gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Microbial Synthesis and Physical Properties of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Poly[(R)-3-Hydroxybutyrate] (1998)

ABSTRACT Ultra-high-molecular-weight poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate](P(3HB)) was biosynthesized from glucose by a recombinant Escherichia coli XL-1 Blue (pSYL105) harboring Alcaligenes eutrophus PHB biosynthesis phbCAB genes. Six kinds of P(3HB) samples with differ-ent weight-average molecular weight (Mw ) from 1.1 × 106 to 11 × 106 measured by multi-angle laser light scattering were respectively produced at pH values of 7.0 to 6.5 in culture media. Solvent-cast P(3HB) films of high-molecular-weights over Mw of 3.3 × 106 were stretched easily and reproducibly at 160°C to a draw ratio of 400-650%. Mechanical properties of the stretched P(3HB) films were markedly improved relative to those of solvent-cast film. The elongation to break, Young's modulus, and tensile- strength of stretched film (Mw = 11 × 106) were 58%, 1.1 GPa, and 62 MPa, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the stretched film was highly oriented and had a high crystallinity over 80%. When the stretched film was annealed at 160°C for 2 hours, the mechanical properties were further improved (elongation to break = 67%, Young's modulus = 1.8 GPa and tensile strength = 77 MPa). The mechanical properties of the stretched-annealed film remained almost unchanged for 6 months at room temperature, suggesting that a high crystallinity of the stretched-annealed film avoids a progress of secondary crystallization.
Adenosine receptors: targets for future drugs (1982)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTAdenosine receptors: targets for future drugsJohn W. DalyCite this: J. Med. Chem. 1982, 25, 3, 197–207Publication Date (Print):March 1, 1982Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 March 1982https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jm00345a001https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00345a001research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views911Altmetric-Citations570LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts
Myoclonic status in nonprogressive encephalopathies: An update (2009)

Myoclonic status in nonprogressive encephalopathies (MSNE) is an epileptic syndrome in development, characterized by the early onset of continuous diffuse epileptiform abnormalities, accompanied by positive and/or negative phenomena correlated with transient and recurring motor, cognitive, or behavioral disturbances. Outcome of MSNE is poor and may determine progressive neurologic deterioration. MSNE is not easy to recognize and should be distinguished from progressive myoclonic epilepsies and other rarely reported infantile myoclonic epilepsies. The identification of MSNE may guide the diagnostic work-up, suggesting the presence of a genetic defect, such as Angelman syndrome, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or brain malformation.
Study of IgM Aggregation in Serum of Patients with Macroglobulinemia (2000)

The effect of solvent conditions on the aggregation of IgM in serum specimens from patients with macroglobulinemia was studied by a turbidimetric procedure. Aggregation of IgM varied considerably among the samples and was affected by a number of experimental parameters. In general, IgM aggregation was more pronounced under acidic conditions and in solvents with low ionic strength. The presence of water-miscible organic solvents also promoted aggregation. Based on these studies, it was concluded that the major force involved in the formation of immunoglobulin aggregates in the serum of patients with macroglobulinemia was electrostatic, rather than hydrophobic, interactions. A number of additives known to prevent protein aggregation were evaluated for their effectiveness in inhibiting IgM aggregation. The only additives that were shown to inhibit or reduce IgM aggregation were charged molecules, such as arginine, sodium chloride, ethylenediamintetraacetic acid and quaternary ammonium beta-cyclodextrin. Some of these charged additives were also effective in dissociating the IgM aggregates once they were formed, even in the presence of detergent.
How Translocons Select Transmembrane Helices (2008)

Like all cellular proteins, membrane proteins are synthesized by ribosomes. But unlike their soluble counterparts, highly hydrophobic membrane proteins require auxiliary machineries to prevent aggregation in aqueous cellular compartments. The principal machine is the translocon, which works in concert with ribosomes to manage the orderly insertion of alpha-helical membrane proteins directly into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of eukaryotes or into the plasma membrane of bacteria. In the course of insertion, membrane proteins come into thermodynamic equilibrium with the lipid membrane, where physicochemical interactions determine the final three-dimensional structure. Much progress has been made during the past several years toward understanding the physical chemistry of membrane protein stability, the structure of the translocon machine, and the mechanisms by which the translocon selects and inserts transmembrane helices. We review this progress and consider the connection between the physical principles of membrane protein stability and translocon selection of transmembrane helices.
Experimental and computational studies of phase shift lithography with binary elastomeric masks (2006)

This article presents experimental and computational studies of a phase shifting photolithographic technique that uses binary elastomeric phase masks in conformal contact with layers of photoresist. The work incorporates optimized masks formed by casting and curing prepolymers to the elastomer poly(dimethylsiloxane) against anisotropically etched structures of single crystal silicon on SiO2∕Si. Scanning optical microscopy and full-vector finite element computations reveal the important near field and proximity optical effects. Representative structures fabricated with this technique, including several that exploit subtle features in the intensity distributions, illustrate some of the capabilities.
CD1d on antigen-transporting APC and splenic marginal zone B cells promotes NKT cell-dependent tolerance (2002)

CD1d-reactive NKT cells are required for the development of antigen-specific T regulatory (Tr) cells responsible for mediating systemic tolerance induced through an immune privileged site such as the eye. The aim of this study was to elucidate the cellular source of CD1d needed for NKT cell activation. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta)-2-treated peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) functionally resemble "eye-derived" antigen-presenting cells (APC) and contribute to the generation of Tr cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, when TGF beta-2-treated PEC were pretreated with CD1d-specific antibodies or lacked CD1d expression they failed to induce Tr cells. In addition, we show that the subpopulation of marginal zone (MZ) B cells within the spleen is necessary for induction of Tr cells and that they also must express CD1d. The role of MZ B in tolerance is novel and previously unexplored. Thus, CD1d is necessarily expressed on putative eye-derived APC and splenic MZ B cells for efficient generation of Tr cells in CD1d-reactive NKT cell-dependent tolerance.
Charge control and mobility studies for an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (1999)

A charge control model and a mobility model are developed for the Al–GaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) device. The model addresses issues of how piezoelectric effect and interface roughness influence device properties. We find that even small amount of interface roughness has very strong effect on the two-dimensional electron gas properties. Low-lying electronic states are strongly localized and transport through these states is not described by Born approximation but by phonon-assisted hopping. At low temperature the effects of localization are quite important and we use the Kubo formula to study this transport. Results for charge control and mobility are presented as a function of Al composition in the AlGaN/GaN HEMT.
Superoxide dismutase amplifies organismal sensitivity to ionizing radiation (1989)

Although increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is often associated with enhanced resistance of cells and organisms to oxidant challenges, few direct tests of the antioxidant importance of this enzyme have been carried out. To assess the importance of SOD in defending against gamma-radiation, we employed Escherichia coli with deficient, normal, and super-normal enzyme activities. Surprisingly, the radiation sensitivity of E. coli actually increases as bacterial SOD activity increases. Elevated intracellular SOD activity sensitizes E. coli to radiation-induced mortality, whereas SOD-deficient bacteria show normal or decreased radiosensitivity. Toxic effects of activated oxygen species are involved in this phenomenon; bacterial SOD activity has no effect on radiation sensitivity under anaerobic conditions or on the lethality of other, non-oxygen-dependent, toxins such as ultraviolet radiation.
Comprehensive natural products chemistry (1999)

Collecting together aspects of the chemistry of natural products, this work was conceived as a source of the underlying general principles governing modern natural products physics.
Multiplex Amplicon Quantification (MAQ), a fast and efficient method for the simultaneous detection of copy number alterations in neuroblastoma (2010)

Multiplex Amplicon Quantification is a low-cost and high-throughput PCR-based technique that can reliably detect copy number alterations in regions with prognostic relevance for neuroblastoma.
Loss of nm23 expression predicts distal metastases and poorer survival for breast cancer (2001)

The nm23 gene, originally identified by differential hybridization of metastatic murine melanoma cell lines has been associated with decreased metastatic potential. In this study, we evaluated the utility of nm23 expression levels as a predictive and a prognostic biomarker for distal metastases and poor survival in a Chinese cohort of 168 breast cancer patients. Our study indicates that high nm23 expression is associated with older age (older than 35 years) and smaller tumor size. There is no statistically significant association between nm23 expression and pathologic type or axillary metastasis. High nm23 expression is associated with the absence of distal metastases. Nearly 80% of women with high nm23 expression are alive after 10 years compared to 25% with low expression; at five years the cumulative survival proportions are 86% and 46%, respectively. The Cox model for survival indicates that controlling for tumor size and presence of axillary metastases at diagnosis, the hazard for women with low nm23 expression is nearly 4 times that of women with high nm23 expression. Low nm23 expression is predictive of distal metastases and appears to be a risk factor that is independent of the presence or absence of positive axillary nodes at diagnosis.
Increased expression of survivin in gastric cancer patients and in first degree relatives (2002)

Survivin was recently described as an apoptosis inhibitor. Its pathogenic role in gastric cancer is largely unknown. Expression of survivin in gastric cancer and non-cancer first-degree relatives, and its association with apoptosis and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression was investigated. Fifty gastric cancer, 30 non-cancer first-degree relatives, 20 normal controls and five gastric cancer cell lines were studied. Survivin and cyclo-oxygenase-2 were evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Survivin expression was absent from normal gastric mucosa. All five cancer cell lines and 34 out of 50 (68%) human gastric cancer tissues expressed survivin mRNA. Survivin expression was less frequent (22%; P<0.001) in adjacent non-tumour gastric tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot obtained similar findings. Gastric cancers with survivin expression displayed significantly reduced apoptosis (P=0.02), and associated with cyclo-oxygenase-2 overexpression at both mRNA (P=0.001) and protein levels (P=0.041). Moreover, survivin mRNA was detected in the gastric mucosa of eight (27%) non-cancer relatives. Expression in non-cancer patients showed positive correlation with H. pylori infection (P=0.004). This demonstrates the frequent expression of survivin in gastric cancer and in first-degree relatives. Co-expression of survivin and cyclo-oxygenase-2 may suggest multiple pathways contributing to the inhibition of apoptosis in gastric cancer.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Factor VIII Inactivation: Study With an IgG4 Monoclonal Antibody Derived From a Hemophilia A Patient With Inhibitor (1998)

The development of an immune response towards factor VIII (fVIII) remains a major complication for hemophilia A patients receiving fVIII infusions. The design of a specific therapy to restore unresponsiveness to fVIII has been hampered by the diversity of the anti-fVIII antibody. Molecular analysis of the specific immune response is therefore required. To this end, we have characterized an fVIII-specific human IgG4kappa monoclonal antibody (BO2C11) produced by a cell line derived from the memory B-cell repertoire of a hemophilia A patient with inhibitor. BO2C11 recognizes the C2 domain of fVIII and inhibits its binding to both von Willebrand factor (vWF) and phospholipids. It completely inhibits the procoagulant activity of native and activated fVIII, with a specific activity of approximately 7,000 Bethesda units/mg. vWF reduces the rate of fVIII inactivation by BO2C11. The antibody-fVIII association rate constant (kass approximately 7.4 x 10(5) M-1 s-1) is eightfold lower than that for vWF-fVIII association, whereas its dissociation rate constant (kdiss < or = 1 x 10(-5) s-1) is 100-fold lower than that for the vWF-fVIII complex, which suggests that BO2C11 almost irreversibly neutralizes fVIII after its dissociation from vWF. BO2C11 is the first human monoclonal anti-fVIII IgG antibody that has been isolated and allows the study of fVIII inactivation at the molecular level.
Spinal NF‐kB activation induces COX‐2 upregulation and contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity (2004)

Abstract Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is a major contributor to the elevation of spinal prostaglandin E2 , which augments the processing of nociceptive stimuli following peripheral inflammation, and dynorphin has been shown to have an important role in acute and chronic pain states. Moreover, the transcription factor, nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐kB), regulates the expressions of both COX‐2 and dynorphin. To elucidate the role of spinal NF‐kB in the induction of inflammatory pain hypersensitivity, we examined whether activated NF‐kB affects pain behavior and the expressions of the mRNAs of COX‐2 and prodynorphin following peripheral inflammation. Intrathecal pretreatment with different NF‐kB inhibitors, namely, NF‐kB decoy or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia following unilateral hindpaw inflammation evoked by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). These NF‐kB inhibitors also suppressed the activation of spinal NF‐kB and the subsequent remarkable elevation of spinal COX‐2 mRNA, but not that of prodynorphin mRNA. In addition, the activation of spinal NF‐kB following CFA injection was inhibited by intrathecal pretreatments with interleukin‐1β receptor antagonist or caspase‐1 inhibitor. In view of the fact that interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) is the major inducer of spinal COX‐2 upregulation following CFA injection, our results suggest that IL‐1β‐induced spinal COX‐2 upregulation and pain hypersensitivity following peripheral inflammation are mediated through the activation of the NF‐kB‐associated pathways.
Structure and immunogenicity of pre-fusion-stabilized human metapneumovirus F glycoprotein (2017)

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a frequent cause of bronchiolitis in young children. Its F glycoprotein mediates virus-cell membrane fusion and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. The inability to produce recombinant hMPV F glycoprotein in the metastable pre-fusion conformation has hindered structural and immunological studies. Here, we engineer a pre-fusion-stabilized hMPV F ectodomain and determine its crystal structure to 2.6 Å resolution. This structure reveals molecular determinants of strain-dependent acid-induced fusion, as well as insights into refolding from pre- to post-fusion conformations. A dense glycan shield at the apex of pre-fusion hMPV F suggests that antibodies against this site may not be elicited by host immune responses, which is confirmed by depletion studies of human immunoglobulins and by mouse immunizations. This is a major difference with pre-fusion F from human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), and collectively our results should facilitate development of effective hMPV vaccine candidates.
Scanning peptide array analyses identify overlapping binding sites for the signalling scaffold proteins, β-arrestin and RACK1, in cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase PDE4D5 (2006)

The cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase PDE4D5 can interact with the signalling scaffold proteins RACK (receptors for activated C-kinase) 1 and beta-arrestin. Two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation analyses showed that RACK1 and beta-arrestin interact with PDE4D5 in a mutually exclusive manner. Overlay studies with PDE4D5 scanning peptide array libraries showed that RACK1 and beta-arrestin interact at overlapping sites within the unique N-terminal region of PDE4D5 and at distinct sites within the conserved PDE4 catalytic domain. Screening scanning alanine substitution peptide arrays, coupled with mutagenesis and truncation studies, allowed definition of RACK1 and beta-arrestin interaction sites. Modelled on the PDE4D catalytic domain, these form distinct well-defined surface-exposed patches on helices-15-16, for RACK1, and helix-17 for beta-arrestin. siRNA (small interfering RNA)-mediated knockdown of RACK1 in HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) B2 cells increased beta-arrestin-scaffolded PDE4D5 approx. 5-fold, increased PDE4D5 recruited to the beta2AR (beta2-adrenergic receptor) upon isoproterenol challenge approx. 4-fold and severely attenuated (approx. 4-5 fold) both isoproterenol-stimulated PKA (protein kinase A) phosphorylation of the beta2AR and activation of ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase). The ability of a catalytically inactive form of PDE4D5 to exert a dominant negative effect in amplifying isoproterenol-stimulated ERK activation was ablated by a mutation that blocked the interaction of PDE4D5 with beta-arrestin. In the present study, we show that the signalling scaffold proteins RACK1 and beta-arrestin compete to sequester distinct 'pools' of PDE4D5. In this fashion, alterations in the level of RACK1 expression may act to modulate signal transduction mediated by the beta2AR.
Inverse Miniemulsion ATRP:  A New Method for Synthesis and Functionalization of Well-Defined Water-Soluble/Cross-Linked Polymeric Particles (2006)

A new methodology for the synthesis and functionalization of nanometer-sized colloidal particles consisting of well-defined, water-soluble, functional polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n) < 1.3) was developed, utilizing atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of water-soluble monomers in an inverse miniemulsion. The optional introduction of a disulfide-functionalized cross-linker allowed for the synthesis of cross-linked (bio)degradable nanogels. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements indicated that these particles possessed excellent colloidal stability. ATRP in inverse miniemulsion led to materials with several desirable features. The colloidal particles preserved a high degree of halogen chain-end functionality, which enabled further functionalization. Cross-linked nanogels with a uniformly cross-linked network were prepared. They were degraded to individual polymeric chains with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n) < 1.5) in a reducing environment. Higher colloidal stability, higher swelling ratios, and better controlled degradability indicated that the nanogels prepared by ATRP were superior to their corresponding counterparts prepared by conventional free radical polymerization (RP) in inverse miniemulsion.
Resolution of Ion Translocating Proteolipid Subclasses Active in Bacterial Calcification (1989)

Formation of calcium hydroxyapatite occurs on membrane surfaces via interaction of calcium, inorganic phosphate, phospholipids, calcifiable proteolipids, and ion flux to and from the nucleating site. Recently, this laboratory reported that proteolipids from the calcifying bacterium, Bacterionema matruchotti, act as an ionophore when reconstituted into bacteriorhodopsin-proteoliposomes. This ionophoric activity is blocked by [14C]dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ([14C]DCCD). SDS-PAGE shows that [14C]DCCD binds to a single band of Mr 8500. To determine whether proteins other than the [14C]DCCD-binding protein are involved, we examined the function of proteolipid species extracted by solvents of differing polarity. Proteolipids were isolated independently from chloroform:methanol (2:1) and chloroform:methanol:HCl (200:100:1) extracts of the bacteria by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and were electrophoresed on 12.5% acrylamide gels. The chloroform:methanol extract contained a major hand at Mr 10,000 that was not present in gels of proteolipid isolated by acidified solvent. Proteolipids extracted in chloroform:methanol:HCl included a broad band at Mr 8500, which co-migrated with the [14C] DCCD-binding protein. The rate and extent of proton translocation were not altered when either proteolipid extract was added individually to bacteriorhodopsin proteoliposomes. However, when proteolipids isolated from the chloroform:methanol and chloroform:methanol:HCl extracts were combined, the rate and extent of translocation were increased. These data demonstrate that at least two proteolipid proteins are necessary for ionophoric activity, the Mr 10,000 protein isolated by chloroform:methanol 2:1 and the [14C]DCCD-binding protein requiring acidified solvent for extraction.