories of E. coli strains, together with their association with enteritis and septicemia, suggest that these strains may play a significant role in pathology.
Efficient production of chicken egg yolk antibodies against a conserved mammalian protein (1990)

The egg yolk of immunized chicken is a rich and inexpensive source of specific polyclonal antibodies. In this paper we show that 20-30 micrograms of a highly conserved mammalian protein, as exemplified by proliferating cell nuclear antigen, are sufficient to induce an immune response. Immunoblot analysis revealed that specific antibodies appeared 20 days after immunization, reached a plateau after 30 days, and remained high until at least day 81. A total amount of 4 g immunoglobulin was extracted from 62 eggs of one immunized hen, yielding approximately 130 mg of specific antibodies.
A Naturally Occurring Protective System in Urea-Rich Cells:  Mechanism of Osmolyte Protection of Proteins against Urea Denaturation (1997)

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a solute concentrated in the urea-rich cells of elasmobranchs and coelacanth to offset the damaging effects of urea on intracellular protein structure and function. On the basis of transfer free energy measurements, favorable interaction of TMAO with amino acid side chains promote protein denaturation. This effect is more than offset by highly unfavorable TMAO-peptide backbone interactions that not only oppose denaturation but also provide stabilization against denaturation by urea. By combining transfer free energies of side chains and backbone with surface area exposure in the native and unfolded states of ribonuclease T1, the transfer free energies of native and unfolded protein from water to 1 M TMAO are estimated as 1.7 and 5.9 kcal/mol, respectively. These estimates agree favorably with the respective values of 1.2 and 5.4 kcal/mol determined experimentally by Lin and Timasheff [(1994) Biochemistry 33, 12695-12701]. The unfavorable transfer free energies of native and unfolded protein from water to TMAO provides a molecular level rationale for preferential hydration of proteins by osmolytes. Promotion of denaturation by urea is found to be offset by TMAO in a manner that is roughly additive of the combined effects of both solutes. The favorable interaction of urea with the backbone provides the dominant driving force for protein unfolding by this denaturant, and the unfavorable interaction of TMAO with backbone is the dominant force opposing urea denaturation. In solutions that contain significant organic solute concentration, the ascendance of the role of the peptide backbone over that of side chains can explain many observed effects in protein denaturation and stability induced by a variety of stabilizing and destabilizing organic solutes.
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound: A Review of the Physical Principles and Major Applications in Critical Care (2013)

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a noninvasive ultrasound (US) study used to measure cerebral blood flow velocity (CBF-V) in the major intracranial arteries. It involves use of low-frequency (≤2 MHz) US waves to insonate the basal cerebral arteries through relatively thin bone windows. TCD allows dynamic monitoring of CBF-V and vessel pulsatility, with a high temporal resolution. It is relatively inexpensive, repeatable, and portable. However, the performance of TCD is highly operator dependent and can be difficult, with approximately 10-20% of patients having inadequate transtemporal acoustic windows. Current applications of TCD include vasospasm in sickle cell disease, subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), and intra- and extracranial arterial stenosis and occlusion. TCD is also used in brain stem death, head injury, raised intracranial pressure (ICP), intraoperative monitoring, cerebral microembolism, and autoregulatory testing.
Teletext (1999)

Abstract The sections in this article are Teletext Principles Teletext Specification Signal Degradation and Error Protection Teletext Decoders: Functions and Interfaces Subtitles and Closed Captioning Database Navigation and Access Time Improvements VCR Programming and Start/Stop Control Teletext Market Development Other Teletext Standards Further Developments in Teletext Conclusion
Video tapestries with continuous temporal zoom (2010)

We present a novel approach for summarizing video in the form of a multiscale image that is continuous in both the spatial domain and across the scale dimension: There are no hard borders between discrete moments in time, and a user can zoom smoothly into the image to reveal additional temporal details. We call these artifacts tapestries because their continuous nature is akin to medieval tapestries and other narrative depictions predating the advent of motion pictures. We propose a set of criteria for such a summarization, and a series of optimizations motivated by these criteria. These can be performed as an entirely offline computation to produce high quality renderings, or by adjusting some optimization parameters the later stages can be solved in real time, enabling an interactive interface for video navigation. Our video tapestries combine the best aspects of two common visualizations, providing the visual clarity of DVD chapter menus with the information density and multiple scales of a video editing timeline representation. In addition, they provide continuous transitions between zoom levels. In a user study, participants preferred both the aesthetics and efficiency of tapestries over other interfaces for visual browsing.
Expression of a cDNA encoding the glycolipid‐anchored form of rat acetylcholinesterase (1993)

We amplified by PCR and characterized a fragment of cDNA from rat spleen, encoding the distinctive C-terminal region of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) H subunit. A recombinant vector encoding this subunit was constructed and expressed in COS cells: the H subunits produced glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored dimers, showing that the spleen cDNA fragment contained a functional GPI cleavage/attachment site. Using PCR, we did not detect mRNAs encoding AChE H in rat muscle or hypothalamus. In the liver of 16-day rat embryos, we found both H and T transcripts, in agreement with the presence of both GPI-anchored dimers and amphiphilic monomers of type II. In addition, we detected 'read-through' (R) transcripts, in which regular introns are spliced, but the intervening sequence between the common exon 4 and the alternative exon 5 (H) is maintained.
Characterisation and Germline Transmission of Cultured Avian Primordial Germ Cells (2010)

The establishment of in vitro cultures of germline competent avian PGCs offers a unique system for the study of early germ cell differentiation and also a comparative system for mammalian germ cell development. Primary PGC lines will form the basis of an alternative technique for the preservation of avian germplasm and will be a valuable tool for transgenic technology, with both research and industrial applications.
Taxol induces postmitotic myoblasts to assemble interdigitating microtubule-myosin arrays that exclude actin filaments. (1981)

Taxol has the following effects on myogenic cultures: (a) it blocks cell replication of presumptive myoblasts and fibroblasts. (b) It induces the aggregation of microtubules into sheets or massive cables in presumptive myoblasts and fibroblasts, but not in postmitotic, mononucleated myoblasts. (c) It induces normally elongated postmitotic myoblasts to form stubby, star-shaped cells. (d) It reversibly blocks the fusion of the star-shaped myoblasts into multinucleated myotubes. (e) It augments the number of microtubules in postmitotic myoblasts, and these are assembled into interdigitating arrays of microtubules and myosin filaments. (f) Actin filaments are largely excluded from these interdigitating microtubule-myosin complexes. (g) The myosin filaments in the interdigitating microtubule-myosin arrays are aligned laterally, forming A-bands approximately 1.5 micrometers long.
Nucleoporin Nup188 is required for chromosome alignment in mitosis (2013)

Most cancer cells are aneuploid, which could be caused by defects in chromosome segregation machinery. Nucleoporins (Nup) are components of the nuclear pore complex, which is essential for nuclear transport during interphase, but several nucleoporins are also known to be involved in chromosome segregation. Here we report a novel function of Nup188, one of the nucleoporins regulating chromosome segregation. Nup188 localizes to spindle poles during mitosis, through the C-terminal region of Nup188. In Nup188-depleted mitotic cells, chromosomes fail to align to the metaphase plate, which causes mitotic arrest due to the spindle assembly checkpoint. Both the middle and the C-terminal regions were required for chromosome alignment. Robust K-fibers, microtubule bundles attaching to kinetochores, were hardly formed in Nup188-depleted cells. Significantly, we found that Nup188 interacts with NuMA, which plays an instrumental role in focusing microtubules at centrosomes, and NuMA localization to spindle poles is perturbed in Nup188-depleted cells. These data suggest that Nup188 promotes chromosome alignment through K-fiber formation and recruitment of NuMA to spindle poles.
Design and Development of a Space Station Cell Culture Unit (1998)

&lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;To address basic cell biology questions such as “Can cells respond to a gravity stimulus?”, a Cell Culture Unit (CCU) is being developed for use in the International Space Station. The CCU will accommodate diverse specimen types (animal, plant, and microbial cells; tissues; aquatic organisms) in up to twenty-four cell specimen chambers. The environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, pH, gas concentrations) will be maintained by medium recirculation and renewal, and gas and heat exchange. The CCU will also provide for the addition of experimental agents (e.g. growth factors), automated sampling, and monitoring of the specimens by video microscopy. Microgravity experiments will be performed using the CCU within the Habitat Holding Rack (HHR); a CCU within the Space Station Centrifuge will serve as an on-board unit-gravity control.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;The CCU design includes a Cell Specimen Environment Assembly to maintain the specimens, a Video Microscope System to obtain specimen images, an Electronics Assembly to control the subsystems and provide signal conditioning, a Power Supply Subsystem to condition power from the HHR or Centrifuge, an Active Cooling Subsystem to maintain specimen temperature, and a Structural Containment Assembly to house the subsystems and interface with the HHR or Centrifuge. Six reference specimens, encompassing the candidates that will likely be flown and that exercise the required ranges of experimental conditions, were selected to test the individual subsystems and the CCU system. Here we report the design and development testing of the first CCU prototypes (e.g. biocompatibility, medium flow and mixing, gas exchange, sampling, video images, cell and tissue culture). Detailed design and testing will continue towards a first launch of the CCU in 2001.&lt;/div&gt;
Characterization of a CREB Gain-of-Function Mutant with Constitutive Transcriptional Activity In Vivo (2000)

The cyclic AMP (cAMP)-responsive factor CREB promotes cellular gene expression, following its phosphorylation at Ser133, via recruitment of the coactivator paralogs CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300. CBP and p300, in turn, appear to mediate target gene induction via their association with RNA polymerase II complexes and via intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activities that mobilize promoter-bound nucleosomes. In addition to cAMP, a wide variety of stimuli, including hypoxia, UV irradiation, and growth factor addition, induce Ser133 phosphorylation with stoichiometry and kinetics comparable to those induced by cAMP. Yet a number of these signals are incapable of promoting target gene activation via CREB phosphorylation per se, suggesting the presence of additional regulatory events either at the level of CREB-CBP complex formation or in the subsequent recruitment of the transcriptional apparatus. Here we characterize a Tyr134Phe CREB mutant that behaves as a constitutive activator in vivo. Like protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated wild-type CREB, the Tyr134Phe polypeptide was found to stimulate target gene expression via the Ser133-dependent recruitment of CBP and p300. Biochemical studies reveal that mutation of Tyr134 to Phe lowers the K(m) for PKA phosphorylation and thereby induces high levels of constitutive Ser133 phosphorylation in vivo. Consistent with its constitutive activity, Tyr134Phe CREB strongly promoted differentiation of PC12 cells in concert with suboptimal doses of nerve growth factor. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Ser133 phosphorylation is sufficient for cellular gene activation and that additional signal-dependent modifications of CBP or p300 are not required for recruitment of the transcriptional apparatus to the promoter.
Targeting Genes: Delivery and Persistent Expression of a Foreign Gene Driven by Mammalian Regulatory Elements in Vivo (1989)

We present evidence that a foreign gene driven by natural mammalian regulatory elements can be targeted to hepatocytes and the resultant gene expression made to persist. This was accomplished using a soluble DNA carrier system consisting of two covalently linked components: 1) a polycation, poly-L-lysine, that can bind DNA in a strong but non-damaging interaction, and 2) an asialoglycoprotein which can be targeted specifically to hepatocytes by cell surface asialoglycoprotein receptors unique to this cell type. A plasmid, palb-CAT, containing the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) driven by mouse albumin regulatory sequences was complexed to the carrier system. Intravenous injection of palb-CAT DNA in the form of a complex resulted in the presence of CAT enzyme activity in liver homogenates 24 h after injection. The targeted gene expression, however, was transient, reaching a maximum of 10 units/g liver at 24 h but was not detectable by 96 h. However, partial hepatectomy 30 min after injection resulted in persistent high levels of hepatic CAT activity (11.3 units/g) through 11 weeks post-injection. Southern analysis of livers 11 weeks after partial hepatectomy demonstrated that some of the targeted DNA had been integrated into the host genome. We conclude that a foreign gene driven by natural mammalian regulatory elements can be delivered to hepatocytes by intravenous injection in vivo using a soluble DNA carrier system. Foreign gene expression targeted in this manner can be made to persist by stimulation of hepatocyte replication.
Research on Binarization of QR Code Image (2010)

In this paper, a new QR code binarization method is presented according to the QR code characteristic to improve the accuracy of QR code decoding in mobile image processing. The Sauvola's thresholding algorithm is modified to solve QR code image binarization which is the threshold decision in the uneven light condition. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm has better correctness of recognition compared with others.
Clinical activity of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with metastatic/relapsed androgen receptor–positive salivary gland cancers (2014)

We confirm the activity of androgen deprivation therapy in androgen receptor-expressing recurrent/metastatic salivary gland cancers. The hypothesis that an androgen receptor increased gene copy number may represent a possible mechanism of primary resistance should be further investigated.
The colony-stimulating factors: use to prevent and treat neutropenia and its complications (2004)

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) represent the only biological response modifiers used in clinical practice to treat or prevent neutropenia. These pleiotropic cytokines are available in clinical practice as granulocyte CSF (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) and pegylated G-CSF. Neutropenia and its complications, most importantly febrile neutropenia (FN), remain major and serious side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Several studies and meta-analyses have addressed the clinical applications of CSFs to treat or prevent neutropenia. Guidelines have been developed to foster the appropriate use of CSFs. This article reviews the nature and use of the CSFs, and summarises the critical studies and guidelines. A historical perspective briefly describes the discovery, synthesis and clinical use of CSFs. The major biological and pharmacological characteristics are highlighted. The clinical applications of the CSFs are reviewed, including primary FN prophylaxis, secondary FN prophylaxis, treatment of FN, support of dose-dense chemotherapy regimens, use in leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, utility in stem cell transplantation, and use in elderly and paediatric patients. Finally, clinical efficacy data, as well as the economic impact of the CSFs, are discussed.