gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Learning lessons from disaster recovery : the case of Mozambique (2005)

This report is part of a ProVention Consortium five-country review of lessons learned from recovery after major natural disasters, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of recovery assistance from governments, donors, and civil society after the disasters occurred. Mozambique offers an example of a post-conflict country faced with major natural disasters. It also offers an example of recovery in an extremely poor, and primarily subsistence livelihood population, but in a country favored by donors, and receiving substantial amounts of both relief and recovery assistance. The review provides an overview of the recovery processes, and highlights livelihoods and agriculture. Mozambique's recovery from the 2000 and 2001 floods took place in the context of the country's wider reconstruction and development following the end of the war in 1992. The 1999 National Policy on Disaster Management marked a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to disaster management aimed at developing a culture of prevention. The government of Mozambique's objectives and strategies for recovery after both the 2000 and 2001 floods were similar. They aimed to move as quickly as possible from the relief mode to a recovery agenda. The overall assessments of recovery needs were made rapidly after the floods by the Bank, and the government in order to shift from emergency relief, towards preparing for a donor conference. Most post-flood recovery was undertaken within the framework of existing development programs. Looking at resources, the report notices that in spite of growing concern about levels of corruption in Mozambique, there do not appear to have been any major diversions of recovery funds, and generally donors have been satisfied with the use of funds. Concerning impacts and livelihoods, the report outlines that the community survey found that a very positive feature of Mozambique's recovery work has been the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Conclusions and lessons learned suggest the Disaster Management Technical Council should develop good practice guidelines and codes for recovery work that can, in the future, inform contingency planning as well as disaster recovery work. These could include: a) Good practice in terms of intensive labor-based infrastructure works for disaster mitigation; b) where possible, the use of local, rather than international contractors in reconstruction programs; c) developing good practice in gender equality approaches; d) developing good practice in relation to the recovery of complex livelihoods; e) appropriate seeds and tools policies; f) cash compensation schemes, building on the experience of the USAID resettlement grant scheme; g) land tenure issues in relation to resettlement; and, h) housing standards.
Aircraft Loss of Control Causal Factors and Mitigation Challenges (2010)

Loss of control is the leading cause of jet fatalities worldwide. Aside from their frequency of occurrence, accidents resulting from loss of aircraft control seize the public s attention by yielding a large number of fatalities in a single event. In response to the rising threat to aviation safety, the NASA Aviation Safety Program has conducted a study of the loss of control problem. This study gathered four types of information pertaining to loss of control accidents: (1) statistical data; (2) individual accident reports that cite loss of control as a contributing factor; (3) previous meta-analyses of loss of control accidents; and (4) inputs solicited from aircraft manufacturers, air carriers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders. Using these information resources, the study team identified the causal factors that were cited in the greatest number of loss of control accidents, and which were emphasized most by industry stakeholders. This report describes the study approach, the key causal factors for aircraft loss of control, and recommended mitigation strategies to make near-term impacts, mid-term impacts, and Next Generation Air Transportation System impacts on the loss of control accident statistics
Partial restoration of protein synthesis rates by the small molecule ISRIB prevents neurodegeneration without pancreatic toxicity (2015)

Activation of the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in response to protein misfolding within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) results in the transient repression of protein synthesis, mediated by the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). This is part of a wider integrated physiological response to maintain proteostasis in the face of ER stress, the dysregulation of which is increasingly associated with a wide range of diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders. In prion-diseased mice, persistently high levels of eIF2α cause sustained translational repression leading to catastrophic reduction of critical proteins, resulting in synaptic failure and neuronal loss. We previously showed that restoration of global protein synthesis using the PERK inhibitor GSK2606414 was profoundly neuroprotective, preventing clinical disease in prion-infected mice. However, this occured at the cost of toxicity to secretory tissue, where UPR activation is essential to healthy functioning. Here we show that pharmacological modulation of eIF2α-P-mediated translational inhibition can be achieved to produce neuroprotection without pancreatic toxicity. We found that treatment with the small molecule ISRIB, which restores translation downstream of eIF2α, conferred neuroprotection in prion-diseased mice without adverse effects on the pancreas. Critically, ISRIB treatment resulted in only partial restoration of global translation rates, as compared with the complete restoration of protein synthesis seen with GSK2606414. ISRIB likely provides sufficient rates of protein synthesis for neuronal survival, while allowing some residual protective UPR function in secretory tissue. Thus, fine-tuning the extent of UPR inhibition and subsequent translational de-repression uncouples neuroprotective effects from pancreatic toxicity. The data support the pursuit of this approach to develop new treatments for a range of neurodegenerative disorders that are currently incurable.
Independent Genetic Control of Maize Starch-Branching Enzymes IIa and IIb (Isolation and Characterization of a Sbe2a cDNA) (1997)

In maize (Zea mays L.) three isoforms of starch-branching enzyme (SBEI, SBEIIa, and SBEIIb) are involved in the synthesis of amylopectin, the branched component of starch. To isolate a cDNA encoding SBEIIa, degenerate oligonucleotides based on domains highly conserved in Sbe2 family members were used to amplify Sbe2-family cDNA from tissues lacking SBEIIb activity. The predicted amino acid sequence of Sbe2a cDNA matches the N-terminal sequence of SBEIIa protein purified from maize endosperm. The size of the mature protein deduced from the cDNA also matches that of SBEIIa. Features of the predicted protein are most similar to members of the SBEII family; however, it differs from maize SBEIIb in having a 49-amino acid N-terminal extension and a region of substantial sequence divergence. Sbe2a mRNA levels are 10-fold higher in embryonic than in endosperm tissue, and are much lower than Sbe2b in both tissues. Unlike Sbe2b, Sbe2a-hybridizing mRNA accumulates in leaf and other vegetative tissues, consistent with the known distribution of SBEIIa and SBEIIb activities.
Electrospray Ion Beam Deposition of Clusters and Biomolecules (2006)

An ion beam source using electrospray ionization is presented for nondestructive vacuum deposition of mass-selected large organic molecules and inorganic clusters. Electrospray ionization is used to create an ion beam from a solution containing the nanoparticles or molecules to be deposited. To form and guide the ion beam, radio frequency and electrostatic ion optics are utilized. The kinetic energy distribution of the particles is measured to control the beam formation and the landing process. The particle mass-to-charge ratio is analyzed by in situ time-of-flight mass spectrometry. To demonstrate the performance of the setup, deposition experiments with gold nanoclusters and bovine serum albumin proteins on graphite surfaces were performed and analyzed by ex situ atomic force microscopy. The small gold clusters are found to form three-dimensional agglomerations at the surface, preferentially decorating the step edges. In contrast, bovine serum albumin creates two-dimensional fractal nanostructures on the substrate terraces due to strong intermolecular interactions.
Intervention with Tranilast Attenuates Renal Pathology and Albuminuria in Advanced Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy (2003)

Tranilast, when administered during the course of experimental diabetic nephropathy, attenuates tubulointerstitial pathology and albuminuria. These findings are consistent with the antagonist effects of tranilast on TGF-beta actions in the diabetic kidney.
Interpretative strategies for lung function tests (2005)

This section is written to provide guidance in interpreting pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to medical directors of hospital-based laboratories that perform PFTs, and physicians who are responsible for interpreting the results of PFTs most commonly ordered for clinical purposes. Specifically, this section addresses the interpretation of spirometry, bronchodilator response, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO) and lung volumes.
Recombinant live Salmonella spp. for human vaccination against heterologous pathogens (2000)

Live attenuated Salmonella spp. are promising candidates as oral vaccine delivery systems for heterologous antigens. Clinical trials have demonstrated that this approach is feasible for human vaccinations but further optimisation is necessary to obtain a better efficacy. Here, we discuss how existing clinical and pre-clinical data can be used to guide such optimisation efforts.
Ectopic expression of a c-kitW42 minigene in transgenic mice: recapitulation of W phenotypes and evidence for c-kit function in melanoblast progenitors. (1991)

The proto-oncogene c-kit encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that is allelic with the murine white-spotting locus (W). W mutations affect melanogenesis, gametogenesis, and hematopoiesis during development and adult life, and they result from the partial or complete loss of c-kit function. The W42 allele is a W mutation with severe effects in both the homozygous and the heterozygous states. Previous analysis of the W42 allele identified a missense mutation in an essential amino acid of the c-kitW42 kinase domain that abolishes the in vitro kinase activity of the c-kitW42 protein but does not affect its normal expression. These results suggested that the c-kitW42 allele was a dominant negative mutation within the context of c-kit-mediated signal transduction. To further explore the dominant negative characteristics of the W42 mutation, we have generated transgenic mice in which ectopic expression is driven by the human beta-actin promoter (hAP). Two mouse lines carrying the hAP-c-kitW42 transgene show an effect on pigmentation and the number of tissue mast cells. The patchy coat color pattern of the line 695 mice may reflect variable expression of the transgene in melanoblast progenitors and their descendants and, consequently, is indicative of a function for c-kit in early melanoblasts. Germ cell development and erythropoiesis, however, do not appear to be affected by the transgene. Mice expressing the c-kitW42 transgene therefore recapitulate some of the phenotypes of mice with W mutations. These results are therefore in agreement with the molecular basis of the W42 mutation and the dominant-negative characteristics of the c-kitW42 protein product.
A functional mRNA polyadenylation signal is required for transcription termination by RNA polymerase II. (1988)

Polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs requires the conserved hexanucleotide AAUAAA, as well as sequences located downstream from the poly(A) addition site. The role of these sequences in the production of functional mRNAs was studied by analyzing a series of mutants containing deletions or substitutions in the SV40 early region poly(A) site. As expected, both a previously defined GU-rich downstream element and an AAUAAA sequence were required for efficient usage of the wild-type poly(A) addition site. However, when either of these elements was deleted, greatly increased levels of SV40-specific RNA were detected in the nuclei of transfected cells. Evidence is presented that this accumulation of RNA resulted from a failure of transcription termination, leading to multiple rounds of transcription of the circular templates. We conclude that the sequences required for efficient cleavage/polyadenylation of the SV40 early pre-mRNA also constitute an important element of an RNA polymerase II termination signal. A model proposing a mechanism by which the act of pre-mRNA 3' end formation is signaled to the elongating RNA polymerase, resulting in termination, is presented.
Development and experimental in-vivo evaluation of mathematical modeling of coagulation by laser (1992)

Most clinical procedures using lasers are based on thermal laser-tissue interactions resulting in tissue damage. A mathematical model allowing temperature and damage prediction would be a useful tool to choose laser parameters able to produce the damage required. This study aimed at the development of a model called HELIOS. The capability of the model to predict thermal coagulation was evaluated by comparison with experimental in-vivo results. Conversion of laser light in tissue was studied using a beam broadening model, which is typically a modification of Beer-Lambert's law and takes into account scattering of light in tissue. HELIOS was validated making experimental studied in-vivo on liver (homogeneous tissue) of rats using a CW Nd:YAG laser, a CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser, and an Argon laser. For a given set of laser parameters, temperature measurements were performed using an infrared camera (Agema, Sweden). The histological examination was carried out on samples to quantify the depth of coagulation necrosis. Experimental data obtained in-vivo were compared with those calculated previously using HELIOS and similar sets of parameters. The difference between the predicted temperature evolution on tissue surface and that measured by the infrared camera was less than 5 degree(s)C in all cases. The difference between the predicted coagulation necrosis depth and the corresponding experimental one was less than 10%. In conclusion, HELIOS allows good prediction of tissue temperature and coagulation necrosis. This model appears sufficiently precise for clinical applications and so should be well adapted to control thermal action of lasers in biological tissues.
Combination of Vitamins C and E Alters the Response to Coronary Balloon Injury in the Pig (1995)

Restenosis is the major limitation of the long-term success of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The process of restenosis involves repair of vascular injury and remodeling of vessel architecture. Therapeutic interventions that improve vascular function may therefore be beneficial in the treatment of restenosis. Antioxidants such as probucol and vitamins C and E have proved effective in improving endothelial function in hypercholesterolemia, inhibiting lipid accumulation in animal models of atherosclerosis, and decreasing cardiovascular mortality in humans. Forty-two female domestic swine were divided into four study groups: control (n = 12); vitamin C (500 mg/d, group C, n = 9); vitamin E (1000 U/d, group E, n = 10); and vitamins C and E (500 mg/d + 1000 U/d, group C+E, n = 11) before oversized balloon injury of the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries. Vitamins were administered 7 days before balloon injury and continued until the swine were killed 14 days after injury. Significant differences in morphometric parameters were present only in group C+E, with increases in vessel and lumen area in the segment with maximal injury. Although there was no decrease in intima area or in maximal intima thickness, the ratio of intima area to vessel area was significantly reduced, consistent with a positive effect in group C+E. Graphic analysis of the relationship between initial vessel injury (using internal elastic lamina fracture length/lumen perimeter) and vessel response to injury (using intima area/vessel area) for all segments showed improved indices for group C+E (P < .005). The beneficial effect of vitamins correlated with changes in lipid redox state. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances showed an approximately 70% decrease in all treatment groups, and the lag phase for LDL-conjugated diene formation was significantly increased, with group C+E > group E > group C. The combination of vitamins C and E improved vascular response to injury because of an apparent beneficial effect on vascular remodeling. The fact that the combination of vitamins C+E was better than vitamin E or vitamin C alone is consistent with the ability of vitamin C to improve the antioxidant effect of vitamin E, suggesting that the improved vessel response was due to a change in redox state. This study suggests an important role for oxygen radicals in the vascular response to injury and suggests that vascular remodeling and intimal proliferation are important to the restenotic process.
Vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis Using Three Variants of the Lipoprotein GNA1870 (2003)

Sepsis and meningitis caused by serogroup B meningococcus are devastating diseases of infants and young adults, which cannot yet be prevented by vaccination. By genome mining, we discovered GNA1870, a new surface-exposed lipoprotein of Neisseria meningitidis that induces high levels of bactericidal antibodies. The antigen is expressed by all strains of N. meningitidis tested. Sequencing of the gene in 71 strains representative of the genetic and geographic diversity of the N. meningitidis population, showed that the protein can be divided into three variants. Conservation within each variant ranges between 91.6 to 100%, while between the variants the conservation can be as low as 62.8%. The level of expression varies between strains, which can be classified as high, intermediate, and low expressors. Antibodies against a recombinant form of the protein elicit complement-mediated killing of the strains that carry the same variant and induce passive protection in the infant rat model. Bactericidal titers are highest against those strains expressing high yields of the protein; however, even the very low expressors are efficiently killed. The novel antigen is a top candidate for the development of a new vaccine against meningococcus.
The application of life style diseases-animal models to the research for sarcopenia (2013)

加齢性筋肉減弱症（サルコペニア）は，高齢者の転倒につながる病態として，その成因解明や予防法確立が注目されている．しかし，成因解明のための研究に適した動物モデルが少なく，また動物の高齢化に時間を要するなどの問題点がある．一方，生活習慣病の存在がサルコペニアを加速させることを示唆する報告から，生活習慣病モデル動物がサルコペニア研究に応用できる可能性がある．FBNF1ラットや自然発症高血圧ラット（SHR）に高脂肪高炭水化物食を負荷することで，サルコペニアに典型的な表現型や分子生物学的変化が，高齢化を待たずとも得られることがこれまでの検討で示されている．全身性炎症のモデルや遺伝子改変モデルは，筋量低下は呈するものの，サルコペニアに特徴的な速筋成分優位な量的減少が認められない．ヒトサルコペニアの表現型を示す動物モデルの確立は重要課題であるが，食事負荷したFBNF1やSHRは，その候補となり得ると考えられる．また，運動後の骨格筋から産生されるサイトカイン（マイオカイン）が注目されており，マイオカインが筋修復能を促進し筋肥大を誘導することから，マイオカイン産生調節がサルコペニア予防の新たなターゲットとなる可能性が考えられる．
The Dock and Lock Method: A Novel Platform Technology for Building Multivalent, Multifunctional Structures of Defined Composition with Retained Bioactivity (2007)

The idea, approach, and proof-of-concept of the dock and lock (DNL) method, which has the potential for making a large number of bioactive molecules with multivalency and multifunctionality, are reviewed. The key to the DNL method seems to be the judicious application of a pair of distinct protein domains that are involved in the natural association between protein kinase A (PKA; cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase) and A-kinase anchoring proteins. In essence, the dimerization and docking domain found in the regulatory subunit of PKA and the anchoring domain of an interactive A-kinase anchoring protein are each attached to a biological entity, and the resulting derivatives, when combined, readily form a stably tethered complex of a defined composition that fully retains the functions of individual constituents. Initial validation of the DNL method was provided by the successful generation of several trivalent bispecific binding proteins, each consisting of two identical Fab fragments linked site-specifically to a different Fab. The integration of genetic engineering and conjugation chemistry achieved with the DNL method may not only enable the creation of novel human therapeutics but could also provide the promise and challenge for the construction of improved recombinant products over those currently commercialized, including cytokines, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies.
Weight Loss, Appetite Suppression, and Changes in Fasting and Postprandial Ghrelin and Peptide-YY Levels After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy (2008)

PYY levels increased similarly after either procedure. The markedly reduced ghrelin levels in addition to increased PYY levels after LSG, are associated with greater appetite suppression and excess weight loss compared with LRYGBP.
Escherichia fergusonii and Enterobacter taylorae, two new species of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens (1985)

Escherichia fergusonii (formerly known as Enteric Group 10) and Enterobacter taylorae (formerly known as Enteric Group 19) are proposed as new species in the family Enterobacteriaceae. By DNA hybridization (32P, 60 degrees C, hydroxyapatite), strains of E. fergusonii were 90 to 97% related to the type strain (holotype) ATCC 35469. They were most closely related to Escherichia coli and more distantly related to species in other genera. E. fergusonii strains are positive for indole production, methyl red, lysine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, and motility. They ferment D-glucose with gas production and also ferment adonitol, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, maltose, D-xylose, trehalose, cellobiose, and D-arabitol. They are negative for Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization (17% positive), urea hydrolysis, phenylalanine deamination, arginine dihydrolase, growth in KCN, and fermentation of lactose, sucrose, myo-inositol, D-sorbitol, raffinose, and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside. By DNA hybridization (32P, 60 degrees C, hydroxyapatite), strains of E. taylorae were 84 to 95% related to the type strain (holotype) ATCC 35317. Their nearest relative was E. cloacae, to which they were 61% related. Other named species were more distantly related. Strains of E. taylorae are positive for Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization, arginine dihydrolase, ornithine decarboxylase, motility, growth in KCN medium, and malonate utilization. They ferment D-glucose with gas production and also ferment D-mannitol, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, maltose, D-xylose, trehalose, and cellobiose. They are negative for indole production, methyl red, H2S production on triple sugar-iron agar, urea hydrolysis, phenylalanine deamination, lysine decarboxylase, gelatin hydrolysis, and fermentation of adonitol, i-inositol, D-sorbitol, and raffinose. Both new species occur in human clinical specimens. Two strains of E. fergusonii were isolated from blood. Five stains of E. taylorae were isolated from blood, and one was from spinal fluid. These blood and spinal fluid isolates suggest possible clinical significance, but this point requires further study.