gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
An endothelin receptor B antagonist inhibits growth and induces cell death in human melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo (1999)

Activation of the endothelin receptor B (ETRB) in cultured melanocyte precursors promotes cell proliferation while inhibiting differentiation, two hallmarks of malignant transformation. We therefore tested whether ETRB has a similar role in malignant transformation of melanoma. When tested in culture, we find that the selective ETRB antagonist BQ788 can inhibit the growth of seven human melanoma cell lines, but not a human kidney cell line. This inhibition often is associated with increases in pigmentation and in the dendritic shape that is characteristic of mature melanocytes. In three cell lines we also observe a major increase in cell death. In contrast, the endothelin receptor A (ETRA) antagonist BQ123 does not have these effects, although all the cell lines express both ETRA and ETRB mRNA. Extending these studies in vivo, we find that administration of BQ788 significantly slows human melanoma tumor growth in nude mice, including a complete growth arrest in half of the mice treated systemically. Histological examination of tumor sections suggests that BQ788 also enhances melanoma cell death in vivo. Thus, ETRB inhibitors may be beneficial for the treatment of melanoma.
Some improvements in the synthesis of DNA of biological interest. (1980)

In a brief summary the improvements introduced during synthesis of a minigene coding for the peptide hormone angiotensin II are outlined. Furthermore some recent improvements are reviewed: comprehensive study of N-protecting groups for the heterocyclic bases, effective 3'-O-phosphorylation using phosphomonochloridates and molecular sieves, a quick and mild detritylation procedure without any depurination using ZnBr2, a convenient tritylation method using molecular sieves, introduction of a sugar spray reagent for a simpler interpretation of tlc, an improved two-step-one-flask procedure for the synthesis of fully protected triester intermediates, an introduction of new phosphate protecting groups removable by beta-elimination in homogeneous phase, synthesis of the internucleotidic phosphotriester linkage using phosphomonoazolide derivatives of deoxynucleosides, versatile methods for anchoring nucleosides to a polymer support and a computerized nucleic acid synthesizer.
Smoothed Least-laxity-first Algorithm for EV Charging (2017)

We formulate EV charging as a feasibility problem that meets all EVs' energy demands before departure under charging rate constraints and total power constraint. We propose an online algorithm, the smoothed least-laxity-first (sLLF) algorithm, that decides on the current charging rates based on only the information up to the current time. We characterize the performance of the sLLF algorithm analytically and numerically. Numerical experiments with real-world data show that it has significantly higher rate of generating feasible EV charging than several other common EV charging algorithms.
Charge Separation and Efficient Light Energy Conversion in Sensitized Mesoscopic Solar Cells Based on Binary Ionic Liquids (2005)

A 7.4% power conversion efficiency at air mass (AM) 1.5 full sunlight was reached with a mesoscopic solar cell employing a new binary ionic liquid electrolyte composed of 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide in conjunction with the amphiphilic ruthenium complex NaRu(4-carboxylic acid-4'-carboxylate)(4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridine)(NCS)(2), coded as Z-907Na. Ultramicroelectrode voltammetric, nanosecond laser transient absorbance, and photovoltaic measurements show that a high iodide concentration is required for dye regeneration to compete efficiently with charge recombination. A surprisingly fast reductive quenching process is turned on in pure iodide melts. This channel is unproductive, explaining the lower photocurrents observed under these conditions.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Avian Antibodies Against Influenza Virus H5N1 and H1N1 in Mice (2010)

The findings suggest that readily available H5N1-specific IgY offer an enormous source of valuable biological material to combat a potential H5N1 pandemic. In addition, our study provides a proof-of-concept for the approach using virus-specific IgY as affordable, safe, and effective alternative for the control of influenza outbreaks, including the current H1N1 pandemic.
The role of CD4+ T cell responses in antitumor immunity (1998)

While most of the focus in cancer immunology is on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, recent evidence indicates that CD4+ T cells are an equally critical component of the antitumor immune response. Successful immunity to cancer will therefore require activation of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells. Tumor antigens recognized by CD4+ T cells that are restricted by MHC class II are beginning to be defined in both murine and human tumors. These will provide the basis for new generations of antigen-specific tumor vaccines.
The interaction between Mycobacterium and the macrophage analyzed by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1997)

The intramacrophage pathogen Mycobacterium avium resides in a vacuole which displays unusual fusion characteristics, expressed as both a failure to mature into phagolysosomes and a continued access to the early recycling pathway. In contrast, compartments containing inert IgG-opsonized latex beads mature to phagolysosomes. Techniques were developed for the isolation of these particle-containing phagosomes from macrophages to facilitate analysis of phagosomal constituents by electrophoresis and autoradiography. Metabolic labeling of macrophages followed by phagosome isolation and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed only minor differences in the protein profiles between the M. avium and IgG-bead phagosomes despite the marked differences in the fusigenicity of the respective vacuoles. Pulse-chase labeling experiments revealed greater differences in the accessibility of Mycobacterium avium and IgG-bead phagosomes to newly synthesized proteins. These phagosome isolation techniques were extended to analyze the protein synthesis profile of intracellular M. avium for comparison with bacteria that were metabolically labeled in broth culture. Not surprisingly, the majority of polypeptides in the bacilli were common to both growth conditions. However, despite these similarities, intracellular M. avium express several unique proteins, most notably one abundant protein with a molecular weight of 51 kDa. In addition, the bacteria manifest a restricted set of proteins expressed while in stasis shortly after infection.
Novel Syntheses of Cis and Trans Isomers of Combretastatin A-4 (2001)

A high-yielding, two-step stereoselective synthesis of the anticancer drug (Z)-combretastatin A-4 (1) has been devised. The method uses the Perkin condensation of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetic acid and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde followed by decarboxylation of the cinnamic acid intermediate using copper and quinoline. The iodine-catalyzed isomerization of the Z isomer 1 results in complete conversion to the E isomer. The Suzuki cross-coupling of an aryl boronic acid and vinyl bromide has also been successfully employed to produce both Z and E isomers of combretastatin A-4 stereoselectively. Both methods are far superior to the current five-step Wittig synthesis in which both isomers are produced nonstereoselectively.
Anaplasma marginale major surface protein 3 is encoded by a polymorphic, multigene family (1997)

The immunodominant surface protein, MSP3, is structurally and antigenically polymorphic among strains of Anaplasma marginale. In this study we show that a polymorphic multigene family is at least partially responsible for the variation seen in MSP3. The A. marginale msp3 gene msp3-12 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. With msp3-12 as a probe, multiple, partially homologous gene copies were identified in the genomes of three A. marginale strains. These copies were widely distributed throughout the chromosome. Sequence analysis of three unique msp3 genes, msp3-12, msp3-11, and msp3-19, revealed both conserved and variant regions within the open reading frames. Importantly, msp3 contains amino acid blocks related to another polymorphic multigene family product, MSP2. These data, in conjunction with data presented in previous studies, suggest that multigene families are used to vary important antigenic surface proteins of A. marginale. These findings may provide a basis for studying antigenic variation of the organism in persistently infected carrier cattle.
Expression changes in DNA repair enzymes and mitochondrial DNA damage in aging rat lens. (2010)

The gene expression of mRNA and protein in these key BER enzymes decreased with age, which caused a decrease in the repairing capability of the mtDNA and the accumulation of mtDNA damage. The increased mtDNA damage and decreased expression of BER enzymes may cause a "vicious cycle" of oxidative stress that contributes to the accumulation of mtDNA mutations and age-related cataract pathogenesis.
A mechanism for NADPH inhibition of catalase compound II formation (1992)

Catalase-bound NADPH both prevents and reverses the accumulation of inactive bovine liver catalase peroxide compound II generated by 'endogenous' donors under conditions of steady H2O2 formation without reacting rapidly with either compound I or compound II. It thus differs both from classical 2-electron donors of the ethanol type, and from 1-electron donors of the ferrocyanide/phenol type. NADPH also inhibits compound II formation induced by the exogenous one-electron donor ferrocyanide. A catalase reaction scheme is proposed in which the initial formation of compound II from compound I involves production of a neighbouring radical species. NADPH blocks the final formation of stable compound II by reacting as a 2-electron donor to compound II and to this free radical. The proposed behaviour resembles that of labile free radicals formed in cytochrome c peroxidase and myoglobin. Such radical migration patterns within haem enzymes are increasingly common motifs.
Gemcitabine: metabolism, mechanisms of action, and self-potentiation. (1995)

Gemcitabine (dFdC) is a new anticancer nucleoside that is an analog of deoxycytidine. It is a pro-drug and, once transported into the cell, must be phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase to an active form. Both gemcitabine diphosphate (dFdCTP) and gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP) inhibit processes required for DNA synthesis. Incorporation of dFdCTP into DNA is most likely the major mechanism by which gemcitabine causes cell death. After incorporation of gemcitabine nucleotide on the end of the elongating DNA strand, one more deoxynucleotide is added and thereafter, the DNA polymerases are unable to proceed. This action ("masked termination") apparently locks the drug into DNA as the proofreading enzymes are unable to remove gemcitabine from this position. Furthermore, the unique actions that gemcitabine metabolites exert on cellular regulatory processes serve to enhance the overall inhibitory activities on cell growth. This interaction is termed "self-potentiation" and is evidenced in very few other anticancer drugs.
Azotobacter vinelandiisiderophore can provide nitrogen to support the culture of the green algaeNeochloris oleoabundansandScenedesmussp. BA032 (2013)

Microalgae are viewed as a potential future agricultural and biofuel feedstock and also provide an ideal biological means of carbon sequestration based on rapid growth rates and high biomass yields. Any potential improvement using highyield microalgae to fix carbon will require additional fertilizer inputs to provide the necessary nitrogen required for protein and nucleotide biosynthesis. The freeliving diazotroph Azotobacter vinelandii can fix nitrogen under aerobic conditions in the presence of reduced carbon sources such as sucrose or glycerol and is also known to produce a variety of siderophores to scavenge different metals from the environment. In this study, we identified two strains of green algae, Neochloris oleoabundans and Scenedesmus sp. BA032, that are able to utilize the A. vinelandii siderophore azotobactin as a source of nitrogen to support growth. When grown in a co-culture, S. sp. BA032 and N. oleoabundans obtained the nitrogen required for growth through the association with A. vinelandii. These results, indicating a commensalistic relationship, provide a proof of concept for developing a mutualistic or symbiotic relationship between these two species using siderophores as a nitrogen shuttle and might further indicate an additional fate of siderophores in the environment.
PLATELET COUNT ON DENGUE (2013)

A dengue clássica e sua forma grave (hemorrágica) são causadas por um dos quatro tipos de sorotipos do vírus da dengue. Os principais marcadores que diferenciam as duas formas da doença são o aumento da permeabilidade vascular, seguida de hipovolemia e choque nos casos severos. As mudanças hematológicas que constantemente ocorrem na forma hemorrágica incluem a supressão da medula óssea, com consequente leucopenia e trombocitopenia. As causas da trombocitopenia são geralmente relacionadas a atuação direta do vírus sobre a medula óssea e pela ativação de mecanismos imunológicos que aumentam a destruição das plaquetas na circulação. Pela alta incidência das endemias de dengue que ocorrem no Brasil, o entendimento do comportamento de alguns parâmetros laboratoriais é essencial para a melhora das formas de diagnóstico além de auxiliar nas medidas terapêuticas na cura da doença. Palavras-chave: Dengue, Febre Hemorrágica da Dengue, trombocitopenia.
Testosterone and the aging male. (1997)

The number and magnitude of studies involving testosterone-supplementation therapy in older men are limited. In addition, many studies to date have not been blinded or controlled, were reported in abstract form only, and had involved a variety of androgen-replacement regimens and outcomes measurements. Nonetheless, an overview of the data suggests there is real potential for supplementation therapy to improve bone mass and muscle mass and strength in this age group. Affects on mood, sexual function, and cognition are less clear but may be meaningful in certain men. Questions still remain, however, on the magnitude and longevity of the beneficial effects of testosterone supplementation in the older man and whether only certain subgroups of men would truly benefit from therapy. More importantly, the long-term risks of androgen therapy in this age group really are not known, especially in the areas of cardiovascular disease and prostate diseases. Presently, men who use androgen-supplementation therapy for age-related "testosterone deficiency" should consider this as a gamble.
Adaptive Pilot-Symbol Patterns for MIMO OFDM Systems (2013)

Recent standards for cellular transmission systems offer a lot of flexibility, such as the choice of transmission modes, modulation alphabets, coding rates, and precoding matrices. Despite this trend, pilot-symbol patterns in today's standards remain fixed, although such an approach is suboptimal. In this paper, we show how to design optimal pilot-symbol patterns by maximizing an upper bound of a constrained capacity that takes channel estimation errors and Inter Carrier Interference into account. Furthermore, we propose adaptive pilot-symbol patterns that follow changing channel statistics. As a proof of concept, we present throughput simulation results of two competitive systems, a transmission system compliant with the Long Term Evolution (LTE)-standard and an improved system utilizing the proposed adaptive pilot patterns. The transmission system utilizing adaptive pilot patterns outperforms an LTE-standard compliant system in all considered scenarios. The throughput gain for a single input single output system ranges between 3% and 80%. For a 4 × 4 transmission system, the performance gain is significantly higher and can reach up to 850% compared to a conventional LTE system.
Screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 by cell‐free DNA analysis of maternal blood at 10–11 weeks' gestation and the combined test at 11–13 weeks (2014)

The performance of first-trimester cfDNA testing for trisomies 21 and 18 in the general population is similar to that in high-risk pregnancies. Most false-positive and false-negative results from cfDNA testing could be avoided if the a priori risk from the combined test is taken into account in the interpretation of individual risk.
The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain (2014)

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been demonstrated to reduce symptom severity in conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and complex regional pain syndrome. We review the evidence that LDN may operate as a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells. These effects may be unique to low dosages of naltrexone and appear to be entirely independent from naltrexone's better-known activity on opioid receptors. As a daily oral therapy, LDN is inexpensive and well-tolerated. Despite initial promise of efficacy, the use of LDN for chronic disorders is still highly experimental. Published trials have low sample sizes, and few replications have been performed. We cover the typical usage of LDN in clinical trials, caveats to using the medication, and recommendations for future research and clinical work. LDN may represent one of the first glial cell modulators to be used for the management of chronic pain disorders.
Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) has angiogenic properties and is expressed by breast tumor cells (2001)

ABSTRACT Tumor growth and metastasis are critically dependent on the formation of new blood vessels. The present study found that extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1), a newly described secretory glycoprotein, promotes angiogenesis. This was initially sug‐gested by in situ hybridization studies of mouse embryos indicating that the ECM1 message was associated with blood vessels and its expression pattern was similar to that of flk‐1, a recognized marker for endothelium. More direct evidence for the role of ECM1 in angiogenesis was provided by the fact that highly purified recombinant ECM1 stimulated the proliferation of cultured endothelial cells and promoted blood vessel formation in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos. Immunohistochemical staining with specific antibodies indicated that ECM1 was expressed by the human breast cancer cell lines MDA‐435 and LCC15, both of which are highly tumorigenic. In addition, staining of tissue sections from patients with breast cancer revealed that ECM1 was present in a significant proportion of primary and secondary tumors. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that ECM1 possesses angiogenic properties that may promote tumor progression.—Han, Z., Ni, J., Smits, P., Underhill, C. B., Xie, B., Chen, Y., Liu, N., Tylzanowski, P., Parmelee, D., Feng, P., Ding, I., Gao, F., Gentz, R., Huylebroeck, D., Merregaert, J., Zhang, L. Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) has angiogenic properties and is expressed by breast tumor cells. FASEB J. 15, 988–994 (2001)
Deterministic separation of cancer cells from blood at 10 mL/min (2012)

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating clusters of cancer and stromal cells have been identified in the blood of patients with malignant cancer and can be used as a diagnostic for disease severity, assess the efficacy of different treatment strategies and possibly determine the eventual location of metastatic invasions for possible treatment. There is thus a critical need to isolate, propagate and characterize viable CTCs and clusters of cancer cells with their associated stroma cells. Here, we present a microfluidic device for mL/min flow rate, continuous-flow capture of viable CTCs from blood using deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) arrays. We show here that a DLD array device can isolate CTCs from blood with capture efficiency greater than 85% CTCs at volumetric flow rates of up to 10 mL/min with no effect on cell viability.
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function (2000)

This article presents the development of a brief, self-report measure of female sexual function. Initial face validity testing of questionnaire items, identified by an expert panel, was followed by a study aimed at further refining the questionnaire. It was administered to 131 normal controls and 128 age-matched subjects with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) at five research centers. Based on clinical interpretations of a principal components analysis, a 6-domain structure was identified, which included desire, subjective arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Overall test-retest reliability coefficients were high for each of the individual domains (r = 0.79 to 0.86) and a high degree of internal consistency was observed (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.82 and higher) Good construct validity was demonstrated by highly significant mean difference scores between the FSAD and control groups for each of the domains (p < or = 0.001). Additionally, divergent validity with a scale of marital satisfaction was observed. These results support the reliability and psychometric (as well as clinical) validity of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in the assessment of key dimensions of female sexual function in clinical and nonclinical samples. Our findings also suggest important gender differences in the patterning of female sexual function in comparison with similar questionnaire studies in males.
Virus-encoded RNA helicases (1997)

Free access1 April 1997 Share on Virus-encoded RNA helicasesAuthors: G Kadaré, A L HaenniAuthors Info & AffiliationsDOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.71.4.2583-2590.1997 PDF/EPUB
The Cause of Highly Efficient Lead Removal with Silica Spheres Modifying the Surface by a Base Catalyst (2012)

The surface of silica spheres was modified using 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) with an acid catalyst and a base catalyst. Large aggregation was observed for the spheres modified with an acid catalyst. The spheres modified with an acid catalyst (ACS) show aggregated spheres. However, no aggregation was observed for the spheres modified with a base catalyst (BCS). Aqueous lead solutions with 625 and 1663 ppm were used to test the removal of lead ions. Various amounts of modified spheres were treated to the lead solutions. The lead concentration drastically decreased with the increase of the amount of the spheres. The lead removal efficiency for the BCS is much more effective than that of ACS. For more-quantitative analysis of the residual lead concentration, inductive coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed. As the amount of spheres increased, the lead concentration drastically decreased. The lowest concentration of 1.2 ppb was obtained, which indicates that the lead ion can be completely removed from the aqueous system.