gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Essential Roles of Snf5p in Snf-Swi Chromatin Remodeling In Vivo (2001)

Snf-Swi, the prototypical ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling complex, regulates transcription of a subset of yeast genes. With the exception of Snf2p, the ATPase subunit, the functions of the other components are unknown. We have investigated the role of the conserved Snf-Swi core subunit Snf5p through characterization of two conditional snf5 mutants. The mutants contain single amino acid alterations of invariant or conserved residues that abolish Snf-Swi-dependent transcription by distinct mechanisms. One mutation impairs Snf-Swi assembly and, consequently, its stable association with a target promoter. The other blocks a postrecruitment catalytic remodeling step. These findings suggest that Snf5p coordinates the assembly and nucleosome-remodeling activities of Snf-Swi.
Attenuated virulence of chitin-deficient mutants of Candida albicans. (1995)

We have analyzed the role of chitin, a cell-wall polysaccharide, in the virulence of Candida albicans. Mutants with a 5-fold reduction in chitin were obtained in two ways: (i) by selecting mutants resistant to Calcofluor, a fluorescent dye that binds to chitin and inhibits growth, and (ii) by disrupting CHS3, the C. albicans homolog of CSD2/CAL1/DIT101/KT12, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene required for synthesis of approximately 90% of the cell-wall chitin. Chitin-deficient mutants have no obvious alterations in growth rate, sugar assimilation, chlamydospore formation, or germ-tube formation in various media. When growing vegetatively in liquid media, the mutants tend to clump and display minor changes in morphology. Staining of cells with the fluorescent dye Calcofluor indicates that CHS3 is required for synthesis of the chitin rings found on the surface of yeast cells but not formation of septa in either yeast cells or germ tubes. Despite their relatively normal growth, the mutants are significantly less virulent than the parental strain in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice; at 13 days after infection, survival was 95% in immunocompetent mice that received chs3/chs3 cells and 10% in immunocompetent mice that received an equal dose of chs3/CHS3 cells. Chitin-deficient strains can colonize the organs of infected mice, suggesting that the reduced virulence of the mutants is not due to accelerated clearing.
Estimates of the worldwide mortality from 25 cancers in 1990 (1999)

We present here worldwide estimates of annual mortality from all cancers and for 25 specific cancer sites around 1990. Crude and age-standardised mortality rates and numbers of deaths were computed for 23 geographical areas. Of the estimated 5.2 million deaths from cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), 55% (2.8 million) occurred in developing countries. The sex ratio is 1.33 (M:F), greater than that of incidence (1.13) due to the more favourable prognosis of cancer in women. Lung cancer is still the most common cause of death from cancer worldwide with over 900,000 deaths per year, followed by gastric cancer with over 600,000 deaths and colorectal and liver cancers accounting for at least 400,000 deaths each. In men, deaths from liver cancer exceed those due to colo-rectal cancer by 38%. Over 300,000 deaths of women are attributed to breast cancer, which remains the leading cause of death from cancer in women, followed by cancers of the stomach and lung with 230,000 annual deaths each. In men, the risk of dying from cancer is highest in eastern Europe, with an age-standardised rate for all sites of 205 deaths per 100,000 population. Mortality rates in all other developed regions are around 180. The only developing area with an overall rate of the same magnitude as that in developed countries is southern Africa. All of eastern Asia, including China, has mortality rates above the world average, as do all developed countries. The region of highest risk among women is northern Europe (age-standardised rate = 125.4), followed by North America, southern Africa and tropical South America. Only south-central and western Asia (Indian subcontinent, central Asia and the middle-eastern countries) and Northern Africa are well below the world average of 90 deaths per 100,000 population annually. Our results indicate the potential impact of preventive practices. It is estimated that 20% of all cancer deaths (1 million) could be prevented by eliminating tobacco smoking. Infectious agents account for a further 16% of deaths.
Face detection in color images and video sequences (2005)

Face detection is no longer necessarily correlated with face recognition. Instead it has been established as an important tool in the framework of many multimedia applications like indexing, scene classification and news summarization. Many face detection algorithms based on skin color characteristics have appeared in the literature. Most of them face generalization problems due to the skin color model they use. Moreover, their verification stage exclusively depends on simple shape features limiting the reliability of detection. In this work we present a Gaussian model of the skin color distribution whose parameters are re-estimated based on the current image I frame. In this way the generalization problem is limited. Furthermore the verification stage, applied in the detected skin segments, is based on a template matching variation providing a robust detection.
Ligand-Induced Association of the Type I Interferon Receptor Components (1995)

Two transmembrane polypeptides, IFNAR and IFN-alpha/Beta R, were previously identified as essential components of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor, but their interrelationship and role in ligand binding were not clear. To study these issues, we stably expressed and characterized the two polypeptides in host murine cells. In human cells, native IFN-alpha/beta R is a 102-kDa protein but upon reduction only a 51-kDa protein is detected. In host murine cells human IFN-alpha/beta R was expressed as a 51-kDa protein. Host cells expressing IFN-alpha/beta R bound IFN-alpha 2 with a high affinity (Kd of 3.6 nM), whereas cells expressing IFNAR exhibited no ligand binding. Upon coexpression of IFNAR and the 51-kDa IFN-alpha/beta R, the affinity for IFN-alpha 2 was increased 10-fold, approaching that of the native receptor. We show by cross-linking that both the cloned (51-kDa) and native (102-kDa) IFN-alpha/beta R bind IFN-alpha 2 to form an intermediate product, while IFNAR associates with this product to form a ternary complex. Hence, IFNAR and IFN-alpha/beta R are components of a common type I IFN receptor, cooperating in ligand binding. Ligand-induced association of IFNAR and IFN-alpha/beta R probably triggers transmembrane signaling.
Effect of Antimony Concentration on the Crystalline Structure, Dielectric, and Piezoelectric Properties of (Na 0.5 K 0.5 ) 0.945 Li 0.055 Nb 1− x Sb x O 3 Solid Solutions (2007)

The effect of antimony concentration on the piezoelectric properties of (Na 0.5 K 0.5 ) 0.945 Li 0.055 Nb 1− x Sb x O 3 was examined for 0≤ x ≤0.1. The piezoelectric coefficients exhibited a maximum, d 33 =240 pC/N and d 31 =−82 pC/N at x =0.04, coinciding with the maximum of the grain size and the apparent density at x =0.04. The grain size, the apparent density, and the piezoelectric coefficients decreased with an increasing x at higher x likely due to the onset of a Sb‐rich second phase. The weight fraction of the tetragonal phase increased with an increasing x to almost unity at x =0.1, likely also contributing to the decrease in the piezoelectric coefficients at higher x .
Transport of Activated Fatty Acids by the Peroxisomal ATP‐binding‐cassette Transporter Pxa2 in a Semi‐Intact Yeast Cell System (1997)

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fatty acid beta-oxidation is restricted to peroxisomes. Previous studies have shown two possible routes by which fatty acids enter the peroxisome. The first route involves transport of medium-chain fatty acids across the peroxisomal membrane as free fatty acids, followed by activation within the peroxisome by Faa2p, an acyl-CoA synthetase. The second route involves transport of long-chain fatty acids. Long-chain fatty acids enter the peroxisome via a route that involves activation in the extraperoxisomal space, followed by transport across the peroxisomal membrane. It has been suggested that this transport is dependent upon the peroxisomal ATP-binding-cassette transporters Pxa1p and Pxa2p. In this paper we investigated whether Pxa2p is directly responsible for the transport of C18:1-CoA, a long-chain acyl-CoA ester. Using protoplasts in which the plasma membrane has been selectively permeabilised by digitonin, we show that C18:1-CoA, but not C8:0-CoA, enters the peroxisome via Pxa2p, in an ATP-dependent fashion. The results obtained may contribute to the elucidation of the primary defect in the human disease X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
Human embryonic stem cells: culture, differentiation, and genetic modification for regenerative medicine applications. (2002)

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can proliferate extensively in culture and can differentiate into representatives of all three embryonic germ layers in vitro and in vivo. The undifferentiated hES cells have now been cultured for more than 50 passages in vitro, yet maintain a normal karyotype. The hES cells express a series of specific surface antigens, as well as OCT-4 and human telomerase, proteins associated with a pluripotent and immortal phenotype. On differentiation, OCT-4 and human telomerase expression decreases with the emergence of a maturing population of cells. During hES cell differentiation, modulation of the expression of many genes has been evaluated using microarray analysis. To improve the ease, reproducibility, and scalability of hES culture, methods have been developed to propagate the cells in the absence of mouse embryonic cell feeders. hES cells maintained in culture using extracellular matrix factors together with mouse embryonic cell conditioned medium proliferate indefinitely while maintaining a normal karyotype, proliferation rate, and complement of undifferentiated cell markers. hES cells cultured without feeder layers retain their capacity to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers in vitro and in teratomas. The hES cells can also be genetically modified transiently or stably using both plasmid and viral gene transfer agents. These analyses and technological developments will aid in the realization of the full potential of hES cells for both research and therapeutic applications.
Low-rate speech encoding using vector quantization and subband coding (2005)

Vector quantization (VQ), subband coding (SBC) and linear predictive coding (LPC) are three of the most effective data compression schemes used for medium-to-narrow band speech coding. In this study, we have attempted to improve the quality of encoded speech by using various combinations of these three coding methods. Waveform coders with rates 2400-9600 bits per second resulted in overall signal-to-distortion ratios of 6-12 dB. We have obtained somewhat lower values for segmented SNR's in the case of straight waveform encoding and higher values for the residually excited subband coded VQ quantizers as expected. However, informal listening tests yielded noticeable improvements over those of straight waveform VQ results. The best quality and the lowest transmission rates were achieved by a residually excited subband coded vector quantization system coupled with a three-way classifier with design parameters: LPC order P=14; 32-band complete binary tree QMF filter bank implementation of SBC and VQ waveform encoding with dimension K=32 at an overall bitrate of 3,100 bps.
Trombocitopenia na sepse: um importante marcador prognóstico (2012)

For this sample of septic patients, thrombocytopenia and its progression, defined as a >50% drop or failure to recover platelet count, were shown to be markers of poor prognosis.
Disaccharide Analysis of Heparin and Heparan Sulfate Using Deaminative Cleavage with Nitrous Acid and Subsequent Labeling with Paranitrophenyl Hydrazine (1998)

Compositional analyses of heparin (Hep) and heparan sulfate (HS) have been undertaken with disaccharide units obtained by either enzymatic digestion with heparitinases or hydrazinolysis/deamination reaction of polysaccharides. Unsaturated disaccharide units generated by the enzymatic method are detectable on HPLC with a uv detector recording absorbance at 230 nm. On the other hand, disaccharide units generated by the chemical method possess a component of 2,5-anhydromannose (AnMan) bearing aldehyde groups in addition to intact iduronic acid (IdoA) or glucuronic acid (GlcA). The aldehyde groups of the disaccharide units are usually reduced with sodium borotritide, and detected by radiochromatography. Both of them, however, involve inevitable experimental problems, such as the use of costly enzymes and radioisotopes. In the present study, we have established a novel composition analysis system for Hep and HS essentially based on the chemical method. After hydrazinolysis/deamination treatment of Hep and HS, the aldehyde groups of AnMan in the disaccharide units generated were coupled with paranitrophenyl (PNP-) hydrazine instead of reduction with sodium borotritide, AnMan-CH=N-NH-PNP (AnMan-PNP) being formed. Then, the PNP-labeled disaccharides were pre-treated on a SepPak C-18 cartridge column, and subsequently separated and detected on ion-pairing reversed-phase HPLC with a detector recording absorbance at 390 nm. With the present system, the order of elution was GlcA-AnMan-PNP (GM), IdoA-AnMan-PNP (IM), IdoA(2S)-AnMan-PNP (ISM), IdoA-AnMan(6S)-PNP (IMS), and IdoA(2S)-AnMan(6S)-PNP (ISMS). As an application, the disaccharide compositions of heparin from bovine intestine and heparan sulfate from bovine kidney were analyzed by the present method, and the results were comparable to those obtained by a well-established enzymatic method. The present compositional analysis was demonstrated to be reliable and economical.
High-resolution microspectrometer with an aberration-correcting planar grating (2008)

A concept for a highly miniaturized spectrometer featuring a two-component design is presented. The first component is a planar chip that integrates an input slit and aberration-correcting diffraction grating with an image sensor and is fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. Due to the fabrication in a simple MEMS batch process the essential elements of the spectrometer are automatically aligned, and a low fabrication cost per device can be achieved. The second component is a spherical mirror, which is the only external part. The optimized grating structure compensates for aberrations within the spectrometer operating range, resulting in a diffraction-limited performance of the spectrometer optics. The prototype of the device has been fabricated and characterized. It takes a volume of 0.5 cm(3) and provides a FWHM spectral resolution of 0.7 nm over a 350 nm bandwidth from 420 nm to 770 nm combined with an etendue of 7.4x10(-5) mm(2) sr.
Amphiphilic hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles for tumor-specific optical/MR dual imaging (2012)

The amphiphilic hyaluronic acid–5β-cholanic acid (HA–CA) conjugates were synthesized to fabricate near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) dye conjugated and water-dispersible SPION-encapsulated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HNPs) for a tumor-targeted optical and magnetic resonance (MR) dual imaging contrast agent. Notably, HNPs were preferentially accumulated in the tumor region, implying that the hydrophilic HA shells of nanoparticles allow prolonged circulation and excellent active targeting of the SPION encapsulated nanoparticles in tumor-bearing mice.
Prime‐Boost Immunization with DNA and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vectors Expressing Herpes Simplex Virus–2 Glycoprotein D Elicits Greater Specific Antibody and Cytokine Responses than DNA Vaccine Alone (2002)

Several reports have indicated that prime-boost strategies of vaccination can enhance the level of specific immunity induced by nucleic acid vaccines. The present report describes such a strategy with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 glycoprotein D (gD), using combinations of plasmid vector that expresses gD (pgD2) and a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector that expresses gD (MVA-gD2). The IgG antibody response to gD and the HSV-2 neutralizing antibody response were greatest when the MVA-gD2 vector was used as the priming immunization and then was boosted with either pgD2 or MVA-gD2. Determination of the isotype profile of MVA-gD2-primed mice revealed a much broader distribution of isotypes than that seen after DNA vaccination. In addition, antigen-stimulated spleen cells from mice primed with MVA-gD2 and boosted with either MVA-gD2 or pgD2 produced higher levels of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma than did those from pgD2-primed mice, indicating that a prime-boost immunization strategy that uses the MVA and plasmid DNA vector dramatically enhances and diversifies the humoral and cellular immune response to HSV-2 gD.
Cell-Based in Vitro Blood–Brain Barrier Model Can Rapidly Evaluate Nanoparticles’ Brain Permeability in Association with Particle Size and Surface Modification (2014)

The possibility of nanoparticle (NP) uptake to the human central nervous system is a major concern. Recent reports showed that in animal models, nanoparticles (NPs) passed through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). For the safe use of NPs, it is imperative to evaluate the permeability of NPs through the BBB. Here we used a commercially available in vitro BBB model to evaluate the permeability of NPs for a rapid, easy and reproducible assay. The model is reconstructed by culturing both primary rat brain endothelial cells and pericytes to support the tight junctions of endothelial cells. We used the permeability coefficient (P(app)) to determine the permeability of NPs. The size dependency results, using fluorescent silica NPs (30, 100, and 400 nm), revealed that the Papp for the 30 nm NPs was higher than those of the larger silica. The surface charge dependency results using Qdots® (amino-, carboxyl-, and PEGylated-Qdots), showed that more amino-Qdots passed through the model than the other Qdots. Usage of serum-containing buffer in the model resulted in an overall reduction of permeability. In conclusion, although additional developments are desired to elucidate the NPs transportation, we showed that the BBB model could be useful as a tool to test the permeability of nanoparticles.
A novel adipocyte long chain fatty acid transport protein. (1996)

Uptake of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) is a critical function of eukaryotic cells. In the past, a diffusional mechanism has been proposed for passage of these hydrophobic molecules across the plasma membrane. I have recently used an expression cloning strategy to identify a novel integral plasma membrane fatty acid transport protein (FATP), which functions as an LCFA transporter. FATP may play a pivotal role in alterations of cellular metabolism which occur in several pathophysiologic states.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 is expressed by endothelial progenitor cells (2002)

Recent experiments show that hematopoietic progenitor cell populations contain endothelial precursor cells. We have isolated a population of CD34(+) cells that expresses fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) and that differentiates into endothelial cells in vitro. We find that 4.5% +/- 2.1% of CD34(+) cells isolated from bone marrow, cord blood, and mobilized peripheral blood express FGFR-1 and that viable CD34(+)FGFR(+) cells are small, with little granularity, and express both primitive hematopoietic and endothelial markers on their surface. The primitive hematopoietic markers AC133, c-kit, and Thy-1 are coexpressed by 75%, 85%, and 64% of CD34(+)FGFR(+) cells, respectively. Most of the CD34(+)FGFR(+) cells also express antigens found on endothelial cells, such as CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and the endothelial-specific cell surface marker, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), whereas 56% to 60% of the cells express Tie, Tek, and the endothelial-specific marker, P1H12. The CD34(+)FGFR(+) population is enriched in cells expressing endothelial-specific antigens compared with the CD34(+) population. Isolated CD34(+)FGFR(+) cells grow slowly in culture, are stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor, and give rise to cells that express von Willebrand factor and VE-cadherin and that incorporate acetylated low-density lipoprotein. These experiments show that FGFR-1 is expressed by a subpopulation of CD34(+) cells that give rise to endothelial cells in vitro, indicating that this population contains endothelial stem/progenitor cells.
Argument Mining from Speech: Detecting Claims in Political Debates (2016)

The automatic extraction of arguments from text, also known as argument mining, has recently become a hot topic in artificial intelligence. Current research has only focused on linguistic analysis. However, in many domains where communication may be also vocal or visual, paralinguistic features too may contribute to the transmission of the message that arguments intend to convey. For example, in political debates a crucial role is played by speech. The research question we address in this work is whether in such domains one can improve claim detection for argument mining, by employing features from text and speech in combination. To explore this hypothesis, we develop a machine learning classifier and train it on an original dataset based on the 2015 UK political elections debate.
Production of high-titer helper-free retroviruses by transient transfection. (1993)

The generation of high-titer, helper-free retroviruses by transient transfection has been achieved by using the highly transfectable 293T cell line into which are stably introduced constructs that express retroviral packaging functions. The resulting ecotropic virus packaging cell line BOSC 23 produces infectious retrovirus at > 10(6) infectious units/ml of supernatant within 72 hr after CaPO4-mediated transfection. A stringent assay for replication-competent virus showed that no helper virus was present. The system can produce high titers of retroviral vectors expressing genes that are extremely difficult to propagate at high titer in stable producer lines. This method should facilitate and extend the use of helper-free retroviral gene transfer, as well as be useful for gene therapy.