gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Development of a Nonviral Gene Delivery Vehicle for Systemic Application (2002)

Polycation vehicles used for in vitro gene delivery require alteration for successful application in vivo. Modification of polycations by direct grafting of additional components, e.g., poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), either before or after DNA complexation, tend to interfere with polymer/DNA binding interactions; this is a particular problem for short polycations such as linear, beta-cyclodextrin-containing polycations (betaCDPs). Here, a new method of betaCDP polyplex (polycation/DNA composite structures) modification is presented that exploits the ability to form inclusion complexes between cyclodextrins and adamantane. Surface-PEGylated betaCDP polyplexes are formed by self-assembly of the polyplexes with adamantane-PEG conjugates. While unmodified polyplexes rapidly aggregate and precipitate in salt solutions, the PEGylated betaCDP polyplexes are stable at conditions of physiological salt concentration. Addition of targeting ligands to the adamantane-PEG conjugates allows for receptor-mediated delivery; galactosylated betaCDP-based particles reveal selective targeting to hepatocytes via the asialoglycoprotein receptor. Galactosylated particles transfect hepatoma cells with 10-fold higher efficiency than glucosylated particles (control), but show no preferential transfection in a cell line lacking the asialoglycoprotein receptor. Thus, surface modification of betaCDP-based polyplexes through the use of cyclodextrin/adamantane host/guest interactions endows the particles with properties appropriate for systemic application.
Prehydration and Priming Treatments that Advance Germination also Increase the Rate of Deterioration of Lettuce Seeds (1992)

The influence of prehydration in water or priming in – 1.5 MPa polyethylene glycol 8000 solution for various periods, followed by redrying, on germination rate and longevity of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds (achenes) was determined during controlled deterioration at 10% moisture content (fresh weight basis) and 40°C. Short prehydration treatments (up to 1 h) had little effect on either germination rate or longevity, but significantly improved root growth rates. Increasing durations of prehydration or priming reduced the mean time to germination by up to 61% relative to untreated seeds, but also reduced mean seed longevity by as much as 84% Prehydration and priming altered the relationships between germination rate and viability and between normal and abnormal seedlings during ageing. Prehydration in abscisic acid or at a temperature inhibitory to germination did not prevent the reduction in longevity under controlled deterioration conditions. While prehydration or priming treatments effectively accelerate subsequent germination rates of lettuce seeds, the redried seeds are nonetheless highly susceptible to deterioration in storage.
Finite-element modeling of extraordinary magnetoresistance in thin film semiconductors with metallic inclusions (2001)

Using finite element analysis, the room temperature extraordinary magnetoresistance recently reported for a modified van der Pauw disk of InSb with a concentric embedded Au inhomogeneity has been calculated, using no adjustable parameters, as a function of the applied magnetic field and the size/geometry of the inhomogeneity. The finite element results are nearly identical to exact analytic results and are in excellent agreement with the corresponding experimental measurements. Moreover, several important properties of the composite InSb/Au system such as the field dependence of the current flow and of the potential on the disk periphery have been deduced. It is found that both the EMR and output voltage depend sensitively on the placement and size of the current and voltage ports.
Identification of a µ opiate receptor signaling mechanism in human placenta. (2010)

In the present study, an intact morphine signaling system has been demonstrated in human placenta. Morphine signaling in human placenta probably functions to regulate the immune, vascular, and endocrine functions of this organ via NO.
Contribution of a Vascular Modulator, Hepatocyte Growth factor (HGF), to the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease (1998)

HGF is a mesenchyme-derived pleiotropic factor which regulates cell growth, cell motility, and morphogenesis of various types of cells, and is thus considered a humoral mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions responsible for morphogenic tissue interactions during embryonic development and organogenesis. Although HGF is originally identified as a most potent mitogen for hepatocytes, HGF is also belonged to a member of endothelium-specific growth factors. Since endothelial cells are known to secrete various anti-proliferative and vasodilating factors, an agent that promotes seeding or regeneration of endothelium may have potential therapeutic value against vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The mitogenic action of HGF on human endothelial cells was most potent among growth factors. Moreover, the presence of local HGF system (HGF and its specific receptor, c-met) was observed in vascular cells and cardiac myocytes in vitro as well as in vivo. Production of local HGF production in vascular cells was regulated by various cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and Ang II. Furthermore, HGF may be therapeutic growth factors for the treatment of restenosis after angioplasty and arteriosclerosis oblerance, etc., as gene therapy. On the other hand, serum HGF concentration was significantly correlated with blood pressure. These results suggest that HGF secretion might be elevated in response to high blood pressure as a counter-system against endothelial dysfunction, and may be considered as an index of severity of hypertension. In this review, we discussed the potential role of HGF in cardiovascular disease.
Sequential Changes in Antiangiogenic Factors in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Developing Preeclampsia (2007)

Concentrations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) increase in maternal blood with the approach of clinical preeclampsia. Although alterations in these circulating antiangiogenic factors herald the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, in vitro studies suggest they may also play a role in regulating early placental cytotrophoblast functions. Early pregnancy changes in sFlt1 and sEng may thus identify women destined to develop preeclampsia. We performed a nested case-control study of 39 women who developed preeclampsia and 147 contemporaneous normotensive controls each with serum collected in the first (11 to 13 weeks of gestation) and second (17 to 20 weeks) trimesters. Whereas levels of sFlt1 and sEng at 11 to 13 weeks were similar between cases and controls (sFlt1: 3.5+/-0.3 ng/mL versus 3.0+/-0.1, P=0.14; sEng 6.9+/-0.3 ng/mL versus 6.6+/-0.2, P=0.37, respectively), at 17 to 20 weeks both were elevated in the women destined to develop preeclampsia (sFlt1: 4.1+/-0.5 ng/mL versus 3.1+/-0.1, P<0.05; sEng, 6.4+/-0.4 ng/mL versus 5.2+/-0.1, P<0.01). Women who developed preterm (<37 weeks) preeclampsia demonstrated even greater sequential changes: difference [delta{d}] between second and first trimester levels: dsFlt1, 0.63+/-0.91 ng/mL in preterm PE versus 0.05+/-0.15 in controls; dsEng, 0.73+/-0.77 ng/mL versus -1.32+/-0.18, P<0.01. Similar findings were noted in a cross-sectional analysis of specimens collected from the Calcium for Preeclampsia Prevention Study. In conclusion, sequential changes in antiangiogenic factors during early pregnancy may be useful for predicting preterm preeclampsia.
The osteogenic differentiation of SSEA-4 sub-population of human adipose derived stem cells using silicate nanoplatelets (2014)

How to surpass in vitro stem cell differentiation, reducing cell manipulation, and lead the in situ regeneration process after transplantation, remains to be unraveled in bone tissue engineering (bTE). Recently, we showed that the combination of human bone marrow stromal cells with bioactive silicate nanoplatelets (sNPs) promotes the osteogenic differentiation without the use of standard osteogenic inductors. Even more, using SSEA-4(+) cell-subpopulations (SSEA-4(+)hASCs) residing within the adipose tissue, as a single-cellular source to obtain relevant cell types for bone regeneration, was also proposed. Herein, sNPs were used to promote the osteogenic differentiation of SSEA-4(+)hASCs. The interactions between SSEA-4(+)hASCs and sNPs, namely the internalization pathway and effect on cells osteogenic differentiation, were evaluated. SNPs below 100 μg/mL showed high cytocompatibility and fast internalization via clathrin-mediated pathway. SNPs triggered an overexpression of osteogenic-related markers (RUNX2, osteopontin, osteocalcin) accompanied by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and deposition of a predominantly collagen-type I matrix. Consequently, a robust matrix mineralization was achieved, covering >90% of the culturing surface area. Overall, we demonstrated the high osteogenic differentiation potential of SSEA-4(+)hASCs, further enhanced by the addition of sNPs in a dose dependent manner. This strategy endorses the combination of an adipose-derived cell-subpopulation with inorganic compounds to achieve bone matrix-analogs with clinical relevance.
Molecular characterization of glutathione reductase cDNAs from pea (Pisum sativum L.) (1992)

A cDNA for pea glutathione reductase has been cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence of 562 residues shows a high degree of homology to the previously published GR sequences from human erythrocytes and from two prokaryotes: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pea enzyme differs from other GRs in having an N-terminal leader sequence of about 60-70 residues which may be a chloroplast transit peptide and a 20 amino acid C-terminal extension of unknown function.
Localization versus Delocalization of Surface Plasmons in Nanosystems: Can One State Have Both Characteristics? (2001)

From a partial-differential eigenproblem, without use of dipole approximation, we show that the eigenmodes (surface plasmons) of disordered nanosystems (modeled as random planar composites) are not universally Anderson localized, but can have properties of both localized and delocalized states simultaneously. Their topology is determined by separate small-scale "hot spots" that are distributed and coherent over a length that may be comparable to the total size of the system. Coherence lengths and oscillator strengths vary by orders of magnitude from mode to mode at nearby frequencies. The existence of dark vs luminous eigenmodes is established and attributed to the effect of charge- and parity-conservation laws. Possible applications are discussed.
In situ self-assembly of mild chemical reduction graphene for three-dimensional architectures (2011)

Three-dimensional (3D) architectures of graphene are of interest in applications in electronics, catalysis devices, and sensors. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate macroscopic all-graphene 3D architectures under mild conditions. Here, a simple method for the preparation of 3D architectures of graphene is developed via the in situ self-assembly of graphene prepared by mild chemical reduction at 95 °C under atmospheric pressure without stirring. No chemical or physical cross-linkers or high pressures are required. The reducing agents include NaHSO(3), Na(2)S, Vitamin C, HI, and hydroquinone. Both graphene hydrogels and aerogels can be prepared by this method, and the shapes of the 3D architectures can be controlled by changing the type of reactor. The 3D architectures of graphene have low densities, high mechanical properties, thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and high specific capacitance, which make them candidates for potential applications in supercapacitors, hydrogen storage and as supports for catalysts.
Impaired alpha-interferon signaling in transitional cell carcinoma: lack of p48 expression in 5637 cells. (2001)

The limited success of IFN-alpha therapy for clinical treatment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has prompted us to investigate the responsiveness of TCC lines to IFN-alpha. The response to IFN-alpha in terms of 561 gene induction, an IFN-stimulated response element-containing IFN-alpha/beta-inducible gene, and IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) formation was normal in primary human urothelial cells. We tested the antiproliferative effects of IFN-alpha in three TCC lines as a measure of IFN-alpha responsiveness, and variable patterns of growth inhibition were observed in three TCC lines. More than 90% growth inhibition was noted in TCCSUP cells, whereas only 40% and 10% inhibition by IFN-alpha was observed in 5637 and HT1197 cells, respectively. IFN-alpha treatment formed extremely low levels of ISGF3 in electrophoretic mobility shift assays in these later two relatively insensitive cells. In addition, expression of the 561 gene was significantly reduced in these two TCC lines by Northern blots. We have further identified a low expression level of Tyk2 in HT1197 cells compared with two other TCCs. This suggests that an extremely low ISGF3 level after IFN-alpha treatment may be due to low Tyk2 expression or other unidentified defects. In 5637 cells, p48 protein expression was undetectable. This undetectable p48 expression is not due to a deletion in the coding region because the correct size protein is detected following IFN-gamma treatment. Consequently, the ISGF3 complex formation and 561 gene induction were restored by IFN-gamma pretreatment plus IFN-alpha treatment. Introduction of p48 expressing plasmid into 5637 cells was sufficient to form the ISGF3 complex by IFN-alpha treatment, suggesting the defect lies in the expression of p48 protein in 5637 cells. Detailed mechanistic understanding of the action of IFNs in bladder cancer cell lines may explain the abrogated therapeutic response of IFN-alpha in the clinical treatment of TCCs.
Development of a Sila-Friedel−Crafts Reaction and Its Application to the Synthesis of Dibenzosilole Derivatives (2009)

An intramolecular sila-Friedel-Crafts reaction was developed and applied to the synthesis of dibenzosilole derivatives. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions to afford the target in relatively high yield, indicating its availability as a versatile synthetic method. The synthesis of trisilasumanene, a silicon analogue of sumanene, was achieved using the present reaction.
Molecular control of arterial–venous blood vessel identity (2003)

Recent research has demonstrated that not only haemodynamic factors but also genetic programmes control arterial-venous cell fate and blood vessel identity. The identification of arteries and veins was previously based solely on morphological criteria and is now greatly facilitated by specific molecular markers. Moreover, signalling pathways controlling the arterial-venous decision during embryonic development have been outlined for the first time. This review gives an up-to-date overview of differentially expressed genes and the regulatory processes leading to the differentiation of arteries and veins.
Social information filtering (1995)

This paper describes a technique for making personalized recommendations from any type of database to a user based on similarities between the interest profile of that user and those of other users. In particular, we discuss the implementation of a networked system called Ringo, which makes personalized recommendations for music albums and artists. Ringo's database of users and artists grows dynamically as more people use the system and enter more information. Four different algorithms for making recommendations by using social information filtering were tested and compared. We present quantitative and qualitative results obtained from the use of Ringo by more than 2000 people.
A Novel Autocrine Loop Involving IGF-II and the Insulin Receptor Isoform-A Stimulates Growth of Thyroid Cancer (2002)

The insulin receptor (IR) occurs in two isoforms (IR-A and IR-B) resulting from alternative splicing of exon 11 of the gene. The IR-A isoform is predominantly expressed in fetal tissues and malignant cells and binds IGF-II with high affinity. We previously observed that IRs are overexpressed in thyroid cancer cells; now we evaluated whether these cells preferentially express IR-A and produce IGF-II, which would activate a growth-promoting autocrine loop. The IR content ranged 6.0-52.6 ng/100 microg cell membrane protein in thyroid cancer primary cultures (n = 8) and permanent cell lines (n = 6) vs. 1.2-1.7 in normal thyroid cells (n = 11 primary cultures; P < 0.0001). IR-A isoform relative abundance ranged from 36-79% in cancer cells (with the highest values in undifferentiated cancers) vs. 27-39% in normal cells. Similar results were obtained in normal vs. cancer thyroid tissue specimens. IGF-II caused IR autophosphorylation with an ED(50) of 1.5-40.0 nM in cancer cells vs. more than 100 nM in normal cells; IGF-II affinity correlated with the relative abundance of IR-A (r = 0.628; P < 0.0001). IGF-II was expressed in all cancer cells, highly expressed in anaplastic cells, and less expressed in normal cells. In conclusion, malignant thyrocytes, especially when poorly differentiated, produce IGF-II and overexpress IR, predominantly as IGF-II-sensitive isoform A. A growth-promoting autocrine loop is activated, therefore, and may affect thyroid cancer biology.
The Father, Son and Cholix Toxin: The Third Member of the DT Group Mono-ADP-Ribosyltransferase Toxin Family (2015)

The cholix toxin gene (chxA) was first identified in V. cholerae strains in 2007, and the protein was identified by bioinformatics analysis in 2008. It was identified as the third member of the diphtheria toxin group of mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase toxins along with P. aeruginosa exotoxin A and C. diphtheriae diphtheria toxin. Our group determined the structure of the full-length, three-domain cholix toxin at 2.1 Å and its C-terminal catalytic domain (cholixc) at 1.25 Å resolution. We showed that cholix toxin is specific for elongation factor 2 (diphthamide residue), similar to exotoxin A and diphtheria toxin. Cholix toxin possesses molecular features required for infection of eukaryotes by receptor-mediated endocytosis, translocation to the host cytoplasm and inhibition of protein synthesis. More recently, we also solved the structure of full-length cholix toxin in complex with NAD+ and proposed a new kinetic model for cholix enzyme activity. In addition, we have taken a computational approach that revealed some important properties of the NAD+-binding pocket at the residue level, including the role of crystallographic water molecules in the NAD+ substrate interaction. We developed a pharmacophore model of cholix toxin, which revealed a cationic feature in the side chain of cholix toxin active-site inhibitors that may determine the active pose. Notably, several recent reports have been published on the role of cholix toxin as a major virulence factor in V. cholerae (non-O1/O139 strains). Additionally, FitzGerald and coworkers prepared an immunotoxin constructed from domains II and III as a cancer treatment strategy to complement successful immunotoxins derived from P. aeruginosa exotoxin A.
Synthesis and Characterization of Silicon Nanowires on Mesophase Carbon Microbead Substrates by Chemical Vapor Deposition (2005)

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have been fabricated by chemical vapor deposition at ambient pressure using SiCl(4) as a silicon source and mesophase carbon microbead powder as a substrate without any templates and/or metal catalysts. The SiNWs have a crystalline core with a very thin amorphous SiO(x) sheath. The obtained SiNWs are homogeneous with average diameters below 50 nm and lengths up to micrometers. Temperature and time effects on the growth of SiNWs were systematically studied. Higher reaction temperatures and longer reaction times resulted in larger diameters and higher yields of SiNWs. SiNWs with a better crystallinity can be obtained at higher temperatures and longer reaction times. The obtained SiNWs were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel Water Soluble Derivatives of Camptothecin as Specific Inhibitors of Topoisomerase I (1995)

The synthesis and antitumor activities of the novel water soluble camptothecin derivatives 7-[(4-methylpiperazino)methyl]-10,11-(methylenedioxy)-(20S)-campto thecin trifluoroacetate (6) and 7-[(4-methylpiperazino)methyl]-10,11-(ethylenedioxy)-(20S)-camptot hecin trifluoroacetate (7) are described. The solubilities of compounds 6 and 7 were measured to be 4.5 and 5.8 mg/mL, respectively, in pH 5 acetate buffer in contrast to < 0.003 mg/mL for camptothecin in the same buffer. In the purified topoisomerase I cleavable complex enzyme assay, compounds 6 and 7 demonstrated potent inhibition of topoisomerase I with IC50's of 300 and 416 nM, respectively, in comparison to 679 nM for camptothecin and 1028 nM for topotecan. In human tumor cell cytotoxicity assays, compounds 6 and 7 demonstrated potent antitumor activity against ovarian (SKOV3), ovarian with upregulated MDRp-glycoprotein (SKVLB), melanoma (LOX), breast (T47D), and colon (HT29) with IC50's ranging from 0.5 to 102 nM. Compounds 6 and 7 induced tumor regressions in the HT29 human colon tumor xenograft model and demonstrated similar rank order of potency compared to in vitro assay results.
A Gene Expression Signature Predicts Survival of Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2006)

Our results indicate that gene expression signatures from several datasets can be reconciled. The resulting signature is useful in predicting survival of stage I NSCLC and might be useful in informing treatment decisions.
Global reemergence of enterovirus D68 as an important pathogen for acute respiratory infections (2014)

We previously detected enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in children with severe acute respiratory infections in the Philippines in 2008-2009. Since then, the detection frequency of EV-D68 has increased in different parts of the world, and EV-D68 is now recognized as a reemerging pathogen. However, the epidemiological profile and clinical significance of EV-D68 is yet to be defined, and the virological characteristics of EV-D68 are not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed that EV-D68 is detected among patients with acute respiratory infections of differing severities ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe pneumonia including fatal cases in pediatric and adult patients. In some study sites, the EV-D68 detection rate was higher among patients with lower respiratory tract infections than among those with upper respiratory tract infections, suggesting that EV-D68 infections are more likely to be associated with severe respiratory illnesses. EV-D68 strains circulating in recent years have been divided into three distinct genetic lineages with different antigenicity. However, the association between genetic differences and disease severity, as well as the occurrence of large-scale outbreaks, remains elusive. Previous studies have revealed that EV-D68 is acid sensitive and has an optimal growth temperature of 33 °C. EV-D68 binds to α2,6-linked sialic acids; hence, it is assumed that it has an affinity for the upper respiratory track where these glycans are present. However, the lack of suitable animal model constrains comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of EV-D68.