gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Carotid sinus baroreceptor control of arterial pressure in renovascular hypertensive subjects. (1982)

We used the neck chamber technique to study carotid baroreceptor control of blood pressure in 18 renovascular hypertensive subjects. Carotid baroreceptors were stimulated or deactivated for 2 minutes by applying graded reductions or increases in the neck tissue pressure (NTP) outside the carotid sinuses. The sensitivity of the baroreflex was separately calculated for these two conditions by the coefficients of the linear regressions relating the changes in NTP to the resulting changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP, catheter measurement). Baroreceptor deactivation increased MAP, and the sensitivity of the baroreflex was 0.12 /+- 0.07 in an early (5 to 1 seconds) and 0.32 /+- 0.05 in a late (90 to 120 seconds) phase of the stimulus application. Baroreceptor stimulation reduced MAP, and the baroreflex sensitivity was in this instance 0.66 /+- 0.08 and 0.05 /+- 0.08 respectively. Both these sensitivities were significantly greater than those obtained for the baroreceptor deactivation. These response entirely reproduced those of essential hypertensive subjects, but differed from those of normotensive subjects in whom baroreflex sensitivity was greater for carotid baroreceptor deactivation than for stimulation. Our findings indicate that carotid baroreceptor control of blood pressure undergoes a marked resetting in renovascular hypertension. The similarity of the baroreflex between renovascular and essential hypertension suggests as secondary origin of the resetting in man.
On the Prediction of the Human Response: A Recycled Mechanistic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Approach (2005)

Although it is routine to predict the blood or plasma pharmacokinetics of compounds for man based upon preclinical studies, the real value of such predictions only comes when linked to drug effects. In the first example, the immunomodulator, FTY720, the first sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist, stimulates the sequestration of lymphocytes into lymph nodes thus removing cells from blood circulation. A prior physiology-based pharmacokinetic model fitted the concentration-time course of FTY720 in rats. This was connected to an indirect response model of the lymphocyte system to characterise the cell trafficking effects. The IC(50) of FTY720 was different in the rat compared with the monkey; man was assumed to be similar to the monkey. The systemic lymphocyte half-lives were also different between species. To make predictions of the pharmacodynamic behaviour for man, two elements are required, i) systemic exposure, in this case from an upscaled physiology based model, and ii) an estimate of lymphocyte turnover in man, gained from the literature from other drug treatments. Predictions compared well with clinical results. The second example is the monoclonal antibody Xolair, designed to bind immunoglobulin E for atopic diseases. A mechanism based two-site binding model described the kinetics of both Xolair and endogenous IgE. This model has been reused for other monoclonal antibodies designed to bind fluid-phase ligands. Sensitivity analysis shows that if differences across species in the kinetics of the endogenous system are not accounted for, then pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models may give misleading predictions of the time course and extent of the response.
Pathogenesis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Induced Alterations in Macaque Trigeminal Ganglia (2007)

Peripheral neuropathy is the most frequent neurologic complication associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. To study the mechanisms causing HIV-induced peripheral nervous system disease, we examined trigeminal ganglia obtained from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-inoculated macaques. SIV-infected macaques developed multifocal trigeminal ganglionitis of varying severity characterized by multifocal mononuclear infiltrates, neuronophagia, and neuronal loss resembling reports of HIV-associated changes present in dorsal root ganglia. Neuronal density, measured by calculating the fractional area of trigeminal ganglia occupied by neurons, was significantly lower in SIV-infected macaques versus uninfected macaques (p = 0.001). To characterize the inflammatory cell population and measure productive viral infection in ganglia, trigeminal ganglia from SIV-infected macaques were immunostained for macrophage or cytotoxic lymphocyte markers and for SIV gp41. The extent of macrophage infiltration in trigeminal ganglia was inversely correlated with neuronal loss (p = 0.001), whereas cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration was not associated with neuronal loss. These studies demonstrate that alterations in the somatosensory ganglia of SIV-infected macaques closely parallel those observed in HIV-infected individuals and show that study of SIV-infected macaques may help elucidate the pathophysiology of HIV-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Regularizing translation models for better automatic image annotation (2004)

The goal of automatic image annotation is to automatically generate annotations for images to describe their content. In the past, statistical machine translation models have been successfully applied to automatic image annotation task [8]. It views the process of annotating images as a process of translating the content from a 'visual language' to textual words. One problem with the existing translation models is that common words are usually associated with too many different image regions. As a result, uncommon words have little chance to be used for annotating images. Uncommon words are important for automatic image annotation because they are often used in the queries. In this paper, we propose two modified translation models for automatic image annotation, namely the normalized translation model and the regularized translation model, that specifically address the problem of common annotated words. The basic idea is to raise the number of blobs that are associated with uncommon words. The normalized translation model realizes this by scaling translation probabilities of different words with different factors. The same goal is achieved in the regularized translation model through the introduction of a special Dirichlet prior. Empirical study with the Corel dataset has shown that both two modified translation models outperform the original translation model and several existing approaches for automatic image annotation substantially.
Amphotericin B: A Novel Class of Antiscrapie Drugs (1989)

Amphotericin B (AmB) has been able to lengthen the incubation period of intracerebrally (ic) scrapie-injected hamsters to 45 d. This article reports a linear relationship between AmB doses and the duration of the incubation periods of ic-treated animals compared with controls, a greater effect of AmB treatment administered 2 w before or the same day of ic scrapie incubation, and the ineffectiveness of mepartricin, an AmB analogue, in prolonging the incubation period of ic scrapie-injected hamsters. The beneficial effect of AmB appears due to a delay in the replication of the scrapie agent in the brain of infected hamsters. Moreover, AmB suppresses scrapie replication in the spleen of treated animals. Three hypotheses may explain these results: (1) AmB alters a hypothetical scrapie receptor, preventing the entry of the agent into central nervous system (CNS) target cells; (2) AmB interferes with mechanisms involved in scrapie replication; (3) AmB prevents the formation and accumulation of a scrapie-specific amyloid protein responsible for the disease. Whatever the mechanism of action, AmB is the only currently available drug to modify experimental CNS scrapie infection, so AmB is proposed as a novel class of antiscrapie drugs.
TRANSIENT BACTEREMIA AND ENDOCARDITIS PROPHYLAXIS. A REVIEW (1977)

Transient, usually asymptomatic bacteremia occurs in a wide variety of procedures and manipulations, particularly those associated with mucous membrane trauma. It may also occur with such daily functions as tooth brushing and bowel movements. These brief bacteremias are especially common in tooth extraction and other dental procedures. Although numerical risk is uncertain, these bacteremias can occasionally give rise to infective endocarditis in the susceptible patient. While no proof exists that antibiotics given prior to procedures causing bacteremia prevent endocarditis in humans, experimental evidence in rabbits supports their use. Therefore, in situations where bacteremia is highly predictable, it would seem wise to administer prophylactic antimicrobials. Procedures in the susceptible host where prophylactic antibiotics seem prudent include dental manipulations and urinary tract instrumentation. Whether patients with acquired valvular or congenital heart disease who are to undergo abdominal surgical procedures should routinely receive prophylactic antibiotics is unclear. However, until the incidence of transient bacteremia associated with various abdominal procedures is further defined, endocarditis-prone patients should probably receive prophylaxis. Furthermore, patients with prosthetic valves who are subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, liver biopsy, or barium enema should also probably have antibiotic pretreatment. For dental procedures and for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with prosthetic valves, a combination of penicillin and streptomycin or vancomycin alone is recommended. For urinary tract instrumentation in all patients and for sigmoidoscopy, liver biopsy, or barium enema in patients with prosthetic valves, prophylaxis should be with ampicillin and gentamicin or vancomycin and gentamicin.
Incomplete T-cell receptor–β peptides target the mitochondrion and induce apoptosis (2008)

The default pathway of cell-surface T-cell receptor (TCR) complex formation, and the subsequent transport to the membrane, is thought to entail endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization followed by proteasome degradation of the unassembled chains. We show herein an alternative pathway: short, incomplete peptide versions of TCRbeta naturally occur in the thymus. Such peptides, which have minimally lost the leader sequence or have been massively truncated, leaving only the very C terminus intact, are sorted preferentially to the mitochondrion. As a consequence of the mitochondrial localization, apoptotic cell death is induced. Structure function analysis showed that both the specific localization and induction of apoptosis depend on the transmembrane domain (TMD) and associated residues at the COOH-terminus of TCR. Truncated forms of TCR, such as the short peptides that we detected in the thymus, may be products of protein degradation within thymocytes. Alternatively, they may occur through the translation of truncated mRNAs resulting from unfruitful rearrangement or from germline transcription. It is proposed that mitochondria serve as a subcellular sequestration site for incomplete TCR molecules.
50 mV-Input Batteryless Boost Converter for Thermal Energy Harvesting (2013)

A fully electrical startup boost converter for thermal energy harvesting is presented in this paper. The converter is implemented in a 65-nm bulk CMOS technology. With the proposed 3-stage stepping-up architecture, the minimum input voltage for startup is as low as 50 mV while the input voltage required for sustained power conversion is 30 mV. Due to the use of a zero-current-switching (ZCS) converter as the last stage and an automatic shutdown mechanism for the auxiliary converter, conversion efficiency up to 73% is achieved. By incorporating the boost converter and a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a miniaturized module is demonstrated for energy harvesting applications.
Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Molecular Perspectives (1998)

Multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis seriously threaten tuberculosis (TB) control and prevention efforts. Molecular studies of the mechanism of action of antitubercular drugs have elucidated the genetic basis of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis. Drug resistance in M. tuberculosis is attributed primarily to the accumulation of mutations in the drug target genes; these mutations lead either to an altered target (e.g., RNA polymerase and catalase-peroxidase in rifampicin and isoniazid resistance, respectively) or to a change in titration of the drug (e.g., InhA in isoniazid resistance). Development of specific mechanism-based inhibitors and techniques to rapidly detect multidrug resistance will require further studies addressing the drug and drug-target interaction.
Trials of Traps and Attractants for Stomoxys spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) (1995)

Five blue and black cloth traps designed for tsetse were tested for their ability to catch Stomoxys spp. in Kenya. Significantly greatest catches were obtained with Vavoua traps, which then were used to compare odor baits at Nairobi Park. Acetone, lactic acid, and animal urine (cow, buffalo, waterbuck, camel) or dung (rhinoceros, elephant, hippopotamus) did not increase catches. However, 1-octen-3-ol dispensed at 0.2-2.0 mg/h increased catches up to 3.7-fold. Vavoua traps were highly specific for Stomoxyinae, with 80% of the catch consisting of 11 different taxa of Stomoxys as well as genera such as Prostomoxys, Haematobosca, Stygeromyia, and Rhinomusca. During periods of peak seasonal abundance, up to 3,000 Stomoxys per day were collected in an octenol-baited Vavoua trap. These high catches suggest that Vavoua traps may be of practical use for fly control in isolated settings at a relatively low cost.
An evaluation of two-way communication means for advanced metering in Flanders (Belgium) (2008)

Advanced meters for electricity and gas require two-way communication to upload commands to, and download measuring data from the meters. With a specific emphasis on the means for two-way communication, this research starts from an analysis ofthe amount of data to be transmitted and its real time requirements, and it evaluates different communication means for smart metering for suitability, penetration rate, exploitation costs, flexibility and dependability -focused on Flanders' case.
Nucleotide sequence of a beta-1,3-glucanase isoenzyme IIA gene of Oerskovia xanthineolytica LL G109 (Cellulomonas cellulans) and initial characterization of the recombinant enzyme expressed in Bacillus subtilis (1996)

The nucleotide sequence of the betaglIIA gene, encoding the extracellular beta-1,3-glucanase IIA (betaglIIA) of the yeast-lytic actinomycete Oerskovia xanthineolytica LL G109, was determined. Sequence comparison shows that the betaglIIA enzyme has over 80% identity to the betaglII isoenzyme, an endo-beta-1,3-glucanase having low yeast-lytic activity secreted by the same bacterium. The betaglIIA enzyme lacks a glucan- or mannan-binding domain, such as those observed in beta-1,3-glucanases and proteases having high yeast/fungus-lytic activity. It can be included in the glycosyl hydrolase family 16. Gene fusion expression in Bacillus subtilis DN1885 followed by preliminary characterization of the recombinant gene product indicates that betaglIIA has a pI of 3.8 to 4.0 and is active on both laminarin and curdlan, having an acid optimum pH activity (ca. 4.0).
Small-World Networks and Functional Connectivity in Alzheimer's Disease (2006)

We investigated whether functional brain networks are abnormally organized in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To this end, graph theoretical analysis was applied to matrices of functional connectivity of beta band-filtered electroencephalography (EEG) channels, in 15 Alzheimer patients and 13 control subjects. Correlations between all pairwise combinations of EEG channels were determined with the synchronization likelihood. The resulting synchronization matrices were converted to graphs by applying a threshold, and cluster coefficients and path lengths were computed as a function of threshold or as a function of degree K. For a wide range of thresholds, the characteristic path length L was significantly longer in the Alzheimer patients, whereas the cluster coefficient C showed no significant changes. This pattern was still present when L and C were computed as a function of K. A longer path length with a relatively preserved cluster coefficient suggests a loss of complexity and a less optimal organization. The present study provides further support for the presence of "small-world" features in functional brain networks and demonstrates that AD is characterized by a loss of small-world network characteristics. Graph theoretical analysis may be a useful approach to study the complexity of patterns of interrelations between EEG channels.
Comparison of assays for the detection of West Nile virus antibodies in chicken serum. (2003)

Six tests for the detection of West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies in the serum of experimentally infected chickens were compared. The tests included the hemagglutination-inhibition test (HIT), immunoglobulin M (IgM)-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with WNV-infected mouse brain antigen, immunoglobulin G (IgG) indirect ELISA with tickborne encephalitis viral antigen, the microtitre virus neutralization test, the standard plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and the microtitre PRNT (micro-PRNT). Thirty adult chickens, intravenously and intramuscularly inoculated with 10(7) plaque-forming units (PFU) of WNV strain Egypt 101, were bled and given a booster of 10(7) PFU at 7,15, and 21 d postinoculation; the final blood collection was on day 28. Although the micro-PRNT is capable of detecting the highest antibody titres during both early and late infection, because of the technical complexity and time requirements of this test a combination of IgM and IgG ELISAs is recommended for serologic screening. Serum samples that give positive results in the ELISAs can then be tested by the micro-PRNT to determine the specificity of antibodies to WNV.
Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Sleep Apnea Syndrome (1995)

The association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), which are both frequent diseases, is likely to occur in a number of patients. We have prospectively investigated a large series (n = 265) of patients who were selected solely on the basis of a confirmed diagnosis of SAS (apnea + hypopnea index > 20/hr). An obstructive spirographic pattern, defined by an FEV1/VC ratio < or = 60%, was observed in 30 of 265 patients (11%). These patients (subgroup "overlap") were older (58 +/- 9) versus 53 +/- 10 yr, p = 0.01) than the remainder of the study population, and all were male patients. Body mass index (BMI) was identical in overlap patients to that in the remainder. Vital capacity and FEV1 were lower, by definition, in the overlap group. PaO2 was lower (66 +/- 10 versus 74 +/- 10 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and PaCO2 higher (42 +/- 6 versus 38 +/- 4 mm Hg, p < 0.001) in the overlap group. Hypoxemia (Pao2, < or = 65 mm Hg) was observed in 17 of 30 overlap patients and in 54 of 235 of the remainder. Hypercapnia (Paco2 > or = 45 mm Hg) was observed in 8 of 30 overlap patients and in 19 of 235 of the remainder. The pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAP) was higher in overlap patients both at rest (20 +/- 6 versus 15 +/- 5 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and during steady-state exercise (37 +/- 12 versus 29 +/- 10 mm Hg, p = 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Overexpression of human apolipoprotein C-III in transgenic mice results in an accumulation of apolipoprotein B48 remnants that is corrected by excess apolipoprotein E. (1994)

Overexpression of human apolipoprotein (apo) C-III in the plasma of transgenic mice results in hypertriglyceridemia, with up to a 20-fold elevation in plasma triglyceride. Nearly all of the triglyceride accumulates in the d < 1.006 g/ml lipoprotein fraction, which consists predominantly of apoB48-containing particles having a low apoE:apoB48 ratio in contrast to normal mice. The transgenic and nontransgenic d < 1.006 g/ml lipoproteins are similar in size, and they are equivalent substrates for lipoprotein lipase in vitro. Total apoB100 levels are similar in transgenic and normal plasma, but apoB48 levels are increased in transgenic mice. The transgenic d < 1.006 g/ml particles are poor competitors for the binding of low density lipoproteins to the low density lipoprotein receptor in vitro, which is corrected by the addition of exogenous apoE. The rate of clearance of labeled chylomicron remnants in apoC-III-transgenic mice was about half that in nontransgenic mice. The lipoprotein alterations are accompanied by up to a 5-fold increase in circulating nonesterified fatty acids, which may be the cause of fatty livers and increased liver triglyceride production also observed in the transgenic mice. These observations indicate that the primary defect leading to hypertriglyceridemia in apoC-III overexpressers is an impaired clearance of apoB48 remnants due to apoE insufficiency. Therefore, transgenic mice that overexpressed human apoE were cross-bred with the apoC-III overexpressers. Transgenic progeny that produced both human apoE and human apoC-III had normal levels of plasma triglyceride and normal amounts of apoB48 remnants. Thus, our studies suggest that a function of apoC-III is to modulate the apoE-mediated clearance of lipoproteins, and that the concentration of apoC-III relative to apoE is a key determinant of triglyceride levels in plasma.
Inhibition of Semliki Forest Virus Penetration by Lysosomotropic Weak Bases (1982)

The effect of five lysosomotropic weak bases (chloroquine, amantadine, tributylamine, methylamine and NH4C1) on Semliki Forest virus (SFV) infection has been studied in BHK-21 cells. When present at concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1, 0.5, 2, 15 and 15 mM respectively, the agents inhibited SFV infection by more than 90%. The effect was reversible and involved a process occurring within the first 60 min of virus-cell contact. The agents did not have a direct virucidal effect nor did they affect virus binding to the cells, receptor-mediated endocytosis of prebound virus, intracellular distribution of virus after endocytosis, or the low pH-induced membrane fusion activity of the virus spike glycoproteins. The step blocked by chloroquine and NH4C1 occurred intracellularly and was identified as the release of the virus nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm or the uncoating process. On the basis of these results, our previous studies on SFV entry, and the known effects of lipophilic amines on lysosomes, we conclude that the agents affect entry by a common mechanism: they prevent the transfer of the virus nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm by increasing the lysosomal pH above the critical value needed to trigger a low pH-dependent fusion reaction between the membranes of the lysosome and the virus.
Effects of Intravenous Administration of Fibrinolysin (Plasmin) in Man (1959)

The potentiality of dissolving clots has aroused great interest in fibrinolysin (plasmin) as a therapeutic agent in thromboembolism. In this paper the effects of intravenous administration of purified fibrinolysin in man are reported, with special emphasis upon systemic toxicity and alterations in clotting factors and fibrinolytic activity. This information is necessary for the evaluation of this agent for clinical purposes.
HIGH INCIDENCE OF RECEPTORS FOR LUTEINIZING HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE (LHRH) AND LHRH RECEPTOR GENE EXPRESSION IN HUMAN PROSTATE CANCERS (2000)

The expression of specific receptor proteins for LHRH in human prostate cancer provides a rationale for the improvement in methods for therapy of this malignancy based on LHRH analogs.