gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration in the central nervous system: the role of LFA-1, ICAM-1, VLA-4 and VCAM-1. off. (1995)

Lymphocyte adhesion to and migration across endothelial cell (EC) monolayers, derived from the rat blood-retinal barrier (BRB), were measured in vitro. The binding of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated peripheral lymph node lymphocytes and the migration of CD4+ T-cell lines could be significantly increased by treating the EC with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). To determine the role of various adhesion molecules during the processes of lymphocyte binding and transmonolayer migration (diapedesis), lymphocytes were treated with monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for CD11a (alpha L subunit of leucocyte functional antigen-1; LFA-1), CD18 (beta 2 subunit of leucam family) and CD49d (alpha 4 subunit of very late activation antigen-4; VLA-4) and EC with mAb specific for CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1; ICAM-1) and CD106 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1; VCAM-1). Binding of the highly adhesive but non-migratory Con A-activated lymphocytes was inhibited by mAb to CD11a (reduced to 73% and 65% of control lymphocyte adhesion) and CD18 (42% and 54%) on non-activated and IL-1 beta-treated EC, respectively, but not by mAb to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. Diapedesis of the highly migratory T-cell line lymphocytes was also blocked by antibodies to CD11a (reduced to 11% and 10% of control T-cell migration), CD18 (29% and 43%) but in addition was also inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 (17% and 53%) on non-activated and IL-1 beta treated EC, respectively. Both anti-VLA-4 and anti-VCAM-1 were also effective in producing a smaller reduction in migration, but only on IL-1 beta activated EC (66% and 58% of control migration, respectively). These studies indicate that lymphocyte adhesion to central nervous system (CNS) vascular EC is largely dependent on LFA-1 but not through its interaction with ICAM-1. In contrast, lymphocyte diapedesis is mostly supported through the LFA-1/ICAM-1 pairing, with a small proportion being mediated by VLA-4/VCAM-1 on IL-1 beta-activated EC. This latter pathway, however, also appears to be dependent on LFA-1 interacting with the EC.
Bacteria and Asthma: Untangling the Links (2010)

Our guts and airways are awash in bacteria—but people with asthma have a different balance of microbes. Could this be a cause of disease?
Novel failure prognostics approach with dynamic thresholds for machine degradation (2013)

Estimating remaining useful life (RUL) of critical machinery is a challenging task. It is achieved through essential steps of data acquisition, data pre-processing and prognostics modeling. To estimate RUL of a degrading machinery, prognostics modeling phase requires precise knowledge about failure threshold (FT) (or failure definition). Practically, degrading machinery can have different levels (states) of degradation before failure, and prognostics can be quite complicated or even impossible when there is absence of prior knowledge about actual states of degrading machinery or FT. In this paper a novel approach is proposed to improve failure prognostics. In brief, the proposed prognostics model integrates two new algorithms, namely, a Summation Wavelet Extreme Learning Machine (SWELM) and Subtractive-Maximum Entropy Fuzzy Clustering (S-MEFC) to predict degrading behavior, automatically identify the states of degrading machinery, and to dynamically assign FT. Indeed, for practical reasons there is no interest in assuming FT for RUL estimation. The effectiveness of the approach is judged by applying it to real dataset in order to estimate future breakdown of a real machinery.
Update in Testosterone Therapy for Men (CME) (2011)

ABSTRACT Introduction Male hypogonadism is a condition characterized by inadequate testicular production of sex steroids and sperms; however, the term is more commonly used to identify testosterone (T) deficiency. When fertility is not desired, T replacement therapy (TRT) is the gold standard. Aim To review the pathogenesis of male hypogonadism and the available preparations for TRT, along with the main clinical outcomes. Methods A systematic search of published evidence was performed using Medline (1969 to September 2010). Data from a consecutive series of subjects attending our Andrology Unit were also provided to stress the clinical correlates of low T. Inventories available for detecting hypogonadism (including ANDROTEST) were overviewed. Main Outcome Measures The most important studies regarding the pathogenesis of male hypogonadism and the preparations for its treatment were reviewed. To review TRT outcomes, only meta-analytic studies were considered. Results The goals of TRT are to alleviate clinical symptoms and to restore serum T levels to the mid-normal range, without significant side effects or safety concerns. Different T formulations have been approved. TRT is associated with a reduction of fat mass, an increase of lean mass, and a possible positive effect on lipid profile and glycometabolic control. Bone density and depressive symptoms are improved by TRT, while effects on cardiovascular risk and frailty are more controversial. No increase of prostate cancer and prostate-related problems has been reported so far. TRT, alone or in combination with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, is considered the first-line therapy in hypogonadal subjects with erectile dysfunction. Conclusions T deficiency is highly prevalent in the aging male and represents a sign of physical and sexual frailty. The significance of low T in elderly men has yet to be completely clarified. Large, prospective intervention trials will help solve this dilemma.
Differences in activity and phosphorylation of MAPK enzymes in esophageal squamous cells of GERD patients with and without Barrett's esophagus (2008)

We hypothesized that, in esophageal squamous epithelial cells, there are differences among individuals in the signal transduction pathways activated by acid reflux that might underlie the development of Barrett's esophagus. To explore that hypothesis, we immortalized nonneoplastic, esophageal squamous cells from patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with (NES-B3T) and without (NES-G2T) Barrett's esophagus and used those cells to study acid effects on MAPK proteins. During endoscopy in patients with GERD with and without Barrett's esophagus, we took biopsy specimens from the distal squamous esophagus to study MAPK proteins before and after esophageal perfusion with 0.1 N HCl. We used immunoblotting and Western blotting to study MEK1/2 phosphorylation at two activating sites (serines 217/221), MEK1 phosphorylation at an inhibitory site (threonine 286), and MEK1/2 activity. After acid exposure, both cell lines exhibited increased MEK1/2 phosphorylation at the activating sites; the NES-B3T cells had higher levels of MEK1 phosphorylation at the inhibitory site, however, and only the NES-G2T cells showed an acid-induced increase in MEK1/2 activity. Similarly, in the squamous epithelium of patients with GERD with and without Barrett's esophagus, acid perfusion increased MEK1/2 phosphorylation at the activating sites in both patient groups; the Barrett's patients had higher levels of MEK1 phosphorylation at the inhibitory site, however, and only the patients without Barrett's demonstrated an acid-induced increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In esophageal squamous cell lines and biopsies from patients with GERD with and without Barrett's esophagus, we have found differences in MAPK pathways activated by acid exposure. We speculate that these differences might underlie the development of Barrett's metaplasia.
On using lossless compression of debug data in embedded logic analysis (2007)

The capacity of on-chip trace buffers employed for embedded logic analysis limits the observation window of a debug experiment. To increase the debug observation window, we propose a novel architecture for embedded logic analysis based on lossless compression. The proposed architecture is particularly useful for in-field debugging of custom circuits that have sources of nondeterministic behavior such as asynchronous interfaces. In order to measure the tradeoff between the area overhead and the increase in the observation window, we also introduce a new compression ratio metric. We use this metric to quantify the performance gain of three lossless compression algorithms suitable for embedded logic analysis.
Therapeutic step and shoot proton beam spot-scanning with a multi-leaf collimator: a Monte Carlo study (2005)

In step and shoot spot-scanning, a small-diameter proton beam is magnetically swept and varied in energy in order to cover the tumour. Initial estimates of the beam size indicate that additional collimating hardware will be needed for lower energy proton beams in order to achieve a clinically acceptable lateral dose falloff at the edge of the proton beam. In this report, we present dosimetric data from Monte Carlo simulations with a model of a simple multileaf collimator which indicate that such a device may be used to improve the lateral dose falloff. The dosimetric quantities relevant to the clinical usefulness of the device are studied, including lateral penumbra, leaf transmission and scalloping effect. Multileaf collimation is compared with a differential spot-weighting technique of sharpening the lateral dose falloff.
Protease‐activated receptor 2 sensitizes the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 ion channel to cause mechanical hyperalgesia in mice (2006)

Exacerbated sensitivity to mechanical stimuli that are normally innocuous or mildly painful (mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia) occurs during inflammation and underlies painful diseases. Proteases that are generated during inflammation and disease cleave protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) on afferent nerves to cause mechanical hyperalgesia in the skin and intestine by unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that PAR2-mediated mechanical hyperalgesia requires sensitization of the ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). Immunoreactive TRPV4 was coexpressed by rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons with PAR2, substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), mediators of pain transmission. In PAR2-expressing cell lines that either naturally expressed TRPV4 (bronchial epithelial cells) or that were transfected to express TRPV4 (HEK cells), pretreatment with a PAR2 agonist enhanced Ca2+ and current responses to the TRPV4 agonists phorbol ester 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alphaPDD) and hypotonic solutions. PAR2-agonist similarly sensitized TRPV4 Ca2+ signals and currents in DRG neurons. Antagonists of phospholipase Cbeta and protein kinases A, C and D inhibited PAR2-induced sensitization of TRPV4 Ca2+ signals and currents. 4alphaPDD and hypotonic solutions stimulated SP and CGRP release from dorsal horn of rat spinal cord, and pretreatment with PAR2 agonist sensitized TRPV4-dependent peptide release. Intraplantar injection of PAR2 agonist caused mechanical hyperalgesia in mice and sensitized pain responses to the TRPV4 agonists 4alphaPDD and hypotonic solutions. Deletion of TRPV4 prevented PAR2 agonist-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and sensitization. This novel mechanism, by which PAR2 activates a second messenger to sensitize TRPV4-dependent release of nociceptive peptides and induce mechanical hyperalgesia, may underlie inflammatory hyperalgesia in diseases where proteases are activated and released.
Sequence analysis of the gene for the glucan-binding protein of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt (1990)

The nucleotide sequence of the gbp gene, which encodes the glucan-binding protein (GBP) of Streptococcus mutans, was determined. The reading frame for gbp was 1,689 bases. A ribosome-binding site and putative promoter preceded the start codon, and potential stem-loop structures were identified downstream from the termination codon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the GBP revealed the presence of a signal peptide of 35 amino acids. The molecular weight of the processed protein was calculated to be 59,039. Two series of repeats spanned three-quarters of the carboxy-terminal end of the protein. The repeats were 32 to 34 and 17 to 20 amino acids in length and shared partial identity within each series. The repeats were found to be homologous to sequences hypothesized to be involved in glucan binding in the GTF-I of S. downei and to sequences within the protein products encoded by gtfB and gtfC of S. mutans. The repeated sequences may represent peptide segments that are important to glucan binding and may be distributed among GBPs from other bacterial inhabitants of plaque or the oral cavity.
Synthesis and isolation of iodocarbazoles. Direct iodination reaction of N‐substituted carbazoles (2002)

Abstract Iododerivatives of N ‐methylcarbazole ( 1 ), N ‐phenylcarbazole ( 2 ), N ‐benzylcarbazole ( 3 ), 2‐methoxy‐ N ‐methylcarbazole ( 4 ) and 3‐acetamido‐ N ‐ethylcarbazole ( 5 ) are synthesised. N ‐Iodosuccinimide (NIS) in tetrahydrofurane/H 2 SO 4 (catalyst), a mixture of KIO 3 ‐ KI ‐ H 2 SO 4 (catalyst) in ethanol and a mixture of KIO 3 ‐ KI in glacial AcOH as iodinating agents have been used and their uses have been compared. The preparation, isolation and characterization of compounds 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c and 5a are reported (mp, t R , R f , 1 H‐nmr, 13 C‐nmr, IR and ms). All of them are described for the first time except 3,6‐diiodo‐ N ‐phenyl‐carbazole ( 2b ). Semiempirical PM3 calculations have been performed to predict reactivity of N ‐substituted carbazoles and their iododerivatives. Theoretical and experimental results are discussed briefly.
Characterization of Intrastriatal Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Transfer of Human Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Human GTP-Cyclohydrolase I in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease (1998)

To achieve local, continuous l -DOPA delivery in the striatum by gene replacement as a model for a gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, the present studies used high titer purified recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) containing cDNAs encoding human tyrosine hydroxylase (hTH) or human GTP-cyclohydrolase I [GTPCHI, the rate-limiting enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ) synthesis] or both to infect the 6-OHDA denervated rat striatum. Striatal TH and GTPCHI staining was observed 3 weeks after rAAV transduction, with little detectable perturbation of the tissue. Six months after intrastriatal rAAV transduction, TH staining was present but apparently reduced compared with the 3 week survival time. In a separate group of animals, striatal TH staining was demonstrated 1 year after rAAV transduction. Double staining studies using the neuronal marker NeuN indicated that &gt;90% of rAAV-transduced cells expressing hTH were neurons. Microdialysis experiments indicated that only those lesioned animals that received the mixture of MD–TH and MD–GTPCHI vector displayed BH 4 independent in vivo l -DOPA production (mean ∼4–7 ng/ml). Rats that received the hTH rAAV vector alone produced measurable l -DOPA (mean ∼1–4 ng/ml) only after receiving exogenous BH 4 . l -Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase blockade, but not 100 m m KCl-induced depolarization, enhanced l -DOPA overflow, and animals in the non-hTH groups (GTPCHI and alkaline phosphatase) yielded minimal l -DOPA. Although elevated l -DOPA was observed in animals that received mixed hTH and hGTPCHI rAAV vectors, there was no reduction of apomorphine-induced rotational behavior 3 weeks after intrastriatal vector injection. These data demonstrate that purified rAAV, a safe and nonpathogenic viral vector, mediates long-term striatal hTH transgene expression in neurons and can be used to successfully deliver l -DOPA to the striatum.
Fabrication and Evaluation of a ScSZ/CGO Composite Electrolyte by a Dual Dry Pressing Method (2008)

Ce0.85Gd0.15O(subscript 2-σ)(CGO) and 11 mol% Sc2O3-doped ZrO2 (ScSZ) electrolyte materials were prepared by citrate Sol-Gel method and co-precipitation method, respectively. XRD and TEM analysis were made to check the phase composition and particle size of the sample. Single-layered CGO electrolyte and ScSZICGO bilayer electrolyte were prepared by co-pressing method on Ni-CGO anode support, respectively. The SEM analysis indicated that there were no cracks or byproducts between ScSZ and CGO. Single cells with Ni-CGO anode and CGO or ScSZJCGO electrolyte were tested with hydrogen at the anode and oxygen in the temperature range of 650-800℃. Open-circuit voltage was l.02-l.05V for the cell with ScSZ/CGO bilayer electrolyte, and the corresponding peak power densities reached 197.3, 156.4, 147.6 and 108.8 mW/cm^2 at 800, 750, 700 and 650’C, respectively, which was higher than that obtained for a single-layered CGO electrolyte cells with different electrolyte thickness under the same conditions. ScSZ/CGO bilayer electrolyte raised the performance of cells effectively.
Two-dimensional digital microfluidic system by multi-layer printed circuit board (2005)

We report a true 2D (i.e., direct physical access to each electrode in a M/spl times/N grid) electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) chip for the first time by adopting a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) as the substrate. Incorporating mature PCB technology and introducing land grid array (LGA) sockets in the packaging, this new fabrication scheme is expected to make reconfigurable digital microfluidics practical in terms of chip cost (i.e., low enough to be disposable) and system flexibility (i.e., scalable).
Transduction of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors (2011)

Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are attractive targets for genetic manipulation and cellular therapies. However, current methods of gene transfer are limited by lack of efficiency, toxicity, or safety concerns. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has been extensively assessed as a gene therapy vector and has an excellent safety profile. This study reports the efficient transduction of well-characterized, homogeneous cultures of human ASCs by rAAV serotypes 2, 5, and 6. Transduction with rAAV2 at high multiplicity of infection was associated with reduced cell viability; however, no adverse effect was seen with serotypes 5 and 6. A further increase in transduction efficiency was observed using a rAAV6 Y731F tyrosine capsid mutant. rAAV-transduced ASCs retained their adipogenic potential. Therefore, rAAV serotypes 2, 5, and 6 should be considered the vectors of choice for genetic manipulation of ASCs.
Molecular Determinants of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Diversity (2005)

Although the primary role of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is contraction, they exhibit extensive phenotypic diversity and plasticity during normal development, during repair of vascular injury, and in disease states. Results of recent studies indicate that there are unique as well as common transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that control expression of various SMC marker genes in distinct SMC subtypes, and that these mechanisms are complex and dynamic even at the single cell level. This article will review recent progress in our understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in controlling expression of SMC marker genes with a particular focus on examination of processes that contribute to the phenotypic diversity of SMCs. In addition, because of considerable controversy in the literature regarding the relationship between phenotypically modulated SMCs and myofibroblasts, we will briefly consider both similarities and differences in regulation of gene expression between these cell types.
Lysyl oxidase-related protein-1 promotes tumor fibrosis and tumor progression in vivo. (2003)

The lysyl oxidase gene family members function as extracellular matrix modulating enzymes. We have found that another member of this family, lysyl oxidase related protein-1 (LOR-1), is highly expressed in metastatic breast cancer-derived cell lines but not in the nonmetastatic estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, LOR-1 expression in periductal tumor cells of breast carcinomas is significantly correlated with increased tumor malignancy. MCF-7 cells expressing recombinant LOR-1 formed estrogen-dependent tumors that developed much slower than tumors derived from empty vector-transfected MCF-7 cells. The cells of these LOR-1-expressing tumors were surrounded by a high concentration of dense collagen fibers, and the tumors contained many fibrotic foci. Induction of fibrosis in vivo by lysyl oxidase-like enzymes has never been observed before and suggests that LOR-1 may function as an autonomous inducer of fibrosis. The appearance of fibrotic foci in spontaneous breast cancer tumors is correlated with poor prognosis and metastasis, and we, therefore, examined the invasiveness of the LOR-1-expressing tumors. LOR-1-expressing MCF-7 cells invaded the pseudocapsules surrounding the tumors. In contrast, vector-transfected MCF-7 cells did not invade the pseudocapsules. This observation suggests that LOR-1 enhances the malignancy of the tumors. Furthermore, the LOR-1-expressing tumor cells invaded blood vessels, nerves, and muscles adjacent to the tumor, indicating that the LOR-1-expressing MCF-7 cells acquired metastatic properties. We conclude that LOR-1 promotes tumor fibrosis and tumor invasiveness simultaneously, which indicates that these two processes may be associated.
Stretching and Twisting Sensing With Liquid-Metal Strain Gauges Printed on Silicone Elastomers (2015)

This letter reports ultra-stretchable strain gauges based on a liquid metal (eutectic gallium-indium) and a platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomer (EcoFlex). A custom liquid metal printing setup was constructed and operated in the pressure controlled mode to offer high quality printing by eliminating undulation typically encountered in the flow rate control mode via a syringe pump. Printed liquid-metal strain gauges were thoroughly tested under cyclic uniaxial stretching and twisting. We achieved the stretchability of ~700%, which can cover any high strain from human motion. In case of moderate strain of 350%, our liquid-metal strain gauge could be operated more than 4500 cycles without showing any degradation.
Phthalimide-Based Polymers for High Performance Organic Thin-Film Transistors (2009)

The synthesis and characterization of two new thiophene copolymers with backbone phthalimide units is reported. Thin-film optical and wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements indicate extended electronic conjugation and close intermolecular π-stacking for both polymers. Ambient carrier mobility of thin-film transistors prepared from these polymers is as high as 0.28 cm2/(V s) with an on/off ratio greater than 105.