gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Lysophospholipid Receptors: Implications for Neural Signaling (1999)

Lysophospholipids (LPs) such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) represent quantitatively minor phospholipid species that nonetheless are capable of acting as extracellular signals. As an organ system dominated by lipids, the nervous system would seem a likely benefactor of this form of intercellular signaling. A major difficulty in determining the neurobiological importance of these lipids, however, has been a lack of cloned receptors. The unavailability, indeed, uncertain existence, of these receptors has been particularly problematic because of the absence of specific, competitive antagonists to block function. Further, these lipids have detergent-like chemical structures, raising the explanation that any observed effects of exogenously applied lysophospholipids could be due to nonspecific membrane perturbations. During studies of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) genes involved with cerebral cortical neurogenesis, the first lysophospholipid receptor gene (lpA1/vzg-1) was isolated (Hecht et al., J. Cell Biol., 135, 1071, 1996), implicating receptor-mediated lysophospholipid signaling as potentially important components of nervous system development and function. Expression studies indicated roles in neurogenesis, cortical development, and effects on glia, particularly oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell development. Reviewed here are the molecular biology of LP receptors, relevant aspects of intracellular signaling, and their possible roles in the nervous system.
A head‐mounted eye movement tracking display and its image display method (1997)

As a visual image presentation device in virtual reality and telerobotics, the head-mounted display (HMD) is attracting attention. The basic principle of HMD is as follows. Two small displays are arranged in front of the two eyes, and present images with parallax, conveying a stereo feeling to the operator. The number of scan lines of the displays used in these conventional HMDs is generally limited. For that reason, it is difficult to construct a stereo feeling which will present sufficient images to cover the human view field while maintaining resolution, and this is an obstacle in presenting highly realistic images. For solving this problem, an eye-movement tracking type HMD which can present images with a wide view field and high resolution has been proposed. Human vision can observe objects with high resolution only near the gaze point. Paying attention to this visual characteristic, the eye-movement tracking type HMD is developed as a system which presents images of high resolution in a small region in the view-line direction and presents images of low resolution but wide view field in its surroundings, and thus equivalently presents images of wide view field and high resolution. In this paper, we will propose an image presentation scheme for the embodiment of an eye-movement tracking type HMD and will also describe efforts to confirm its appropriateness by experiments with simple images. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 28(7): 89–99, 1997
Mechanical evaluation and design of a multilayered collagenous repair biomaterial (2000)

One method of fabricating implantable biomaterials is to utilize biologically derived, chemically modified tissues to form constructs that are both biocompatible and remodelable. Rigorous mechanical characterization is a necessary component in material evaluation to ensure that the constructs will withstand in vivo loading. In this study we performed an in-depth biaxial mechanical and quantitative structural analysis of GraftPatch (GP), a biomaterial constructed by assembling chemically treated layers of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). The mechanical behavior of GP was compared to both native SIS and to glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium (GLBP) as a reference biomaterial. Under biaxial loading, GP was found to be stiffer than native SIS and mechanically anisotropic, with the preferred fiber direction demonstrating greater stiffness. Quantitative structural analysis using small-angle light scattering indicated a uniform fiber structure similar to GLBP and SIS. To enable test-protocol-independent quantitative comparisons, the biaxial mechanical data were fit to an orthotropic constitutive model, which indicated a similar degree of mechanical anisotropy between the three groups. We also demonstrate how the constitutive model can be used to design layered biocomposite materials that can undergo large deformations.
Long-Term Stabilization of Maleimide–Thiol Conjugates (2014)

Michael-addition of a thiol to a maleimide is commonly used for bioconjugation of drugs to macromolecules. Indeed, both current FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates-Brentuximab vedotin and Trastuzumab emtansine-and one approved PEGylated conjugate-Cimzia-contain a thiol-maleimide adduct. However, the ultimate in vivo fate of such adducts is to undergo disruptive cleavage by thiol exchange or stabilizing ring opening. Therapeutic efficacy of a conjugate can be compromised by thiol exchange and the released drug may show toxicities. However, if the succinimide moiety of a maleimide-thiol conjugate is hydrolyzed, the ring-opened product is stabilized toward cleavage. We determined rates of ring-opening hydrolysis and thiol exchange of a series of N-substituted succinimide thioethers formed by maleimide-thiol conjugation. Ring-opening of conjugates prepared with commonly used maleimides were too slow to serve as prevention against thiol exchange. However, ring-opening rates are greatly accelerated by electron withdrawing N-substituents, and ring-opened products have half-lives of over two years. Thus, conjugates made with electron-withdrawing maleimides may be purposefully hydrolyzed to their ring-opened counterparts in vitro to ensure in vivo stability.
Interrelations among Early Vigor, Flowering Time, Physiological Maturity, and Grain Yield in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.) under Multiple Abiotic Stresses (2016)

We studied the interrelation among time to anthesis, physiological maturity, and grain yield in tropical maize ( Zea mays L.) facing terminal drought and nitrogen deficiency. Sixty‐one hybrids were grown under optimum, nitrogen‐deficient (LN), and drought‐stressed (DS) conditions. Grain yield was negatively correlated with time to anthesis under DS ( r = −0.4*) and positively correlated with the grain‐filling period (optimum: r = 0.54**; LN: r = 0.61***; DS: r = 0.69***) across treatments. These results suggest that coselecting for grain yield, early anthesis, and a long grain‐filling period within a maturity group could help increase grain yield. A second experiment involving eight hybrids contrasting for grain yield and time to anthesis was conducted under similar stresses to identify secondary traits associated with grain yield and time to physiological maturity: early vigor (measured as normalized differential vegetation index) correlated with grain yield under optimum ( r = 0.77*) and LN conditions ( r = 0.72*). Time to physiological maturity was associated with senescence across treatments (optimum: r = −0.97***; LN: r = −0.82*; DS: r = −0.81*), making senescence suitable to approximate physiological maturity. Repeatability for secondary traits ( r 2 = 0.79 on average) was higher than for grain yield ( r 2 = 0.68) across treatments. In light of the association of these traits with grain yield and their high repeatability, grain yield could be increased within a maturity group by simultaneously selecting for high normalized differential vegetation index during vegetative growth and early anthesis and low senescence during grain filling, in addition to grain yield.
Synthesis of O-phosphotyrosine-containing peptides. 3. Synthesis of H-Pro-Tyr(P)-Val-OH via dimethyl phosphate protection and the use of improved deprotection procedures (1990)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTSynthesis of O-phosphotyrosine-containing peptides. 3. Synthesis of H-Pro-Tyr(P)-Val-OH via dimethyl phosphate protection and the use of improved deprotection proceduresEric A. Kitas, John W. Perich, Geoffrey W. Tregear, and R. B. JohnsCite this: J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 13, 4181–4187Publication Date (Print):June 1, 1990Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 June 1990https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jo00300a041https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00300a041research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views565Altmetric-Citations31LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts
Sweep‐based Freeform Deformations (2006)

Abstract We propose a sweep‐based approach to the freeform deformation of three‐dimensional objects. Instead of using a volume enclosing the whole object, we approximate only its deformable parts using sweep surfaces. The vertices on the object boundary are bound to the sweep surfaces and follow their deformation. Several sweep surfaces can be organized into a hierarchy so that they interact with each other in a controlled manner. Thus we can support intuitively plausible shape deformation of objects of arbitrary topology with multiple control handles. A sweep‐based approach also provides important advantages such as volume preservation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique in several examples. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.5 [Computational Geometry and Object Modeling]: Curve, surface, solid, and object representations
Medical termination of early pregnancy with mifepristone (RU 486) followed by a prostaglandin analogue: Study in 16, 369 women (1992)

We report the results of a large-scale trial with mifepristone (RU 486) followed by the administration of a prostaglandin (PG) analogue for the medical termination of early pregnancy. Altogether, 16,173 patients from 300 centers were evaluated. 48 women (0.3%) were lost to follow-up prior to, and 416 (2.6%) after the PG administration, and therefore the efficacy was evaluated in 15,709 women. Overall, the success rate was 95.3%, with no statistical difference regarding the nature and dose of PG used. The median duration of bleeding was 8 days, being 12 days or less in 89.7% of the women. Bleeding was significant enough to necessitate a vacuum aspiration or a dilatation and curettage in 0.8% of the cases. A blood transfusion was necessary in 0.1% of the women (11 patients). Serious cardio-vascular side-effects were reported in 4 cases after the PG (sulprostone) injection: they consisted of one acute myocardial infarction attributed to a coronary spasm, and in marked hypotension in the other 3 women. All patients recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, RU 486 followed by a PG analogue provides an efficient and safe medical alternative to surgery for early pregnancy termination, provided that the recommended protocol is adequately followed and the contraindications to prostaglandins are respected.
Influenza Virus: Immunity and Vaccination Strategies. Comparison of the Immune Response to Inactivated and Live, Attenuated Influenza Vaccines (2004)

Influenza virus is a globally important respiratory pathogen which causes a high degree of morbidity and mortality annually. The virus is continuously undergoing antigenic change and thus bypasses the host's acquired immunity to influenza. Despite the improvement in antiviral therapy during the last decade, vaccination is still the most effective method of prophylaxis. Vaccination induces a good degree of protection (60-90% efficacy) and is well tolerated by the recipient. For those at risk of complications from influenza, annual vaccination is recommended due to the antigenic changes in circulating strains. However, there is still room for improvement in vaccine efficacy, long-lasting effect, ease of administration and compliance rates. The mucosal tissues of the respiratory tract are the main portal entry of influenza, and the mucosal immune system provides the first line of defence against infection. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and IgM are the major neutralizing antibodies directed against mucosal pathogens. These antibodies work to prevent pathogen entry and can function intracellularly to inhibit replication of virus. This review describes influenza virus infection, epidemiology, clinical presentation and immune system response, particularly as it pertains to mucosal immunity and vaccine use. Specifically, this review provides an update of the current status on influenza vaccination and concentrates on the two main types of influenza vaccines currently in use, namely the cold-adapted vaccine (CAV) given intranasally/orally, and the inactivated vaccine (IV) delivered subcutanously or intramuscularly. The commercially available trivalent IV (TIV) elicits good serum antibody responses but induces poorly mucosal IgA antibody and cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, the CAV may elicit a long-lasting, broader immune (humoral and cellular) response, which more closely resembles natural immunity. The immune response induced by these two vaccines will be compared in this review.
Capillary microfluidic systems for bio/chemistry (2002)

Note: Jury: R. Tabacchi (Organic Chemistry Dept, Italie), E. Delamarche (IBM, ZH), M. Despont (IBM, ZH) Reference SAMLAB-THESIS-2002-001 Record created on 2009-05-12, modified on 2016-08-08
Quantitative Clay Mineralogical Analyses from the Bulk Chemistry of Sedimentary Rocks (1978)

Abstract A technique suitable for computer application has been developed whereby whole rock major element analyses are corrected for X-ray detectable nonclay minerals and used to set up simultaneous equations which are solved to give clay mineral abundances. A theoretical evaluation of the approach by graphical methods enables the intrinsic errors to be very clearly assessed. Errors are minimized when SiO 2 , A1 2 O 3 , and K 2 O are used as variables but only slightly increased if total Fe 2 O 3 + MgO is substituted for SiO 2 . Quartz and CO 2 content are the only data normally required which cannot be determined by X-ray fluorescence. Results compare favorably with estimates obtained by XRD and other methods, being more accurate than XRD and equally precise provided the rock does not contain clay minerals other than the kaolin group, the mica group, and chlorite. Errors are large when the clay mineral phases comprise more than 35% chlorite and as yet undetermined when smectite exceeds 10%. The method is ideally suited to the analysis of large numbers of mudstones of fairly similar mineralogy especially where XRF equipment with direct output to a computer is available.
T lymphocyte repopulation and differentiation after bone marrow transplantation. Early shifts in the ratio between T4+ and T8+ T lymphocytes correlate with the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (1984)

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), is probably mediated by T lymphocytes present in the marrow graft. In this study, the repopulation of the peripheral blood with T4+ and T8+ T cells was investigated during the period preceding the occurrence of acute GVHD. Twenty-four allogeneic and 11 autologous BMT recipients were monitored from day 4 post-BMT onward by the use of monoclonal antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. The recipients of allogeneic transplants received methotrexate as GVHD prophylaxis. Similar recovery patterns for T4+ and T8+ T cells were found following autologous and allogeneic BMT. However, lymphoid repopulation occurred at a clearly faster rate after autologous BMT. T4+ T cells were the first to reappear in the peripheral blood, followed by T8+ T cells 4–7 days later. The T8+ T cell reconstitution occurred at an even faster rate in patients who were to develop grade II-IV GVHD, as compared with those with grade O-I GVHD, thus leading to an earlier decrease in the T4/T8 ratio. Of 10 patients with a T4/T8 ratio less than 2.5 at day 19, 9 developed grade II-IV GVHD and 1 showed no GVHD. Of 14 patients with a ratio greater than 2.5 at that time, only 2 developed grade II-IV and 12 grade O-I GVHD (p less than 0.001). In the 11 patients developing grade II-IV GVHD, the T4/T8 ratio decreased to values less than 2.5 before the first clinical symptoms of GVHD in 9; it coincided in one and occurred later in another patient. Thus, early monitoring of the T4/T8 ratio can distinguish patients at risk of developing grade II-IV GVHD.
CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells and Their Therapeutic Potential (2005)

The human immune system mounts specific responses to a vast array of antigens. Although this is clearly beneficial in fighting off harmful infections and cancerous cells, the system must be carefully controlled to ensure that normal self-antigens are not targeted. A recently characterized subset of T cells, identified by their cell surface expression of CD4 and CD25, is critical in regulating the function of other immune cells and preventing potentially harmful autoimmune responses. This article reviews what is currently known about these so-called regulatory T cells and discusses the therapeutic potential of these cells to modulate human immune-based diseases.
Short Stature and Decreased Serum Growth Hormone-Binding Protein in the Mountain Ok People of Papua New Guinea* (1991)

Two circulating GH-binding proteins (GH-BP), one of which is related to the GH receptor, have been described. To assess their possible role in or link with determining statural growth, we measured their activity/level in the serum of 25 adult subjects from a short-statured population from the highlands of Papua New Guinea (Mountain Ok people, similar in stature to African pygmies) and in 25 normal-statured North American control subjects. The Mountain Ok people have normal levels of GH, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, and serum albumin and prealbumin in association with short stature, making them a unique study population. Levels of the high affinity (GH receptor-related) GH-BP were significantly lower in the Mountain Ok subjects than in the taller controls (5.2 +/- 3.0% vs. 10.6 +/- 3.9% GH bound/160 microL, respectively; mean +/- SD; P less than 0.001). In contrast, the low affinity GH-BP was comparable in Mountain Ok and control subjects. Because of the structural similarity between the GH receptor and GH-BP, these data suggest that a limitation in GH receptor/GH-BP endowment may be associated with short stature despite normal circulating IGF-I levels. Alternatively, it is possible that the GH-BP itself plays an important role in growth promotion. Thus, the GH receptor (and/or GH-BP) complement may be a determinant of the genetically programmed height achieved.
Three-dimensional CT analysis to determine acetabular retroversion and the implications for the management of femoro-acetabular impingement (2009)

This study examined the relationship between the cross-over sign and the true three-dimensional anatomical version of the acetabulum. We also investigated whether in true retroversion there is excessive femoral head cover anteriorly. Radiographs of 64 hips in patients being investigated for symptoms of femoro-acetabular impingement were analysed and the presence of a cross-over sign was documented. CT scans of the same hips were analysed to determine anatomical version and femoral head cover in relation to the anterior pelvic plane after correcting for pelvic tilt. The sensitivity and specificity of the cross-over sign were 92% and 55%, respectively for identifying true acetabular retroversion. There was no significant difference in total cover between normal and retroverted cases. Anterior and posterior cover were, however, significantly different (p < 0.001 and 0.002). The cross-over sign was found to be sensitive but not specific. The results for femoral head cover suggest that retroversion is characterised by posterior deficiency but increased cover anteriorly.
Cone Degeneration in Aging and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (2009)

The findings are consistent with tests of cone function in aging and early AMD, which suggests that integrated cone functions--including contrast sensitivity, color matching, and short wavelength-sensitive cone sensitivity--are the most reliable prognostic indicators of progression in AMD.
Humidity influence on the adhesion of biomimetic fibrillar surfaces (2009)

Abstract The recent interest in fibrillar biological attachment systems, as found in the gecko, has led to the development of micropatterned elastomer adhesion surfaces. All reported studies have been performed at ambient humidity neglecting its possible influence on adhesion. The present paper investigates, for the first time, the effect of systematic changes in ambient humidity from 2 to 90 %. Adhesion measurements were performed on PDMS (Sylgard 184) surfaces possessing micropillars with flat-ended and hemispherical contact shape. The pillar radius was varied between 2.5 and 25 μm; the pillar aspect ratio was kept at 1. While the adhesion of a flat sample was not affected by humidity, we found that pillar size and shape influenced the sensitivity to humidity changes: Thinner pillars, with higher pull-off forces in the dry state, exhibited decreasing adhesion values, by up to 35 %, with increasing humidity. The effect was stronger for the hemispherical tip shape, where the positive effect of finer pillars was even reversed. Possible explanations for these effects, which may lower the reliability of biomimetic adhesion devices in the presence of humidity, are given.
Efficient Large-Scale Synthesis of BILN 2061, a Potent HCV Protease Inhibitor, by a Convergent Approach Based on Ring-Closing Metathesis (2006)

A multistep scalable synthesis of the clinically important hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor BILN 2061 (1) is described. The synthesis is highly convergent and consists of two amide bond formations, one etherification, and one ring-closing metathesis (RCM) step, using readily available building blocks 2-5. The optimization of each step is described at length. The main focus of the paper is the study of the RCM step and the description of the main problems faced when scaling up to pilot scale this highly powerful but very challenging synthetic operation. Eventually, the RCM reaction was smoothly scaled up to produce >400 kg of cyclized product.