gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Star‐shaped condensation polymers: Synthesis, characterization, and blend properties (1993)

Abstract A series of ϵ‐caprolactone linear and star polymers were prepared and characterized in order to determine the effect of the star architecture (i.e., star number and arm length) on the morphology of these semicrystalline polymers. A spherulitic morphology was found in all the polymers investigated. However, for six arm stars containing low degrees of polymerization, it appears that the star core dominates its morphological behavior (presumably due to its relatively high volume fraction). The star core effects, however, are markedly reduced in star polymers were the arms contain higher degrees of polymerization. The impact of the star core was further explored by investigating several poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL):styrene–acrylontrile copolymers (SAN) blends. In all instances, miscible blends were the result because a single compositionally dependent glass‐transition temperature ( T g ) was observed. A moderate elevation in the T g of the star‐shaped polymers does occur, however, compared to their linear analogs. This effect is presumably due to the inability of the SAN chains to completely mix with all segments of star structure. © 1993 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.
Experimentally induced arousals during sleep: a cross‐modality matching paradigm (2004)

Micro-arousals occur spontaneously or in response to exogenous and endogenous sensory input during sleep. The function of micro-arousals remains unclear, for example, whether it reflects a disturbance or a preparatory response to environmental changes. The goal of this study was to assess arousal responsiveness when two types of sensory stimulations were used: auditory (AD) alone and the addition of a vibrotactile (VT) sensation. Ten normal sleepers participated in three nights of polygraphic recordings. The first night was for habituation and to rule out sleep disorders, and the second to collect baseline sleep data. During the third night, AD and VT + AD stimuli, with three levels of intensities for auditory and vibratory signals, were randomly given to induce arousal responses in sleep stages 2, 3 and 4 and rapid eye movement (REM). The frequency of the arousal responses increased with stimulus intensity for all sleep stages and was lowest in stages 3 and 4. In non-REM (NREM) sleep, combined VT + AD stimulation induced more frequent and more intense arousal responses than AD alone. In REM sleep, more frequent micro-arousals rather than awakenings were triggered by combined stimulations. In stage 2, the response rate of total induced K-complexes did not differ between both types of stimulations while more K-complexes followed by arousals were evoked by the combined VT + AD stimulation than by the AD alone. The induced arousals were associated with an increase in heart rate in all sleep stages. An increase in suprahyoid muscle tone was observed in NREM sleep only, REM being not associated with a rise in muscle tone following experimental stimulation. Most leg and body movements occurred in response to induced awakenings. These results suggest that the cross-modality sensory stimuli triggered more arousal responses in comparison with single-modality stimuli. In an attempt to wake a sleeping subject, the addition of a tactile stimulation, such as shaking the shoulder, is an effective strategy that increases the arousal probability.
Arginine vasopressin and cyclic adenosine monophosphate during acute sodium loading in chronic glomerulonephritis (1985)

The relationship of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in plasma to cyclic adenosine 3' 5'-monophosphate (cAMP), sodium excretion in urine, and arterial blood pressure were determined during intravenous infusion of hypertonic sodium chloride solution (500 ml of 50 g/l) in 10 normotensive control subjects and in 11 normotensive and 10 hypertensive patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and relatively well preserved kidney function. The concentration of AVP in plasma increased 2-4 fold, osmolality in serum increased 12-16 mosmol/kg, and urinary excretion of cAMP increased 20-40% during sodium loading to the same extent in all three groups. Sodium and water excretion were higher during the sodium loading in the hypertensive patients, but not in the normotensive patients when compared to the control subjects. Neither AVP nor changes in AVP correlated significantly with changes in cAMP excretion, sodium excretion or blood pressure. In the control subjects the level of parathyroid hormone in serum was unchanged during the sodium chloride infusion. Water loading without sodium loading in eight of the control subjects caused a decrease in the excretion of cAMP. In conclusion, the increase in cAMP excretion in urine during the sodium loading might be explained by an AVP-induced stimulation of renal cAMP production. The study does not suggest that AVP plays a role in the increased sodium excretion during sodium loading or in the development of hypertension or chronic glomerulonephritis.
Increased Airway Pressure and Simulated Branch Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Increase Pulmonary Regurgitation After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot (1997)

There was reasonable agreement between MR phase velocity-derived PR fraction and that obtained from right ventricular pressure-volume loops generated by use of conductance and pressure-microtip catheters. Exacerbation of PR by increased airway pressure and branch pulmonary stenosis may be relevant to the acute postoperative and long-term management, respectively, of patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.
An event-based empirical process analysis framework (2010)

The engineering of complex software-intensive systems, like industrial production plants, requires software engineering to coordinate and interact with other engineering disciplines. Project and quality managers need empirical study results to improve system quality, e.g., from process analysis of engineering process event sequences. In this paper, we propose a framework adapted from business process analysis to empirically analyzing engineering process event information. Initial results support the suitability of the approach for (software+) engineering environments.
Transgenic farm animals: present and future. (2005)

Until recently, pronuclear microinjection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was the standard method for producing transgenic animals. This technique is now being replaced by more efficient protocols based on somatic nucleartransferthat also permit targeted genetic modifications. Lentiviral vectors and small interfering ribonucleic acid technology are also becoming important tools for transgenesis. Transgenic farm animals are important in human medicine as sources of biologically active proteins, as donors in xenotransplantation, and for research in cell and gene therapy. Typical agricultural applications include improved carcass composition, lactational performance and wool production, as well as enhanced disease resistance and reduced environmental impact. Product safety can be ensured by standardisation of procedures and monitored by polymerase chain reaction and array technology. As sequence information and genomic maps of farm animals are refined, it becomes increasingly practical to remove or modify individual genes. This approach to animal breeding will be instrumental in meeting global challenges in agricultural production in the future.
PHOTOSENSITIZING PROPERTIES OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLLIN a and BACTERIOCHLORIN a, TWO DERIVATIVES OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL a (1987)

Abstract The photosensitizing properties of two water soluble derivatives of bacteriochlorophyll a , bacteriochlorophyllin a and bacteriochlorin a (lacking the central Mg‐ion) were investigated and compared to those of hematoporphyrin derivatives. At physiological pH the oxygen consumption rate of histidine, tryptophan, dithiothreitol and guanosine upon illumination was 3 to 4 times higher when bacteriochlorin a was used as photosensitizer than when hematoporphyrin derivatives were used. Especially bacteriochlorin a proved to be an effective sensitizer for the killing of L929 cells. Because bacteriochlorin a has an absorption maximum at 765 nm in phosphate buffered saline (allowing a light penetration in tissue about ten times larger than at 630 nm) and a high molar absorption coefficient (32 000 M cm −1 ) it has promising possibilities for the application in photodynamic therapy.
H19 lnc RNA alters stromal cell growth via IGF signaling in the endometrium of women with endometriosis (2015)

Endometriosis affects approximately 15% of reproductive aged women and is associated with chronic pelvic pain and infertility. However, the molecular mechanisms by which endometriosis impacts fertility are poorly understood. The developmentally regulated, imprinted H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) functions to reduce the bioavailability of microRNA let-7 by acting as a molecular sponge. Here we report that H19 expression is significantly decreased in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis as compared to normal controls. We show that decreased H19 increases let-7 activity, which in turn inhibits Igf1r expression at the post-transcriptional level, thereby contributing to reduced proliferation of endometrial stromal cells. We propose that perturbation of this newly identified H19/Let-7/IGF1R regulatory pathway may contribute to impaired endometrial preparation and receptivity for pregnancy in women with endometriosis. Our finding represents the first example of a lncRNA-based mechanism in endometriosis and its associated infertility, thus holding potential in the development of novel therapeutics for women with endometriosis and infertility.
In Situ Mechanical Interferometry of Matrigel Films (2008)

Many biological materials and cell substrates are very soft (Young's modulus <500 Pa) and it is difficult to characterize their mechanical properties. Here we report local elasticity of the surface layers of Matrigel films used for cell culture. We used a new measurement technology, mechanical imaging interferometry, to obtain point mechanical measurements over micron-sized areas. The median values of 650 +/- 400 Pa (# measurements, n = 50), determined by the Hertz contact model, agree well with bulk measurements; however, on the microscale, the films were heterogeneous and contained regions distinctly stiffer than average (1-2 kPa). The first measurement of yield strengths of 170 +/- 100 Pa (n = 43) indicates that Matrigel films deform plastically at stress levels of similar scale to cell tractional forces.
Pulsation-resolved deep tissue dynamics measured with diffusing-wave spectroscopy (2006)

We present a technique for measuring transient microscopic dynamics within deep tissue with sub-second temporal resolution, using diffusing-wave spectroscopy with gated single-photon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) combined with standard ungated multi-tau correlators. Using the temporal autocorrelation function of a reference signal allows to correct the temporal intensity autocorrelation function of the sample signal for the distortions induced by the non-constant average photon count rate. We apply this technique to pulsation-synchronized measurements of tissue dynamics in humans. Measurements on the forearm show no dependence on the pulsation phase. In contrast, the decay rate of the DWS signal measured on the wrist over the radial artery shows a pulsation-induced modulation of 60-90% consistent with pulsatile variations of arterial erythrocyte flow velocity. This might make time-resolved DWS interesting as a sensitive and fast method for investigating deep tissue perfusion, e.g. in intensive care.
The urodynamic evaluation of neuromodulation in patients with voiding dysfunction (1997)

The ideal candidates for neuromodulation are those patients with a spastic pelvic floor syndrome or with a hypocontractile detrusor, in combination with sphincter instability, and impaired sphincter relaxation. An increase of bladder contractility, enhancement of sphincter relaxation and decrease in bladder capacity and residual urine are the most important features of the response.
Getting rid of packets - Efficient SIMD single-ray traversal using multi-branching BVHs - (2008)

While contemporary approaches to SIMD ray tracing typically rely on traversing packets of coherent rays through a binary data structure, we instead evaluate the alternative of traversing individual rays through a bounding volume hierarchy with a branching factor of 16. Though obviously less efficient than high-performance packet techniques for primary rays, we demonstrate that for less coherent secondary ray distributions this approach is at least competitive with (and often faster than) typical packet traversal techniques.
Interactions between a single immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus and a human kappa light chain. (1999)

The placement of a tryptophan residue into a single Ig-binding-domain of protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus has been used to examine the binding interactions between the binding domain and kappa light chains (kappa-chains). The fluorescence intensity of the mutant domain increases on the formation of a complex with kappa-chains. This has been used to determine the Kd of the complex under a range of conditions by using both pre-equilibrium and equilibrium methods. The Kd values determined for the complex with kappa-chains at a number of different pH values are very close to those obtained with the wild-type domain, indicating that the mutation has not substantially affected its binding properties. Examination of the reaction between the mutant domain and kappa-chains by stopped-flow fluorescence shows that complex formation takes place by two discrete, sequential processes. A fast bimolecular reaction, with a rate constant of 8.3x10(5) M-1. s-1 (at pH8.0 and 25 degrees C), is followed by a slow unimolecular process with a rate (1.45 s-1) that is independent of the concentration of the reactants. This suggests that a conformational change occurs after the initial encounter complex is formed. The dissociation of the complex at equilibrium occurs in a single process of rate 0.095 s-1 at pH8.0 and 25 degrees C. Stopped-flow CD studies show that a slow decrease in ellipticity at 275 nm occurs with a rate of 1.3 s-1 when wild-type protein binds to kappa-chains, suggesting that the conformational transition might involve a change in environment around one or more tyrosine residues.
Quinoa Extract Enriched in 20‐Hydroxyecdysone Protects Mice From Diet‐Induced Obesity and Modulates Adipokines Expression (2011)

Besides their well-known effect in the molting control in insects, ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that display potential pharmacologic and metabolic properties in mammals. The most common ecdysteroid, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is found in many plants such as quinoa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of quinoa extract (Q) enriched in 20E supplementation to prevent the onset of diet-induced obesity and to regulate the expression of adipocyte-specific genes in mice. Mice were fed a standard low-fat (LF) or a high-fat (HF) diet with or without supplementation by 20E-enriched Q or pure 20E for 3 weeks. Supplementation with Q reduced adipose tissue development in HF mice without modification of their body weight gain. This adipose tissue-specific effect was mainly associated with a reduced adipocyte size and a decrease in the expression of several genes involved in lipid storage, including lipoprotein lipase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Furthermore, Q-treated mice exhibited marked attenuation of mRNA levels of several inflammation markers (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, CD68) and insulin resistance (osteopontin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)) as compared to HF mice. Q supplementation also reversed the effects of HF-induced downregulation of the uncoupling protein(s) (UCP(s)) mRNA levels in muscle. Similar results were obtained in mice fed a HF diet supplemented with similar amounts of pure 20E, suggesting that the latter accounted for most of the Q effects. Our study indicates that Q has an antiobesity activity in vivo and could be used as a nutritional supplement for the prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-associated disorders.
Expression of δ-toxin by Staphylococcus aureus mediates escape from phago-endosomes of human epithelial and endothelial cells in the presence of β-toxin (2010)

Staphylococcus aureus is able to invade non-professional phagocytes by interaction of staphylococcal adhesins with extracellular proteins of mammalian cells and eventually resides in acidified phago-endosomes. Some staphylococcal strains have been shown to subsequently escape from this compartment. A functional agr quorum-sensing system is needed for phagosomal escape. However, the nature of this agr dependency as well as the toxins involved in disruption of the phagosomal membrane are unknown. Using a novel technique to detect vesicular escape of S. aureus, we identified staphylococcal virulence factors involved in phagosomal escape. Here we show that a synergistic activity of the cytolytic peptide, staphylococcal δ-toxin and the sphingomyelinase β-toxin enable the phagosomal escape of staphylococci in human epithelial as well as in endothelial cells. The agr dependency of this process can be directly explained by the location of the structural gene for δ-toxin within the agr effector RNAIII.
Automated Video-Based Analysis of Contractility and Calcium Flux in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Cultured over Different Spatial Scales (2014)

Contractile motion is the simplest metric of cardiomyocyte health in vitro, but unbiased quantification is challenging. We describe a rapid automated method, requiring only standard video microscopy, to analyze the contractility of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CM). New algorithms for generating and filtering motion vectors combined with a newly developed isogenic iPSC line harboring genetically encoded calcium indicator, GCaMP6f, allow simultaneous user-independent measurement and analysis of the coupling between calcium flux and contractility. The relative performance of these algorithms, in terms of improving signal to noise, was tested. Applying these algorithms allowed analysis of contractility in iPS-CM cultured over multiple spatial scales from single cells to three-dimensional constructs. This open source software was validated with analysis of isoproterenol response in these cells, and can be applied in future studies comparing the drug responsiveness of iPS-CM cultured in different microenvironments in the context of tissue engineering.
An NKp30-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor Promotes T Cell Effector Functions and Antitumor Efficacy In Vivo (2012)

Abstract NKp30 is a natural cytotoxicity receptor that is expressed on NK cells and recognizes B7-H6, which is expressed on several types of tumors but few normal cells. To target effector T cells against B7-H6+ tumors, we developed several chimeric AgRs (CARs) based on NKp30, which contain the CD28- and/or CD3ζ-signaling domains with the transmembrane domains from CD3ζ, CD28, or CD8α. The data show that chimeric NKp30-expressing T cells responded to B7-H6+ tumor cells. The NKp30 CAR-expressing T cells produced IFN-γ and killed B7-H6 ligand-expressing tumor cells; this response was dependent upon ligand expression on target cells but not on MHC expression. PBMC-derived dendritic cells also express NKp30 ligands, including immature dendritic cells, and they can stimulate NKp30 CAR-bearing T cells to produce IFN-γ, but to a lesser extent. The addition of a CD28-signaling domain significantly enhanced the activity of the NKp30 CAR in a PI3K-dependent manner. Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing a chimeric NKp30 receptor containing a CD28-signaling domain inhibited the growth of a B7-H6–expressing murine lymphoma (RMA/B7-H6) in vivo. Moreover, mice that remained tumor-free were resistant to a subsequent challenge with the wild-type RMA tumor cells, suggesting the generation of immunity against other tumor Ags. Overall, this study demonstrates the specificity and therapeutic potential of adoptive immunotherapy with NKp30 CAR-expressing T cells against B7-H6+ tumor cells in vivo.
The gel test: a new way to detect red cell antigen‐antibody reactions (1990)

A new process for the detection of red cell (RBC) antigen antibody reactions is described. It is applicable to most of the tests performed in blood group serology. The procedures are standardized and easy, and they provide clear and stable reactions that improve the interpretation of results. The process uses special microtubes filled with a mixture of gel, buffer, and reagent. Depending on the test to be carried out, the test uses a neutral gel containing no reagents (reagents are added to top of gel) or a specific gel containing reagents (e.g., antiglobulin serum or anti-A, -B, -D, etc.). A suspension of RBCs (for typing or the direct antiglobulin test) or a mixture of RBCs and serum (for reverse ABO typing or antibody characterization) is centrifuged through the gel under precise conditions. In negative reactions, the RBCs pass through the gel and pellet in the bottom of the tube, whereas, in positive reactions, they are trapped in the gel and the reaction may be read for hours afterwards. The test is easy to perform, sensitive, and reproducible. The antiglobulin tests can be performed without washing of the RBCs. There should be a reduction of risk from biohazardous materials.
Bacterial c-di-GMP Is an Immunostimulatory Molecule (2007)

Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial intracellular signaling molecule. We have shown that treatment with exogenous c-di-GMP inhibits Staphylococcus aureus infection in a mouse model. We now report that c-di-GMP is an immodulator and immunostimulatory molecule. Intramammary treatment of mice with c-di-GMP 12 and 6 h before S. aureus challenge gave a protective effect and a 10,000-fold reduction in CFUs in tissues (p < 0.001). Intramuscular vaccination of mice with c-di-GMP coinjected with S. aureus clumping factor A (ClfA) Ag produced serum with significantly higher anti-ClfA IgG Ab titers (p < 0.001) compared with ClfA alone. Intraperitoneal injection of mice with c-di-GMP activated monocyte and granulocyte recruitment. Human immature dendritic cells (DCs) cultured in the presence of c-di-GMP showed increased expression of costimulatory molecules CD80/CD86 and maturation marker CD83, increased MHC class II and cytokines and chemokines such as IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-8, MCP-1, IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10, and RANTES, and altered expression of chemokine receptors including CCR1, CCR7, and CXCR4. c-di-GMP-matured DCs demonstrated enhanced T cell stimulatory activity. c-di-GMP activated p38 MAPK in human DCs and ERK phosphorylation in human macrophages. c-di-GMP is stable in human serum. We propose that cyclic dinucleotides like c-di-GMP can be used clinically in humans and animals as an immunomodulator, immune enhancer, immunotherapeutic, immunoprophylactic, or vaccine adjuvant.