gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Cyclooxygenase-independent Induction of Apoptosis by Sulindac Sulfone Is Mediated by Polyamines in Colon Cancer (2003)

Sulindac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prodrug, is metabolized into pharmacologically active sulfide and sulfone derivatives. Sulindac sulfide, but not sulindac sulfone, inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activities, yet both derivatives have growth inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells. Microarray analysis was used to detect COX-independent effects of sulindac on gene expression in human colorectal cells. Spermidine/sperm-ine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) gene, which encodes a polyamine catabolic enzyme, was induced by clinically relevant sulindac sulfone concentrations. Northern blots confirmed increased SSAT RNA levels in these colon cancer cells. Deletion analysis and mutational studies were done to map the sulindac sulfone-dependent response sequences in the SSAT 5'-flanking sequences. This led us to the identification of two peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) response elements (PPREs) in the SSAT gene. PPRE-2, at +48 bases relative to the transcription start site, is required for the induction of SSAT by sulindac sulfone and is specifically bound by PPAR gamma in the Caco-2 cells as shown by transfection and gel shift experiments. PPRE-1, at-323 bases relative to the start site, is not required for the induction of SSAT by sulindac sulfone but can be bound by both PPAR delta and PPAR gamma. Sulindac sulfone reduced cellular polyamine contents in the absence but not in the presence of verapamil, an inhibitor of the export of monoacetyl diamines, inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. The induced apoptosis could be partially rescued by exogenous putrescine. These data suggest that apoptosis induced by sulindac sulfone is mediated, in part, by the COX-independent, PPAR-dependent transcriptional activation of SSAT, leading to reduced tissue polyamine contents in human colon cancer cells.
Association of the herpes simplex virus regulatory protein ICP4 with specific nucleotide sequences in DNA (1986)

We report that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) transcription regulatory protein designated ICP4 is a component of a stable complex between protein and specific nucleotide sequences in double-stranded DNA formed by addition of exogenous DNA to either a crude extract obtained from HSV-1 infected cells or a partially purified preparation of native ICP4. DNA sites which are bound directly or indirectly to ICP4 have been designated ICP4/protein binding sites. Three independent ICP4/protein binding sites have been identified by DNAse footprinting; two are in the vector pBR322 and one is located approximately 100 nucleotides upstream from the HSV glycoprotein D mRNA cap site. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences in these three sites reveals several regions of homology. We propose that the sequence 5'-ATCGTCNNNNYCGRC-3' (N = any base; Y = pyrimidine; R = purine) forms an essential component of the ICP4/protein binding site.
Elevated levels of angiogenic cytokines in the plasma of cancer patients (2000)

Although in the normal healthy organism angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process, under a variety of circumstances it may contribute to disease states. These include the growth of solid tumors, the hematogenous spread of tumor cells and the growth of metastasis. Our aim was to measure the levels of 5 angiogenic cytokines in the plasma of patients with a variety of cancers, to establish a plasmatic angiogenic profile. We prospectively obtained blood samples in citrated tubes from 40 healthy individuals and 75 patients with a variety of solid tumors. Patients who had received any form of treatment in the preceeding 6 months were excluded from the study. Plasma levels of the following 5 cytokines were determined by ELISA: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In some cases, additional samples were taken 4 and 15 days after surgical removal of the tumor. Our findings demonstrate, that firstly, compared to the tumor group VEGF was almost always undetectable or present at very low levels in healthy individuals; secondly, a threshold value for HGF was found to exist between the 2 groups (healthy vs. tumor); and thirdly, there was a clear relationship between plasma levels of VEGF and HGF and extension of disease (i.e., without or with metastases). The timing of blood sampling in the post-operative period was found to be critical, particularly with regard to VEGF and HGF. The existence of a systemic angiogenic profile in the plasma of cancer patients may be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic tool and may help in the future to monitor the responses of individual patients to anti-tumor and, particularly, anti-angiogenic therapy.
Cytokine profile of the rheumatoid nodule suggests that it is a Th1 granuloma (2003)

The cytokine profile within the rheumatoid nodule (i.e., presence of IFNgamma but not IL-2, and prominent expression of IL-1beta and TNFalpha together with IL-12, IL-18, IL-15, and IL-10) is similar to the profile of cytokines in the synovial lesion of rheumatoid arthritis, which is generally accepted as being attributable to a Th1-mediated inflammatory mechanism. Our results suggest that damage to affected synovial membrane or subcutaneous tissue is caused by the same inflammatory mechanisms, and that the nodule is a Th1 granuloma.
Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase cDNA from Nerium oleander (2007)

A phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene was clone from Nerium oleander for the first time and it was also the first cloned gene involved in anthocyanin metabolic pathway in N. oleander. The PAL cDNA fragment of N. oleander (designated as NoPAL1) was 866bp and it encoded a 289 amino acid protein. NoPALl was found to have extensive homology with those of other plant PAL genes via multiple alignments. The domination sites and catalytic active sites in PAL protein of Oryza sativa and Zea mays were also found in NoPAL1. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that NoPAL1 had closer relationship with PALs from arbor plants than from other plants. NoPAL1 is a useful tool to study the regulation of anthocyanis metabolism in N. oleander.
Characteristics of Immune Responses to Native and Protein Conjugated Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Type 14 (1995)

The immune response to pneumococcal polysaccharide type 14 (PPS-14), induced by native PPS-14 was compared with the response induced by PPS-14 conjugated with CRM197 (PPS-14-CRM197). In our animal model, immunization with PPS-14-CRM197 gave a significant enhancement of anti-PPS-14 serum titres for IgM and IgG, but not for IgA. Also an increase in total number of anti-PPS-14 antibody-secreting cells was found. Using immunohistochemical techniques, a different distribution pattern of specific antibody-containing cells in spleen section after immunization with PPS-14-CRM197 was observed. Furthermore, a higher number of IFN-gamma producing cells was found after immunization with PPS-14-CRM197, as compared with immunization with PPS-14. This enhanced IFN-gamma production may be the cause for enhanced IgG response observed after immunization with PPS-14-CRM197. The specific immune response was less affected by splenectomy in animals immunized with PPS-14-CRM197 than with PPS-14. However, an age-related response to the native as well as the conjugated form of the PPS-14 was observed, since no effect of conjugation with CRM197 was seen in the onset of the immune response to PPS-14 in young animals. In conclusion, our results affirm the hypothesis that conjugation of polysaccharides changes the characteristics of the antigen towards a thymus-dependent antigen.
Ancestry and Disease in the Age of Genomic Medicine (2010)

Genomic analyses indicate that although humans have a common origin and most genetic variation is shared, there are some differences among groups of humans. Those differences may be harnessed to cl...
Scandium(III) or lanthanide(III) triflates as recyclable catalysts for the direct acetylation of alcohols with acetic acid (1997)

Scandium(III) or lanthanide(III) triflates are found to efficiently catalyse the direct acetylation of primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols with acetic acid; the catalyst can be recovered quantitatively and re-used with no loss of activity.
Hepatic injury and disturbed amino acid metabolism in mice following prolonged exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (1999)

Chronic occupational exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate-type pesticides significantly inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and causes morbidity. This study on mice was designed to evaluate their amino profile and to identify signs of hepatic dysfunction following their chronic exposure to mixtures of organophosphorus pesticides. Laboratory mice were exposed to a formulated mixture of the six organophosphorus pesticides (Dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos, Profenofos, Pirimiphos methyl, Triazophos and Dimethoate) most commonly used in agriculture in this region of the Middle East. Doses (10% of LD50 of the mixture) were given once a week by gavage in corn oil for 7 weeks; the control group was given only corn oil. At the end of the exposure period, mice were culled and blood samples were collected to determine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity, biochemical markers of liver function and concentrations of serum amino acids. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity and total serum proteins decreased significantly in the exposed group. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, ornithine, proline, serine, threonine and valine were significantly increased in the exposed mice, while serum levels of cystine were decreased significantly. There were also non-significant increases in serum alkaline phosphatase, gama-glutamyl transpeptidase and some of the other amino acids. Chronic exposure to mixtures of organophosphorus pesticides is associated with decreased acetylcholinesterase activity, hepatic dysfunction and disturbance of amino acids profile. Biochemical indices of hepatocellular injury and disturbed amino acid metabolism may be of value as markers of chronic exposure to such pesticides.
State social benefits in South Africa (1993)

The growth of South African state‐provided social security is traced from its origins in British colonialism, through the consolidation under apartheid of racially discriminatory benefits mainly to protect white interests, to the present time of political change when there is a rapid move towards racial parity. It is a difficult system to understand, because of the fragmentation created by apartheid: benefits are delivered through 17 separate “governments”, geographically different from each other, using different information systems and, until recently, characterized by secrecy regarding information. This paper is based on interviews conducted in all administrations in 1991, and it focuses on the state social pensions and grants for elderly people, disabled people, child and family care, and poor relief. Major problems with the system are those of access, racial discrimination, inefficiency, corruption, and the way in which the means test is implemented. Does the social security system have a role to play in addressing the inequality and poverty produced by apartheid? In rural areas most beneficiaries live in three‐generational families, and the benefit is consumed by the household. It is suggested that its potential is greatly underestimated, and rather than being seen as an expensive burden, the social security system should be enthusiastically embraced. It is already in place; it can relatively easily be made more efficient.
Epidemiology and Prevention of Breast Cancer (1996)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, accounting for 32% of all newly diagnosed cancers. Demographic characteristics associated with an increased risk include increasing age, birth in North America or northern Europe, high socioeconomic status, never having been married, and, for breast cancer diagnosed after 45 years of age, the white race. Early age at menarche, late age at menopause, late age at first full-term pregnancy, and low parity increase risk, while removal of the ovaries at an early age is protective. Obesity increases risk in postmenopausal women. Having a first degree relative with breast cancer confers an increased risk, especially if both a mother and a sister have had breast cancer at an early age. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an inherited susceptibility to breast cancer at an early age. Other markers of increased risk include atypical and hyperplastic epithelial cells in nipple aspirate fluid, nodular densities on mammogram, and biopsy-confirmed benign proliferative breast disease. Little can be done at present to reduce breast cancer risk through primary prevention, but secondary prevention by mammographic screening in women of age 50 and older reduces mortality from breast cancer.
Transcription and processing of the rodent ID repeat family in germline and somatic cells (1995)

ID elements comprise a rodent SINE (short interspersed DNA repetitive element) family that has amplified by retroposition of a few master genes. In order to understand the important factors of SINE amplification, we investigated the transcription of rat ID elements. Three different size classes of ID transcripts, BC1, BC2 and T3, have been detected in various rat tissues, including brain and testes. We have analysed the nucleotide sequences of testes- and brain-derived ID transcripts isolated by size-fractionation, C-tailing and RACE. Nucleotide sequence variation of testes ID transcripts demonstrated derivation from different loci. However, the transcripts represent a preferred set of ID elements that closely match the subfamily consensus sequences. The small ID transcripts, T3, are not comprised of primary transcripts, but are instead processed polyA-transcripts generated from many different loci. These truncated transcripts would be expected to be retroposition-incompetent forms. Therefore, the amplification of ID elements is likely to be regulated at multiple steps of retroposition, which include transcription and processing. Although brain ID transcripts showed a similar pattern, with the addition of very high levels of transcription from the BC1 locus, we also found evidence that a single locus dominated the production of brain BC2 RNA species. BC1 RNA is highly stable in both germ line and brain cells, based on the low level of detection of the processing product, T3. This stability of BC1 RNA might have been a contributing factor in its role as a master gene for ID amplification.
Phase II study of cytarabine in men with docetaxel‐refractory, castration‐resistant prostate cancer with evaluation of TMPRSS2‐ERG and SPINK1 as serum biomarkers (2012)

Cytarabine at the doses used is ineffective for men with CRPC. Blood mRNA levels of prostate cancer genes may represent a novel aspect of monitoring prostate cancer and have implications for the understanding of tumour-derived mRNA.
Mesenchymal stem cells as trophic mediators (2006)

Adult marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are capable of dividing and their progeny are further capable of differentiating into one of several mesenchymal phenotypes such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, marrow stromal cells, tendon-ligament fibroblasts, and adipocytes. In addition, these MSCs secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors that have both paracrine and autocrine activities. These secreted bioactive factors suppress the local immune system, inhibit fibrosis (scar formation) and apoptosis, enhance angiogenesis, and stimulate mitosis and differentiation of tissue-intrinsic reparative or stem cells. These effects, which are referred to as trophic effects, are distinct from the direct differentiation of MSCs into repair tissue. Several studies which tested the use of MSCs in models of infarct (injured heart), stroke (brain), or meniscus regeneration models are reviewed within the context of MSC-mediated trophic effects in tissue repair.
A probasin-large T antigen transgenic mouse line develops prostate adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma with metastatic potential. (2001)

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells may be involved not only in growth and differentiation of the normal prostate but also in carcinogenesis and progression of prostate adenocarcinoma (Pca), including development of androgen resistance. However, the exact pathophysiology of NE cells in Pca remains poorly understood. Here we describe a transgenic model of Pca with progressive NE differentiation. Seven lines of transgenic mice with the rat prostate-specific large probasin promoter linked to the SV40-large T antigen (Tag) that develop prostatic neoplasia have been established. In this study, one of the seven lines (12T-10) was characterized by examination of 52 mice aged from 2-12 months. With advancing age, low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, microinvasion, invasive carcinoma, and poorly or undifferentiated carcinoma with NE differentiation appeared in the prostates in sequential order. Whereas Tag is expressed uniformly in prostate epithelium, only an increasing subset of cells in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia showed NE differentiation by chromogranin immunostaining. Frankly invasive carcinoma developing subsequently showed occasional definitive glandular differentiation (adenocarcinoma) and particularly undifferentiated carcinoma with NE histological features similar to those observed in NE carcinomas in humans. The NE carcinomas occurred in the dorsolateral and ventral lobes and were generally androgen receptor negative. Twenty-one of 32 (66%) mice aged > or = 6 months and 15 of 17 (88%) mice aged > or = 9 months developed metastatic tumors, as confirmed by histology and/or Tag immunohistochemistry. Metastases occurred at the later time points, with metastasis to regional lymph nodes, liver, and lung being particularly common. Metastases showed histological features of NE differentiation, as confirmed by chromogranin immunostaining and electron microscopy. An athymic nude mouse that received a s.c. implant of a primary NE tumor developed Tag-positive metastatic tumors with similar NE differentiation. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified identical protein profiles between the primary NE tumor and lesions in the extraprostatic organs. Hence, in the 12T-10 large probasin promoter-Tag mouse, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia develops progressively greater NE differentiation and progresses to invasive adenocarcinoma and NE carcinoma, with a high percentage of metastases. The predictable progression through these stages will allow testing of therapeutic interventions as well as possible further delineation of the role of NE cells in Pca progression.
Studies of human antiviral CD8+ lymphocytes using class I peptide tetramers (2001)

Understanding the interactions between a host and a pathogen relies crucially on quantitative measurements of immune responses. Until recently, measurements of the levels of cellular immune responses, i.e. those mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes have depended largely on culture in vitro and subsequent measurement of specific functions (such as cytolysis). More recently, new technologies based around tetrameric class I peptide complexes (tetramers) have allowed immunologists to measure CD8+ T lymphocyte levels directly ex vivo and independently of function. Since CD8+ lymphocytes play a key role in a number of important human viral infections, these tools have yielded useful insights into the dynamics, phenotype and function of human antiviral lymphocyte populations. In this review we describe some of the basic aspects of the biology of virus-specific CD8+ lymphocytes, and the current methods available to detect them. The use of tetramers has, in just four years, transformed our understanding of the immune responses against HIV, HTLV-1, HBV, HCV, CMV and EBV, and holds promise in a number of areas where quantitative analysis of the antiviral response in terms of both number and function is critical.
grim, a novel cell death gene in Drosophila. (1996)

A genomic interval at 75C1,2 is required for programmed cell death in Drosophila. We identified a new activator of apoptosis, grim, which maps between two previously identified cell death genes in this region reaper (rpr) and head involution defective (hid). Expression of grim RNA coincided with the onset of programmed cell death at all stages of embryonic development, whereas ectopic induction of grim triggered extensive apoptosis in both transgenic animals and in cell culture. Cell killing by grim was blocked by coexpression of p35, a viral product that inactivates ICE-like proteases, and did not require the functions of rpr or hid. The predicted grim protein shares an amino-terminal motif in common with rpr. However, grim was sufficient to elicit apoptosis in at least one context, where rpr was not. The grim gene product might thus function in a parallel circuit of cell death signaling that ultimately activates a common set of downstream apoptotic effectors.
Suppression of time-dependent outward current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Actions of quinidine and amiodarone. (1991)

Prolongation of cardiac action potentials may mediate some of the arrhythmia-suppressing and arrhythmia-aggravating actions of antiarrhythmic agents. In this study, suppression of time-dependent outward current by quinidine and amiodarone was assessed in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The net time-dependent outward current contained at least two components: a slowly activating, La(3+)-resistant delayed rectifier current (IK) and a rapidly activating, La(3+)-sensitive current. Quinidine block of total time-dependent outward current during clamp steps to positive potentials was relieved as a function of time, whereas that induced by amiodarone was enhanced. In contrast, at negative potentials, suppression of current, whereas amiodarone reduced IK but not the La(3+)-sensitive current, suggesting that differential block of the two components of time-dependent current underlies the distinct effects of the two agents. In contrast to these disparate effects on total time-dependent outward current, steady-state reduction of IK by both drugs increased at positive voltages and saturated at approximately +40 mV; the voltage dependence of block by quinidine (17% per decade, +10 to +30 mV) was steeper than that by amiodarone (5% per decade, +10 to +20 mV). Block by quinidine was time dependent at negative potentials: on stepping from +50 to -30 mV, block initially increased very rapidly, and subsequent deactivation of IK was slowed. This effect was not seen with amiodarone. At -80 mV, quinidine block was relieved with a time constant of 40 +/- 15 msec (n = 4, twin-pulse protocol). The effects of quinidine on IK were compatible with neither a purely voltage-dependent model of quinidine binding nor a model incorporating both voltage- and state-dependent binding of quinidine to delayed rectifier channels having only one open state. The voltage- and time-dependent features of quinidine block were well described by a model in which quinidine has greater affinity for one of two open states of the channel. We conclude that the effects of quinidine and amiodarone on time-dependent outward current reflects block of multiple channels. Quinidine block of IK was far more voltage dependent than that produced by amiodarone, suggesting the drugs act by different mechanisms.