gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Non-destructive measurement of demineralization and remineralization in the occlusal pits and fissures of extracted 3rdmolars with PS-OCT (2009)

Previous studies have demonstrated that Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) can be used to image the remineralization of early artificial caries lesion on smooth enamel surfaces of human and bovine teeth. However, most new dental decay is found in the pits and fissures of the occlusal surfaces of posterior dentition and it is in these high risk areas where the performance of new caries imaging devices need to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that PS-OCT can be used to measure the subsequent remineralization of artificial lesions produced in the pits and fissures of extracted 3(rd) molars. A PS-OCT system operating at 1310-nm was used to acquire polarization resolved images of occlusal surfaces exposed to a demineralizing solution at pH-4.5 followed by a fluoride containing remineralizing solution at pH-7.0 containing 2-ppm fluoride. The integrated reflectivity was calculated to a depth of 200-μm in the entire lesion area using an automated image processing algorithm. Although a well-defined surface zone was clearly resolved in only a few of the samples that underwent remineralization, the PS-OCT measurements indicated a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the integrated reflectivity between the severity of the lesions that were exposed to the remineralization solution and those that were not. The lesion depth and mineral loss were also measured with polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography after sectioning the teeth. These results show that PS-OCT can be used to non-destructively monitor the remineralization potential of anti-caries agents in the important pits and fissures of the occlusal surface.
Regulation of the G-Protein-Coupled α-Factor Pheromone Receptor by Phosphorylation (1996)

The alpha-factor pheromone receptor activates a G protein signaling cascade that stimulates MATa yeast cells to undergo conjugation. The cytoplasmic C terminus of the receptor is not necessary for G protein activation but instead acts as a regulatory domain that promotes adaptation to alpha-factor. The role of phosphorylation in regulating the alpha-factor receptor was examined by mutating potential phosphorylation sites. Mutation of the four most distal serine and threonine residues in the receptor C terminus to alanine caused increased sensitivity to alpha-factor and a delay in recovering from a pulse of alpha-factor. 32PO4 labeling experiments demonstrated that the alanine substitution mutations decreased the in vivo phosphorylation of the receptor. Phosphorylation apparently alters the regulation of G protein activation, since neither receptor number nor affinity for ligand was significantly altered by mutation of the distal phosphorylation sites. Furthermore, mutation of the distal phosphorylation sites in a receptor mutant that fails to undergo ligand-stimulated endocytosis caused increased sensitivity to alpha-factor, which suggests that regulation by phosphorylation can occur at the cell surface and is independent of endocytosis. Mutation of the distal serine and threonine residues of the receptor also caused a slight defect in alpha-factor-induced morphogenesis, but the defect was not as severe as the morphogenesis defect caused by truncation of the cytoplasmic C terminus of the receptor. These distal residues in the C terminus play a special role in receptor regulation, since mutation of the next five adjacent serine and threonine residues to alanine did not affect the sensitivity to alpha-factor. Altogether, these results indicate that phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating alpha-factor receptor function.
Sodium balance in renal failure. A comparison of patients with normal subjects under extremes of sodium intake. (1985)

To gain insight into the factors involved in the maintenance of sodium balance in patients with chronic renal failure, we studied 10 patients with a creatinine clearance of 11.5 +/- 4.0 ml/min after equilibrium on 20 and 120 mEq of sodium per day. The measurements included blood pressure, plasma volume, blood volume, extracellular fluid volume, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, and plasma norepinephrine. For comparison, eight normal volunteers were studied after equilibration on 20, 200, and 1128 mEq of sodium per day. The latter intake was chosen to match the high sodium intake per residual renal function in the patients. In the patients, equilibrium after raised sodium intake was accompanied by a marked increase in blood pressure and blood volume, a moderate fall in plasma renin activity and levels of aldosterone and norepinephrine, and only little expansion of the interstitial space. The 24-hour creatinine clearance rose by 21.2 +/- 7.2%. Fractional sodium excretion (X 100%) was 5.3 +/- 0.8% during the 120 mEq sodium diet. In the normal volunteers, increasing the sodium intake from 20 to 1128 mEq/day evoked no consistent change in blood pressure but caused a comparable rise in blood volume, considerable suppression of plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and norepinephrine, and a much larger increase in interstitial volume. Their creatinine clearance had risen by 22.4 +/- 6.5%, and their fractional sodium excretion during the 1128 mEq sodium intake was 3.9 +/- 0.2%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Synthesis of 2-carbalkoxyamino-5(6)-(1-substituted piperazin-4-yl/piperazin-4-ylcarbonyl)benzimidazoles and related compounds as potential anthelmintics. (1984)

A number of 1,4-di-(3,4-disubstituted benzoyl)piperazines (3-6), 1-(3,4-disubstituted benzoyl)-4-(3,4-disubstituted phenyl)piperazines (9-11), 1,4-di-(2-carbalkoxyaminobenzimidazol-5(6)-yl-carbonyl)piperazines (12, 13), 1-(2-carbalkoxyaminobenzimidazol-5(6)- ylcarbonyl)-4-(2-carbalkoxyaminobenzimidazol-5(6)-yl) piperazines (14, 15) and 1-(2-carbalkoxyaminobenzimidazol-5(6)-yl)-4-(N,N- dicarbalkoxyamidino)piperazines (17, 18) have been synthesized and their anthelmintic activity is reported.
The human papillomavirus type 16 E2 transcription factor binds with low cooperativity to two flanking sites and represses the E6 promoter through displacement of Sp1 and TFIID (1994)

The E6 promoters of all genital human papillomaviruses have a characteristic alignment of transcription factor binding sites. Activation of the basic transcription complex at the TATA box depends upon a sequence-aberrant Sp1 site. Repression of E6 promoters is achieved by two binding sites for the viral E2 protein positioned between the Sp1 site and the TATA box. We have purified the human papillomavirus type 16 E2 protein after expression in Escherichia coli and studied its binding and repression properties with oligonucleotides representing the homologous promoter sequences. A Kd value of 3 x 10(-10) M indicated binding properties expected for a native protein. We found low cooperativity in the binding of two E2 dimers to flanking sites, both when these sites were separated by 3 nucleotides, as in the natural promoter, and when they were further apart. E2 protein, bound close to the distal Sp1 site, displaced the Sp1 factor even when the aberrant sequence was replaced by a typical Sp1 core recognition site. The high affinity of E2 protein for its binding site even led to Sp1 displacement at concentrations of E2 protein nearly 2 orders of magnitude lower than those of Sp1. Functional analyses of mutated E6 promoter sequences showed repression by this distal E2 binding site in the complete absence of binding to the proximal E2 binding site. From our findings and observations published by others, we conclude that each of the E2 binding sites in the E6 promoter of genital human papillomaviruses plays a separate role by displacing the transcription factors Sp1 and TFIID.
Transposable elements as sources of variation in animals and plants (1997)

A tremendous wealth of data is accumulating on the variety and distribution of transposable elements (TEs) in natural populations. There is little doubt that TEs provide new genetic variation on a scale, and with a degree of sophistication, previously unimagined. There are many examples of mutations and other types of genetic variation associated with the activity of mobile elements. Mutant phenotypes range from subtle changes in tissue specificity to dramatic alterations in the development and organization of tissues and organs. Such changes can occur because of insertions in coding regions, but the more sophisticated TE-mediated changes are more often the result of insertions into 5' flanking regions and introns. Here, TE-induced variation is viewed from three evolutionary perspectives that are not mutually exclusive. First, variation resulting from the intrinsic parasitic nature of TE activity is examined. Second, we describe possible coadaptations between elements and their hosts that appear to have evolved because of selection to reduce the deleterious effects of new insertions on host fitness. Finally, some possible cases are explored in which the capacity of TEs to generate variation has been exploited by their hosts. The number of well documented cases in which element sequences appear to confer useful traits on the host, although small, is growing rapidly.
Expression of aromatase protein and messenger ribonucleic acid in tumor epithelial cells and evidence of functional significance of locally produced estrogen in human breast cancers (1996)

The expression of aromatase by breast cancer cells and the role of locally produced estrogen in the stimulation of tumor growth has been controversial. The present study was performed to determine the site of aromatization in human breast cancers, using both immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. The functional significance of locally produced estrogens on growth of the tumor was addressed by measuring aromatase activity and a marker of proliferation (PCNA score). In addition, histocultures of some tumors were carried out to investigate whether testosterone aromatization could stimulate tumor proliferation. Of the 19 tumors investigated, 10 (52.6%) showed significant immunoreactivity to antiaromatase antibody in the cytoplasm of tumor epithelial cells and in surrounding stromal cells. The presence of aromatase mRNA detected by ISH was also located in tumor epithelial cells and stromal cell, and the pattern of expression was the same as with immunocytochemistry. In the ten tumors that showed immunoreaction to aromatase, the average aromatase activity measured in cryosections was 286.5 +/- 18.6 (SE) fmol estrogen/mg protein.h, whereas in nine tumors with weak aromatase immunoreaction, the enzyme activity was 154.7 +/- 19.3 (SE) fmol estrogen/mg protein-h (P < 0.05). The mean PCNA score was 33.8 +/- 5.1 (SE)% in strongly stained tumors and 20.8 +/- 2.0 (SE)% in weakly stained tumors (P < 0.05). Aromatase activity level and PCNA score were significantly correlated. In histoculture of four tumors, estradiol increased the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA. In two of these tumors, aromatase activity was high and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA was also stimulated by testosterone. In the other two tumors that had low aromatase activity, no such stimulation occurred with testosterone. The results indicate that aromatase is expressed mainly in tumor epithelial cells and that sufficient amounts of estrogen are synthesized by the tumor to produce a proliferative response. It is concluded that estrogen synthesis by cancer cells could play a important role in promoting growth in a significant proportion of breast tumors.
Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 shares carbohydrate-binding specificities with several enteropathogenic bacteria (2000)

The carbohydrate-binding specificities of the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 (a health-beneficial bacterial strain able to be incorporated into the human intestinal microflora) were investigated in vitro. First various soluble complex carbohydrates were tested as potential inhibitors of the strain adhesion onto Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, and then bacterial binding to glycolipids immobilized on TLC plates was probed. Two major carbohydrate-binding specificities of Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 were identified. A first one for an Endo-H treated yeast cell wall mannoprotein carrying mainly O:-linked oligomannosides, and a second one for the gangliotri- and gangliotetra-osylceramides (asialo-GM1). Similar carbohydrate-binding specificities are known to be expressed on cell surface adhesins of several enteropathogens, enabling them to adhere to the host gut mucosa. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that selected probiotic bacterial strains could be able to compete with enteropathogens for the same carbohydrate receptors in the gut.
Data mining: an overview from a database perspective (1996)

Mining information and knowledge from large databases has been recognized by many researchers as a key research topic in database systems and machine learning, and by many industrial companies as an important area with an opportunity of major revenues. Researchers in many different fields have shown great interest in data mining. Several emerging applications in information-providing services, such as data warehousing and online services over the Internet, also call for various data mining techniques to better understand user behavior, to improve the service provided and to increase business opportunities. In response to such a demand, this article provides a survey, from a database researcher's point of view, on the data mining techniques developed recently. A classification of the available data mining techniques is provided and a comparative study of such techniques is presented.
Notch-Induced Rat and Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Grafts Reduce Ischemic Cell Loss and Ameliorate Behavioral Deficits in Chronic Stroke Animals (2009)

Gene transfection with Notch 1 intracellular domain and subsequent growth factor treatment stimulate neuron-like differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Here, we examined the potential of transplanting Notch-induced BMSCs to exert therapeutic effects in a rat model of chronic ischemic stroke. In experiment 1, Notch-induced rat BMSCs were intrastriatally transplanted in rats at 1 month after being subjected to transient occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCAo). Compared to post-stroke/pretransplantation level, significant improvements in locomotor and neurological function were detected in stroke rats that received 100 k and 200 k BMSCs, but not in those that received 40 k BMSCs. Histological results revealed 9%-15% graft survival, which dose-dependently correlated with behavioral recovery. At 5 weeks post-transplantation, some grafted BMSCs were positive for the glial marker GFAP (about 5%), but only a few cells (2-5 cells per brain) were positive for the neuronal marker NeuN. However, at 12 weeks post-transplantation, where the number of GFAP-positive BMSCs was maintained (5%), there was a dramatic increase in NeuN-positive BMSCs (23%). In experiment 2, Notch-induced human BMSCs were intrastriatally transplanted in rats at 1 month following the same MCAo model. Improvements in both locomotor and neurological function were observed from day 7 to day 28 post-transplantation, with the high dose (180 k) displaying significantly better behavioral recovery than the low dose (90 k) or vehicle. There were no observable adverse behavioral effects during this study period that also involved chronic immunosuppression of all animals. Histological analyses revealed a modest 5%-7% graft survival, with few (<1%) cells expressing an intermediate MAP2 neuronal marker, but not glial or oligodendroglial markers. In addition, striatal peri-infarct cell loss was significantly reduced in transplanted stroke animals compared to vehicle-treated stroke animals. The present study demonstrates the potential of Notch-induced BMSC cell therapy for patients presenting with fixed ischemic stroke.
Genetic Infection Induces Protective In Vivo Immune Responses (1993)

Drug-induced abortive retroviral infection has been reported to induce both T-cell and B-cell immunity in vivo. We sought to analyze if replication-incompetent retroviruses could induce the development of similarly protective in vivo immune responses in a more desirable fashion. To evaluate retroviral transduction vaccination (genetic infection), a plasmid encoding human CD4 in a retroviral vector was transfected into the pA317 amphotropic retroviral packaging system. The resulting replication defective retrovirus was used to transduce BALB/c mice prior to tumor challenge with human CD4. Immunization elicited specific humoral and cellular anti-human CD4 responses. We evaluated anti-cell responses using a tumor model system. We observed that BALB/c mice challenged with SP2/0 lymphoma cells develop lethal tumors and die within 7 weeks of challenge. Cloned SP2/0 cells stably transfected with the human cell-surface antigen CD4 also develop tumors in naive mice and succumb to the tumors in a similar manner to SP2/0 inoculated animals. In contrast, CD4 retrovirus-transduced animals, when challenged with the CD4-expressing SP2/0 cells, demonstrated a low incidence of tumors and significantly enhanced survival compared to the mice immunized similarly with human CD8 retrovirus. These results establish an in vivo tumor challenge system with relevance to the development of protective in vivo immune responses, and indicate that genetic infection is a useful technique for inducing protective immunity.
Precise Point-to-Point Positioning Control of Flexible Structures (1990)

Control strategies to accomplish precise point-to-point positioning of flexible structures are discussed. First, the problem is formulated and solved in closed form using a linear quadratic optimal control technique for a simple system with only one rigid and one flexible mode; the resulting analytical solutions are examined in both the time and frequency domain. In addition, the necessary and sufficient condition for zero residual vibration is derived which simply states that the Laplace transform of the time bounded control input must vanish at the system poles. This criteria is then used to highlight the common features of existing techniques and to outline an alternative design procedure for precise position control of more complicated structures having multiple flexible modes.
Oxaliplatin and capecitabine after gemcitabine failure in patients with advanced pancreatic, biliary, and gallbladder adenocarcinoma (APBC) (2008)

15625 Background: Patients (pts) with advanced pancreatic (P), biliary (B) and gallbladder (GB) adenocarcinoma have a poor prognosis. Gemcitabine (G) is the standard treatment for patients with APBC. There is no consensus about second line after progression disease. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy and tolerability of Oxaliplatin (O) and Capecitabine (Cap) after G failure. Methods: From February 2005 to February 2007 18 pts with histologically proven unresectable or metastastic APBC, and refractory to G were included. Pts received CAPOX (O 130 mg/m2 D1 and Cap 1000 mg/m2 D2–14). Treatment cycles were repeated every 3 weeks and continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Eighteen pts were evaluated: 12 male (66.7%); 6 female (33.3%), Median Age: 57 (range 4–72). PS 0/1/2: 6/9/3. Location: P: 9 (50%), B: 4 (22.2%), GB: 4 (22.2%), ampuloma: 1 (5.6%). Stages: III: 1 (5.6%), IV: 17 (94,6%). Median number of cycles: 3,5 (1–11). Grade 2/3 toxicity: Sensitive peripheral neurotoxicity 4/0; Hand-foot-syndrome 0/1, Diarrhea: 5/2, Nausea/vomiting: 4/0, Neutropenia: 1/1, Thrombocytopenia 2/0, Anemia 2/1: Fatigue: 6/4, Anorexia; 1/2. Overall response rate: Partial Response: 1/18 (5.6%), Stable Disease: 8/18 (44.4%), Progressive disease: 5/18 (27.8%). Four pts were not evaluated because early deaths. 27.7% of pts had a 50% or more decrease in Ca 19–9 levels. Median overall survival was 24.71 weeks (w) and median progression free survival was 16.71 w. The OS was higher in patients with PS0 and PS1 than pts with PS2 (p=0.001). Conclusions: Oxaliplatine and Capecitabine can be safely administered with tolerable safety profiles in pts with APBC previously treated with G. This study shows similar results in OS to infusional 5-Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin in ABPC (CONKO 0003). No significant financial relationships to disclose.
P REHOSPITAL F LUID R ESUSCITATION OF THE P ATIENT WITH M AJOR T RAUMA (2002)

The most appropriate prehospital approach to resuscitative fluid interventions for trauma patients involves: determining the mechanism of injury (i.e., blunt versus penetrating versus thermal injury); identifying anatomic involvement (i.e., truncal versus isolated head injury versus isolated extremity injury); and staging the condition (i.e., hemodynamic stability versus instability versus moribund state). Based on available data, the liberal use of fluid infusions for presumed uncontrolled internal hemorrhage, such as that usually occurring after penetrating abdominal and thoracic injuries, is no longer advised. Although some infusion might be appropriate in patients with extremely severe hemorrhage (i.e., no palpable blood pressure, unconscious), the priority in such patients is rapid evacuation to definitive surgical intervention, with airway control and intravenous access provided en route. The data are less clear for patients with blunt injuries, particularly those with closed head injury. Most researchers would still recommend that patients with isolated extremity and head injuries, either blunt or penetrating, are candidates for immediate support of blood pressure through fluid infusions. However, the addition of potential intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, or intrathoracic injuries with uncontrolled hemorrhage confounds the decision-making process. Although conventional wisdom has been to provide aggressive blood pressure support under these circumstances through judicious use of isotonic, or perhaps hypertonic, fluid resuscitation, recent experimental data challenge even this philosophy. Use of new blood substitutes might help to resolve some of these issues by providing oxygen delivery with limited volume in the face of uncontrolled hemorrhage.
Serum prealbumin, transferrin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in patients with gynecological carcinomas. (1988)

Prealbumin, orosomucoid (alpha-1-acid glycoprotein), were studied by single radial immunodiffusion in sera of 216 controls and 188 patients with gynecological carcinomas divided according to diagnosis, activity, and progression of the disease. The level of orosomucoid was found higher in 94 patients with active epithelial ovarian carcinoma (mean = 1.35 g/l), in 38 women with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (mean = 1.04 g/l), and in 56 women with endometrial carcinoma (mean = 0.91 g/l), than in 61 blood donors (mean = 0.62 g/l) and 155 patients with benign gynecological diseases (mean = 0.71 g/l). Orosomucoid increased with the progression of ovarian carcinoma. Patients with active localized or advanced carcinoma had higher levels of orosomucoid than patients in remission (mean = 0.88 g/l). This can help in diagnosing ovarian carcinoma relapses. Prealbumin and transferrin decreased in all women with active ovarian carcinoma and in advanced cervical and endometrial carcinomas. Transferrin and prealbumin of patients in remission differed from the values in advanced carcinomas of the cervix and endometrium only and cannot be used in relapse determination. Calculation of the O/P index (orosomucoid to prealbumin ratio) brought no advantage for tumor diagnosis in comparison with the investigation of orosomucoid alone.