gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Novel Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Genes VEGF-B and VEGF-C Localize to Chromosomes 11q13 and 4q34, Respectively (1996)

The VEGF-B locus in 11q13 and the VEGF-C locus in 4q34 are candidate targets for mutations that lead to vascular malformations or cardiovascular diseases.
Wide-area measurement based stabilizing control of large power systems-a decentralized/hierarchical approach (2001)

The aim of this paper is to assess the capability of the emerging synchronized phasor measurement technology in improving the overall stability of the Hydro-Quebec transmission system through supplementary modulation of voltage regulators. Following a thorough singular value and eigenvalue analysis of the system dynamic interactions, five control sites consisting of four generators and one synchronous condenser are chosen to implement new power system stabilizers with a supplementary input from remote phasor measuring units, geographically spread over nine electrically coherent areas. Since the remote feedback loops are built on top of an existing decentralized control system, this design approach results in a decentralized/hierarchical control architecture with significant advantages in terms of reliability and operational flexibility. A systematic control and measurement pairing yielded four dominant natural loops, each associated with a significant open-loop inter-area oscillatory mode at 0.06, 0.4, 0.7 and 0.95 Hz respectively. These PSSs have a speed sensitive local loop operating in the usual way, and a wide-area measurement based global loop which involves a single differential frequency signal between two suitably selected areas. The tuning and coordination technique for these advanced multiple input signals PSSs is described. Their impacts on the system is assessed using both small-signal analysis and nonlinear simulations in a transient stability program. Wide-area stabilizing controllers have a significant potential in improving the dynamic performance of the Hydro-Quebec's existing power system.
Complexing Agents and pH Influence on Chemical Durability of Type I Molded Glass Containers (2017)

Among the factors that affect the glass surface chemical durability, pH and complexing agents presence in aqueous solution have the main role (1). Glass surface attack can be also related to the delamination issue with glass particles appearance in the pharmaceutical preparation. A few methods to check for glass containers delamination propensity and some control guidelines have been proposed (2,3). The present study emphasizes the possible synergy between a few complexing agents with pH on the borosilicate glass chemical durability. Hydrolytic attack was performed in small volume 23 ml type I glass containers autoclaved according to EP or USP for 1 hour at 121°C, in order to enhance the chemical attack due to time, temperature and the unfavourable surface/volume ratio. 0,048 M or 0.024 M (moles/liter) solutions of the acids citric, glutaric, acetic, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and sodium phosphate with water for comparison, were used for the trials. The pH was adjusted ± 0,05 units at fixed values 5,5-6,6-7-7,4-8-9 by LiOH diluted solution. Since silicon is the main glass network former, silicon release into the attack solutions was chosen as the main index of the glass surface attack and analysed by ICPAES. The work was completed by the analysis of the silicon release in the worst attack conditions, of moulded glass, soda lime type II and tubing borosilicate glass vials to compare different glass compositions and forming technologies. Surface analysis by SEM was finally performed to check for the surface status after the worst chemical attack condition by citric acid.
Studies in Red Blood Cell Preservation:9. The Role of Glutamine in Red Cell Preservation (1994)

Previous studies have demonstrated that an additive solution containing ammonium chloride (NH(4)^+) and phosphate (Pi) in addition to adenine, glucose and mannitol would support red blood cell (RBC) in vitro characteristics and in vivo 24- hour viability after storage for 9 weeks. The purpose of the present study was to determine if NH(4)^+ generated by the action of glutaminase on glutamine could be substituted for added NH(4)^+ salts. Packed RBCs were stored with equal volumes of adenine, glucose, mannitol, and citrate containing additive solutions with 10 mM glutamine (EAS 31) or with 10 mM glutamine and either 10 (EAS 36) or 20 mM (EAS 37) Pi. One aliquot was stored with Adsol®. The mean ATP levels of the RBCs stored in the glutamine plus phosphate EASs were 132 (10 mM Pi) and 144% (20 mA/Pi) of the initial levels at 28 days, and at 84 days remained at 48 and 56%, respectively. The ATP levels of the RBC stored in Adsol were 105 and 25% at 28 and 84 days of storage, respectively. Percentage hemolysis and vésiculation was significantly lower (p<0.01) for RBCs stored in glutamine and glutamine plus phosphate as compared to RBCs stored in Adsol. The levels of NEB were 22 to 34% higher in the EASs than in Adsol at the end of 84 days of storage, suggesting that glutamine is broken down by glutaminase to generate NH(4)^+ The mean corpuscular volumes (MCVs) of RBCs in EASs 36 and 37 were substantially higher than in Adsol throughout the course of storage (p < 0.01 ). Elowever, the MCVs in the additive containing glutamine and no Pi were higher only for 42 days.
Calcium Plays a Complex Role in the Regulation of Melanogenesis in Murine B16 Melanoma Cells (1993)

To learn more of the role of calcium in the regulation of melanogenesis, we have used direct manipulation of medium calcium and pharmacological modulation of intracellular calcium to examine the consequences on unstimulated and cyclic AMP elevated tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis and distribution in B16 melanoma cells. In unstimulated cells, calcium is clearly inhibitory to tyrosinase activity. However, in cells stimulated with cAMP-elevating agents the requirement for extracellular calcium was changed such that cells required a minimum of 0.4-0.6 mmol medium calcium for maximum tyrosinase response to these agents. Paradoxically, pharmacologically increasing intracellular calcium in cAMP-stimulated cells with ionophore inhibited tyrosinase activity, and the calcium-lowering agent TMB8 and the calcium channel blocker verapamil both stimulated tyrosinase activity. When melanin synthesis was measured in cAMP-stimulated cells, TMB8 was found to significantly increase the sensitivity and the maximum melanogenic response to alpha-MSH, suggesting the presence of at least one level of endogenous calcium inhibitory control operative in these cells. In addition, TMB8 changed the distribution of melanin between the cell and the medium such that, in the presence of alpha-MSH and TMB8, significantly more melanin was secreted into the medium. These data suggest that calcium is required for several steps in melanogenesis, having an apparently inhibitory effect on pre-tyrosinase activity in unstimulated cells, but also showing evidence of a positive role in cyclic AMP-stimulated tyrosinase activity, as well as a further possible inhibitory role in melanin movement or secretion.
Recent developments in understanding the regulation of starch metabolism in higher plants (2004)

This article reviews current knowledge of starch metabolism in higher plants, and focuses on the control and regulation of the biosynthetic and degradative pathways. The major elements comprising the synthetic and degradative pathways in plastids are discussed, and show that, despite present knowledge of the core reactions within each pathway, understanding of how these individual reactions are co-ordinated within different plastid types and under different environmental conditions, is far from complete. In particular, recently discovered aspects of the fine control of starch metabolism are discussed, which indicate that a number of key reactions are controlled by post-translational modifications of enzymes, including redox modulation and protein phosphorylation. In some cases, enzymes of the pathway may form protein complexes with specific functional significance. It is suggested that some of the newly discovered aspects of fine control of the biosynthetic pathway may well apply to many other proteins which are directly and indirectly involved in polymer synthesis and degradation.
RNA Targeting Therapeutics: Molecular Mechanisms of Antisense Oligonucleotides as a Therapeutic Platform (2010)

Dramatic advances in understanding of the roles RNA plays in normal health and disease have greatly expanded over the past 10 years and have made it clear that scientists are only beginning to comprehend the biology of RNAs. It is likely that RNA will become an increasingly important target for therapeutic intervention; therefore, it is important to develop strategies for therapeutically modulating RNA function. Antisense oligonucleotides are perhaps the most direct therapeutic strategy to approach RNA. Antisense oligonucleotides are designed to bind to the target RNA by well-characterized Watson-Crick base pairing, and once bound to the target RNA, modulate its function through a variety of postbinding events. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which antisense oligonucleotides can be designed to modulate RNA function in mammalian cells and how synthetic oligonucleotides behave in the body.
Identification of Presynaptic Neurons by Laser Photostimulation (1983)

An optical method involving the use of a laser and a novel fluorescent dye as a photostimulation probe has been developed to identify presynaptic neurons in a large ensemble of cells. Illumination of an extracellularly stained neuron by the laser microbeam evokes action potentials. With this technique an interneuron connecting identified leech neurons was quickly located. The method speeds up the elucidation of neuronal networks, especially when small cells are involved.
Effects of transforming growth factor-beta, transforming growth factor-alpha, and other growth factors on renal proximal tubule cells. (1991)

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) addition to quiescent, confluent monolayers of rabbit renal proximal tubule cells in primary culture stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation. TGF-alpha and EGF promoted a 14-fold rise in thymidine incorporation over control levels with half-maximal responses at 2 x 10(-9) M. IGF-1 only promoted a 4-fold rise in thymidine incorporation compared with control values with a half-maximal response of 10(-8) M. Platelet-derived growth factor alone did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation and did not potentiate the effects of EGF or IGF-1 on DNA synthesis, suggesting that platelet-derived growth factor is neither a competence nor a progression growth factor for renal proximal tubule cells. TGF-beta inhibited both baseline and EGF-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation after 48 hours of exposure but enhanced EGF-stimulated DNA synthesis at 24 hours. Morphologic evaluation with phase contrast microscopy, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that TGF-beta promoted a dramatic phenotypic transformation of the epithelial monolayer with migration and adhesion of the cells to form solid clusters of adherent cells. Quantitative morphometry demonstrated that this transformation developed 24 hours after TGF-beta exposure, was nearing completion after 48 hours of TGF-beta treatment, and correlated to TGF-beta related inhibition of EGF-induced DNA synthesis (r = -0.82, p less than 0.01). These results demonstrate that EGF and TGF-alpha are the most potent growth promoters for renal proximal tubule cells. IGF-1 is only a modest growth promoter, whereas platelet-derived growth factor has no effect either as a competence or progressive growth factor. TGF-beta inhibited EGF-induced DNA synthesis but only after observable phenotypic transformation of the cells. The degree of TGF-beta promoted transformation on renal tubule cells was highly correlative to th e antiproliferative effect of TGF-beta, suggesting that similar molecular components which promote this phenotypic transformation may also be critical in the antiproliferative effect of TGF-beta.
Contribution of Individual Tryptophan Residues to the Structure and Activity of θ‐Toxin (Perfringolysin O), A Cholesterol‐Binding Cytolysin (1996)

theta-Toxin (perfringolysin O), secreted by Clostridium perfringens, shares with other known thiol-activated toxins a conserved undecapeptide, ECTGLAWEWWR, located in the C-terminal region of the protein and containing the unique cysteine of the molecule. Single and double amino acid substitutions were created in the theta-toxin molecule to investigate the role of individual tryptophan residues in the lytic activity of theta-toxin. Wild-type and mutant theta-toxins were overproduced in Escherichia coli by means of a T7 RNA polymerase/promoter system and purified. The relative hemolytic activities of four mutant toxins, each with a Trp to Phe substitution outside the common Cys-containing region, were more than 60% that of wild-type theta-toxin. In contrast, mutant toxins with Phe replacements within the Cys-containing region (at Trp436, Trp438 or Trp439) showed significantly reduced hemolytic and erythrocyte-membrane-binding activities. The largest reduction in binding affinity, more than 100-fold, was observed for Trp438 mutant toxins. However, the mutants retain binding specificity for cholesterol and the ability to form arc-shaped and ring-shaped structures on membranes. These results indicate that the low hemolytic activities of these mutant toxins can be ascribed, at least in part, to reduced binding activities. With respect to protease susceptibility and far-ultraviolet circular-dichroism spectra, only the W436-->F mutant toxin, showed any considerable difference from wild-type toxin in secondary or higher-order structures, indicating that Trp436 is essential for maintenance of toxin structure.
β-Defensins in Lung Host Defense (2002)

Host defenses at the mucosal surface of the airways evolved to present many layers of protection against inhaled microbes. Normally, the intrapulmonary airways are sterile. Airway secretions contain numerous factors with antimicrobial activity that contribute to innate defenses. Many protein and peptide components exert bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal effects against a wide variety of organisms and may act in synergistic or additive combinations. The beta-defensins are a relatively recently described family of peptide antimicrobials that are widely expressed at mucosal surfaces, including airway and submucosal gland epithelia. These small cationic peptides are products of individual genes that exhibit broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and some enveloped viruses. Their expression in airway epithelia may be constitutive or inducible by bacterial products or pro-inflammatory cytokines. beta-defensins also act as chemokines for adaptive immune cells, including immature dendritic cells and T cells via the CCR6 receptor, and provide a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Alterations in the function of the beta-defensins may contribute to disease states. Here we review much of the biology of the beta-defensins, including gene discovery, genomic organization, molecular structure, regulation of expression, and function.
Chemotherapy can prolong survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer--report of a Canadian multicenter randomized trial. (1988)

The survival benefit of combination chemotherapy to patients with advanced non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC) is controversial. To study this question, the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) Clinical Trials Group conducted a prospective randomized trial comparing best supportive care (BSC) to two chemotherapy regimens, vindesine and cisplatin (VP), and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP). Between February 1983 and January 1986, 23 centers across Canada entered 251 patients on study. Eighteen centers participated in the three-arm schema (150 patients); centers choosing not to participate in a study with a no-chemotherapy arm followed a two-arm schema comparing VP with CAP (101 additional patients). Altogether, 233 patients were eligible. Patients had measurable or evaluable disease, with either distant metastases (82.5%) or bulky limited disease considered inoperable or unsuitable for radical radiotherapy. The treatment groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, performance status, histology, disease extent, and weight loss. The overall response rates (complete response [CR] plus partial response [PR]) on the chemotherapy arms were CAP, 15.3%, and VP, 25.3% (P = .06). Patients on the three-arm portion of the trial had a median survival of 32.6 weeks when treated with VP, 24.7 weeks with CAP, and 17 weeks with BSC. The significance of the differences in survival, adjusted for prognostic factors, is as follows: chemotherapy v BSC, P = .02; VP v BSC, P = .01; and CAP v BSC, P = .05. Toxicity on the chemotherapy arms was significant, with leukopenia of severe or greater degree occurring in 37.8% (CAP) and 40.0% (VP), severe vomiting in 12.2% (CAP) and 23.3% (VP), and severe neurotoxicity in 15.6% (VP).
Warm Compress Induced Visual Degradation and Fischer-Schweitzer Polygonal Reflex (2007)

Purpose. To document adverse visual effects of warm compress therapy and determine potential etiologies in subjects with dry eye symptoms. Methods. Subjects (n = 24) with dry eye symptoms were recruited. Group 1 (n = 13): baseline measurements for each eye included subjective blur, visual acuity (VA), autorefraction (AR), corneal topography (CT), central corneal curvature (CCC), lipid layer thickness (LLT), and evaluation for corneal striae and edema. A warm, moist compress (44.4–45°C) was applied with gentle pressure for 30 min to the closed eyelids of the randomized experimental eye; nothing was applied to the contralateral control eye. Subjective blur, VA, AR, CT, CCC, and LLT were evaluated for each eye at 5, 15, and 30 min and 5 min after application. Striae and edema were assessed for each eye at 30 and 5 min after application. Group 2 (n = 11): the above warm compress protocol was repeated to investigate the Fischer-Schweitzer polygonal reflex at the times stated. Results. At 5 and 30 min, 71% and 88% of all subjects experienced increased subjective blur and decreased VA. At 30 min: Group 1: Of 13 experimental eyes: 13 experienced subjective blur; nine exhibited a VA decrease ≥2 lines (mean = 3.4 ± 0.7). For the control eye, two subjects reported blur and none exhibited decreased VA. The findings for AR, CT, CCC, LLT, striae and edema did not correlate with blur or with VA decline. Group 2: Of 11 experimental eyes: 10 exhibited the polygonal reflex compared with 0 controls (p < 0.001); eight exhibited subjective blur; seven exhibited VA decrease ≥2 lines (mean = 2.9 ± 0.9). The polygonal reflex correlated positively to visual blur (r = 0.88, p = 0.04) and to VA decrease (r = 0.79, p = 0.1). Conclusions. Warm compress application induces transient visual degradation. Although there was no correlation between visual degradation and AR, CT, CCC, LLT, or the presence of striae or corneal edema, visual degradation correlated positively with the polygonal reflex, which was observed following warm compress application.
Iron imports. IV. Hepcidin and regulation of body iron metabolism (2006)

Hepcidin, a small peptide synthesized in the liver, controls extracellular iron by regulating its intestinal absorption, placental transport, recycling by macrophages, and release from stores. Hepcidin inhibits the cellular efflux of iron by binding to and inducing the degradation of ferroportin, the sole iron exporter in iron-transporting cells. In turn, hepcidin synthesis is increased by iron loading and decreased by anemia and hypoxia. Hepcidin is markedly induced during inflammation, trapping iron in macrophages, decreasing plasma iron concentrations, and contributing to the anemia of inflammation. Hepcidin deficiency due to the dysregulation of its synthesis causes most known forms of hemochromatosis.
Exercise-related complications in sickle cell trait (2013)

This review presents the epidemiological data regarding the exercise-related complication in exercising sickle cell trait carriers, and focuses on the different potential mechanisms that could be involved in these adverse events, such as hemorheological alterations, inflammation, vascular adhesion of circulating blood cells, oxidative stress and impaired nitric oxide metabolism. We also discuss the effects of different modulating factors such as vascular function, environment (hot temperature), hydration status, physical fitness, exercise intensity and genetic factors.
Intrathecal Delivery of Hepatocyte Growth Factor From Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Onset Suppresses Disease Progression in Rat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model (2007)

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the most potent survival-promoting factors for motor neurons. We showed that introduction of the HGF gene into neurons of G93A transgenic mice attenuates motor neuron degeneration and increases the lifespan of these mice. Currently, treatment regimens using recombinant protein are closer to clinical application than gene therapy. To examine its protective effect on motor neurons and therapeutic potential we administered human recombinant HGF (hrHGF) by continuous intrathecal delivery to G93A transgenic rats at doses of 40 or 200 microg and 200 microg at 100 days of age (the age at which pathologic changes of the spinal cord appear, but animals show no clinical weakness) and at 115 days (onset of paralysis), respectively, for 4 weeks each. Intrathecal administration of hrHGF attenuates motor neuron degeneration and prolonged the duration of the disease by 63%, even with administration from the onset of paralysis. Our results indicated the therapeutic efficacy of continuous intrathecal administration of hrHGF in transgenic rats and should lead to the consideration for further clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using continuous intrathecal administration of hrHGF.
Apoptosis of CD4+CD25high T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes May Be Partially Mediated by IL-2 Deprivation (2009)

In summary, expression signatures in T(regs) from T1D subjects reflect a cellular response that leads to increased sensitivity to apoptosis, partially due to cytokine deprivation. Further characterization of these signaling cascades should enable the detection of genes that can be targeted for restoring T(reg) function in subjects predisposed to T1D.
Carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (1980)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTCarbocyclic thromboxane A2K. C. Nicolaou, R. L. Magolda, and D. A. ClaremonCite this: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 4, 1404–1409Publication Date (Print):February 1, 1980Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 February 1980https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ja00524a028https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00524a028research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views776Altmetric-Citations61LEARN 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