gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Liver-specific disruption of PPARγ in leptin-deficient mice improves fatty liver but aggravates diabetic phenotypes (2003)

To elucidate the function of PPARγ in leptin-deficient mouse (ob/ob) liver, a PPARγ liver-null mouse on an ob/ob background, ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre+, was produced using a floxed PPARγ allele, PPARγ(fl/fl), and Cre recombinase under control of the albumin promoter (AlbCre). The liver of ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre+ mice had a deletion of exon 2 and a corresponding loss of full-length PPARγ mRNA and protein. The PPARγ-deficient liver in ob/ob mice was smaller and had a dramatically decreased triglyceride (TG) content compared with equivalent mice lacking the AlbCre transgene (ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre–). Messenger RNA levels of the hepatic lipogenic genes, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, were reduced in ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre+ mice, and the levels of serum TG and FFA in ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre+ mice were significantly higher than in the control ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre– mice. Rosiglitazone treatment exacerbated the fatty liver in ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre– mice compared with livers from nonobese Cre– mice; there was no effect of rosiglitazone in ob/ob-PPARγ(fl/fl)AlbCre+ mice. The deficiency of hepatic PPARγ further aggravated the severity of diabetes in ob/ob mice due to decreased insulin sensitivity in muscle and fat. These data indicate that hepatic PPARγ plays a critical role in the regulation of TG content and in the homeostasis of blood glucose and insulin resistance in steatotic diabetic mice.
Quantitative TLC Determination of Stevioside and Rebaudioside A in Beverages (1992)

Abstract A method for the determination of stevioside or rebaudioside A in beverages by TLC is described. The natural sweeteners are determined directly at concentrations of 100-200 ppm; below 100 ppm, the sample is purified by a reversed phase silica gel 60 silanized column chromatographic procedure. Quantification by scanning densitometry is carried out after TLC on C-18 preadsorbent layers and detection with anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid reagent. Recoveries from various beverages spiked at 10-200 ppm ranged from 81.8 to 111.0% (stevioside) 87.5 to 111.6% (rebaudioside A). TLC on HP silica gel allows separation of stevioside and rebaudioside A from each other, qualitative identification of the sweeteners, and rapid screening of beverages for their presence.
Click Chemistry for Biotechnology and Materials Science. Herausgegeben von Joerg Lahann. (2010)

John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken 2009. 432 S., geb., 125.00 €.—ISBN 978-0470699706
Detection and clinical usefulness of urinary interleukin-6 in the diseases of the kidney and the urinary tract. (1992)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a key role in inflammatory and immune responses in the host. In the present study, the IL-6 activity in urine from patients with various renal diseases was examined to elucidate the pathological and clinical significance of urinary IL-6. In patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (mes-PGN) including, IgA nephropathy, the urinary IL-6 activity tended to increase with the progression of mesangial hypercellularity. In four patients with IgA nephropathy, urinary IL-6 activity increased markedly but transiently during episodes of acute exacerbation associated with upper respiratory tract infection. In addition, it was demonstrated that urine from patients with other types of PGN such as poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis and membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis contained large quantities of IL-6. However, the levels of urinary IL-6 activity were almost within the normal range in non-proliferative glomerular diseases such as membranous nephropathy, minimal change nephrotic syndrome and lupus nephritis (WHO class I and V), non-glomerular bleeding and orthostatic proteinuria. It should be noted that a marked increase in urinary IL-6 was often observed in the patients with urinary tract infection. These results indicated that IL-6 in urine might be derived from various types of cells participating in inflammatory reactions not only in the renal parenchyma but also in the urinary tract.
Impact behavior of microcellular foams of polystyrene and styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer, and single‐edge‐notched tensile toughness of microcellular foams of polystyrene, styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer, and palycarbonate (1995)

Abstract In the first part of this series of papers, the tensile properties of microcellular foams of polystyrene (PS), styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), and polycarbonate (PC) were reported. In this part, the impact properties of unnotched, sharply and bluntly notched samples of microcellularly foamed PS and SAN samples were studied. Furthermore, the effects of the sharpness of the notch as well as of the speed of the test were studied by comparing the impact tests with the single‐edge‐notched (SEN) tensile tests, which were carried out for the PS, SAN, and PC sample. Some limited improvement in impact and SEN tensile properties was exhibited in some experimental conditions. The impact properties of microcellularly foamed PC samples are reported elsewhere.
Breast fluid cholesterol and cholesterol beta-epoxide concentrations in women with benign breast disease. (1989)

Because cholesterol 5,6-epoxides have been reported to be mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic, we investigated the relationship of these substances in breast fluid to histopathologically defined breast disease. We measured cholesterol and its oxidation product, 5 beta,6 beta-epoxide, in breast fluids from 68 women with biopsied benign breast disease (BBD) and 135 women with no history of breast disease (controls). Each biopsy was classified according to the most severe epithelial change: (a) nonproliferative epithelia; (b) hyperplasia without atypia; or (c) hyperplasia with atypia. Similar to our previous findings in control women, breast fluid cholesterol and beta-epoxide concentrations in women with BBD were associated with factors of interest in relation to breast cancer: concentrations increased with age and were higher in white than nonwhite women and in women who were past or current smokers; concentrations were lower in women who had given birth or breastfed within 2 yr. Increased breast fluid cholesterol and beta-epoxide concentrations were significantly associated with proliferative BBD (hyperplasia with or without atypia) compared to controls. After adjustment for covariates, the odds ratio for proliferative BBD associated with detectable versus nondetectable beta-epoxide concentrations was 8.5 (95% confidence intervals, 1.1, 68.8). Our findings suggest that the histological progression from normal epithelium to hyperplasia without atypia to atypical hyperplasia is associated with progressively increasing concentrations of both cholesterol and cholesterol beta-epoxide.
Exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of apoptotic lymphocytes triggers specific recognition and removal by macrophages (1992)

During normal tissue remodeling, macrophages remove unwanted cells, including those that have undergone programmed cell death, or apoptosis. This widespread process extends to the deletion of thymocytes (negative selection), in which cells expressing inappropriate Ag receptors undergo apoptosis, and are phagocytosed by thymic macrophages. Although phagocytosis of effete leukocytes by macrophages has been known since the time of Metchnikoff, only recently has it been recognized that apoptosis leads to surface changes that allow recognition and removal of these cells before they are lysed. Our data suggest that macrophages specifically recognize phosphatidylserine that is exposed on the surface of lymphocytes during the development of apoptosis. Macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes was inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, by liposomes containing phosphatidyl-L-serine, but not by liposomes containing other anionic phospholipids, including phosphatidyl-D-serine. Phagocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes was also inhibited by the L isoforms of compounds structurally related to phosphatidylserine, including glycerophosphorylserine and phosphoserine. The membranes of apoptotic lymphocytes bound increased amounts of merocyanine 540 dye relative to those of normal cells, indicating that their membrane lipids were more loosely packed, consistent with a loss of membrane phospholipid asymmetry. Apoptotic lymphocytes were shown to express phosphatidylserine (PS) externally, because PS on their surfaces was accessible to derivatization by fluorescamine, and because apoptotic cells expressed procoagulant activity. These observations suggest that apoptotic lymphocytes lose membrane phospholipid asymmetry and expose phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Macrophages then phagocytose apoptotic lymphocytes after specific recognition of the exposed PS.
Physico-Chemical Analysis of the Compressibility of Pure Clays (1956)

Synopsis It has been shown that the presence of exchangeable ions in clay systems leads to the presence of long-range repulsion forces between the particles. A comparison between the compression curves as observed and as calculated from theoretical considerations indicates that in the case of suspensions of pure clays the compressibility can be accounted for quantitatively by the consideration of these long-range forces only. On a montré que la présence d'ions interchangeables dans des constitutions d'argile provoque l'apparition de forces répulsives à grande distance entre les particules. Une comparaison entre les courbes de compression observées et calculées d'après des considérations théoriques indique que dans le cas de suspensions d'argiles pures on peut évaluer la compressibilité quantitativement par la seule considération de ces forces à grande distance.
Transcription Factors NF-IL6 and CREB Recognize a Common Essential Site in the Human Prointerleukin 1β Gene (1994)

A site located between -2782 and -2729 of the human prointerleukin-1 beta (IL1B) gene functions as a strong lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive enhancer independent of the previously identified enhancer located between -2896 and -2846 (F. Shirakawa, K. Saito, C.A. Bonagura, D.L. Galson, M. J. Fenton, A. C. Webb, and P. E. Auron, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:1332-1344, 1993). Although these two enhancers appear to function cooperatively in the native sequence context, they function independently as LPS-responsive elements upon removal of an interposed silencer sequence. The new enhancer is not induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) alone but is superinduced by costimulation with LPS-dbcAMP. This pattern of induction depends upon the nature of the sequence, a composite NF-IL6-cAMP response element (CRE) binding site. This pseudosymmetrical sequence is shown to contrast with a classical symmetric CRE which responds to dbcAMP but not LPS. DNA binding studies using in vivo nuclear extract, recombinant proteins, and specific antibodies show that LPS induces the formation of two different complexes at the enhancer: (i) an NF-IL6-CREB heterodimer and (ii) a heterodimer consisting of NF-IL6 and a non-CREB, CRE-binding protein. Cotransfection studies using NF-IL6 and CREB expression vectors show that NF-IL6 transactivates the enhancer in the presence of LPS, whereas CREB acts either positively or negatively, depending upon its cAMP-regulated phosphorylation state. Our data demonstrate that the newly identified enhancer is a specialized LPS-responsive sequence which can be modulated by cAMP as a result of the involvement of NF-IL6-CRE-binding protein heterodimers.
Characterization of "Peak E," a Novel Amino Acid Associated with Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (1990)

Epidemiologic studies strongly associate eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) with ingestion of tryptophan containing a contaminant ("peak E"). Prior reports have suggested that peak E is the di-tryptophan N alpha-animal of acetaldehyde. Spectral and chemical studies now demonstrate that peak E is 1,1'-ethylidenebis[tryptophan]. This novel amino acid may be the etiological agent responsible for EMS, or it may be a marker of a still unidentified causal agent.
Effect of acetylsalicylic acid, ascorbate and ibuprofen on the macrophage system. (1992)

The influence of ascorbic acid (CAS 50-81-7), acetylsalicylic acid (CAS 50-78-2) and ibuprofen (CAS 15687-27-1) on macrophages of C57BL/6 mice was investigated in vitro. It has been shown that ascorbic acid or acetylsalicylic acid alone did not stimulate or inhibit the production of interleukin-6, whereas a combination of both substances caused a significant stimulation. The viral replication in L929 fibroblasts was not affected by ascorbate and/or acetylsalicylic acid. In addition, the tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) synthesis of peritoneal macrophages was neither stimulated nor inhibited by both substances, alone or in combination. The oxygen radical production, however, was definitely inhibited by ascorbic acid, the effect of acetylsalicylic acid was far less marked, but at the high concentrations the inhibition was clearly discernible. Ibuprofen, a propionic acid derivate, was able to reduce the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus in L929 fibroblast cells. At the highest concentration of ibuprofen, 100 micrograms/ml, 34% of the fibroblast were able to survive. This protective effect declined as the ibuprofen concentration decreased. Ibuprofen could not stimulate peritoneal macrophages to secrete TNF, whereas the oxygen radical production was significantly reduced. In addition, ibuprofen activated mouse macrophages to produce interleukin-6 in a dose dependent way. The results of the in vitro experiments presented clearly show that ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid in ibuprofen influenced the unspecific immune system.
Quasi-optical transmit/receive front ends (1998)

Quasi-optical (QO) active circuits have originally received interest for power generation by large-scale power combining of solid-state devices at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. Here, we present an overview of QO components developed with functionality in mind, with an emphasis on bidirectional amplifier arrays for transmit/receive (T/R) front ends. We discuss possible advantages of the QO architecture for communications and radar. The following three QO bidirectional arrays are presented: 1) a nine-element X-band patch antenna array with different polarizations in T/R modes; 2) a 24-element X-band slot lens array with switches for the T/R paths; and 3) a 22-element K/spl alpha/-band patch lens array using monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs).
Surface modification of neural recording electrodes with conducting polymer/biomolecule blends (2001)

The interface between micromachined neural microelectrodes and neural tissue plays an important role in chronic in vivo recording. Electrochemical polymerization was used to optimize the surface of the metal electrode sites. Electrically conductive polymers (polypyrrole) combined with biomolecules having cell adhesion functionality were deposited with great precision onto microelectrode sites of neural probes. The biomolecules used were a silk-like polymer having fibronectin fragments (SLPF) and nonapeptide CDPGYIGSR. The existence of protein polymers and peptides in the coatings was confirmed by reflective microfocusing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the coating was rough and fuzzy, providing a high density of bioactive sites for interaction with neural cells. This high interfacial area also helped to lower the impedance of the electrode site and, consequently, to improve the signal transport. Impedance spectroscopy showed a lowered magnitude and phase of impedance around the biologically relevant frequency of 1 kHz. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated the intrinsic redox reaction of the doped polypyrrole and the increased charge capacity of the coated electrodes. Rat glial cells and human neuroblastoma cells were seeded and cultured on neural probes with coated and uncoated electrodes. Glial cells appeared to attach better to polypyrrole/SLPF-coated electrodes than to uncoated gold electrodes. Neuroblastoma cells grew preferentially on and around the polypyrrole/CDPGYIGSR-coated electrode sites while the polypyrrole/CH(3)COO(-)-coated sites on the same probe did not show a preferential attraction to the cells. These results indicate that we can adjust the chemical composition, morphology, electronic transport, and bioactivity of polymer coatings on electrode surfaces on a multichannel micromachined neural probe by controlling electrochemical deposition conditions.
The genetics of ivermectin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans (2000)

The ability of organisms to evolve resistance threatens the effectiveness of every antibiotic drug. We show that in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, simultaneous mutation of three genes, avr-14, avr-15, and glc-1, encoding glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) alpha-type subunits confers high-level resistance to the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. In contrast, mutating any two channel genes confers modest or no resistance. We propose a model in which ivermectin sensitivity in C. elegans is mediated by genes affecting parallel genetic pathways defined by the family of GluCl genes. The sensitivity of these pathways is further modulated by unc-7, unc-9, and the Dyf (dye filling defective) genes, which alter the structure of the nervous system. Our results suggest that the evolution of drug resistance can be slowed by targeting antibiotic drugs to several members of a multigene family.
Heterogeneity of autoantibodies against cardiolipin and oxidatively modified LDLs revealed by human monoclonal antibodies (2000)

Human monoclonal antibodies against cardiolipin, native and oxidatively modified LDL and against apoB100 were obtained by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells followed by cloning. The antibodies were used to analyse the cross-reactivity between monoclonals with different specificities and to study the repertoire of antibodies present in sera from patients. Monoclonal antibodies selected for binding to cardiolipin were the least cross-reactive, whereas antibodies against different modifications of LDL frequently also reacted with other modifications. Inhibition studies showed that serum antibodies against cardiolipin and against oxidatively modified LDL were to a different extent inhibited by the different monoclonal antibodies and thus markedly heterogeneous.
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization: A Review (1993)

There is an increasing number of treatment alternatives available for those with ischemic heart disease. Surgical procedures are more sophisticated, a wide array of medications are available, and numerous catheter techniques have evolved to treat patients with coronary artery disease. Technical advances and lifestyle modifications have contributed to a decline in age-adjusted death rates. Despite these advances, there remain a significant number of patients with myocardial ischemia who are not candidates for conventional therapies. Transmyocardial laser revascularization may be a viable adjunct or alternative therapy. In performing this technique, channels are made, from the epicardial surface of the heart through the left ventricle and endocardium, with the CO 2 laser. Perfusion is from the blood supply in the left ventricle via the channels. Postoperative thallium stress tests and left ventriculography indicate that the channels remain patent and protect the ischemic muscle. Experimental and early clinical results of transmyocardial laser revascularization suggest that a group of patients may benefit from this treatment.
The penultimate rotamer library (2000)

All published rotamer libraries contain some rotamers that exhibit impossible internal atomic overlaps if built in ideal geometry with all hydrogen atoms. Removal of uncertain residues (mainly those with B-factors >/=40 or van der Waals overlaps >/=0.4 A) greatly improves the clustering of rotamer populations. Asn, Gln, or His side chains additionally benefit from flipping of their planar terminal groups when required by atomic overlaps or H-bonding. Sensitivity to skew and to the boundaries of chi angle bins is avoided by using modes rather than traditional mean values. Rotamer definitions are listed both as the modal values and in a preferred version that maximizes common atoms between related rotamers. The resulting library shows significant differences from previous ones, differences validated by considering the likelihood of systematic misfitting of models to electron density maps and by plotting changes in rotamer frequency with B-factor. Few rotamers now show atomic overlaps in ideal geometry; those overlaps are relatively small and can be understood in terms of bond angle distortions compensated by favorable interactions. The new library covers 94.5% of examples in the highest quality protein data with 153 rotamers and can make a significant contribution to improving the accuracy of new structures. Proteins 2000;40:389-408.
Multidrug Resistance in Breast Cancer: a Meta-analysis of MDR1/gp170 Expression and Its Possible Functional Significance (1997)

MDR1/gp170 expression in breast tumors is associated with treatment and with a poor response to chemotherapy. The data are consistent with a contributory role for MDR1/gp170 in the multidrug resistance in some breast tumors.
Using visualizations to review a group's interaction dynamics (2006)

We present a visualization system for reviewing the turn-taking patterns in a face-to-face meeting. Without the need to directly observe a group, a user can use the system to gain insight into the interaction dynamics of a meeting. We evaluated the visualizations by asking outside observers to make qualitative judgments about the individuals represented visually, and then compared their assessments to our own, made from direct observation of the meetings.
α-L-Iduronidase forms semi-crystalline spherulites with amyloid-like properties (2000)

While seeking conditions for single crystals of human alpha-L-iduronidase, solutions were discovered (pH 3.0-8.5 containing calcium or zinc salts) that transform soluble alpha-L-iduronidase to a solid aggregate. This aggregate is a spherulite of semi-crystalline protein. The X-ray diffraction pattern and ability to bind Congo red characterize the alpha-L-iduronidase spherulite as 'amyloid-like', in that it displays two of the characteristics of amyloidogenic proteins. In addition, alpha-L-iduronidase also interacts with heparin, as do some amyloid-forming proteins.
Microenvironment at the substrate binding subsite of the active site of UDPglucose 4-epimerase from Kluyveromyces fragilis using a fluorescent analog of UMP. (1992)

A chromophorics and fluorescent analog of uridine 5'-monophosphate (UMP), a known competitive inhibitor of UDPglucose 4-epimerase was synthesised. This analog, namely 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexadienylidene) uridine 5'-monophosphate, was found to be a powerful reversible inhibitor of UDPglucose 4-epimerase indicating its interaction with the substrate binding site of the enzyme. The extreme sensitivity of the fluorescence emission spectrum of this analog to solvent polarity makes it an excellent probe for the study of the environment at the active site of the enzyme. We report here the effective use of this UMP analog to demonstrate that the hydroxyl groups of the ribose moiety of UMP and presumably the substrates (UDPgalactose and UDPglucose) do not reside in a hydrophobic milieu.