gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Mouse Very‐Low‐Density‐Lipoprotein Receptor (VLDLR) cDNA Cloning, Tissue‐specific Expression and Evolutionary Relationship with the Low‐density‐lipoprotein Receptor (1994)

The very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) is a recently described lipoprotein receptor that shows considerable similarity to the low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). This receptor has been suggested to be important for the metabolism of apoprotein-E-containing triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, such as very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL), beta-migrating VLDL and intermediate-density lipoprotein. cDNA clones that code for the VLDLR were isolated from a mouse heart cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a mature protein of 846 amino acids preceded by a 27-residue signal peptide. Three mRNA species for the VLDLR with sizes of 3.9, 4.5 and 7.9 kilobases were present in high concentration in heart and muscle, which utilize triacylglycerols as an energy source. VLDLR mRNA is also detected in decreasing amounts in kidney, brain, ovary, testis, lung and adipose tissue. It is essentially absent in liver and small intestine. The amino acid sequence of the VLDLR is highly conserved among rabbit, human and mouse. VLDLR contains five structural domains very similar to those in LDLR, except that the ligand-binding domain in VLDLR has an eightfold repeat instead of a sevenfold repeat in LDLR. Sequence conservation among animal species is much higher for the VLDLR than the LDLR. Sequences of the VLDLR from three vertebrate species and the LDLR from five vertebrate species were aligned and a phylogenetic tree was reconstructed. Although both receptors contain five domains and share amino acid sequence similarity, our computations showed that they diverged before the divergence between mammals and amphibians. In addition, sequence comparison of both receptor sequences suggests that the rabbit is evolutionarily closer to man than to the mouse. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the VLDLR and the LDLR have evolved from a common ancestral gene to play distinct roles in lipoprotein metabolism and that the metabolic handling of triacylglycerol by the body via the VLDLR is a highly conserved mechanism.
p53-dependent and independent expression of p21 during cell growth, differentiation, and DNA damage. (1995)

Expression of p21 has been shown to be up-regulated by the p53 tumor suppressor gene in vitro in response to DNA-damaging agents. However, p21 expression can be regulated independently of p53, and here we show that expression of p21 in various tissues during development and in the adult mouse occurs in the absence of p53 function. However, most tissues tested did require p53 for p21 induction following exposure of the whole animal to gamma irradiation. These results show that normal tissue expression of p21 to high levels is not dependent on p53 and confirm that induction of p21 by DNA-damaging agents does require p53. p21 is expressed upon differentiation of p53-deficient murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, and the kinetics of induction of p21 in this system suggest that it may be involved in the growth arrest that precedes terminal differentiation. The gene is up-regulated in mouse fibroblasts in response to serum restimulation but the kinetics and levels of induction differ between wild-type and mutant cells. Expression of p21 message following serum restimulation is superinducible by cycloheximide in wild-type but not in p53-deficient cells. The increases in p21 mRNA are reflected in changes in p21 protein levels. p21 expression also appears to be regulated at the post-transcriptional level because moderate increases in mRNA expression, during differentiation of MEL cells and upon serum restimulation of fibroblasts, are followed by large increases in protein levels. Regulation of the mouse p21 promoter by p53 depends on two critical p53-binding sites located 1.95 and 2.85 kb upstream from the transcriptional initiation site. The sequences mediating serum responsiveness of the promoter map to a region containing the proximal p53 site. p53 appears to play a critical role in p21 induction following DNA damage. Moreover, p21 can be regulated independently of p53 in several situations including during normal tissue development, following serum stimulation, and during cellular differentiation.
Glucose and free radicals impair the antioxidant properties of serum albumin (1999)

Epidemiological data consistently show that reduced levels of serum albumin, which is the most abundant protein in plasma, are associated with an increased mortality risk. Various biological properties evidenced by direct effects of the albumin molecule may explain its beneficial effects. The present work aimed to investigate in vitro whether glycation or free radicals or both factors would affect the antioxidant properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Glycation was performed by long-term incubations (60 days) of BSA with increasing concentrations of glucose (up to 500 mmol/l) at 37 degreesC. Minimally oxidized BSA was obtained after controlled incubations of dialyzed BSA samples with a water-soluble free radical generator [2,2' azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) HCl]. The glycation-mediated modifications and the free radical-induced conformational changes of BSA were monitored using intrinsic fluorescence measurements of the tryptophan residues and acrylamide as a quenching agent. Thiol groups, Amadori glycophore contents, and boronate binding were also measured. We found that the changes observed in the conformation of the BSA molecule were associated with modifications of its antioxidant properties. The latter were studied by the copper-mediated oxidation of human low density lipoproteins and the free radical-induced blood hemolysis test. Our data support the concept that oxidative-induced BSA modifications are important determinants in the antioxidant properties of BSA. Glycated BSA still behaved as an antioxidant but became pro-oxidant in the presence of copper, probably by generating oxygenated species. These data confirm the key role of metals ions in this process. Although these results warrant further in vivo investigations, we propose that, considering the poor glucose control found in diabetics as well as the key role of oxidative stress in vascular complications, glycation-mediated and free radical-induced impairment of the antioxidant properties of albumin might be important parameters in vascular complications encountered in diabetes.
Radioimmunoassay for the measurement of thrombospondin in plasma and breast cyst fluid: validation and clinical application (2000)

Thrombospondin is an adhesive protein that has been implicated in malignancy, specifically in tumour progression and angiogenesis. We developed a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of thrombospondin in plasma and breast cyst fluid. The assay exhibited high accuracy, with recoveries of 102-136% and acceptable imprecision, with an intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of <7.5% across the analytical range 30-1000 ng/mL and inter-assay CV of 4.4% and 7.7% at 152 and 224 ng/mL, respectively. Thrombospondin measured in the breast cyst fluid of patients with gross cystic disease of the breast showed that patients with type II (Na+) cysts had significantly higher concentrations than type I (K+) cysts. The plasma thrombospondin reference range was determined as 131-274 ng/mL. Patients with breast cancer had significantly higher plasma thrombospondin concentrations than normal individuals or patients with benign breast disease. Plasma thrombospondin was higher in breast cancer patients with lymph node involvement.
Inhibitors beta-amyloid-induced toxicity by modulating the Akt signaling pathway (2004)

The Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in neuronal survival, leading to inhibition of apoptosis. Many stimulants including neurotrophins are reported to activate this pathway in preclinical studies; however, there are no drugs for neurodegenerative diseases adopting such a concept on the market so far. Among neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease is the most common and characterized by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which consist of beta-amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau, respectively. Recent studies suggest that activation of Akt inhibits toxicity of beta-amyloid and formation of neurofibrillary tangles, leading to protection of neurons against apoptosis. This review discusses the possibility of treatment of Alzheimer's disease by activating the Akt signaling pathway.
Multiprocessor scheduling with client resources to improve the response time of WWW applications (1997)

Article Free Access Share on Multiprocessor scheduling with client resources to improve the response time of WWW applications Authors: Daniel Andresen Department of Computer Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA Department of Computer Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CAView Profile , Tao Yang Department of Computer Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA Department of Computer Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CAView Profile Authors Info & Claims ICS '97: Proceedings of the 11th international conference on SupercomputingJuly 1997 Pages 92–99https://doi.org/10.1145/263580.263603Published:11 July 1997Publication History 4citation258DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations4Total Downloads258Last 12 Months9Last 6 weeks0 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF
Elimination of prions by branched polyamines and implications for therapeutics (1999)

We report that branched polyamines, including polyamidoamide dendimers, polypropyleneimine, and polyethyleneimine, are able to purge PrP(Sc), the protease-resistant isoform of the prion protein, from scrapie-infected neuroblastoma (ScN2a) cells in culture. The removal of PrP(Sc) by these compounds depends on both the concentration of branched polymer and the duration of exposure. Chronic exposure of ScN2a cells to low noncytotoxic concentrations of branched polyamines for 1 wk reduced PrP(Sc) to an undetectable level, a condition that persisted at least 3 wk after removal of the compound. Structure-activity analysis revealed that a high surface density of primary amino groups is required for polyamines to eliminate PrP(Sc) effectively from cells. The removal of PrP(Sc) by branched polyamines is attenuated by chloroquine in living cells, and exposure of scrapie-infected brain extracts with branched polyamines at acidic pH rendered the PrP(Sc) susceptible to protease in vitro, suggesting that endosomes or lysozomes may be the site of action. Our studies suggest that branched polyamines might be useful therapeutic agents for treatment of prion diseases and perhaps a variety of other degenerative disorders.
Specific gene suppression by engineered ribozymes in monkey cells. (1989)

Short catalytic RNAs possessing specific endoribonuclease activity (ribozymes) have recently been designed that can potentially shear any chosen target RNA in trans at a specific site. Here, engineered ribozymes targeted against chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), derived from Tn9, have been cloned into a mammalian expression vector and tested in transient transfection experiments for their effects on CAT expression in monkey (COS1) cells. The ribozymes contained the catalytic domain of the satellite RNA from tobacco ringspot virus and were targeted to three sites in the CAT mRNA by flanking antisense sequences. These ribozymes, which were previously shown to accurately cleave CAT message in vitro, were cloned into a replicating plasmid vector under the control of the highly active simian virus 40 early promoter. The ribozyme gene sequence was incorporated into the 3' untranslated region of the gene for firefly luciferase as it was ineffective when expressed as a short RNA. Each ribozyme construction gave a similar level of suppression of CAT activity when the target was transcribed from the herpes virus thymidine kinase promoter. One of the three (ribozyme 2) was chosen for further study and tested after it had been modified by the addition of extra flanking bases. The reporter gene for luciferase was used to monitor ribozyme level and to function as a specificity control, and the human growth hormone gene was cotransfected as an independent reporter for specificity of the ribozyme against the intended target CAT. At high (approximately 1000-fold) molar excess this ribozyme was demonstrated to consistently and specifically suppress CAT expression (up to approximately 60%) in COS1 cells relative both to a plasmid clone with the ribozyme inserted in the reversed (inactive) orientation and to a control corresponding to the relevant 26-nucleotide antisense segment of CAT.
Argonaute2 complexes carry a population of circulating microRNAs independent of vesicles in human plasma (2011)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) circulate in the bloodstream in a highly stable, extracellular form and are being developed as blood-based biomarkers for cancer and other diseases. However, the mechanism underlying their remarkable stability in the RNase-rich environment of blood is not well understood. The current model in the literature posits that circulating miRNAs are protected by encapsulation in membrane-bound vesicles such as exosomes, but this has not been systematically studied. We used differential centrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography as orthogonal approaches to characterize circulating miRNA complexes in human plasma and serum. We found, surprisingly, that the majority of circulating miRNAs cofractionated with protein complexes rather than with vesicles. miRNAs were also sensitive to protease treatment of plasma, indicating that protein complexes protect circulating miRNAs from plasma RNases. Further characterization revealed that Argonaute2 (Ago2), the key effector protein of miRNA-mediated silencing, was present in human plasma and eluted with plasma miRNAs in size-exclusion chromatography. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation of Ago2 from plasma readily recovered non-vesicle-associated plasma miRNAs. The majority of miRNAs studied copurified with the Ago2 ribonucleoprotein complex, but a minority of specific miRNAs associated predominantly with vesicles. Our results reveal two populations of circulating miRNAs and suggest that circulating Ago2 complexes are a mechanism responsible for the stability of plasma miRNAs. Our study has important implications for the development of biomarker approaches based on capture and analysis of circulating miRNAs. In addition, identification of extracellular Ago2-miRNA complexes in plasma raises the possibility that cells release a functional miRNA-induced silencing complex into the circulation.
Current Status of Dendritic Cell-Based Tumor Vaccination (2000)

For several decades, approaches utilizing nonspecific immune stimulants have provided evidence that the immune system, when properly activated, may eradicate cancer cells. However, it was only after the identification of the first human tumor-associated antigen, less than a decade ago, that development of specific vaccination procedures for cancer patients became feasible. Recent insights into the pivotal role of dendritic cells (DCs) for initiation and regulation of immune responses have allowed the design of DC-based tumor vaccination trials. In addition, the development of methods to raise large numbers of DCs from peripheral blood monocytes has paved the way for their clinical application. Tumor-specific vaccination utilizing antigen-loaded autologous DCs, has become practical and applicable to patients and may lead to vigorous antitumor responses. This review outlines recent progress, obstacles still to be overcome, and the future potential of DC-based vaccination. Copyright 2000 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
Cellular mechanisms of muscle fatigue (1994)

Fatigue, defined as the failure to maintain the required or expected power output, is a complex problem, since multiple factors are clearly involved, with the relative importance of each dependent on the fiber type composition of the contracting muscles(s), and the intensity, type, and duration of the contractile activity. The primary sites of fatigue appear to be within the muscle cell itself and for the most part do not involve the central nervous system or the neuromuscular junction. The major hypotheses of fatigue center on disturbances in the surface membrane, E-C coupling, or metabolic events. The cell sites most frequently linked to the etiology of skeletal muscle fatigue are shown in Figure 1. Skeletal muscles are composed of at least four distinct fiber types (3 fast twitch and 1 slow twitch), with the slow type I and fast type IIa fibers containing the highest mitochondrial content and fatigue resistance. Despite fiber type differences in the degree of fatigability, the contractile properties undergo characteristic changes with the development of fatigue that can be observed in whole muscles, single motor units, and single fibers. The Po declines, and the contraction and relaxation times are prolonged. Additionally, there is a decrease in the peak rate of tension development and decline and a reduced Vo. Changes in Vo are more resistant to fatigue than Po and are not observed until Po has declined by at least 10% of its initial prefatigued value. However, the reduced peak power by which fatigue is defined results from both a reduction in Vo and Po. In the absence of muscle fiber damage, the prolonged relaxation time associated with fatigue causes the force-frequency curve to shift to the left, such that peak tensions are obtained at lower frequencies of stimulation. In a mechanism not clearly understood, the central nervous system senses this condition and reduces the alpha-motor nerve activation frequency as fatigue develops. In some cases, selective LFF develops that displaces the force-frequency curve to the right. Although not proven, it appears likely that this condition is associated with and likely caused by muscle injury, such that the SR releases less Ca2+ at low frequencies of activation. Alternatively, LFF could result from a reduced membrane excitability, such that the sarcolemma action potential frequency is considerably less than the stimulation frequency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Induction and modulation of anchorage-independent growth by platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-beta. (1986)

Transforming growth factors (TGFs) reversibly induce the anchorage-independent growth of nontransformed cells. TGF activity is often monitored by the growth of normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts in soft agar, and it is known that more than one growth factor is involved in the regulation of their soft agar growth. To more clearly define the growth factors responsible for the soft agar growth of NRK cells, the effects of four growth factors were examined: platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF); TGF-beta; epidermal growth factor (EGF); and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). This study determined that PDGF induces the soft agar growth of NRK cells, in both plasma-supplemented medium and serum-free medium supplemented with FGF, and neither TGF-beta nor an EGF-related growth factor is required for this effect. It was also determined that FGF, which alone does not induce the soft agar growth of these cells, potentiates the responses of NRK cells to various combinations of PDGF, TGF-beta, and EGF. Interestingly, the effect of TGF-beta was found to depend on the growth factor composition of the medium. In the absence of EGF, TGF-beta partially inhibits the soft agar growth response of NRK cells to PDGF, whereas, in the presence of EGF, TGF-beta increases their response to PDGF. These findings indicate that at least four unrelated growth factors regulate the anchorage-independent growth of NRK cells. These findings have important implications for the use of NRK cells to assay TGFs.
A comparative study of policosanol Versus acipimox in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. (1999)

An 8-week, randomized, double-blind study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and acipimox was conducted in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Prior to entry into active treatment, all patients followed a standard cholesterol-lowering diet for 12 weeks. Sixty-three patients were randomized to receive either policosanol (10 mg/day) or acipimox (750 mg/day) tablets for 8 weeks under double-blind conditions. Both groups were similar at randomization. Policosanol significantly reduced total cholesterol (p < 0.0001) (15.8%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (21%) and the ratios of LDL-cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (15.8%) and cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (11.5%). Acipimox significantly lowered both cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 7.5%. The percent changes of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and both ratios were larger in the policosanol group than in the acipimox group. Both drugs were well tolerated. Acipimox significantly increased (p > 0.001) aspartate amino transferase levels but only four patients showed increases above the normal limit. Policosanol significantly reduced creatinine values (p > 0.05) but no patients had values out of the normal range. Four patients withdrew from the study (two from each group) but none withdrew because of adverse effects. No adverse effects were reported in the policosanol group, while five patients on acipimox reported adverse effects (hot flushes, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypochondrial pain and leg edema). These results indicate that policosanol (10 mg/day) was more effective and well tolerated than was acipimox (750 mg/day) in this study population.
FTY720 and (S)-FTY720 vinylphosphonate inhibit sphingosine kinase 1 and promote its proteasomal degradation in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle, breast cancer and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (2010)

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) is an enzyme that catalyses the phosphorylation of sphingosine to produce the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). We demonstrate here that FTY720 (Fingolimod) and (S)-FTY720 vinylphosphonate are novel inhibitors of SK1 catalytic activity and induce the proteasomal degradation of this enzyme in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells and androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Proteasomal degradation of SK1 in response to FTY720 and (S)-FTY720 vinylphosphonate is associated with the down-regulation of the androgen receptor in LNCaP-AI cells. (S)-FTY720 vinylphosphonate also induces the apoptosis of these cells. These findings indicate that SK1 is involved in protecting LNCaP-AI from apoptosis. This protection might be mediated by so-called 'inside-out' signalling by S1P, as LNCaP-AI cells exhibit increased expression of S1P(2/3) receptors and reduced lipid phosphate phosphatase expression (compared with androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells) thereby potentially increasing the bioavailability of S1P at S1P(2/3) receptors.
Design and End Points of Clinical Trials for Patients With Progressive Prostate Cancer and Castrate Levels of Testosterone: Recommendations of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Working Group (2008)

PCWG2 recommends increasing emphasis on time-to-event end points (ie, failure to progress) as decision aids in proceeding from phase II to phase III trials. Recommendations will evolve as data are generated on the utility of intermediate end points to predict clinical benefit.