gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Effects of Intravenously Administered C-type Natriuretic Peptide in Humans: Comparison with Atrial Natriuretic Peptide. (1998)

We have previously reported that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the third member of the natriuretic peptide family, is produced in vascular endothelial cells and suggested that CNP might be a local regulator of vascular tone and growth. To evaluate the biological actions of CNP as compared with human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), we intravenously administered synthetic CNP (0.43 nmol/kg) and alpha-hANP (0.43 and 0.043 nmol/kg) to healthy humans. The experiments were done on different days in the same five healthy volunteers (31+/-1 yr old). CNP injection caused a transient but significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-4.3+/-1.3, -4.1+/-1.0 mmHg) with a significant increase in heart rate (+7.6+/-2.6 bpm), and exerted significant diuretic and natriuretic activities (+130+/-80%, +160+/-100% over the basal level). These effects of CNP (0.43 nmol/kg) were comparable to, or less than, those of alpha-hANP (0.043 nmol/kg). CNP injection also significantly suppressed aldosterone secretion (22% reduction as compared with the basal level). Our results demonstrate that intravenously-administered CNP acts as a natriuretic peptide with less potency than ANP.
An artificial tetramerization domain restores efficient assembly of functional Shaker channels lacking T1 (2000)

One feature shared by all Shaker-type voltage-gated K(+) channels is a highly conserved domain (T1) located in the cytoplasmic N terminus. The T1 domain is a key determinant of which subtypes can form heteromultimeric channels, suggesting that T1 functions during channel assembly. To better define the role of T1 during channel assembly and separate this function from potential contributions to channel permeation and gating, we replaced the T1 domain (residues 96-183) of ShakerB with a coiled-coil sequence (GCN4-LI) that forms parallel tetramers. Deleting T1 dramatically, but not completely, abolished channel formation under most expression conditions. Channels lacking T1 are functional and K(+)-selective, although they activate at more hyperpolarized membrane potentials and inactivate less completely. Insertion of the artificial tetramerization domain (GCN4-LI) restored efficient channel formation, suggesting that tetramerization of the cytoplasmic T1 domain promotes transmembrane channel assembly by increasing the effective local subunit concentration for T1 compatible subunits. We propose that T1 tetramerization promotes subfamily-specific assembly through kinetic partitioning of the assembly process, but is not required for subsequent steps in channel assembly and folding.
Treatment with a consensus peptide based on amino acid sequences in autoantibodies prevents T cell activation by autoantigens and delays disease onset in murine lupus (2001)

Induction of immune tolerance in response to treatment with pCONS in autoreactive T cell helper populations is highly effective in delaying the appearance of multiple autoantibodies, cytokine increases, and nephritis in BWF1 mice, and dramatically prolongs survival. A striking effect is the ability of the peptide to tolerize T cell help for anti-DNA that is induced by multiple, structurally unrelated self antigens.
Methanol, ethanol and hydrogen sensing using metal oxide and metal (TiO2–Pt) composite nanoclusters on GaN nanowires: a new route towards tailoring the selectivity of nanowire/nanocluster chemical sensors (2012)

We demonstrate a new method for tailoring the selectivity of chemical sensors using semiconductor nanowires (NWs) decorated with metal and metal oxide multicomponent nanoclusters (NCs). Here we present the change of selectivity of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanocluster-coated gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire sensor devices on the addition of platinum (Pt) nanoclusters. The hybrid sensor devices were developed by fabricating two-terminal devices using individual GaN NWs followed by the deposition of TiO(2) and/or Pt nanoclusters (NCs) using the sputtering technique. This paper present the sensing characteristics of GaN/(TiO(2)-Pt) nanowire-nanocluster (NWNC) hybrids and GaN/(Pt) NWNC hybrids, and compare their selectivity with that of the previously reported GaN/TiO(2) sensors. The GaN/TiO(2) NWNC hybrids showed remarkable selectivity to benzene and related aromatic compounds, with no measurable response for other analytes. Addition of Pt NCs to GaN/TiO(2) sensors dramatically altered their sensing behavior, making them sensitive only to methanol, ethanol and hydrogen, but not to any other chemicals we tested. The GaN/(TiO(2)-Pt) hybrids were able to detect ethanol and methanol concentrations as low as 100 nmol mol(-1) (ppb) in air in approximately 100 s, and hydrogen concentrations from 1 µmol mol(-1) (ppm) to 1% in nitrogen in less than 60 s. However, GaN/Pt NWNC hybrids showed limited sensitivity only towards hydrogen and not towards any alcohols. All these hybrid sensors worked at room temperature and are photomodulated, i.e. they responded to analytes only in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light. We propose a qualitative explanation based on the heat of adsorption, ionization energy and solvent polarity to explain the observed selectivity of the different hybrids. These results are significant from the standpoint of applications requiring room-temperature hydrogen sensing and sensitive alcohol monitoring. These results demonstrate the tremendous potential for tailoring the selectivity of the hybrid nanosensors for a multitude of environmental and industrial sensing applications.
The N-terminal propiece of interleukin 1α is a transforming nuclear oncoprotein (1997)

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the immune response, inflammatory processes, and hematopoiesis, and acts as a mitogen for several malignant cell types, including acute leukemia and Kaposi sarcoma cells. These diverse activities have been exclusively attributed to the plasma membrane receptor-binding, 17-kDa C-terminal component (mature IL-1 alpha) that results from proteolytic processing of the 31- to 33-kDa precursor protein. No biologic function has been ascribed to the unusually large, 16-kDa N-terminal propiece formed as a result of proteolytic processing of IL-1 alpha. We report that the IL-1 alpha N-terminal propiece is concentrated by means of a nuclear localization sequence within the nuclei of both transfected and leukemic cell lines. Overexpression of this component in glomerular mesangial cells, a model perivascular myofibroblast cell type capable of IL-1 alpha synthesis and processing, results in malignant transformation to a spindle cell-type tumor. The functionally bipartite nature of the IL-1 alpha precursor represents a unique combination of the C-terminal, classical cytokine and an N-terminal nuclear oncoprotein. These findings suggest that nuclear transport of the IL-1 alpha N-terminal component may represent a critical component in the transformation of IL-1 alpha-producing cells in the bone marrow or the perivascular area to a malignant phenotype.
Development of a Surgical Robot for Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty (1992)

The long-term success of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) may depend on bone ingrowth into the porous-fixation surfaces of the implant. The ingrowth process is facilitated when the surgeon achieves a satisfactory fit for the prosthesis. Clinically or roentgenographically visible failure and persistent thigh pain after cementless THA remain significant problems, both of which may be alleviated by more precise preparation of the femoral canal and selection of an appropriately sized prosthesis. The objective of this study was to obtain an exact fit for the prosthesis through the use of an image-directed surgical robot for femoral canal preparation.
Variant detection sensitivity and biases in whole genome and exome sequencing (2014)

From an economic perspective, WGS is at parity with exome-seq for variant detection in the targeted coding regions. WGS offers benefits in uniformity of read coverage and more balanced allele ratio calls, both of which can in most cases be offset by deeper exome-seq, with the caveat that some exome-seq targets will never achieve sufficient mapped read depth for variant detection due to technical difficulties or probe failures. As WGS is intrinsically richer data that can provide insight into polymorphisms outside coding regions and reveal genomic rearrangements, it is likely to progressively replace exome-seq for many applications.
Click chemistry with DNA (2010)

The advent of click chemistry has led to an influx of new ideas in the nucleic acids field. The copper catalysed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is the method of choice for DNA click chemistry due to its remarkable efficiency. It has been used to label oligonucleotides with fluorescent dyes, sugars, peptides and other reporter groups, to cyclise DNA, to synthesise DNA catenanes, to join oligonucleotides to PNA, and to produce analogues of DNA with modified nucleobases and backbones. In this critical review we describe some of the pioneering work that has been carried out in this area (78 references).
Analysis of promoters controlled by the putative sigma factor AlgU regulating conversion to mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: relationship to sigma E and stress response (1994)

Alginate overproducition by mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical pathogenic determinant expressed by this organism during chronic infections in cystic fibrosis. Conversion to mucoidy and a subsequent loss of mucoid character can occur via different mutations in the algU mucA mucB gene cluster. The algU gene encodes a 22.2-kDa putative alternative sigma factor required for expression of the critical alginate biosynthetic gene algD. In this work, algU transcription was studied by S1 nuclease protection analysis. Transcription from the promoter proximal to the algU coding region was found to be dependent on AlgU. The -35 and -10 sequences of this newly mapped promoter showed strong similarity ot the promoters of two other critical alg genes: algD and algR. The proximal promoter of algR was also shown to depend on algU. Interestingly, the putative -35 and -10 regions of all three promoters displayed striking similarity to the consensus sequence of the sigma E-dependent promoters in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. This 24-kDa sigma factor, controlling genes participating in resistance to high temperatures and oxidative stress, has been previously biochemically characterized, but the gene for sigma E remained unidentified. To examine whether AlgU is related to sigma E, the effect of algU inactivation on the sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to killing by heat and reactive oxygen intermediates was tested. Two isogenic pairs of algU+ and algU mutant strains were compared. The algU mutants, irrespective of the mucoid status of the parental strains, displayed increased sensitivity to killing by paraquat, known to generate intracellular superoxide radicals, and heat. Further lgobal homology searches revealed the presence of a previously unrecognized E. coli gene with the predicted gene product showing a striking 66% identity to AlgU. The corresponding gene from S. typhimurium was cloned and sequenced, and it is displayed one amino acid substitution relative to its E. coli equivalent. AlgU and its close homologs in E. coli and S. typhimurium may be functionally related.
Effects of amino acid substitution on the thermal stability of MS2 capsids lacking genomic RNA (1993)

The thermal stability of capsids of the bacteriophage MS2, lacking genomic RNA, has been investigated using electron microscopy. Coat protein mutants with amino acid substitutions at residues involved in making contracts at both inter-molecular interfaces and within the coat protein submit are also capable of forming 'empty' capsids of the same size and symmetry as the wild-type protein. Mutations have been characterised which are neutral, deleterious or advantageous in terms of thermal stability. In some cases, the results can be rationalised by reference to the recently refined X-ray crystal structure of the wild-type particle.
Seminal LDH-C4 isoenzyme and sperm mitochondrial activity: a study in male partners of infertile couples. (2002)

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns were obtained in the seman of 93 male partners of infertile couples and 28 proven fertile subjects as a control group. Sperm mitochondrial activity index (SMAI) alongwith the conventional seminal parameters was studied for all the subjects excepting the azoospermic and vasectomised males. Only LDH-C4, a germ cell specific isoenzyme activity varied with the variation in sperm density. LDH-C4 activity varied significantly (p<0.001) within and between different groups. Lactate dehydrogenase-C4 activity was absent in 17 azoospermic samples, confirming its germinal epithelial origin, as well as in 8 samples of vasectomised males. In one azoospermic sample, there were many immature germ cells along with surprisingly high LDH-C4 activity suggesting more activity of germinal epithelium associated with high LDH-C4 activity. LDH-C4 activity was reduced significantly in oligozoospermic samples in proportion to sperm density, thus confirming strong correlation (p<0.001) between LDH-C4 and sperm density. There was statistically significant correlation between LDH-C4 and percentage sperm motility as well as between LDH-C4 and Sperm Mitochondrial Activity Index (SMAI) (probability varying from p<0.05 to p<0.01 in different groups), but no such correlation was found between LDH-C4 and sperm morphology. The data confirms LDH-C4 as a germinal epithelial marker. Its relationship with percentage sperm motility is suggestive of definite role of LDH-C4 in evaluation of the spermatozoal quality, similarly its relationship with Sperm Mitochondrial Activity Index (SMAI score) suggest the role of LDH-C4 in metabolism of the spermatocytes and sperms, though further studies are required for clear and detailed understanding of its metabolic role in semen.
The microenvironment created by non-blocking embryos in aggregates may rescue blocking embryos via cell–embryo adherent contacts (1995)

Under our culture conditions, mouse embryos from the BALB/c inbred mouse strain develop successfully in culture only from the late 2-cell stage onwards (so-called 2-cell block), whether or not EDTA is added to the culture medium. (CBA x C57BL) F2 embryos do not exhibit a 2-cell block. Medium conditioned by culture of non-blocking embryos from the 2-cell to the 8-cell stage did not improve the development of blocking embryos, nor did co-culture of blocking and non-blocking embryos, with or without conditioned medium. On the other hand phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-assisted aggregation of an early 2-cell BALB/c embryo with five surrounding non-blocking F2 embryos (2-cell or 8-cell) or five BALB/c 8-cell embryos allowed the early 2-cell BALB/c embryos to develop into blastocysts within 72 h. Aggregation of blocking BALB/c 2-cell embryos with each other had no 'rescue' effect. When blocking and non-blocking 2-cell embryos were aggregated together, an integrated blastocyst was formed; but when the early 2-cell BALB/c embryos were aggregated with non-blocking 8-cell embryos, the blocking embryos formed a separate small blastocyst, which nonetheless retained adherent contact with the non-blocking embryos throughout the culture period. Ultrastructural analysis showed that 2-cell embryos aggregated with the aid of PHA form close adherent cell contacts up to several micrometres in length.
Hyperinduction of Host Beta Interferon by a Listeria monocytogenes Strain Naturally Overexpressing the Multidrug Efflux Pump MdrT (2012)

Many pathogens regulate or modify their immune-stimulating ligands to avoid detection by their infected hosts. Listeria monocytogenes, a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen, interacts with multiple components of mammalian innate immunity during its infection cycle. During replication within the cytosol of infected cells, L. monocytogenes utilizes two multidrug efflux pumps, MdrM and MdrT, to secrete the small nucleic acid second messenger cyclic-di-AMP (c-di-AMP). Host recognition of c-di-AMP triggers the production of type I interferons, including beta interferon (IFN-β), which, surprisingly, promote L. monocytogenes virulence. In this study, we have examined the capacity of multiple laboratory and clinical isolates of L. monocytogenes to stimulate host production of IFN-β. We have identified the L. monocytogenes strain LO28 as able to hyperinduce IFN-β production in infected cells ∼30-fold more than the common laboratory clone L. monocytogenes strain 10403S. Genomic analyses determined that LO28 contains a naturally occurring loss-of-function allele of the transcriptional regulator BrtA and correspondingly derepresses expression of MdrT. Surprisingly, while derepression of MdrT resulted in hyperstimulation of IFN-β, it results in significant attenuation in multiple mouse models of infection. While type I interferons may promote L. monocytogenes virulence, this study demonstrates that unregulated expression of the c-di-AMP-secreting efflux pump MdrT significantly restricts virulence in vivo by an unknown mechanism.
Electrodeposition Characteristics and Magnetic Properties of CoFeNi Thin Film Alloys (2002)

다양한 조성의 CoFeNi합금이 chloride bath와 sulfate bath에서 전해도금 되어졌고, 합금의 도금 특성과 자기특성이 관찰되어졌다. CoFeNi합금 박막의 전해도금에 있어서 Fe조성의 증가는 chloride bath에서보다 sulfate bath에서 빠르게 증가하였다. 전류효율은 큰 변화가 보이지 않는 chloride bath와 달리 sulfate bath에서는 <TEX>$750\%$</TEX>에서 <TEX>$50\%$</TEX>로 큰 폭으로 감소하였다. Co, Fe, Ni조성이 <TEX>$80\%,\;10\%,\;10\%$</TEX>되는 CoFeNi합금이 이번 실험에서 가장 우수한 연자성 재료로 평가되었으며, 그때의 Coercivity는 3 Oe이고 높은 squareness값을 보였다 Various compositions of CoFeNi alloys have been electrodeposited in chloride bath and in sulfate bath, and evaluated for electrodeposition characteristics and magnetic properties. For electrodeposited CoFeNi thin film alloys, the increase of Fe content in the deposits from sulfate bath was considerably faster than those from chloride bath. The current efficiencies in sulfate bath showed observable decrease from <TEX>$75\%\;to\;50\%$</TEX> while those in chloride bath showed no significant decrease. From the low coercivity of 3 Oe in the minimum and the higher squarenesses of the alloys from sulfate bath than those from chloride bath, the alloy at Co, Fe, and Ni contents of <TEX>$80wt.\%,\;10wt.\%,\;and\;10wt.\%$</TEX> can be considered to be the best CoFeNi alloy in this research for the soft magnetic material.
Over one hundred solvates of sulfathiazole (2001)

The sulfadrug sulfathiazole forms an extensive family of solvates and adducts, the crystal structures of which show a large variety of hydrogen-bonded frameworks.
Interaction of NF-κB and NFAT with the Interferon-γ Promoter (1997)

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a pleiotropic lymphokine whose production is restricted to activated T cells and NK cells. Along with other cytokines, IFN-gamma gene expression is inhibited by the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A. We have previously identified an intronic enhancer region (C3) of the IFN-gamma gene that binds the NF-kappaB protein c-Rel and that shows partial DNA sequence homology with the cyclosporin A-sensitive NFAT binding site and the 3'-half of the NF-kappaB consensus site. Sequence analysis of the IFN-gamma promoter revealed the presence of two additional C3-related elements (C3-1P and C3-3P). In addition, an NF-kappaB site (IFN-gamma kappaB) was identified within the promoter region. Based on this observation, we have analyzed the potential role of NF-kappaB and NFAT family members in regulating IFN-gamma transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis demonstrated that after T cell activation, the p50 and p65 NF-kappaB subunits bind specifically to the newly identified IFN-gamma kappaB and C3-related sites. In addition, we identified the NFAT proteins as a component of the inducible complexes that bind to the C3-3P site. Site-directed mutagenesis and transfection studies demonstrate that calcineurin-inducible transcriptional factors enhance the transcriptional activity of the IFN-gamma promoter through the cyclosporin-sensitive C3-3P site, whereas NF-kappaB proteins functionally interact with the C3-related sites. In addition, when located downstream to the beta-galactosidase gene driven by the IFN-gamma promoter, the intronic C3 site worked in concert with both the IFN-gamma kappaB and the C3-3P site to enhance gene transcription. These results demonstrate that the coordinate activities of NFAT and NF-kappaB proteins are involved in the molecular mechanisms controlling IFN-gamma gene transcription.
Glutathione Peroxidase 3, Deleted or Methylated in Prostate Cancer, Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis (2007)

Abstract Glutathione peroxidase 3 is a selenium-dependent enzyme playing a critical role in detoxifying reactive oxidative species and maintaining the genetic integrity of mammalian cells. In this report, we found that the expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) was widely inactivated in prostate cancers. Complete inactivation of GPx3 correlates with a poor clinical outcome. Deletions (hemizygous and homozygous) of GPx3 gene are frequent in prostate cancer samples, occurring in 39% of the samples studied. The rate of methylation of the GPx3 exon 1 region in prostate cancer samples reaches 90%. Overexpression of GPx3 in prostate cancer cell lines induced the suppression of colony formation and anchorage-independent growth of PC3, LNCaP, and Du145 cells. PC3 cells overexpressing GPx3 reduced invasiveness in Matrigel transmigration analysis by an average of 2.7-fold. Xenografted PC3 cells expressing GPx3 showed reduction in tumor volume by 4.8-fold, elimination of metastasis (0/16 versus 7/16), and reduction of animal death (3/16 versus 16/16). The tumor suppressor activity of GPx3 seems to relate to its ability to suppress the expression of c-met. The present findings suggest that GPx3 is a novel tumor suppressor gene. [Cancer Res 2007;67(17):8043–50]
Semiconductor Devices: Basic Principles (2000)

Electrons in Solids Electrons in Semiconductors Carrier Dynamics in Semiconductors Processing of Devices: A Review Junctions in Semiconductors: P-N Diodes Semiconductor Junctions with Metals and Insulators Bipolar Junction Transistors Field Effect Transistors: JFET/MESFET Field Effect Transistors: MOSFET MOSFET: Technology Driver Semiconductor Optoelectronics Appendices Index
Freeze-drying: from empiricism to predictability. The significance of glass transitions. (1992)

The physical and chemical principles which govern the behaviour of aqueous solutions during freezing and subsequent drying are discussed. They include undercooling, nucleation and growth of ice, the concomitant freeze concentration of the residual solution and its secondary effects, the role of water as plasticizer in amorphous organic materials, the removal of such water, and the over-riding importance of the glass/rubber transition. An understanding of the basic principles can remove most of the empiricism from freeze-drying and lead to more efficient process cycles and to products of superior quality and stability.