gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Secretion of Escherichia coli beta-lactamase from Bacillus subtilis by the aid of alpha-amylase signal sequence. (1982)

We describe a secretion vector system for introducing foreign genes into Bacillus subtilis. We constructed secretion vectors from the plasmid pUB110 and the promoter and signal sequence region of the alpha-amylase gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Foreign structural genes can be inserted into the various vectors after the signal sequence region of the alpha-amylase gene. Demonstrating secretion of a foreign gene product from Bacillus, we here report that the Escherichia coli beta-lactamase gene, devoid of its own signal sequence coding region, can be expressed in B. subtilis by the aid of the secretion vectors so that greater than 95% of the enzyme activity is secreted to the growth medium. Efficient secretion of beta-lactamase (penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6) is observed if the complete signal sequence coding region of the alpha-amylase gene precedes the beta-lactamase structural gene. However, an incomplete alpha-amylase signal peptide lacking the six carboxy-terminal amino acid residues does not promote secretion of the fused beta-lactamase, which remains unprocessed and cell-associated.
To be or not to be NKT: Natural killer T cells in the liver (2004)

Much of the hepatology literature to date has focused on the adaptive, antigen-specific response mediated by classical T-cell populations in both the protection and pathogenesis of liver disease. However, the liver is selectively enriched for cells representative of innate immunity, including natural killer T (NKT) cells. In particular, certain CD1d-reactive T cells are present at much higher frequencies in the liver than in the peripheral blood. Although these cells have previously been defined mostly on the basis of phenotypic markers, recent emerging literature regarding NKT cell populations has revealed considerable functional complexity. This review summarizes the recent literature regarding NKT cells, which may have important roles in a variety of liver diseases. Although there is an abundance of literature on the phenotype, distribution, and function of these cells in mice, much less is known about them in human health or liver diseases.
Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Root Organogenesis in Ipomoea batatas, Salix matsudana and Glycine max (2009)

In this report, we demonstrate that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) donor, promoted adventitious root formation mediated by auxin and nitric oxide (NO). Application of the H(2)S donor to seedling cuttings of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) promoted the number and length of adventitious roots in a dose-dependent manner. It was also verified that H(2)S or HS(-) rather than other sulfur-containing components derived from NaHS could be attributed to the stimulation of adventitious root formation. A rapid increase in endogenous H(2)S, indole acetic acid (IAA) and NO were sequentially observed in shoot tips of sweet potato seedlings treated with HaHS. Further investigation showed that H(2)S-mediated root formation was alleviated by N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), an IAA transport inhibitor, and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), an NO scavenger. Similar phenomena in H(2)S donor-dependent root organogenesis were observed in both excised willow (Salix matsudana var. tortuosa Vilm) shoots and soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings. These results indicated that the process of H(2)S-induced adventitious root formation was likely mediated by IAA and NO, and that H(2)S acts upstream of IAA and NO signal transduction pathways.
The Spontaneous Regression of Cancer: A review of cases from 1900 to 1987 (1990)

The literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is reviewed from 1966 to 1987 to update reviews by Everson & Cole and by Boyd. These authors reviewed all cases of spontaneous regression from 1900 to 1965. We then report the entire series from 1900 to 1987. We also attempted to determine what attributions for spontaneous regressions have been reported. Although almost half of the authors failed to speculate or specify a possible cause for the spontaneous regression, the remainder postulated responsible factors such as immunological or endocrine, surgical, necrosis, infection, or operative trauma. The only unorthodox treatment to appear in the literature was the psychological. We conclude that the literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is still unable to provide unambiguous accounts of the mechanisms operating to affect these regressions.
Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition induces cell cycle arrest in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells and sensitises DLBCL cells to rituximab (2006)

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common lymphoma entity. Although a significant amount of DLBCL patients can be cured with modern chemotherapeutic regimens, a substantial proportion of patients die because of progressive disease. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are clearly needed. Inhibitors of mTOR [mammalian target of rapamycin (Rap)] represent a new class of antiproliferative drugs with applications as immunosuppressive and anticancer agents. Extensive safety data exist on the mTOR inhibitor RAD001, which is already approved as an immunosuppressant in organ transplant recipients. Rap and RAD001 inhibited cell cycle progression in DLBCL cells by inducing a G1 arrest without inducing apoptosis. Phosphorylation of the main targets of mTOR, p70 s6 kinase and 4-EBP-1 was reduced in cells cultured in the presence of RAD001. Cell cycle arrest was accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) as well as reduced expression of cyclin D3 and A in all cell lines. Although the effect of the chemotherapeutic agent vincristine (vin) was not enhanced by RAD001, rituximab-induced cytotoxicity was augmented in the rituximab-sensitive cell lines. mTOR inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy in DLBCL by inducing a G1 arrest and augments rituximab-induced cytotoxicity. Therefore, combination of these drugs might be an interesting new therapeutic approach in DLBCL patients.
Endotracheal Tube Location Verified Reliably by Cuff Palpation (1995)

To verify a safe location of the endotracheal tube (ETT), palpation of the ETT at the sternal notch is a time-honored technique: After anesthetic induction and confirmation of orotracheal intubation, the patient's head is placed in a neutral position. The ETT is withdrawn or advanced while gentle, repetitive pressure is applied with the fingers at the level of the suprasternal notch. Simultaneously, the pilot balloon is held in the other hand. When the balloon distends from the pressure applied at the notch, the ETT is secured. We tested the efficacy of this technique in men and women who underwent general anesthesia. After the ETT was secured, the distance (in cm) from its tip to the upper incisors, that is, the length of ETT inserted, was measured to confirm its location relative to the carina. The study population consisted of 44 women and 38 men (n = 82) who ranged in age from 16 to 85 yr and in ASA physical status from I to IV. The size of the ETT tube for women ranged from 7.0 to 8.0 and for men, 7.0 to 8.5. Average distance from the tip of the ETT to teeth in women was 20.2 cm (range, 17-23) and in men 21.9 cm (range, 19-25). Average distance to the carina in women was 3 cm (range, 2-5) and in men 3.4 cm (range, 2-6). In this study, palpation of the ETT cuff effectively confirmed ETT location. The technique, which should not be used to verify endotracheal rather than bronchial intubation, should decrease the risk of bronchial intubation or impingement on the carina. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:135-8)
Zirconium/Nickel‐Mediated One‐Pot Ketone Synthesis (2017)

A zirconium/nickel-mediated one-pot synthesis of ketones is reported. In the presence of Zn or Mn, Cp<sub>2</sub> ZrCl<sub>2</sub> was found to dramatically accelerate the coupling and suppress side product formation via an I→SPy displacement at the same time. Unlike Zn/Pd- and Fe/Cu-mediated one-pot ketone syntheses, the new method is effective for nucleophiles bearing OR or equivalent functional groups at the α-position. A mechanism comprising a nickel catalytic cycle, a zirconium catalytic cycle, and Zr→Ni transmetalation is proposed, and Cp<sub>2</sub> ZrCl<sub>2</sub> and/or low-valent Zr species are suggested to play crucial dual roles.
Menaquinone (vitamin K2) biosynthesis: evidence that the Escherichia coli menD gene encodes both 2-succinyl-6-hydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylic acid synthase and alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase activities (1992)

The formation of 2-succinyl-6-hydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylic acid (SHCHC), the first identified intermediate in the menaquinone biosynthetic pathway, requires two reactions. They are the decarboxylation of alpha-ketoglutarate by an alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase, which results in the formation of succinic semialdehyde-thiamine PPi (TPP) anion, and the addition of the succinic semialdehyde-TPP anion to isochorismate carried out by the enzyme SHCHC synthase. Evidence is provided to support the conclusion that both enzymatic activities are encoded by an extended menD gene which is capable of generating a bifunctional 69-kDa protein. Consistent with the requirement for TPP in the decarboxylation of alpha-ketoglutarate, the translated amino acid sequence contains the characteristic TPP-binding motif present in all well-characterized TPP-requiring enzymes.
Phase-resolved optical coherence tomography and optical Doppler tomography for imaging blood flow in human skin with fast scanning speed and high velocity sensitivity (2000)

We have developed a novel phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical Doppler tomography (ODT) system that uses phase information derived from a Hilbert transformation to image blood flow in human skin with fast scanning speed and high velocity sensitivity. Using the phase change between sequential scans to construct flow-velocity imaging, this technique decouples spatial resolution and velocity sensitivity in flow images and increases imaging speed by more than 2 orders of magnitude without compromising spatial resolution or velocity sensitivity. The minimum flow velocity that can be detected with an axial-line scanning speed of 400 Hz and an average phase change over eight sequential scans is as low as 10 microm/s, while a spatial resolution of 10 microm is maintained. Using this technique, we present what are to our knowledge the first phase-resolved OCT/ODT images of blood flow in human skin.
Features of a Spatially Constrained Cystine Loop in the p10 FAST Protein Ectodomain Define a New Class of Viral Fusion Peptides (2010)

The reovirus fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins are the smallest known viral membrane fusion proteins. With ectodomains of only approximately 20-40 residues, it is unclear how such diminutive fusion proteins can mediate cell-cell fusion and syncytium formation. Contained within the 40-residue ectodomain of the p10 FAST protein resides an 11-residue sequence of moderately apolar residues, termed the hydrophobic patch (HP). Previous studies indicate the p10 HP shares operational features with the fusion peptide motifs found within the enveloped virus membrane fusion proteins. Using biotinylation assays, we now report that two highly conserved cysteine residues flanking the p10 HP form an essential intramolecular disulfide bond to create a cystine loop. Mutagenic analyses revealed that both formation of the cystine loop and p10 membrane fusion activity are highly sensitive to changes in the size and spatial arrangement of amino acids within the loop. The p10 cystine loop may therefore function as a cystine noose, where fusion peptide activity is dependent on structural constraints within the noose that force solvent exposure of key hydrophobic residues. Moreover, inhibitors of cell surface thioreductase activity indicate that disruption of the disulfide bridge is important for p10-mediated membrane fusion. This is the first example of a viral fusion peptide composed of a small, spatially constrained cystine loop whose function is dependent on altered loop formation, and it suggests the p10 cystine loop represents a new class of viral fusion peptides.
ChemInform Abstract: N‐Substituted Octahydro‐4a‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)‐10a‐methylbenzo[g]isoquinolines Are Opioid Receptor Pure Antagonists. (1999)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
What are the risks of biologic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis? An update on safety. (2002)

The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers infliximab and etanercept and the recombinant interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra are effective in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, information in the medical literature and public domain is used to consider the safety of these biologic agents. TNF-alpha inhibition with infliximab has been associated with reactivation of tuberculosis and possibly development of other opportunistic infections (histoplasmosis, listeriosis. and pneumocystis). Exacerbations of multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system events have been reported with etanercept and infliximab. Recently, a review of preliminary data from an ongoing phase II study suggests that infliximab may worsen congestive heart failure. On the basis of clinical trials, there appears to be a higher incidence of serious infections seen in anakinra patients compared with controls; the particular combination of anakinra and etanercept may be associated with a higher incidence of serious infections and clinically significant leukopenia. Additional data are needed to understand whether all these safety issues are unique to an individual biologic agent or representative of a class effect. At this time, treating physicians must carefully weigh the benefits of these new biologics against their risks, particularly in patients at risk of infection.
Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (2003)

Real-time PCR is the state-of-the-art technique to quantify nucleic acids for mutation detection, genotyping and chimerism analysis. Since its development in the 1990s, many different assay formats have been developed and the number of real-time PCR machines of different design is continuously increasing. This review provides a survey of the instruments and assay formats available and discusses the pros and cons of each. The principles of quantitative real-time PCR and melting curve analysis are explained. The quantification algorithms with internal and external standardization are derived mathematically, and potential pitfalls for the data analysis are discussed. Finally, examples of applications of this extremely versatile technique are given that demonstrate the enormous impact of real-time PCR on life sciences and molecular medicine.
Synthesis and Chemistry of Agrochemicals IV (1995)

Agrochemicai discovery relies on a variety of assays to reflect the attributes of a chemical that are ultimately useful to the farmer. Among these attributes are spectrum of pest control, use rates, mode-of-action, phytotoxicity to crops, and safety to workers and to the environment. Their characterization is quite complex and no one set of protocols will guarantee progress towards compounds of commercial potential. Furthermore, the course to commercialization grows more arduous due to the increase in regulation driving up development costs and to the modernization and sophistication of laboratory methods driving up research costs. Described herein are evolving trends that we envision for the design of assays key to the discovery of newer and more effective crop protection chemicals. We have divided discovery assays into five types: enzyme/receptor, biochemical pathway, cellular, greenhouse and field assays and suggest that all of the types will be integrated for the successful identification of novel chemistry to protect crops from weeds, insects and fungi.
Left Ventricular End‐Diastolic Pressure and Risk of Subsequent Heart Failure in Patients Following an Acute Myocardial Infarction (2007)

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is an important measure of ventricular performance and may identify patients at increased risk for developing late clinical symptoms of heart failure (HF). The primary outcome in this analysis of 744 patients from the Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial was the development of death or HF over a mean time of 36 months. The mean LVEDP for all patients was 23+/-9 mm Hg, and 75% of participants (n=558) had an LVEDP >15 mm Hg. Patients with an LVEDP >30 mm Hg (n=187) had the highest risk of death or HF (unadjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.97) when compared with the other 2 cohorts combined (n=603). After adjustment for other known predictors of cardiac risk, LVEDP no longer remained significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.77-1.65). Elevated LVEDP is common following myocardial infarction; however, it is not an independent predictor of subsequent HF risk. The variability in LVEDP is not fully explained by infarct size and atherosclerotic burden.
Fenoldopam Mesylate for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (2003)

The selective dopamine-1 agonist fenoldopam mesylate does not prevent further renal function deterioration after contrast administration in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
Expression of human prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen genes in neoplastic and benign tissues. (1994)

Expression of human prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) genes in prostatic carcinoma (CAP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated by northern blot analyses. The expressions of ACPP and PSA, as well as the glycolytic enzymes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and lactate dehydrogenase-muscle (LDH-A), were elevated significantly in prostatic carcinoma when compared with the expressions of these genes in benign prostatic hyperplasia in the same patient. The expression of the actin gene in both neoplastic and benign hyperplasia remained the same.
Arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A preliminary clinical study (1996)

The high incidence of chondral defects of the femoral condyles associated with chronic ACL tears is widely recognised. However, treatment is difficult and controversial. This preliminary report presents our experience with arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation in ACL-deficient knees. The series consists of 12 cases of arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation in conjunction with ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft; eight procedures were primary, and four were revisions of failed synthetic grafts. The patients' ages ranged from 22 to 42 years. There were ten male and two female patients. Chondral lesions in this series ranged from 10 to 22 mm in diameter. Donor site was selected prior to notchplasty, and three to five osteochondral cylinders, 5-10 mm in diameter, 10-15 mm long, were harvested. Improved surgical technique, tubular cutting instruments enabling minimal damage to harvested articular cartilage, and press-fit insertion yielded promising uniform results in ten of 12 cases with 2 years' follow-up. This study addresses the important issue of articular cartilage defects in ACL-deficient knees and possible prevention of premature joint degeneration. The aim of arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation is to slow down the development of osteoarthrosis.
Conformational requirements for histamine H2-receptor inhibitors: a structure-activity study of phenylene analogs related to cimetidine and tiotidine (1983)

Two series of compounds related to cimetidine and tiotidine were synthesized as part of a study to evaluate the importance of conformational parameters in binding at histamine H2 receptors. The flexible methylthioethyl connecting chain was replaced by a conformationally restricting phenylene unit. These compounds were evaluated for antagonism of the dimaprit-stimulated chronotropic response in the guinea pig atrium and inhibition of histamine stimulated secretion of gastric acid in the dog. In both series, biological activity is markedly dependent on the m-phenylene regioisomers. Histamine H2-receptor activity is retained in both series; however, in the tiotidine series, gastric antisecretory activity is significantly improved. Regardless of the end group, N-cyanoguanidine 1,1-diamino-2-nitroethene or 3,4-diamino-1,2,5-thiadiazole 1-oxide, each 3 3-(2-guanidino-4-thiazolyl)phenyl analogue was ca. 8 and 90 times more potent intravenously than tiotidine and cimetidine, respectively. The electronic influences of the phenylene unit on biological activity were also evaluated. It was concluded that the geometric constraints imposed by the m-phenylene connecting element were more important than electronic factors in binding events at the histamine H2 receptor.
A Human Adenovirus Enhances Preadipocyte Differentiation (2004)

Taken together, these experiments showed that Ad-36 enhanced differentiation of preadipocytes, which may be a contributory mechanism to its adipogenic effect in vivo. The lack of effect of Ad-2 on differentiation demonstrated that the observed findings were not a common characteristic of all adenoviruses. Future understanding of the molecular interactions of cellular and viral genes responsible for enhanced differentiation may reveal novel signaling pathways and controls of preadipocyte differentiation.
Cognitive effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: a systematic review (2009)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was introduced as a non-invasive tool for the investigation of the motor cortex. The repetitive application (rTMS), causing longer lasting effects, was used to study the influence on a variety of cerebral functions. High-frequency (>1 Hz) rTMS is known to depolarize neurons under the stimulating coil and to indirectly affect areas being connected and related to emotion and behavior. Researchers found selective cognitive improvement after high-frequency (HF) stimulation specifically over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This article provides a systematic review of HF-rTMS studies (1999-2009) stimulating over the prefrontal cortex of patients suffering from psychiatric/neurological diseases or healthy volunteers, where the effects on cognitive functions were measured. The cognitive effect was analyzed with regard to the impact of clinical status (patients/healthy volunteers) and stimulation type (verum/sham). RTMS at 10, 15 or 20 Hz, applied over the left DLPFC, within a range of 10-15 successive sessions and an individual motor threshold of 80-110%, is most likely to cause significant cognitive improvement. In comparison, patients tend to reach a greater improvement than healthy participants. Limitations concern the absence of healthy groups in clinical studies and partly the absence of sham groups. Thus, future investigations are needed to assess cognitive rTMS effects in different psychiatric disorders versus healthy subjects using an extended standardized neuropsychological test battery. Since the pathophysiological and neurobiological basis of cognitive improvement with rTMS remains unclear, additional studies including genetics, experimental neurophysiology and functional brain imaging are necessary to explore stimulation-related functional changes in the brain.