gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
In Situ Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles on Single-Layer Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Surfaces (2009)

A straightforward one-step chemical method to in situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on single-layer graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) surfaces is proposed. After simply heating the single-layer GO or r-GO adsorbed on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-modified Si/SiOx substrates in a silver nitrate aqueous solution at 75 °C, Ag NPs are synthesized and grow on the GO or r-GO surface. The obtained Ag NPs are investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Our method is unique and important since no reducing agent is required in the reaction. Au NPs on a GO surface are obtained by simply immersing the obtained Ag NPs on the GO surface in HAuCl4 solution.
Sacral neuromodulation in patients with faecal incontinence: results of the first 100 permanent implantations (2007)

Sacral neuromodulation is an effective treatment for FI. The medium-term results were satisfying.
Life cell quantification of mitochondrial membrane potential at the single organelle level (2007)

Mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi) is key to mitochondrial function and cellular survival. Here, we aimed to develop an automated protocol allowing sensitive quantification of Deltapsi in living cells at the level of individual mitochondria. Human skin fibroblasts were stained with the fluorescent cation tetramethyl rhodamine methyl ester (TMRM), which is sequestered by mitochondria according to their Deltapsi. Cells were visualized by videomicroscopy and the acquired images were processed to generate a mitochondria-specific mask. The latter was superimposed on the original image to allow quantification of TMRM fluorescence. Following validation, our approach revealed that mitochondria with different Deltapsi coexisted within the same cell. Furthermore, our method allowed reproducible detection of small (<10%) reductions in TMRM intensity induced by the complex III inhibitor antimycin A. Mitochondrial uncoupling by p-trifluoromethoxy carbonyl cyanide phenyl hydrazone (FCCP) greatly reduced mitochondrial TMRM fluorescence. Under these conditions faithful mask calculation and TMRM intensity analysis were still possible using a mitochondria-targeted green fluorescence protein (mitoAcGFP1), expressed in the cells using baculoviral transfection.
In vivo pharmacology of SDZ 249-665, a novel, non-pungent capsaicin analogue (2000)

Capsaicin and analogues are valuable analgesic agents when administered to mammals, including humans. However, their pungency and the effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems through their general activation of small calibre (nociceptive) primary afferents severely limit their use. Recently, structure activity analysis revealed that the initial pungent and general excitatory effects can be prevented by structural modifications in such a way that the analgesic activity is retained. In this paper we present SDZ 249-665, a capsaicin analogue which produced analgesia in the mouse and anti-hyperalgesic effects in the rat and guinea pig. SDZ 249-665 was administered p.o., s.c. and i.v. in models of nociceptive pain, such as tail flick latency in response to a noxious thermal stimulus and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, and in models of inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia induced by turpentine or carrageenan in the rat and guinea pig, respectively. SDZ 249-665 was effective in the tail flick and the writhing assays and produced significant anti-hyperalgesic effects in the inflammatory models. The efficacy of SDZ 245-665 was similar to that of capsaicin, however, it was significantly more potent. SDZ 249-665 did not produce any irritancy in a nose wipe assay in guinea pigs or an eye irritancy assay in rats, while capsaicin was clearly irritant in both cases. Furthermore, unlike capsaicin, SDZ 249-665 did not produce unwanted side effects such as bronchoconstriction and blood pressure changes in the analgesic/anti-hyperalgesic dose range. Thus, a clear analgesic therapeutic window exists for SDZ 249-665. In summary, SDZ 249-665 is a potent orally active, analgesic/anti-hyperalgesic agent in mouse, rat and guinea pig. It lacks the excitatory effects associated with capsaicin and other close analogues, and therefore provides a clear therapeutic window for use in painful conditions. In addition to this favourable profile, no sign of tolerance was detected after a 5 day repeated dose treatment.
Immunoregulatory role of CD40 in human B cell differentiation (1993)

CD40 is a member of a family of surface molecules with homology to the nerve growth factor receptor and is expressed on B cells. The role of CD40 in regulating human B cell differentiation and the production of specific Ig isotypes was examined. In the absence of other stimuli, anti-CD40 and IL-4 induced the secretion of IgM, IgG, and IgE by purified human peripheral blood B cells. However, addition of formalinized Staphylococcus aureus (SA) enhanced the response. In the presence of SA, anti-CD40 and IL-4 induced the secretion of IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 in addition to IgE. No consistent effect on IgA secretion was demonstrated. The combination of SA, anti-CD40, and IL-4 induced one tenth of the total Ig production that was stimulated by SA and IL-2, with a different distribution of Ig H chain isotypes. B cells stimulated with SA, anti-CD40, and IL-4 secreted a greater percentage of IgG4 and IgE and a decreased percentage of IgG1 and IgA, compared with that secreted in response to SA and IL-2. Anti-CD40 did not induce Ig production in combination with IL-2 and did not alter the Ig secreted in response to SA and IL-2. Stimulation with SA, anti-CD40, and IL-4 caused Ig H chain isotype switch, inasmuch as IgG and IgE secretion could be induced from preimmune cord blood B cells and IgD+ naive adult B cells and IgE secretion could be induced from IgE- adult B cells. Ig secretion by purified B cells stimulated with SA, IL-4, and anti-CD40, but not with SA and IL-2, was significantly enhanced by anti-CD18 or anti-ICAM-1 mAb, suggesting that homotypic aggregation induced by anti-CD40 might limit Ig production. Finally, anti-CD40 was found to inhibit Ig production by B cells cultured with anti-CD3-activated T cells. These results suggest that engagement of the CD40 molecule on B cells provides signals that permit IL-4 to induce Ig isotype switching. This response is limited by LFA-1-mediated homotypic interactions of B cells. Engagement of CD40 by the ligand expressed by activated T cells appears to be important for the activation of B cells during T cell-B cell collaboration and the production of all isotypes of Ig.
Protein p56 from the Bacillus subtilis phage 29 inhibits DNA-binding ability of uracil-DNA glycosylase (2007)

Protein p56 (56 amino acids) from the Bacillus subtilis phage 29 inactivates the host uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG), an enzyme involved in the base excision repair pathway. At present, p56 is the only known example of a UDG inhibitor encoded by a non-uracil containing viral DNA. Using analytical ultracentrifugation methods, we found that protein p56 formed dimers at physiological concentrations. In addition, circular dichroism spectroscopic analyses revealed that protein p56 had a high content of beta-strands (around 40%). To understand the mechanism underlying UDG inhibition by p56, we carried out in vitro experiments using the Escherichia coli UDG enzyme. The highly acidic protein p56 was able to compete with DNA for binding to UDG. Moreover, the interaction between p56 and UDG blocked DNA binding by UDG. We also demonstrated that Ugi, a protein that interacts with the DNA-binding domain of UDG, was able to replace protein p56 previously bound to the UDG enzyme. These results suggest that protein p56 could be a novel naturally occurring DNA mimicry.
The Brain's Default Network (2008)

Thirty years of brain imaging research has converged to define the brain's default network-a novel and only recently appreciated brain system that participates in internal modes of cognition. Here we synthesize past observations to provide strong evidence that the default network is a specific, anatomically defined brain system preferentially active when individuals are not focused on the external environment. Analysis of connectional anatomy in the monkey supports the presence of an interconnected brain system. Providing insight into function, the default network is active when individuals are engaged in internally focused tasks including autobiographical memory retrieval, envisioning the future, and conceiving the perspectives of others. Probing the functional anatomy of the network in detail reveals that it is best understood as multiple interacting subsystems. The medial temporal lobe subsystem provides information from prior experiences in the form of memories and associations that are the building blocks of mental simulation. The medial prefrontal subsystem facilitates the flexible use of this information during the construction of self-relevant mental simulations. These two subsystems converge on important nodes of integration including the posterior cingulate cortex. The implications of these functional and anatomical observations are discussed in relation to possible adaptive roles of the default network for using past experiences to plan for the future, navigate social interactions, and maximize the utility of moments when we are not otherwise engaged by the external world. We conclude by discussing the relevance of the default network for understanding mental disorders including autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Adoptive Transfer of Tumor-Reactive Melan-A-Specific CTL Clones in Melanoma Patients Is Followed by Increased Frequencies of Additional Melan-A-Specific T Cells (2005)

In this study, we report the adoptive transfer of highly tumor-reactive Melan-A-specific T cell clones to patients with metastatic melanoma, and the follow-up of these injected cells. These clones were generated from HLA-A*0201 patients by in vitro stimulations of total PBMC with the HLA-A*0201-binding Melan-A peptide analog ELAGIGILTV. Ten stage IV melanoma patients were treated by infusion of these CTL clones with IL-2 and IFN-alpha. The generated T cell clones, of effector/memory phenotype were selected on the basis of their ability to produce IL-2 in response to HLA-A*0201 Melan-A-positive melanoma lines. Infused clones were detected, by quantitative PCR, in the blood of three patients for periods ranging from 7 to 60 days. Six patients showed regression of individual metastases or disease stabilization, and one patient experienced a complete response, but no correlation was found between the detection of the infused clones in PBMC or tumor samples and clinical responses. Nonetheless, frequencies of Melan-A/A2-specific lymphocytes, measured by tetramer labeling, increased after treatment in most patients. In one of these patients, who showed a complete response, this increase corresponded to the expansion of new clonotypes of higher avidity than those detected before treatment. Together, our results suggest that infused CTL clones may have initiated an antitumor response that may have resulted in the expansion of a Melan-A-specific CTL repertoire.
Hypophosphatemia leads to rickets by impairing caspase-mediated apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes (2005)

Rickets is seen in association with vitamin D deficiency and in several genetic disorders associated with abnormal mineral ion homeostasis. Studies in vitamin D receptor (VDR)-null mice have demonstrated that expansion of the late hypertrophic chondrocyte layer, characteristic of rickets, is secondary to impaired apoptosis of these cells. The observation that normalization of mineral ion homeostasis in the VDR-null mice prevents rachitic changes suggests that rickets is secondary to hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, or hyperparathyroidism, rather than impaired VDR action. To determine which of these abnormalities is responsible for impaired chondrocyte apoptosis and subsequent rachitic changes, two additional models were examined: diet-induced hypophosphatemia/hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia secondary to mutations in the Phex gene. The former model is associated with suppressed parathyroid hormone levels as a consequence of hypercalcemia. The latter model demonstrates normal calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, but 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels that are inappropriately low for the degree of hypophosphatemia. Our studies demonstrate that normal phosphorus levels are required for growth plate maturation and implicate a critical role for phosphate-regulated apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes via activation of the caspase-9-mediated mitochondrial pathway.
Salivary Acidic Proline‐rich Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritisa, (1998)

In an ongoing attempt to investigate qualitative salivary parameters in diseases affecting salivary glands, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined. Patients were selected from the Oslo RA register for the present study if they fulfilled the following criteria: age 52-74 years, disease duration 10-20 years, and disability score as assessed by the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire < or = 2.5. From these 105 patients, two subgroups of patients were selected, one group with pronounced sicca symptoms from eyes and mouth, and one group without such symptoms. Sicca symptoms were assessed using a postal questionnaire with the questions on dry mouth and dry eyes of the European classification criteria for Sjögren's syndrome. Patients were excluded from further examinations if they used medication that could cause dryness in eyes or mouth. Thus, nine patients remained in the sicca group (having four or more sicca symptoms), and ten matched RA patients were selected for the nonsicca group. A healthy sex- and age-matched control group (n = 10) was also examined. In a preliminary report we have shown that differences in flow rates between sicca and nonsicca RA patients were limited to lower values of unstimulated whole saliva. To further evaluate salivary changes in RA, a disease frequently associated with secondary Sjögren's syndrome, we have studied qualitative salivary parameters in these patients,' including secretory rates of proline-rich proteins (PRPs), statherins, and histatins. In the present report, phenotypes of PRPs, the ratio of PRPs derived from the two loci (PRH1 and PRH2), and PRP concentration and output in parotid and submandibular saliva derived from the two loci are presented. Parotid (PS) and submandibular saliva (SS) were collected from all individuals using 2% citric acid as a saliva stimulus. PRPs in PS and SS were identified using a SMART microchromatographic system with a Mono Q column and a Tris-HCl/NaCl gradient (method adapted from ref. 5). For PRPs, the primary polypeptide products are coded for on two loci (PRH1 and PRH2), which have three and two commonly occurring gene variants, respectively. On PRH1, the proteins PIF-s, Db-s, and Pa are coded for, whereas PRP-1 and PRP-2 are coded for on the PRH2 locus. As each protein variant has a postranscriptional cleavage product, individuals will exhibit four, six, or eight PRPs in their saliva, depending on whether they are homozygous at both, one, or neither of the two loci. Accordingly, 18 possible phenotypes may exist, but as few as three phenotypes were found in 79% of the 127 healthy individuals examined by Hay et al. The SMART system allows the determination of the different acidic PRPs present in saliva. Concentrations of the various phenotypes were calculated by peak integration versus pure PRP standards. Total PRP concentration derived from each locus was calculated as the sum of the concentrations of PRP variants from that locus.
NOR virtual ground (NVG)-a new scaling concept for very high density flash EEPROM and its implementation in a 0.5 um process (2002)

A new NOR virtual ground flash cell array concept is introduced. A 2.4 um/sup 2/ cell size based on a 0.5 um process is realized, which is a 35% cell size reduction compared with the conventional NOR cell.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Quantification and segmentation of brain tissues from MR images: a probabilistic neural network approach (1998)

This paper presents a probabilistic neural network based technique for unsupervised quantification and segmentation of brain tissues from magnetic resonance images. It is shown that this problem can be solved by distribution learning and relaxation labeling, resulting in an efficient method that may be particularly useful in quantifying and segmenting abnormal brain tissues where the number of tissue types is unknown and the distributions of tissue types heavily overlap. The new technique uses suitable statistical models for both the pixel and context images and formulates the problem in terms of model-histogram fitting and global consistency labeling. The quantification is achieved by probabilistic self-organizing mixtures and the segmentation by a probabilistic constraint relaxation network. The experimental results show the efficient and robust performance of the new algorithm and that it outperforms the conventional classification based approaches.
Complexity of Agonist- and Cyclic AMP-Mediated Downregulation of the Human β1-Adrenergic Receptor:  Role of Internalization, Degradation, and mRNA Destabilization (2002)

Prolonged agonist exposure often induces downregulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although downregulation of the prototypical beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) has been extensively studied, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be resolved. As even less is known about the beta(1)-subtype, we investigated the downregulation of human beta(1)AR stably expressed in Chinese hamster fibroblasts in response to the agonist isoproterenol or the cell-permeable, chlorophenylthio-cAMP (CPT-cAMP). While either effector mediated decreases in both beta(1)AR binding activity and steady-state beta(1)AR mRNA levels, there were significant differences in their actions. Whereas agonist-mediated downregulation of beta(1)AR followed first-order kinetics, that induced by CPT-cAMP was delayed for several hours and approximately 50% of the former. Furthermore, agonist but not CPT-cAMP induced beta(1)AR internalization, and inhibiting internalization also suppressed agonist-mediated downregulation. The latter, however, was more sensitive than the former to agonist concentration (EC(50) of 0.3 vs 48 nM). Thus, at < or =1 nM agonist, downregulation occurred without internalization and with a pattern similar to that mediated by CPT-cAMP. The amounts of beta(1)AR downregulated or internalized were proportional to initial receptor levels but reached saturation at approximately 2 and 3 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. The fate of beta(1)AR protein during downregulation was determined by immunoblotting with anti-C-terminal antibodies. In agonist-treated cells, beta(1)AR protein disappeared with time and without any immunoreactive degradation products. Agonist-mediated downregulation of the human beta(1)AR appears to be a complex process that consists of both agonist- and cAMP-specific components. The former involves both receptor internalization and degradation whereas the latter involves a reduction in receptor mRNA.
Rapid orthodontics with alveolar reshaping: two case reports of decrowding. (2001)

Two case reports demonstrate a new orthodontic method that offers short treatment times and the ability to simultaneously reshape and increase the buccolingual thickness of the supporting alveolar bone. A 24-year-old man with a Class I severely crowded malocclusion and an overly constricted maxilla with concomitant posterior crossbites and a 17-year-old female with a Class I moderately to severely crowded malocclusion requested shortened orthodontic treatment times. This new surgery technique included buccal and lingual full-thickness flaps, selective partial decortication of the cortical plates, concomitant bone grafting/augmentation, and primary flap closure. Following the surgery, orthodontic adjustments were made approximately every 2 weeks. From bracketing to debracketing, both cases were completed in approximately 6 months and 2 weeks. Posttreatment evaluation of both patients revealed good results. At approximately 15 months following surgery in one patient, a full-thickness flap was again reflected. Visual examination revealed good maintenance of the height of the alveolar crest and an increased thickness in the buccal bone. The canine and premolars in this area were expanded buccally by more than 3 mm, and yet there had actually been an increase in the buccolingual thickness of the overlying buccal bone. Additionally, a preexisting bony fenestration buccal of the root of the first premolar was covered. Both of these findings lend credence to the incorporation of the bone augmentation procedure into the corticotomy surgery because this made it possible to complete the orthodontic treatment with a more intact periodontium. The rapid expansive tooth movements with no significant apical root resorption may be attributed to the osteoclastic or catabolic phase of the regional acceleratory phenomenon. Instead of bony "block" movement or resorption/apposition, the degree of demineralization/remineralization might be a more accurate explanation of what occurs in the alveolar bone during physiologic tooth movement in these patients.
A Three-Dimensional Micro-Organ Culture System Optimized for in Vitro Growth of Human Malignant Brain Tumors (1991)

A brain tumor is composed not only of tumor cells, but also of normal glial, mesenchymal, endothelial, and microglial cells, as well as lymphocytes and macrophages. Therefore, homogeneous cultures of tumor cells, currently used for chemosensitivity testing, do not accurately model in situ tumors. We have developed an in vitro growth assay for brain tumors that includes normal host cells and is potentially useful for studies of chemotherapy and biological response modifiers. Human glioblastoma xenografts (U251-MG) were resected from mice, minced, and explanted into agarosecoated culture wells. After 5 to 7 days, microtumors emerged as expanding spheroids, which grew most efficiently in minimum essential medium supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum, 90% of which was replaced on alternate days. The growth rate and bromodeoxyuridine labeling index were similar in the microtumors and the xenografts, and light microscopy revealed highly cellular, pleomorphic tumors with high mitotic activity in both. Immunohistochemical studies also demonstrated the persistence of macrophages in both xenografts and microtumors. Microtumors treated for 2 hours with 75 μmol/L l,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea showed a growth delay of 1.5 days; no effects were observed after treatment with lower doses. This in vitro system for brain tumor culture may provide a useful technique for the study of new therapies as an alternative to in vivo xenograft studies using immunodeficient animals. (Neurosurgery 29:390-398, 1991)
Turbulence strength estimation from an arbitrary set of atmospherically degraded images (2006)

In remote sensing, atmospheric turbulence and aerosols usually limit the image quality. For many practical cases, turbulence is shown to be dominant, especially for horizontal close-to-earth imaging in hot environments. In a horizontal long-range imaging, it is usually impractical to calculate path-averaged refractive index structure constant C(2)(n) (which characterizes the turbulence strength) with conventional equipment. We propose a method for estimating C(2)(n) from the available atmospherically degraded video sequence by calculating temporal intensity fluctuations in spatially high variance areas. Experimental comparison with C(2)(n) measurements using a scintillometer shows reliable estimation results.