gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Volumetric analysis of syringomyelia following hindbrain decompression for Chiari malformation Type I: syringomyelia resolution follows exponential kinetics (2011)

Three-dimensional analysis of syringomyelia resolution over time enables the kinetics to be estimated. This technique is yet to be validated in a large cohort. Because syringomyelia is the final common pathway for a number of different pathological processes, it is possible that this exponential only applies to syringomyelia related to treatment of Chiari malformation Type I.
Neutrophilia and elevated serum cytokines are implicated in glycogen storage disease type Ia (2007)

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia) patients deficient in glucose-6-phosphatase-alpha manifest a disturbed glucose homeostasis. We hypothesized that disturbed glucose homeostasis might affect myeloid functions. Here, we show that GSD-Ia mice exhibit normal neutrophil activities but have elevated myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and spleen. Interestingly, GSD-Ia mice exhibit a persistent increase in peripheral blood neutrophil counts along with elevated serum levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant. Taken together, our results suggest that a loss of glucose homeostasis can compromise the immune system, resulting in neutrophilia. This may explain some of the unexpected clinical manifestations seen in GSD-Ia.
Self-mobilization and organization of the genes encoding the toluene metabolic pathway of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 (1994)

The toluene metabolic pathway of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 is chromosomally encoded, but the pathway could be transferred by conjugation from strain KR1 to the chromosome of P. aeruginosa or P. putida. Such transconjugants utilized toluene, p-cresol, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde. However, transconjugants were unable to further transfer toluene genes to other recipients unless Pseudomonas sex factor R68.45 was present in trans. Although the genes encoding the upper pathway for toluene metabolism in P. mendocina KR1 are sufficiently linked to permit their coordinate mobilization, they were found to be encoded in three independently regulated units: one encoding toluene-4-monooxygenase, a second encoding p-cresol methylhydroxylase and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase, and a third encoding p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. The last two regulatory units were cloned from the chromosome of a P. aeruginosa transconjugant onto a plasmid designated pRO1999. Analysis of pRO1999 showed that genes encoding p-cresol methylhydroxylase and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase are organized as an operon; the gene encoding p-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase is transcribed first, and this is followed by transcription of the gene encoding p-cresol methylhydroxylase. This operon is regulated by a positively acting regulator. The P. mendocina KR1 gene encoding p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase was linked to, but independently regulated from, the genes encoding toluene-4-monooxygenase, p-cresol methylhydroxylase, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase.
Nanofluidic Diode (2007)

We present a nanofluidic diode that at voltage range -5 to +5 V rectifies ion current with degrees of rectification reaching several hundreds. The diode is based on a single asymmetric nanopore whose surface was patterned so that a sharp boundary between positively and negatively charged regions is created. This boundary defines a zone that is enriched with positive and negative ions or creates a depletion zone. The principle of operation of the nanofluidic diode is analogous to that of a bipolar semiconductor diode.
Determination of Superoxide Dismutase Activity by the Polarographic Method of Catalytic Currents in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Aging Brain and Neurologic Degenerative Diseases (1991)

The activity of the superoxide dismutase was measured by the polarographic method of catalytic currents in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with age-related neurologic degenerative diseases, namely, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, and of a reference group of normal subjects. The superoxide dismutase activity was found to increase with age in reference subjects (r = 0.81) while no significant correlation was found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease patients. The activity mean values were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in patients with neurologic degenerative diseases than in the reference subjects. The changes of superoxide dismutase activity in the aging brain and in age-related neurologic degenerative diseases are discussed.
Induction of zymosan‐air‐pouch inflammation in rats and its characterization with reference to the effects of anticomplementary and anti‐inflammatory agents (1983)

Induction of an experimental inflammation of the air‐pouch type with the aid of zymosan (known to activate the alternative pathway of the complement system) was carried out in an attempt to induce a reproducible inflammatory model suitable for quantitative studies. Rats were injected subcutaneously with 8 ml of air on the dorsal surface to make an air‐pouch, followed 24 h later by 4 ml of 1.6% (w/v) zymosan suspension. This induced inflammatory responses. Treatment with zymosan suspension provoked exudation of fluid, accumulation of polymorphnuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the pouch and the development of granulation tissue as a wall of the pouch. Approximately half of the PMN in the pouch formed a characteristic layer of aggregated cells sticking onto the inner surface of the pouch wall. They were counted after being completely disaggregated by means of incubation with trypsin. In preliminary experiments with potential anti‐inflammatory drugs, local application of a novel anti‐complementary agent, K‐76COONa, inhibited leukocyte accumulation in the pouch, whereas the potent anti‐inflammatory agent, dexamethasone, was ineffective. By contrast, exudation of the pouch fluid was effectively inhibited by dexamethasone but not by K‐76COONa.
Dr William Coley and tumour regression: a place in history or in the future (2003)

Abstract Spontaneous tumour regression has followed bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoal infections. This phenomenon inspired the development of numerous rudimentary cancer immunotherapies, with a history spanning thousands of years. Coley took advantage of this natural phenomenon, developing a killed bacterial vaccine for cancer in the late 1800s. He observed that inducing a fever was crucial for tumour regression. Unfortunately, at the present time little credence is given to the febrile response in fighting infections—no less cancer. Rapidly growing tumours contain large numbers of leucocytes. These cells play a part in both defence and repair; however, reparative functions can also support tumour growth. Intratumoural infections may reactivate defensive functions, causing tumour regression. Can it be a coincidence that this method of immunotherapy has been “rediscovered” repeatedly throughout the centuries? Clearly, Coley’s approach to cancer treatment has a place in the past, present, and future. It offers a rare opportunity for the development of a broadly applicable, relatively inexpensive, yet effective treatment for cancer. Even in cases beyond the reach of conventional therapy, there is hope.
Catalytic growth of group III-nitride nanowires and nanostructures by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (2004)

We report flexible synthesis of group III–nitride nanowires and nanostructures by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) via a catalytic vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism. Supersaturation and surface stoichiometry strongly influence the stability of liquid droplets and growth selectivity. To facilitate and sustain the VLS growth, indium catalyst is introduced based on thermodynamic consideration. The employment of mesoporous molecular sieves (MCM-41) helps to prevent the coalescence of catalyst droplets and to promote nucleation statistics. Both GaN and AlN nanowires have been synthesized using MOCVD. Three-dimensional AlN∕GaN trunk-branch nanostructures are reported to illustrate the versatility of incorporating the VLS mechanism into MOCVD process.
NSs Protein of Rift Valley Fever Virus Blocks Interferon Production by Inhibiting Host Gene Transcription (2004)

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an important cause of epizootics and epidemics in Africa and a potential agent of bioterrorism. A better understanding of the factors that govern RVFV virulence and pathogenicity is required, given the urgent need for antiviral therapies and safe vaccines. We have previously shown that RVFV strains with mutations in the NSs gene are excellent inducers of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) and are highly attenuated in mice. Here, we demonstrate that NSs is sufficient to block IFN-beta gene expression at the transcriptional level. In cells transiently expressing NSs, IFN-beta transcripts were not inducible by viral infection or by transfection of poly(I:C). NSs with anti-IFN activity accumulated in the nucleus. In contrast, mutant forms of NSs that had lost their IFN-inhibiting activity remained in the cytoplasm, indicating that nuclear localization plays a role. IFN synthesis is regulated by specific transcription factors, including interferon regulatory factor (IRF-3), NF-kappaB, and AP-1. In the presence of NSs, IRF-3 was still activated and moved to the nucleus. Likewise, NF-kappaB and AP-1 were activated normally, as shown in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Moreover, NSs was found to inhibit transcriptional activity of a constitutive promoter, in agreement with recent findings showing that NSs targets the basal cellular transcription factor TFIIH. The present results suggest that NSs, unlike other viral IFN antagonists, does not inhibit IFN-specific transcription factors but blocks IFN gene expression at a subsequent step.
A Hyaluronic Acid−Taxol Antitumor Bioconjugate Targeted to Cancer Cells (2000)

A cell-targeted polymeric prodrug prepared from Taxol and chemically modified hyaluronic acid (HA) was evaluated in vitro. Herein we report four results in support of the selective uptake and targeted toxicity of the HA-Taxol prodrug. First, a fluorescently labeled HA-Taxol (FITC-HA-Taxol) was synthesized and used to demonstrate cell-specific binding and uptake using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Second, the selective cytotoxicity of FITC-HA-Taxol allowed direct correlation of uptake with selective cytotoxicity. Third, the rapid uptake and selective cytotoxicity of HA-Taxol bioconjugates could be blocked by either excess HA or by an anti-CD44 antibody, but not by chondroitin sulfate (CS). Finally, the release of free Taxol from HA-Taxol in human plasma or in cell culture media revealed that the free drug was hydrolytically released from the bioconjugate by cleavage of the labile 2' ester linkage. Taken together, these data support the notion that the targeted cytotoxicity of HA-Taxol bioconjugates requires receptor-mediated cellular uptake of the bioconjugate followed by hydrolytic release of free Taxol.
Entropy-based algorithms for best basis selection (1992)

Adapted waveform analysis uses a library of orthonormal bases and an efficiency functional to match a basis to a given signal or family of signals. It permits efficient compression of a variety of signals, such as sound and images. The predefined libraries of modulated waveforms include orthogonal wavelet-packets and localized trigonometric functions, and have reasonably well-controlled time-frequency localization properties. The idea is to build out of the library functions an orthonormal basis relative to which the given signal or collection of signals has the lowest information cost. The method relies heavily on the remarkable orthogonality properties of the new libraries: all expansions in a given library conserve energy and are thus comparable. Several cost functionals are useful; one of the most attractive is Shannon entropy, which has a geometric interpretation in this context.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Lymphotactin: a Cytokine that Represents a New Class of Chemokine (1994)

In this study, the cytokine-producing profile of progenitor T cells (pro-T cells) was determined. During screening of a complementary DNA library generated from activated mouse pro-T cells, a cytokine designated lymphotactin was discovered. Lymphotactin is similar to members of both the Cys-Cys and Cys-X-Cys chemokine families but lacks two of the four cysteine residues that are characteristic of the chemokines. Lymphotactin is also expressed in activated CD8+ T cells and CD4-CD8- T cell receptor alpha beta + thymocytes. It has chemotactic activity for lymphocytes but not for monocytes or neutrophils. The gene encoding lymphotactin maps to chromosome one. Taken together, these observations suggest that lymphotactin represents a novel addition to the chemokine superfamily.
Surface chemistry influences implant‐mediated host tissue responses (2007)

Implant-mediated fibrotic reactions are detrimental to the performance of encapsulated cells, implanted drug release devices, and sensors. To improve the implant function and longevity, recent research has emphasized the need for inducing alterations in cellular responses. Although material surface functional groups have been shown to be potent in affecting cellular activity in vitro and short-term in vivo responses, these groups appear to have little influence on long-term in vivo fibrotic reactions, possibly as a result of insufficient interactions between recruited host cells and functional groups on the implants. To maximize the influence of functionality on cells, and to mimic drug release microspheres, functionalized micron-sized particles were created and tested for their ability in modulating tissue responses to biomaterial implants. In this work, the surfaces of polypropylene particles were controllably coated with four different functional groups, specifically -OH, -NH(2), -CF(x), and -COOH, using a radio frequency glow discharge plasma polymerization technique. The effect of these surface functionalities on host tissue responses were then evaluated using a mice subcutaneous implantation model. Major differences were observed in contrasting tissue response to the different chemistries. Surfaces with -OH and -NH(2) surface groups induced the thickest fibrous capsule accompanied with the greatest cellular infiltration into the implants. In contrast, surfaces with -CF(x) and -COOH exhibited the least inflammatory/fibrotic responses and cellular infiltrations. The present results clearly demonstrate that, by increasing the available functionalized surface area and spatial distribution, the effect of surface chemistry on tissue reactivity can be substantially enhanced.
Mixed Azines of Naloxone with Dihydromorphinone Derivatives (1994)

Abstract The mixed azines 4 and 5 were prepared by reaction of naloxazone ( 2 ) with either oxymorphone ( 6 ) or 14‐ O ‐methyloxymorphone ( 7 ) and tested in vitro using opioid receptor binding assays and in vivo using the AcOH‐writhing test in mice. Compound 4 was found to be a partial agonist, while compound 5 was a potent opioid agonist with higher potency than morphine.
Interleukin-10 Gene Therapy-Mediated Amelioration of Bacterial Pneumonia (2000)

Respiratory infection by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae causes a highly pathogenic necrotizing pleuropneumonia with severe edema, hemorrhage and fever. Acute infection is characterized by expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and IL-8. To determine if high level production of inflammatory cytokines contributed to disease pathogenesis, we investigated if inhibiting macrophage activation with adenovirus type 5-expressed IL-10 (Ad-5/IL-10) reduced the severity of acute disease. Porcine tracheal epithelial cells infected with Ad-5/IL-10 produced bioactive human IL-10. When pigs were intratracheally infected with A. pleuropneumoniae, pigs pretreated with Ad-5/IL-10 showed a significant reduction in the amount of lung damage when compared to adenovirus type 5-expressing beta-galactosidase (Ad-5/beta-Gal)-treated and untreated pigs. In addition, serum zinc levels were unchanged, the lung weight/body weight ratio (an indicator of vascular leakage) was significantly reduced, and lung pathology scores were reduced. Myeloperoxidase activity in lung lavage fluid samples, an indicator of neutrophil invasion, was decreased to levels similar to that seen in pigs not infected with A. pleuropneumoniae. Reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels in lung lavage fluid samples correlated with the clinical observations in that pigs pretreated with Ad-5/IL-10 showed a corresponding reduction of IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) compared with untreated and Ad-5/beta-Gal-treated pigs. IL-6 levels were unaffected by pretreatment with Ad-5/IL-10, consistent with observations that IL-6 was not derived from alveolar macrophages. Since inflammatory cytokines are expressed at high levels in acute bacterial pleuropneumonia, these results indicate that macrophage activation, involving overproduction of IL-1 and TNF, is a prime factor in infection-related cases of massive lung injury.
Targeting with Bovine CD154 Enhances Humoral Immune Responses Induced by a DNA Vaccine in Sheep (2003)

CD40-CD154 interactions play an important role in regulating humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Recently, these interactions have been exploited for the development of therapeutic and preventive treatments. The objective of this study was to test the ability of bovine CD154 to target a plasmid-encoded Ag to CD40-expressing APCs. To achieve this, a plasmid coding for bovine CD154 fused to a truncated secreted form of bovine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D (tgD), pSLIAtgD-CD154, was constructed. The chimeric tgD-CD154 was expressed in vitro in COS-7 cells and reacted with both glycoprotein D- and CD154-specific Abs. Both tgD and tgD-CD154 were capable of binding to epithelial cells, whereas only tgD-CD154 bound to B cells. Furthermore, dual-labeling of ovine PBMCs revealed that tgD-CD154 was bound by primarily B cells. The functional integrity of the tgD-CD154 chimera was confirmed by the induction of both IL-4-dependent B cell proliferation and tgD-specific lymphoproliferative responses in vitro. Finally, sheep immunized with pSLIAtgD-CD154 developed a more rapid primary tgD-specific Ab response and a significantly stronger tgD-specific secondary response when compared with animals immunized with pSLIAtgD and control animals. Similarly, virus-neutralizing Ab titers were significantly higher after secondary immunization with pSLIAtgD-CD154. These results demonstrate that using CD154 to target plasmid-expressed Ag can significantly enhance immune responses induced by a DNA vaccine.
[110] silicon etching for high aspect ratio comb structures (2002)

The characteristics of [110] silicon anisotropic bulk etching for fabrication of comb structure are studied with varied temperature and concentration of aqueous KOH solution The etch rates of [110] and (111) planes increase with increasing temperature but decrease with increasing concentration. The maximum etch rate ratio is above 150 at 45 exact wt.% and 60/spl deg/C of aqueous KOH solution. Surface roughness varies greatly with concentration, and the minimum roughness is observed in an aqueous KOH solution of 41 exact wt.%. The mechanism of beam reduction is also studied and modelled simply. Considering the etching characteristics, comb structure have been fabricated which are 8 /spl mu/m wide, 150 /spl mu/m high and separated by 7 /spl mu/m gaps, using a comb mask pattern 10 /spl mu/m wide with 5 /spl mu/m gaps in 41 exact wt.% aqueous KOH solution at 65/spl deg/C.
Prion diseases, blood and the immune system: concerns and reality. (2000)

There is a great amount of uncertainty about the nature of the agent which causes spongiform encephalopathies. In recent years the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and of new variant-Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, has raised concerns that prions may, under certain circumstances, contaminate the blood supply. This review article illustrates the problems with which research in this field is fraught, and presents some of the arguments which are controversially discussed in the field.
Anti-inflammatory Cytokines and Cytokine Antagonists (2000)

Cytokines are critical mediators of protective host responses, including defense against microbial invasion and tumorigenesis. However, the production of specific proinflammatory cytokines must be tightly regulated and compartmentalized to prevent the overzealous expression of these molecules that can culminate in unabated inflammation and tissue injury. Cytokine production and/or biologic effects can be inhibited by a variety of endogenous molecules, including anti-inflammatory cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, and receptor antagonist proteins. Additionally, synthetic molecules have been constructed to selectively block the synthesis, post-translation processing, or receptor binding of proinflammatory cytokines. Relevant anti-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine inhibitors (both endogenous and synthetic) will be the subject of this review, with a particular emphasis on those anti-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine inhibitors that have been used experimentally or clinically in the treatment of diseases that are believed to be mediated by excessive proinflammatory cytokine responses.
The Effect of Supplementation with Selenium and Vitamin E in Psoriasis (1989)

Since reduced concentrations of selenium in whole blood, plasma and white cells had previously been observed in psoriasis, 69 patients were supplemented daily with either 600 micrograms of selenium-enriched yeast, 600 micrograms of selenium-enriched yeast plus 600 IU of vitamin E or a placebo for 12 weeks. Before supplementation, the patients' mean concentrations of selenium in whole blood and plasma were reduced compared with those of matched healthy controls but their red cell glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was normal. After 12 weeks supplementation the patients' mean whole blood, plasma and platelet selenium concentrations, platelet GSH-Px activity and plasma vitamin E concentration had risen significantly from the baseline values but their mean skin selenium concentration and red cell GSH-Px activity remained unchanged. The mean white cell selenium concentration rose only in the group receiving selenium alone. Neither supplementation regimen reduced the severity of psoriasis or produced side-effects. The increase in platelet GSH-Px activity suggests that the supplements were bioavailable and that the patients' selenium status may have been reduced prior to supplementation. The failure of the selenium content of the skin to increase may explain why the patients' psoriasis remained unchanged during supplementation.