gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Gamete Derivation from Pluripotent Stem Cells: Progress and Perspective1 (2007)

Germ cells constitute a highly specialized cell population that is indispensable for the continuation and evolution of the species. Recently, several research groups have shown that these unique cells can be produced in vitro from pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, live births of offspring using induced germ cells have been reported in one study. These results suggest that it may be possible to investigate germ cell development ex vivo and to establish novel reproductive technologies. To this end, it is critical to assess if gamete induction processes in vitro faithfully recapitulate normal germ cell development in vivo. Here, this issue is discussed with a focus on the germ line specification and the sex-specific development of pre- and postnatal germ cells. The aim of this paper is to concisely summarize the past progress and to present some future issues for the investigation into in vitro gamete production from pluripotent stem cells.
Transition Metals in Microbial Metabolism (2022)

Iron chelation and siderophores biosynthetic and regulatory aspects of fungal siderphores receptor-mediated bacterial iron transport structure and biochemistry of methane monooxygenase enzyme systems tungsten-containing aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductases the nitrogenases.
Human serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine protease-1 (MASP-1): determination of levels in body fluids and identification of two forms in serum (1997)

We developed an ELISA for human serum MASP-1, a C1s-like serine protease which is known to function in C4 and C2 activation. We then determined MASP-1 levels in 1063 sera from normal Japanese subjects ranging in age from 3 to 100 years, as well as in certain body fluids using this assay. Individual serum MASP-1 levels ranged from 1.48 to 12.83 microg/ml, with a normal frequency distribution pattern. The arithmetic mean +/- s.d. of MASP-1 levels in serum was 6.27 +/- 1.85 microg/ml, whereas levels of MASP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid and in urine were almost undetectable. When the mean +/- s.d. of serum MASP-1 was calculated for each age group (10 year range) and values were then compared, the age group consisting of 3-9-year-olds (7.54 +/- 1.39 microg/ml) was found to have the highest value. When MASP-1 was measured in cord blood, it was shown that levels were already as high as those of 3-9-year-olds. The serum MASP-1 level was found to be as strongly dependent on age as is the serum MBL level. MASP-1 and MBL are thought to play an active part in immunity in younger people. It was found that the serum level of MASP-1 was much higher than that of MBL, and the major portion of human serum MASP-1 appeared to exist in the circulation as a form unbound to MBL.
Distribution and comparison of receptors for leukemia inhibitory factor on murine hemopoietic and hepatic cells (1991)

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a glycoprotein that induces the differentiation of the monocytic leukemia cell line M1 but suppresses the differentiation of totipotent embryonic stem cells. In an attempt to define the normal cellular targets for LIF, the distribution of LIF receptors within hemopoietic and hepatic tissue was analyzed by binding cells with radioiodinated LIF (125I-LIF) and subsequently carrying out autoradiography. Autoradiography demonstrated that in each hemopoietic tissue examined cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage were the primary cell type labeled with 125I-LIF. Moreover, both fetal and adult parenchymal hepatocytes displayed higher levels of labeling than either monocytes or macrophages. The number of receptors per positive cell varied from 150 for bone marrow monocytes to 2,000 for adult hepatocytes. In each case, however, binding was of high affinity, with an apparent KD of 34-100 pM, and binding was specific, since labeling was competed for by unlabeled LIF but not a range of other structurally unrelated growth and differentiation factors. It is suggested that LIF may play a role in regulating macrophage function and hepatic acute phase protein synthesis in response to infection.
How to Shape Light with Spatial Light Modulators (2017)

The shaping of light fields, a topic of interest to the optics community for some time, has taken many forms, e.g., from coherent field mapping to diffusing elements for incoherent light shaping. Since the advent of the laser, structuring laser light in amplitude and phase has been achieved outside the laser cavity (with refractive, adaptive, and diffractive elements) and inside the laser cavity (through a variety of amplitude or phase objects that force the laser internally to oscillate on particular transverse modes). We will not discuss in detail the contribution of these tools for controlling light, but the reader is referred to the references provided for further details. Instead, we will consider a modern derivative of the above, namely shaping light with computer-generated holograms (digital holograms) using spatial light modulators (SLMs). Digital holography for structured light has enabled many new advances, ranging from classical to quantum physics, including communication, microscopy, imaging, metrology, and education. The advent of liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) SLMs has made the aforementioned techniques accessible to the inexperienced researcher. LCoS devices, colloquially referred to as SLMs, have allowed researchers to display computer-generated holograms as images; thus, controlling light digitally can be realized with just a little know-how. Here, we will show how to “get started” with SLMs for the creation and detection of structured light fields. This guide focuses on the shaping of coherent light with these tools. We outline the means by which one can get started with digital holography as well as introduce phase-only, amplitude-only, and complex amplitude modulation as tools to create structured light fields in the laboratory.
Complement fixation by the F(ab')2-fragment of pepsin-treated rabbit antibody. (1971)

The F(ab′)2-fragments of rabbit anti-ovalbumin and anti-human serum albumin IgG fixed between 30 and 50 per cent of guinea-pig complement when they were aggregated with the appropriate antigen. The fixation took place at 37° but not at 4° and was completely inhibited by 0.005 M EDTA. The fixation was more efficient when preformed immune aggregates were used rather than allowing the aggregates to form in the fixation mixture. The loss in haemolytic activity was probably due to the fixation of one or more of the late components (C3 to C9) of guinea-pig complement since no significant fixation of the C1 and C2 components could be found. These results may help to explain previous conflicting reports on the ability of 5S antibody to fix complement. The results also suggest that rabbit antibody F(ab′)2 may fix complement by a pathway which utilizes only the components C3 to C9 thus bypassing the more usual pathway initiated by C1 activation.
Forty years of stress research: principal remaining problems and misconceptions. (1976)

An overview of the main problems and misconceptions in the clinical application and theoretic evaluation of the stress concept reveals that the same 10 problems appear to cause the greatest difficulties in its application, irrespective of the specialty in which it is used: (1) the correct definition of stress, stressors and the general adaptation syndrome; (2) the concept of nonspecificity in biology and medicine; (3) the conditioning of stress responses by diverse endogenous (mainly genetically determined) and exogenous (environmental) factors; (4) the relation between the genral and the local adaptation syndromes; (5) the difference between direct and indirect pathogens; (6) the definition of the morbid lesions in whose pathogenesis stress plays a particularly prominent role--the so-called diseases of adaptation; (7) the role of genetics versus that of factors under voluntary self-control in mastering biologic stress; (8) the mode of action of syntoxic and catatoxic hormones, drugs and behavioural attitudes; (9) the so-called first mediator of the stress response, which carries the message that a state of stress exists from the directly affected area to the neurohormonal regulatory centres; and (10) the prophylaxis and treatment of stress-induced damage by pharmacologic and behavioural techniques.
Multichannel Implantable Stimulator for Control of Paralyzed Muscle (1981)

An implantable stimulator has been developed for excitation of paralyzed muscle. The stimulator is radio frequency powered and controlled, and has four output channels; there are three sequentially fired and the fourth is independently controlled. The width of each stimulus pulse and the group stimulus frequency are controlled independently by the absence of the 25 MHz powering carrier. The stimulator has been implemented in a thick film hybrid circuit. The circuitry is encapsulated in a ceramic (Macor®) , which has hermetically sealed feed throughs for electrode lead wires.
Generalized mosaicing (2002)

We present an approach that significantly enhances the capabilities of traditional image mosaicing. The key observation is that as a camera moves, it senses each scene point multiple times. We rigidly attach to the camera an optical filter with spatially varying properties, so that multiple measurements are obtained for each scene point under different optical settings. Fusing the data captured in the multiple images yields an image mosaic that includes additional information about the scene. This information can come in the form of extended dynamic range, high spectral quality, or enhancements to other dimensions of imaging. We refer to this approach as generalized mosaicing. The approach was tested using a filter with spatially varying transmittance and a standard 8-bit black/white video camera, to achieve image mosaicing with dynamic range comparable to imaging with a 16-bit camera. In another experiment, we attached a spatially varying spectral filter to the same camera to obtain mosaics that represent the spectral distribution (rather than the usual RGB measurements) of each scene point. We also discuss how generalized mosaicing can be used to explore other imaging dimensions.
Targeted antiangiogenic therapy for cancer using Vitaxin: a humanized monoclonal antibody to the integrin alphavbeta3. (2000)

Angiogenesis plays a central role in the growth and metastasis of cancers. Strategies aimed at interfering with tumor blood supply offer promise for new cancer therapies. Vitaxin (an anti-alphavbeta3 antibody) interferes with blood vessel formation by inducing apoptosis in newly generated endothelial cells. This Phase I study evaluates the safety and pharmacokinetics of Vitaxin in humans with cancer. Eligible patients demonstrated progressive tumors with stage IV disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status < or =2. Treatment consisted of six weekly infusions of Vitaxin. Escalating doses from 0.1 and 4.0 mg/kg/week were evaluated based on the expectation that plasma levels would bracket the effective in vitro concentration. Escalation beyond 4 mg/kg/week was limited by drug availability. Adverse events were assessed weekly. Pharmacokinetics were performed weekly through week 9. Clinical response was assessed at week 9. Of 17 patients treated, 14 were evaluable for response. Treatment was well tolerated with little or no toxicity. The most common side effect was infusion-related fever, which could be controlled with prophylactic antipyretics. Doses > or =1 mg/kg/week produced plasma concentrations sufficient to saturate the alphavbeta3 receptor in vitro (25 microg/ml). Vitaxin demonstrated a half-life in excess of 5 days at higher doses with no accumulation over 6 weeks of therapy. One patient demonstrated a partial response, and seven patients demonstrated stable disease. Three patients received Vitaxin beyond the first cycle of therapy. Each of these patients demonstrated disease stabilization that in one case lasted 22 months. At the doses and schedule studied, Vitaxin appears safe and potentially active, suggesting that vascular integrin alphavbeta3 represents a clinically relevant antiangiogenic target for prolonged cancer therapy.
Input-output HMMs for sequence processing (1996)

We consider problems of sequence processing and propose a solution based on a discrete-state model in order to represent past context. We introduce a recurrent connectionist architecture having a modular structure that associates a subnetwork to each state. The model has a statistical interpretation we call input-output hidden Markov model (IOHMM). It can be trained by the estimation-maximization (EM) or generalized EM (GEM) algorithms, considering state trajectories as missing data, which decouples temporal credit assignment and actual parameter estimation. The model presents similarities to hidden Markov models (HMMs), but allows us to map input sequences to output sequences, using the same processing style as recurrent neural networks. IOHMMs are trained using a more discriminant learning paradigm than HMMs, while potentially taking advantage of the EM algorithm. We demonstrate that IOHMMs are well suited for solving grammatical inference problems on a benchmark problem. Experimental results are presented for the seven Tomita grammars, showing that these adaptive models can attain excellent generalization.
Human Follicular and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells Interact Differently with Human Venous Endothelial Cells (1995)

Follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) characteristically spread via blood vessels, while papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) predominantly metastasize to lymph nodes. This different behavior of cancer cells originating from one organ was investigated by layering multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) consisting of various kinds of human thyroid cells onto confluent monolayers of human venous endothelial cells (HEC). The MCTS and HEC were cocultured in an incubation chamber fixed under a microscope, and the behavior of the cells was investigated. In this way significant differences between FTC, PTC, and follicular adenoma cells (FTA) were observed regarding their in vitro behavior upon interaction with HEC. FTC cells required 20 min for adhesion and another hour until they migrated out of a spheroid, whereas PTC- and FTA-MCTS were adhesive after 2 h or later, and their cells did not start migration until 5 h of incubation. Furthermore, one FTC-spheroid triggered about 100 endothelial cells to enter the replication cycle, while no spheroid consisting of either PTC or FTA cells induced more than 20 endothelial cells to start proliferation. During these processes, the cells of the MCTS and the endothelial cells contacted each other directly and remained viable. The results show that FTC cells interact faster and more intensively with human endothelial cells than PTC and FTA cells. Thus the study suggests that an enhanced capability of the FTC cells to interact with venous endothelial cells might favor the clinically observed hematogenous spreading of follicular thyroid carcinomas.
Detection and activity of lactacin B, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus (1983)

A total of 52 strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus were examined for production of bacteriocins. A majority (63%) demonstrated inhibitory activity against all members of a four-species grouping of Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus lactis. Four L. acidophilus strains with this activity also inhibited Streptococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus fermentum, suggesting a second system of antagonism. Under conditions eliminating the effects of organic acids and hydrogen peroxide, no inhibition of other gram-positive or -negative genera was demonstrated by L. acidophilus. The agent produced by L. acidophilus N2 and responsible for inhibition of L. leichmannii, L. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, and L. lactis was investigated. Ultrafiltration studies indicated a molecular weight of approximately 100,000 for the crude inhibitor. The agent was sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and retained full activity after 60 min at 100 degrees C (pH 5). Activity against sensitive cells was bactericidal but not bacteriolytic. These characteristics identified the inhibitory agent as a bacteriocin, designated lactacin B. Examination of strains of L. acidophilus within the six homology groupings of Johnson et al. (Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 30:53-68, 1980) demonstrated that production of the bacteriocin lactacin B could not be used in classification of neotype L. acidophilus strains. However, the usefulness of employing sensitivity to lactacin B in classification of dairy lactobacilli is suggested.
Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Reactions of Propargylamine with Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Disulfide (2001)

The reactions of propargylamine derivatives with carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide have been systematically examined in the presence of transition-metal catalysts. Pd(OAc)(2) is the best catalyst for the formation of the corresponding oxazolidinones. In addition, we found that, in the reaction of propargylamine with carbon dioxide catalyzed by palladium(0) metal catalyst in toluene, both oxazolidinone 1 and imidazolidinone 2 could be obtained under mild reaction conditions at the same time. The reaction of 1 with primary and secondary amines has been examined. A plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of 2 was proposed. In addition, in this paper, we first disclosed the ligand's effect on this reaction. Using PBu(t)(3) as a ligand with Pd(2)(dba)(3), 1 was exclusively formed in 90% yield.
An integrated view of suppressor T cell subsets in immunoregulation (2004)

The immune system evolved to protect organisms from a virtually infinite variety of disease-causing agents but to avoid harmful responses to self. Because immune protective mechanisms include the elaboration of potent inflammatory molecules, antibodies, and killer cell activation--which together can not only destroy invading microorganisms, pathogenic autoreactive cells, and tumors, but also mortally injure normal cells--the immune system is inherently a "double-edged sword" and must be tightly regulated. Immune response regulation includes homeostatic mechanisms intrinsic to the activation and differentiation of antigen-triggered immunocompetent cells and extrinsic mechanisms mediated by suppressor cells. This review series will focus on recent advances indicating that distinct subsets of regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as NK T cells control the outgrowth of potentially pathogenic antigen-reactive T cells and will highlight the evidence that these suppressor T cells may play potentially important clinical roles in preventing and treating immune-mediated disease. Here we provide a historical overview of suppressor cells and the experimental basis for the existence of functionally and phenotypically distinct suppressor subsets. Finally, we will speculate on how the distinct suppressor cell subsets may function in concert to regulate immune responses.
Esophageal myoelectric responses to magnetic stimulation of the human cortex and the extracranial vagus nerve (1994)

We describe the use of magnetic stimulation of the human motor cortex and the extracranial vagus nerve in the neck to study human esophageal electromyographic (EMG) responses. Diffuse cortical stimulation produced both an early and a late EMG response in the proximal esophagus with latencies of 10.9 +/- 0.5 and 43.4 +/- 4.3 ms, respectively. Increasing the stimulation intensity increased the amplitude and duration, but reduced the latency, of the early response (P < 0.01), whereas the late response remained unchanged. The early response, but not the late response, was facilitated when cortical stimulation was performed during valsalva maneuver. Maximal early response amplitudes were obtained by focal stimulation of either hemisphere 4-8 cm lateral to the vertex. Stimulation of the neck over the extracranial vagus nerve at the angle of the jaw also produced an early and a late EMG response in the proximal esophagus with latencies of 4.3 +/- 0.4 and 56.8 +/- 14.5 ms, respectively. Early responses were also recorded in the midesophagus and distal esophagus from either cortical or vagal stimulation, but amplitudes were smaller and rise times were longer, suggesting passive "volume conduction" from the proximal esophagus. Comparison of laryngeal, pharyngeal, and esophageal early EMG responses showed similar amplitudes and rise times, suggesting that the action potentials were generated locally at each site and that true esophageal responses were being detected.
Possible involvement of protein kinase C in the induction of adipose differentiation‐related protein by Sterol ester in RAW 264.7 macrophages (2001)

The accumulation of lipid droplets in macrophages contributes to the formation of foam cells, an early event in atherosclerosis. It is, therefore, important to elucidate the mechanisms by which lipid droplets accumulate and are utilized. Sterol ester (SE)-laden RAW 264.7 macrophages accumulated lipid droplets in a time-dependent manner up to 16 h, which was enhanced by cotreatment with 0.1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity by cotreatment with 0.3 microM calphostin C CAL for 16 h resulted in coalescence of small lipid droplets into large ones and increased accumulation of lipid droplets, although to a lesser extent than after PMA cotreatment. Immunostaining for adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) revealed a fluorescent rim at the surface of each medium to large lipid droplet. ADRP appearance correlated with lipid droplet accumulation and was regulated by PMA in a time-dependent manner. Induction of ADRP expression by PMA or CAL required SE, since ADRP levels in PMA- or CAL-treated non-SE-laden macrophages were comparable to those in untreated cells. Removal of SE from the incubation medium resulted in the concomitant dissolution of lipid droplets and down-regulation of ADRP. In conclusion, the above results suggest that ADRP may be an important protein in the regulation of lipid droplet metabolism in lipid-laden macrophages and that this regulation may be mediated by PKC activity.
High Doses of SN1 Type Methylating Agents Activate DNA Damage Signaling Cascades that are Largely Independent of Mismatch Repair (2005)

Methylating agents of the SN1 type represent an important class of cancer chemotherapeutics. Efficient killing by clinically-relevant doses of these agents requires cell division and low levels or absence of the repair enzyme methylguanine methyl transferase (MGMT). The process requires also an active mismatch repair (MMR) system, as treatment of cells with the prototypic methylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) could be shown to trigger a delayed cell cycle arrest, which was absolutely MMR-dependent. We now show that DNA damage signaling activated by high doses of MNNG is very rapid and largely MMR-independent. However, the MMR system still contributes towards cell killing, as MMR deficiency favors the long-term survival of the cells, albeit to a substantially smaller extent than when low MNNG concentrations are deployed.
An economical and green approach for the oxidation of olefins to enones (2004)

A new and optimized water-based procedure for the oxidation of steroidal olefins and benzylic compounds to α,β-enones, using household laundry bleach and aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide at sub-ambient temperature, is described. This simple methodology is not only economical but is also environmentally friendly. Issues of reactivity, selectivity and scope of the reaction were investigated with a variety of steroidal olefins and benzylic compounds.