gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, Psoriasis, and Inflammation: A Ménage à Trois? (2011)

Psoriatic patients have an accumulation of metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), likely mediated by systemic inflammation, and exhibiting low circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, a marker of MS and CVD in the general population. The aim of this study is to determine the association of IGF-I and inflammation, and to assess the cardio-metabolic risk calculating the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in a group of psoriatic patients without MS. IGF-I, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined in 20 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis (age range 23–77 yrs) without MS, according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Panel III (ATP III), and 20 age- and BMI-matched controls. The standard deviation score (SDS) of IGF-I levels according to age (zSDS), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the whole-body insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and VAI were also calculated. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) mean value was 17.8±11. HDL cholesterol and IGF-I zSDS values were lower (p&lt;0.001) and waist circumference (p&lt;0.001), VAI, fibrinogen, and IL-6 (p&lt;0.005) were higher compared with controls, while HOMA-IR and ISI were not statistically different. Lower IGF-I zSDS values were associated to higher values of BMI (p=0.04), waist circumference, VAI (p&lt;0.001), PASI (p=0.011), or IL-6 (p&lt;0.001). At the multivariate analysis PASI was the major determinant of IGF-I zSDS (p=0.016), accounting for 37% of its variability. In a subset of psoriatic patients without MS, chronic inflammation might be an important modulator of low IGF-I status, as a further possible mechanistic link between psoriasis and associated metabolic co-morbidities. The negative correlation between age-related IGF-I values and VAI suggest the involvement of adipocyte dysfunction in low IGF-I status more than MS per se. Further studies are needed to address whether these results are valid also for other psoriatic patients.
Expression and pharmacological characterization of the human μ‐opioid receptor in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (1996)

The human mu-opioid receptor cDNA from which the 32 amino-terminal codons were substituted by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-mating factor signal sequence has been expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris using the host promoter of the alcohol oxidase-1 gene. Cell membranes exhibited specific and saturable binding of the opioid antagonist [3H]diprenorphine (Kd = 0.2 nM and Bmax = 400 fmol/mg protein or 800 sites/cell). Competition studies with non-selective, and mu-, delta- and kappa-selective opioid agonists and antagonists revealed a typical mu-opioid receptor binding profile, suggesting proper folding of the protein in yeast membranes.
Curve skeleton skinning for human and creature characters (2006)

Abstract The skeleton driven skinning technique is still the most popular method for animating deformable human and creature characters. Albeit an industry de facto due to its computational performance and intuitiveness, it suffers from problems like collapsing elbow and candy wrapper joint. To remedy these problems, one needs to formulate the non‐linear relationship between the skeleton and the skin shape of a character properly, which however proves mathematically very challenging. Placing additional joints where the skin bends increases the sampling rate and is an ad hoc way of approximating this non‐linear relationship. In this paper, we propose a method that is able to accommodate the inherent non‐linear relationships between the movement of the skeleton and the skin shape. We use the so‐called curve skeletons along with the joint‐based skeletons to animate the skin shape. Since the deformation follows the tangent of the curve skeleton and also due to higher sampling rates received from the curve points, collapsing skin and other undesirable skin deformation problems are avoided. The curve skeleton retains the advantages of the current skeleton driven skinning. It is easy to use and allows full control over the animation process. As a further enhancement, it is also fairly simple to build realistic muscle and fat bulge effect. A practical implementation in the form of a Maya plug‐in is created to demonstrate the viability of the technique. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale: Development and validation. (1995)

In Study 1, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was administered to 425 undergraduates. Analyses yielded a three component solution comprising (a) rumination, (b) magnification, and (c) helplessness. In Study 2, 30 undergraduate participants were classified as catastrophizers (n = 15) or noncatastrophizers (n = 15) on the basis of their PCS scores and participated in an cold pressor procedure. Catastrophizers reported significantly more negative pain-related thoughts, greater emotional distress, and greater pain intensity than noncatastrophizers. Study 3 examined the relation between PCS scores, negative pain-related thoughts, and distress in 28 individuals undergoing an aversive electrodiagnostic medical procedure. Catastrophizers reported more negative pain-related thoughts, more emotional distress, and more pain than noncatastrophizers. Study 4 examined the relation between the PCS and measures of depression, trait anxiety, negative affectivity, and fear of pain. Analyses revealed moderate correlations among these measures, but only the PCS contributed significant unique variance t o the prediction of pain intensity.
Sutureless and Reduced Suture Anastomosis of Hollow Vessels With Fibrin Glue: A Review (1999)

Research in reduced suture fibrin glue (FG) and sutureless FG anastomosis has been lagging behind FG utilization in other surgical fields. A review of the literature for vascular, esophageal, tracheal, gastrointestinal, common bile duct, ureteral, vas deferens, and Fallopian tube FG anastomosis indicates that reduced suture FG and sutureless FG procedures may be performed with less training, reduced operating time, leakage, ischemia, inflammation, and necrosis compared to sutured techniques. Reduced suture FG vascular anastomosis augments early anastomotic strength. Suture number for esophageal, tracheal, and tracheobronchial anastomoses can be reduced with FG. Bursting strength in pig small intestine and rat colon was lower at 4 days postoperatively, but returned to sutured strength at 7 days. Mortality was unaffected, and 18-month follow-up in sutureless FG intestinal anastomosis in pigs showed no stenosis. Preliminary ureteral studies have demonstrated successful sutureless FG and reduced suture FG laparoscopic techniques in pigs. Reduced suture FG and sutureless FG vas deferens anastomosis may reduce sperm granuloma rates, with increased patency and pregnancy rates. Patency and pregnancy rates have been similar for tubal FG, reduced suture FG, autologous fibrin glue (AFG), and sutured anastomosis. Any risk of viral transmission or immune response is eliminated by AFG. While there are few studies in many areas of FG hollow vessel anastomosis, the current literature illustrates many of the advantages of FG over other anastomotic techniques and should provide impetus for continued research in this promising field of surgery.
Trachynilysin mediates SNARE-dependent release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells via external and stored Ca2+ (2000)

Trachynilysin, a 159 kDa dimeric protein purified from stonefish (Synanceia trachynis) venom, dramatically increases spontaneous quantal transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction, depleting small clear synaptic vesicles, whilst not affecting large dense core vesicles. The basis of this insensitivity of large dense core vesicles exocytosis was examined using a fluorimetric assay to determine whether the toxin could elicit catecholamine release from bovine chromaffin cells. Unlike the case of the motor nerve endings, nanomolar concentrations of trachynilysin evoked sustained Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein Attachment Protein REceptor-dependent exocytosis of large dense core vesicles, but only in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. However, this response to trachynilysin does not rely on Ca2+ influx through voltage-activated Ca2+ channels because the secretion was only slightly affected by blockers of L, N and P/Q types. Instead, trachynilysin elicited a localized increase in intracellular fluorescence monitored with fluo-3/AM, that precisely co-localized with the increase of fluorescence resulting from caffeine-induced release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Moreover, depletion of the latter stores inhibited trachynilysin-induced exocytosis. Thus, the observed requirement of external Ca2+ for stimulation of large dense core vesicles exocytosis from chromaffin cells implicates plasma membrane channels that signal efflux of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This study also suggests that the bases of exocytosis of large dense core vesicles from motor nerve terminals and neuroendocrine cells are distinct.
Direct Gene Transfer to the Respiratory Tract of Mice with Pure Plasmid and Lipid-Formulated DNA (1998)

Direct gene transfer into the respiratory system could be carried out for either therapeutic or immunization purposes. Here we demonstrate that cells in the lung can take up and express plasmid DNA encoding a luciferase reporter gene whether it is administered in naked form or formulated with cationic liposomes. Depending on the lipid used, the transfection efficiency with liposome-formulated DNA may be higher, the same as, or less than that with pure plasmid DNA. Tetramethyltetraalkylspermine analogs with alkyl groups of 16 or 18 carbons and DMRIE/cholesterol formulations proved particularly effective. Similar results for reporter gene expression in the lung were obtained whether the DNA (naked or lipid formulated) was administered by indirect, noninvasive intranasal delivery (inhaled or instilled) or by invasive, direct intratracheal delivery (injected or via a cannula). Reporter gene expression peaks around 4 days, then falls off dramatically by 9 days. The dose-response is linear, at least up to 100 microg plasmid DNA, suggesting better transfection efficiencies might be realized if there was not a volume limitation. For a given dose of DNA, the best results are obtained when the DNA is mixed with the minimum amount of lipid that can complex it completely. These results are discussed in the context of direct gene transfer for either gene therapy or delivery of a mucosal DNA vaccine.
Personalized Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA Antedates Breast Cancer Metastatic Recurrence (2019)

This study demonstrates that patient-specific ctDNA analysis can be a sensitive and specific approach for disease surveillance for patients with breast cancer. More importantly, earlier detection of up to 2 years provides a possible window for therapeutic intervention.
Further characterization of delta aroA delta virG Shigella flexneri 2a strain CVD 1203 as a mucosal Shigella vaccine and as a live-vector vaccine for delivering antigens of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (1996)

The use of attenuated delta aroA delta virG Shigella flexneri 2a strain CVD 1203 as a live vector for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) antigens is reported. CVD 1203 alone or expressing colonization factor antigen fimbriae and CS3 fibrillae of ETEC was given to guinea pigs and mice, orogastrically (o.g.) or intranasally (i.n.). CVD 1203 given i.n. elicited high titers of antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and was protective in guinea pigs against a homologous conjunctival challenge. Whereas a strong IgA response against colonization factor antigen CS3, and Shigella LPS was detected in tears and serum of guinea pigs after o.g. or i.n. immunization, the i.n. route elicited significantly higher antibody titers. A strong serum IgG response was also observed against the ETEC antigens, although no serum anti-LPS IgG response was detected. The immune response in mice followed a pattern similar to that in guinea pigs, and the difference between the responses after o.g. and i.n. administration was even more remarkable.
A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the dopamine D2 receptor gene is associated with schizophrenia (1997)

An excess dopaminergic activity may be implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. Our objective was to identify nucleotide variants in the 5′ region of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and to clarify their effects on schizophrenia. We identified two polymorphisms, the A-241G and −141C Ins/Del, by examination of 259 bp in the 5′-flanking region and 249 bp of exon 1 of DRD2. Reporter constructs containing the −141C Delallele cloned into a luciferase reporter plasmid drove 21% (Y-79 cells) and 43% (293 cells) expression compared with the −141C Ins allele. In a case-control study, the −141C Delallele frequency was significantly lower in 260 schizophrenic patients than in 312 controls (OR = 0.60, 95%CI 0.44–0.81, P < 0.001). No significant association was found between the A-241G polymorphism and in vitro luciferase activity, or in allele frequency between the patients versus controls. These findings show that the −141C Ins/Delmay be a functional polymorphism in the 5′-promoter region of DRD2 and may affect the susceptibility to schizophrenia.
Insecticidal Activity of a Bacterial Crystal Protein Expressed by a Recombinant Baculovirus in Insect Cells (1990)

Baculoviruses are insect pathogens with a relatively slow speed of action, and this has limited their use as control agents of insect pests. Introduction into baculoviruses of genes which code for proteins interfering specifically with insect metabolism or metamorphosis, such as toxins, hormones, and enzymes, may enhance the pathogenicity of these viruses. The complete insecticidal crystal protein gene cryIA(b) of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai 7.21 was engineered into the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV) in place of the polyhedrin gene. In infected Spodoptera frugiperda cells, the cryIA(b) gene was expressed at a high level without interference with AcNPV production. The crystal protein was found in the cytoplasm of S. frugiperda cells, mainly as large crystals with an ultrastructure similar to that of B. thuringiensis crystals. Infected-cell extracts inhibited feeding of the large cabbage white Pieris brassicae. The toxicity of the crystal protein expressed by AcNPV recombinants was comparable with that of the crystal protein expressed by a corresponding Escherichia coli recombinant.
Convolved and simultaneous two-modeinput shapers (1997)

Input shaping is a method of reducing residual vibrations in computer controlled machines. Vibration is eliminated by convolving a sequence of impulses with a desired system command to produce a shaped input that is then used to drive the system. Techniques for designing the impulse sequence for two-mode systems are presented. Properties of the various techniques are compared as a function of the mode ratio. Simulations of a two-mode system demonstrate key results.
Routing security in wireless ad hoc networks (2002)

A mobile ad hoc network consists of a collection of wireless mobile nodes that are capable of communicating with each other without the use of a network infrastructure or any centralized administration. MANET is an emerging research area with practical applications. However, wireless MANET is particularly vulnerable due to its fundamental characteristics, such as open medium, dynamic topology, distributed cooperation, and constrained capability. Routing plays an important role in the security of the entire network. In general, routing security in wireless MANETs appears to be a problem that is not trivial to solve. In this article we study the routing security issues of MANETs, and analyze in detail one type of attack-the "black hole" problem-that can easily be employed against the MANETs. We also propose a solution for the black hole problem for ad hoc on-demand distance vector routing protocol.
Detection of hibernated myocardium using intracoronary technetium-99m-sestamibi. (1997)

A possible limitation of intravenously administered perfusion tracers in detecting hibernating myocardium is their poor availability in low-flow areas. We have hypothesized that intracoronary administration might overcome such a limitation. In two patients with a previous anterior myocardial infarction and a severe residual stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery, technetium-99m-sestamibi (74 MBq) was selectively injected into the infarct-related coronary artery before successful PTCA. SPECT imaging was carried out 1 hour after the PTCA. In patient 1, evident tracer uptake was detected in the majority of the antero-apical dys-synergic area, previously characterized by a severe irreversible defect (less than 50% of peak activity) at rest-redistribution thallium SPECT ("mismatched pattern"); in patient 2, no uptake of sestamibi was detected in the dys-synergic area showing a severe irreversible defect (less than 50% of peak activity) at rest-redistribution thallium SPECT, ("matched pattern"). Forty days after PTCA, contractile recovery as well as normalization of thallium uptake occurred in patient 1, confirming that most of the dys-synergic area was viable (hibernating), while neither wall motion nor thallium uptake improvement occurred in patient 2, confirming that most of the dys-synergic area was not viable (scar). We conclude that sestamibi retention in the dys-synergic area after selective intracoronary administration correctly identified viable and scarred myocardium. The potential diagnostic value of intracoronary sestamibi at the time of coronary angiography deserves to be validated as a possible alternative to other current procedures for detecting hibernating myocardium.
Activities of Certain 5-Substituted 4′-Thiopyrimidine Nucleosides against Orthopoxvirus Infections (2008)

As part of a program to identify new compounds that have activity against orthopoxviruses, a number of 4'-thionucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for their efficacies against vaccinia and cowpox viruses. Seven compounds that were active at about 1 microM against both viruses in human cells but that did not have significant toxicity were identified. The 5-iodo analog, 1-(2-deoxy-4-thio-beta-d-ribofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil (4'-thioIDU), was selected as a representative molecule; and this compound also inhibited viral DNA synthesis at less than 1 microM but only partially inhibited the replication of a recombinant vaccinia virus that lacked a thymidine kinase. This compound retained complete activity against cidofovir- and ST-246-resistant mutants. To determine if this analog had activity in an animal model, mice were infected intranasally with vaccinia or cowpox virus and treatment with 4'-thioIDU was given intraperitoneally or orally twice daily at 50, 15, 5, or 1.5 mg/kg of body weight beginning at 24 to 120 h postinfection and was continued for 5 days. Almost complete protection (87%) was observed when treatment with 1.5 mg/kg was begun at 72 h postinfection, and significant protection (73%) was still obtained when treatment with 5 mg/kg was initiated at 96 h. Virus titers in the liver, spleen, and kidney were reduced by about 4 log(10) units and about 2 log(10) units in mice infected with vaccinia virus and cowpox virus, respectively. These results indicate that 4'-thioIDU is a potent, nontoxic inhibitor of orthopoxvirus replication in cell culture and experimental animal infections and suggest that it may have potential for use in the treatment of orthopoxvirus infections in animals and humans.
Analysis of High-dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in 16 Patients with Refractory Autoimmune Blistering Skin Disease: High Efficacy and No Serious Adverse Events (2013)

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is used in patients with severe autoimmune blistering diseases that are refractory to standard immunosuppressive therapy. To determine the efficacy and frequency of adverse events of IVIG therapy, we retrospectively analysed data for 16 patients with pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, paraneoplastic pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid and paraneoplastic bullous pemphigoid. Frequency of adverse reactions and efficacy of IVIG were analysed over time with a scoring system for every 6 months of IVIG therapy. Headache (43.8%) and fatigue (43.8%) were the most common side-effects recorded; serious adverse reactions did not occur. There was good overall efficacy, as measured by clinical response rates using a clinical score, as well as indicated by a mean reduction of 75.8% in the starting steroid dose.
Microvalves and Micropumps for BioMEMS (2011)

This review presents an extensive overview of a large number of microvalve and micropump designs with great variability in performance and operation. The performance of a given design varies greatly depending on the particular assembly procedure and there is no standardized performance test against which all microvalves and micropumps can be compared. We present the designs with a historical perspective and provide insight into their advantages and limitations for biomedical uses.
Identification of the polyamine-induced protein as a periplasmic oligopeptide binding protein. (1990)

The physiological function of the polyamine-induced protein (PI protein), whose synthesis is stimulated at an early stage after the addition of putrescine to growing cells of a polyamine-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli (Mitsui, K., Igarashi, K., Kakegawa, T., and Hirose, S. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 2679-2683), has been studied. The following findings clearly show that the PI protein is a binding protein of an oligopeptide transport system. (a) PI protein was found in a periplasmic fraction. (b) When the restriction map of a clone for the PI protein gene was compared with Kohara's physical map (Kohara, Y., Akiyama, K., and Isono, K. (1987) Cell 50, 495-508), the gene was found at 27 min of the E. coli chromosome, where genes for an oligopeptide transport system were located. (c) The clone contained a 1,629-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a 543-amino acid protein whose calculated Mr was 60,901, and the predicted amino acid sequence from this open reading frame was quite similar to that of an oligopeptide binding protein of Salmonella typhimurium. (d) When the transport activity of a tripeptide, Gly-Leu-125I-Tyr, was measured in a polyamine-requiring mutant of E. coli growing both in the presence and absence of putrescine, the activity was higher in the cells growing in its presence. (e) Polyamine stimulation of cell growth was greater when an oligopeptide rather than corresponding amino acids was added to the medium. These results suggest that the polyamine stimulation of PI protein synthesis at the early stage after the addition of putrescine contributes to the polyamine stimulation of cell growth through the supply of nutrients.