gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
3D object model recovery from 2D images using structured light (2004)

Three-dimensional (3-D) object models are currently used in CAD/CAM, robotics, remote sensing, etc. The models (images) can be either directly acquired by using special devices such as range finders, CTR scanners, etc., or they can be recovered from a series of two-dimensional (2-D) images of the object. In this paper, the authors propose a method for determining a set of reference pixels in two simultaneous views of the same object, using two cameras, by projecting a pseudorandom encoded grid on the object. The grid nodes and their encoding values are extracted from 2-D images by applying first a smoothing and then a watershed algorithm. The pseudorandom information encoded in the grid nodes is used to match corresponding sets of points of the two 2-D images. The set of matched points are further used to calculate the disparity of each point of the object surface. Experimental examples illustrate the performance of this simple and elegant technique.
What is the space of spectral sensitivity functions for digital color cameras? (2013)

Camera spectral sensitivity functions relate scene radiance with captured RGB triplets. They are important for many computer vision tasks that use color information, such as multispectral imaging, color rendering, and color constancy. In this paper, we aim to explore the space of spectral sensitivity functions for digital color cameras. After collecting a database of 28 cameras covering a variety of types, we find this space convex and two-dimensional. Based on this statistical model, we propose two methods to recover camera spectral sensitivities using regular reflective color targets (e.g., color checker) from a single image with and without knowing the illumination. We show the proposed model is more accurate and robust for estimating camera spectral sensitivities than other basis functions. We also show two applications for the recovery of camera spectral sensitivities - simulation of color rendering for cameras and computational color constancy.
Low-Level Laser Therapy after Molar Extraction (2000)

The low-level laser has no influence on the process of osseointegration. This effect was observed on fracture healing in rats using He-Ne laser radiation. We found no differences in the bone density when compared to the control group.
Molecular regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass development, maintenance, and expansion (2007)

Pancreatic beta-cells are responsible for producing all of the insulin required by an organism to maintain glucose homeostasis. Defects in development, maintenance, or expansion of beta-cell mass can result in impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. Thus, identifying the molecular regulators of these processes may provide new therapeutic targets for diabetes. Additionally, understanding the processes of beta-cell differentiation and proliferation may allow for in vitro cultivation of beta-cells in sufficient amounts to be transplanted into patients with diabetes. This review addresses many of the transcription factors and signaling pathways that play a role in early pancreatic development and endocrine cell (specifically beta-cell) differentiation, conditions that influence beta-cell mass development and molecular regulators of beta-cell proliferation and apoptosis that are responsible for maintaining and expanding beta-cell mass.
RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT (1996)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful article on burnout in nursing! The only thing I want to know is, was the author privy to my diaries? I've worked in nursing as an RN for over 20 years-all in hospitals. Several years ago it all became too hard and I burned out. I took a four-month leave of absence that probably saved my life. After counseling, I returned to work with a better, balanced vision of my role. As the author states, I've seen the best nurses I've known over the years completely give in and leave nursing. This has led me to question my own reasons for staying. All I know is right now I still like to be a nurse and help people. I feel I still have a lot to offer. I don't know if I'll feel that way in 10 years. If every nurse in the nation stayed home for just one week, it would make the recent government shutdown crisis look like a 30-second item on the news. The whole health care system would collapse. I console myself with thoughts like this when I feel unappreciated. All any of us can do is the best we can do-the rest we have to let go of or learn to shrug off, or we have to develop a narrower vision of why we're here. You can't save the whole world. I try every day to make a difference for just one of my patients. And if I stopped being a nurse tomorrow, I could look back and be proud of the work I've done the past 22 years, in spite of obstacles and frustrations. Thank you for printing an article that reflects what so many nurses feel today. Emily Anne Hall, RN West Springfield, MA
Components for integrated poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic systems (2002)

This review describes the design and fabrication of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). PDMS is a soft polymer with attractive physical and chemical properties: elasticity, optical transparency, flexible surface chemistry, low permeability to water, and low electrical conductivity. Soft lithography makes fabrication of microfluidic systems in PDMS particularly easy. Integration of components, and interfacing of devices with the user, is also convenient and simpler in PDMS than in systems made in hard materials. Fabrication of both single and multilayer microfluidic systems is straightforward in PDMS. Several components are described in detail: a passive chaotic mixer, pneumatically actuated switches and valves, a magnetic filter, functional membranes, and optical components.
PLZT-Modified Relaxor Piezoelectric Ceramic System for Medical Diagnostic Applications (2008)

The piezoelectric ceramic system [Pb 0.978–y La 0.012 Ba 0.01 Sr y ][(Zr 0.534 Ti 0.466 ) 0.987 Nb 0.008 ]O 3 (PLBSZNT) has been fabricated for use in medical diagnostics applications. The fundamental pre-requisites are high-density, high dielectric constant and high piezoelectric properties that serve as compatible ceramic materials for medical diagnostic applications. It is essential for sensitive transducers that the piezoelectric ceramics must efficiently convert between electrical and mechanical energy, and so the electromechanical coupling coefficients should be high, as the fabrication process of tiny elements for medical arrays must be carried out without damaging the material and its properties. In our study, Sr-modified PLBZNT had shown single ferroelectric tetragonal phase. An analysis of different Sr doping concentration is reported, and the high dielectric permittivity, low dielectric loss along with high electromechanical properties indicate that PLBSZNT is suitable for medical diagnostic applications as well as sensors and actuators.
DNA Replication Dynamics of the GGGGCC Repeat of the C9orf72 Gene (2015)

DNA has the ability to form a variety of secondary structures in addition to the normal B-form DNA, including hairpins and quadruplexes. These structures are implicated in a number of neurological diseases and cancer. Expansion of a GGGGCC repeat located at C9orf72 is associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. This repeat expands from two to 24 copies in normal individuals to several hundreds or thousands of repeats in individuals with the disease. Biochemical studies have demonstrated that as little as four repeats have the ability to form a stable DNA secondary structure known as a G-quadruplex. Quadruplex structures have the ability to disrupt normal DNA processes such as DNA replication and transcription. Here we examine the role of GGGGCC repeat length and orientation on DNA replication using an SV40 replication system in human cells. Replication through GGGGCC repeats leads to a decrease in overall replication efficiency and an increase in instability in a length-dependent manner. Both repeat expansions and contractions are observed, and replication orientation is found to influence the propensity for expansions or contractions. The presence of replication stress, such as low-dose aphidicolin, diminishes replication efficiency but has no effect on instability. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrates a replication stall with as few as 20 GGGGCC repeats. These results suggest that replication of the GGGGCC repeat at C9orf72 is perturbed by the presence of expanded repeats, which has the potential to result in further expansion, leading to disease.
Distribution, markers, and functions of retinal microglia (2002)

Retinal microglia originate from hemopoietic cells and invade the retina from the retinal margin and the optic disc, most likely via the blood vessels of the ciliary body and iris, and the retinal vasculature, respectively. The microglial precursors that appear in the retina prior to vascularization are major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I- and II-positive and express the CD45 marker, but lack specific macrophage markers. They differentiate into ramified parenchymal microglia in the adult retina. A second category of microglial precursors, which do express specific macrophage markers, migrate into the retina along with vascular precursors. They appear around blood vessels in the adult retina and are similar to macrophages or cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series (MPS). Microglia are distributed in the outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the primate retina. The pattern of microglial distribution in the avascular retina of the quail indicates that blood vessels are not responsible for the final location of microglia in the retina. In the human retina, microglia express MHC class I, MHC class II, CD45, CD68, and S22 markers. In the rat and mouse retina, OX41, OX42, OX3, OX6, OX18, ED1, Mac-1, F4/80, 5D4 anti-keratan sulfate, and lectins are used to recognize microglia. Microglial cells play an important role in host defense against invading microorganisms, immunoregulation, and tissue repair. During neurodegeneration, activated microglial cells participate in the phagocytosis of debris and facilitate regenerative processes. In autoimmune disease, microglia have dual functions: initiating uveoretinitis, but also limiting subsequent inflammation. Retinal microglia may be associated with vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. The goal of this article was to review the present knowledge about retinal microglia and the function of retinal microglia in pathological conditions.
Groove-binding unsymmetrical cyanine dyes for staining of DNA: syntheses and characterization of the DNA-binding (2003)

Two new crescent-shaped unsymmetrical cyanine dyes have been synthesised and their interactions with DNA have been investigated by different spectroscopic methods. These dyes are analogues to a minor groove binding unsymmetrical cyanine dye, BEBO, recently reported by us. In this dye, the structure of the known intercalating cyanine dye BO was extended with a benzothiazole substituent. To investigate how the identity of the extending heterocycle affects the binding to DNA, the new dyes BETO and BOXTO have a benzothiazole group and a benzoxazole moiety, respectively. Whereas BEBO showed a heterogeneous binding to calf thymus DNA, linear and circular dichroism studies of BOXTO indicate a high preference for minor groove binding. BETO also binds in the minor groove to mixed sequence DNA but has a contribution of non-ordered and non-emissive species present. A non-intercalative binding mode of the new dyes, as well as for BEBO, is further supported by electrophoresis unwinding assays. These dyes, having comparable spectral properties as the intercalating cyanine dyes, but bind in the minor groove instead, might be useful complements for staining of DNA. In particular, the benzoxazole substituted dye BOXTO has attractive fluorescence properties with a quantum yield of 0.52 when bound to mixed sequence DNA and a 300-fold increase in fluorescence intensity upon binding.
Secretion of methanol-insoluble heat-stable enterotoxin (STB): energy- and secA-dependent conversion of pre-STB to an intermediate indistinguishable from the extracellular toxin (1990)

The methanol-insoluble, heat-stable enterotoxin of Escherichia coli synthesized by clinical strains or strains that harbor the cloned gene was shown to be an extracellular polypeptide. The toxin (STB) was first detected as an 8,100-Mr precursor (pre-STB) that was converted to a transiently cell-associated 5,200-Mr form. Proteolytic conversion of pre-STB to STB was shown to be inhibited by the proton motive force uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and did not occur in a secA background. After STB was detected as a cell-associated molecule, an extracellular form with identical electrophoretic mobility became apparent. The results suggest that there is no proteolytic processing during the mobilization of STB from the periplasm to the culture supernatant. The determined amino acid sequence of STB coincides fully with the 48 carboxy-terminal amino acids inferred from the DNA sequence. The 23 amino-terminal residues inferred from the DNA sequence were absent in the mature toxin.
The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein/α2-Macroglobulin Receptor Is a Receptor for Connective Tissue Growth Factor (2001)

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is regulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and strong up-regulation occurs during wound healing; in situ hybridization data indicate that there are high levels of CTGF expression in fibrotic lesions. Recently the binding parameters of CTGF to both high and lower affinity cell surface binding components have been characterized. Affinity cross-linking and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated the binding of CTGF to a cell surface protein with a mass of approximately 620 kDa. We report here the purification of this protein by affinity chromatography on CTGF coupled to Sepharose and sequence information obtained by mass spectroscopy. The binding protein was identified as the multiligand receptor, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP). The identification of LRP as a receptor for CTGF was validated by several studies: 1) binding competition with many ligands that bind to LRP, including receptor-associated protein; 2) immunoprecipitation of CTGF-receptor complex with LRP antibodies; and 3) cells that are genetically deficient for LRP were unable to bind CTGF. Last, CTGF is rapidly internalized and degraded and this process is LRP-dependent. In summary, our data indicate that LRP is a receptor for CTGF, and may play an important role in mediating CTGF biology.
Identification and prevention of antibody disulfide bond reduction during cell culture manufacturing (2010)

In the biopharmaceutical industry, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are primarily produced in mammalian cell culture systems. During the scale-up of a monoclonal antibody production process, we observed excessive mechanical cell shear as well as significant reduction of the antibody's interchain disulfide bonds during harvest operations. This antibody reduction event was catastrophic as the product failed to meet the drug substance specifications and the bulk product was lost. Subsequent laboratory studies have demonstrated that cells subjected to mechanical shear release cellular enzymes that contribute to this antibody reduction phenomenon (manuscript submitted; Kao et al., 2009). Several methods to prevent this antibody reduction event were developed using a lab-scale model to reproduce the lysis and reduction events. These methods included modifications to the cell culture media with chemicals (e.g., cupric sulfate (CuSO(4))), pre- and post-harvest chemical additions to the cell culture fluid (CCF) (e.g., CuSO(4), EDTA, L-cystine), as well as lowering the pH and air sparging of the harvested CCF (HCCF). These methods were evaluated for their effectiveness in preventing disulfide bond reduction and their impact to product quality. Effective prevention methods, which yielded acceptable product quality were evaluated for their potential to be implemented at manufacturing-scale. The work described here identifies numerous effective reduction prevention measures from lab-scale studies; several of these methods were then successfully translated into manufacturing processes.
Engineered Synthetic Virus‐Like Particles and Their Use in Vaccine Delivery (2010)

Engineered nanoparticles have been designed based on the self-assembling properties of synthetic coiled-coil lipopeptide building blocks. The presence of an isoleucine zipper within the lipopeptide together with the aggregating effects of an N-terminal lipid drives formation of 20-25 nm nanoparticles in solution. Biophysical studies support a model in which the lipid is buried in the centre of the nanoparticle, with 20-30 trimeric helical coiled-coil bundles radiating out into solution. A promiscuous T-helper epitope and a synthetic B-cell epitope mimetic derived from the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum have been linked to each lipopeptide chain, with the result that 60-90 copies of each antigen are displayed over the surface of the nanoparticle. These nanoparticles elicit strong humoral immune responses in mice and rabbits, including antibodies able to cross-react with the parasite, thereby, supporting the potential value of this delivery system in synthetic vaccine design.
Caspase-9 and APAF-1 form an active holoenzyme (1999)

Autocatalytic activation of initiator caspases is the link between pro-apoptotic signals and the destruction machinery of apoptosis. Activation of caspase-9, which mediates oncogene and drug-induced apoptosis, requires binding to the protein APAF-1. We found that the proteolytic activity of caspase-9 in a complex with APAF-1 is several orders of magnitude higher than that of the free enzyme. Thus, this complex functions as a holoenzyme in which caspase-9 is the catalytic subunit and APAF-1 its allosteric regulator. We argue that caspase-9 is activated by allosteric regulation and suggest that this mechanism is common for other initiator caspases.
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Linear β‐Amino Alcohols (2009)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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.
Mcl-1 expression has in vitro and in vivo significance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is associated with other poor prognostic markers (2008)

Bcl-2 family proteins play a critical role in the regulation of apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, their association with established prognostic markers is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and Mcl-1 in 185 CLL patients and evaluated their relationship with other prognostic markers, in vitro sensitivity to fludarabine, and clinical outcome. Mcl-1 expression was significantly correlated with stage of disease (P < .001), lymphocyte doubling time (P = .01), V(H) gene mutation status (P < .001), CD38 expression (P < .001), and ZAP-70 expression (P = .003). In addition, Mcl-1 and Mcl-1/Bax ratios showed strong correlations with in vitro resistance to fludarabine (P = .005 and P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, elevated Mcl-1 expression and Mcl-1/Bax ratios were predictive of time to first treatment in the whole cohort (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and in stage A patients only (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively). Taken together, our data show that Mcl-1 is a key controller of in vitro drug resistance and is an important regulator of disease progression and outcome in CLL. It therefore represents a promising therapeutic target in this incurable condition. The close correlation between Mcl-1 expression and V(H) gene mutation status, CD38 expression, and ZAP-70 expression offers a biologic explanation for their association with adverse prognosis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (2011)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a prototypical adult stem cell with capacity for self-renewal and differentiation with a broad tissue distribution. Initially described in bone marrow, MSCs have the capacity to differentiate into mesoderm- and nonmesoderm-derived tissues. The endogenous role for MSCs is maintenance of stem cell niches (classically the hematopoietic), and as such, MSCs participate in organ homeostasis, wound healing, and successful aging. From a therapeutic perspective, and facilitated by the ease of preparation and immunologic privilege, MSCs are emerging as an extremely promising therapeutic agent for tissue regeneration. Studies in animal models of myocardial infarction have demonstrated the ability of transplanted MSCs to engraft and differentiate into cardiomyocytes and vasculature cells, recruit endogenous cardiac stem cells, and secrete a wide array of paracrine factors. Together, these properties can be harnessed to both prevent and reverse remodeling in the ischemically injured ventricle. In proof-of-concept and phase I clinical trials, MSC therapy improved left ventricular function, induced reverse remodeling, and decreased scar size. This article reviews the current understanding of MSC biology, mechanism of action in cardiac repair, translational findings, and early clinical trial data of MSC therapy for cardiac disease.
ABSENCE OF THE PLASMA GROWTH HORMONE-BINDING PROTEIN IN LARON-TYPE DWARFISM* (1987)

We recently described a specific, high affinity binding protein (BP) for growth hormone (GH) in normal human plasma. Little is known about the source, regulation and biological role of this BP. Because its specificity is similar to that of the GH receptor, we considered the possibility that it represented a circulating receptor subunit or fragment. Laron-type dwarfism is a rare disorder characterized by severe growth failure, resistance to GH, and GH receptor deficiency. To probe the relationship between the receptor and the circulating binding protein, we measured the binding of GH to plasma from a child with Laron-type dwarfism and compared it with that in plasma of normal children and adults. Normal plasma samples were supplemented with unlabeled GH to the endogenous GH level in the plasma of the Laron patient to yield comparable saturation of the BP. After incubation of plasma with radiolabeled GH, bound GH was separated from free GH by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. There was no detectable binding (less than 1.5%) of GH in the plasma of the Laron-type dwarf, whereas in normal children the bound GH fraction averaged 24.0 +/- 6.1% (mean +/- SD). Thus, the GH-BP is either absent or functionally abnormal in Laron-type dwarfism. This finding suggests that the circulating GH-BP is related to and/or may be derived from the GH receptor. Alternatively, it is possible that the BP plays an as yet poorly understood pivotal role in the promotion of somatic growth.