gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Safe and effective pharmacologic management of arrhythmias. (2005)

The title of this topic is a bit of an oxymoron—antiarrhythmic therapy is thought to be neither safe nor effective—but if you understand the medications and their mechanisms of action, you can use them both safely and effectively.

The QRS that we see on the surface electrocardiogram is the sum of the action potentials of each type of myocardial tissue (Fig. 1). A very important point is that Phase Zero (depolarization of the myocardial cell) is caused by sodium going from the outside of the cell to the inside of the cell. On the other hand, Phase Three, which is repolarization (the cell going back to the resting phase), is primarily determined by potassium going from the inside to the outside of the cell. If you block potassium from leaving the cell, you prolong repolarization and increase the action potential duration. Conversely, if you block sodium from going into the cell, you not only decrease the overall velocity of conduction, but you also cause the QRS duration to widen because you slow depolarization. If the action potential duration widens, the QT interval widens. I'd like to now focus on the 2 most common classes of antiarrhythmic medications that affect these processes.



Fig. 1 Ventricular action potential
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and ab Initio Structural Studies on Liquid Crystalline Systems (1998)

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies, using PD-Tempone as a probe, on the n-hexyl and n-heptyl members of the p-cyanophenyl p-(n-alkyl)benzoate (RCBz) liquid crystals confirm the previously observed directions of the discontinuities in the a and g-factor values on solidification and on melting of the 6CB liquid crystal. Careful analysis of an unusual variation in the g-factor value on cooling and heating in the vicinity of the nematic-to-isotropic transition points to the existence of molecular change alongside the bulk change. Evidence for such changes is provided by the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and ab initio calculations using the STO-3G basis set. DSC endothermic peaks on cooling (or exothermic peaks on heating) that are independent of cooling (or heating) rates reflect a conformational change. DSC also shows the existence of polymorphic solid that, on heating, undergoes a series of rate-dependent solid−solid modifications until the most stable solid form is reached. The STO-3G ab initio calculations suggest three possible conformers for these liquid crystals.
Direct In-Gel Fluorescence Detection and Cellular Imaging of O -GlcNAc-Modified Proteins (2008)

We report an advanced chemoenzymatic strategy for the direct fluorescence detection, proteomic analysis, and cellular imaging of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins. O-GlcNAc residues are selectively labeled with fluorescent or biotin tags using an engineered galactosyltransferase enzyme and [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition chemistry. We demonstrate that this approach can be used for direct in-gel detection and mass spectrometric identification of O-GlcNAc proteins, identifying 146 novel glycoproteins from the mammalian brain. Furthermore, we show that the method can be exploited to quantify dynamic changes in cellular O-GlcNAc levels and to image O-GlcNAc-glycosylated proteins within cells. As such, this strategy enables studies of O-GlcNAc glycosylation that were previously inaccessible and provides a new tool for uncovering the physiological functions of O-GlcNAc.
Is There a Role for Sink Size in Understanding Maize Population–Yield Relationships? (2015)

ABSTRACT The most consistent change in management practices associated with the increase in maize ( Zea mays L.) yield in the United States since 1930 has been a steady increase in plant population. Populations increased from roughly 30,000 plants ha –1 at the beginning of the hybrid era to &gt;75,000 plants ha –1 in recent years. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the potential role of sink size in historic maize yield–population relationships. The steady increase in yield (∼4×) during the hybrid era required an increase in source activity since there was no change in harvest index. The increase in grain yield was associated with an increase in kernels per unit area, so there was a concomitant increase in both source and sink. Data collected from the literature and evaluations of hybrids from different eras demonstrate that ear size (kernels per ear) of U.S. and Canadian hybrids did not increase during the hybrid era. Ears per plant did not increase above an average of one. Since ear size and prolificacy did not change, higher plant populations were needed to increase sink size (ears and kernels per unit area). This approach to analyzing population–yield relationships suggests that higher populations didn't necessarily contribute directly to higher productivity; rather, the increase in sink size avoided a sink limitation and allowed the higher productivity of the source to be translated into grain yield. Future yield increases will, therefore, require even higher populations which could create new management challenges.
Teaching microstrip patch antennas to undergraduate students (2002)

A program on microstrip patch antennas which has been taught to the electrical engineering degree undergraduate students of the Technical University of Lisbon is presented. It covers analysis, design, fabrication and test. Course objectives, course content, software, experimental facilities and some evaluation projects are described.
Regulation of a carotenoid biosynthesis gene promoter during plant development (1996)

Carotenoids are terpenoid pigments which are accumulated in the chloroplasts of leaves and in the chromoplasts of many flowers and fruits. Phytoene desaturase (Pds), the second dedicated enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, is encoded in tomato by a single copy gene. A 2 kb fragment from the tomato Pds gene, comprising 1.5 kb from the promoter and 0.5 kb from the 5' non-translated region, is able to drive developmentally regulated expression of the GUS reporter gene in transgenic tomato and tobacco plants. In tomato, high levels of Pds/GUS expression are found in organs and at stages of development where chromoplasts are formed: petals, anthers and ripening fruits. Tobacco petals and fruits, which do not contain chromoplasts, show instead low levels of Pds/GUS expression. Transgenic tobacco seedlings were subjected to treatment with a range of inhibitors of carotenoid and chlorophyll biosynthesis. The results indicate that, in green tissues, carotenoid and chlorophyll levels are tightly co-regulated and that a chemically induced arrest in pigment biosynthesis results in activation of the Pds promoter. The promoter is also induced in etiolated seedlings, which contain much lower carotenoid levels than light-grown seedlings. These data suggest that in green tissues Pds gene transcription may respond to end-product regulation.
The HE4 (WFDC2) protein is a biomarker for ovarian carcinoma. (2003)

The WFDC2 (HE4) gene is amplified in ovarian carcinomas, whereas its expression in normal tissues, including ovary, is low. Although the function of the HE4 protein is unknown,it is a member of a family of stable 4-disulfide core proteins that are secreted at high levels. We therefore performed experiments to explore whether quantitation of HE4 protein levels in serum can be used as a biomarker for ovarian carcinoma. A fusion gene was constructed encoding the HE4 protein fused to a gene encoding the murine IgG2a Fc domain. Subsequently, protein produced in mammalian cells was purified by affinity chromatography and used to immunize mice to generate hybridomas specific for HE4. Hybridoma supernatants were screened for binding to a similar fusion protein that, instead, had a human immunoglobulin tail. Two hybridomas, 2H5 and 3D8, were selected that produce monoclonal antibodies to different HE4 epitopes, and a double determinant ("Sandwich") ELISA was constructed and shown to detect a signal at the 160-pg level. Blinded studies on sera from postmenopausal patients with ovarian carcinoma and controls indicate that the specificity and sensitivity of the HE4-based ELISA is equivalent to that of the CA125 assay. However, the HE4 assay may have an advantage over the CA125 assay in that it is less frequently positive in patients with nonmalignant disease.
Nanobodies - the new concept in antibody engineering (2009)

Nanobodies are antibody-derived therapeutic proteins that contain the unique structural and functional properties of naturally occurring heavy-chain antibodies. The Nanobody technology was originally developed following the discovery that camelidae (camels and llamas) possess fully functional antibodies that lack light chains. These heavy-chain antibodies contain a single variable domain (VHH) and two constant domains (CH2 and CH3). Importantly, the cloned and isolated VHH domain is a perfectly stable polypeptide harboring the full antigen-binding capacity of the original heavy-chain antibody. These newly discovered VHH domains with their unique structural and functional properties form the basis of a new generation of therapeutic antibodies which were named Nanobodies. The aim of this paper is to show the properties of Nanobodies, their production and expression, applications and their clinical status.
The Thermotoga maritima Phenotype Is Impacted by Syntrophic Interaction with Methanococcus jannaschii in Hyperthermophilic Coculture (2006)

Significant growth phase-dependent differences were noted in the transcriptome of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima when it was cocultured with the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii. For the mid-log-to-early-stationary-phase transition of a T. maritima monoculture, 24 genes (1.3% of the genome) were differentially expressed twofold or more. In contrast, methanogenic coculture gave rise to 292 genes differentially expressed in T. maritima at this level (15.5% of the genome) for the same growth phase transition. Interspecies H2 transfer resulted in three- to fivefold-higher T. maritima cell densities than in the monoculture, with concomitant formation of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-based cell aggregates. Differential expression of specific sigma factors and genes related to the ppGpp-dependent stringent response suggests involvement in the transition into stationary phase and aggregate formation. Cell aggregation was growth phase dependent, such that it was most prominent during mid-log phase and decayed as cells entered stationary phase. The reduction in cell aggregation was coincidental with down-regulation of genes encoding EPS-forming glycosyltranferases and up-regulation of genes encoding beta-specific glycosyl hydrolases; the latter were presumably involved in hydrolysis of beta-linked EPS to release cells from aggregates. Detachment of aggregates may facilitate colonization of new locations in natural environments where T. maritima coexists with other organisms. Taken together, these results demonstrate that syntrophic interactions can impact the transcriptome of heterotrophs in methanogenic coculture, and this factor should be considered in examining the microbial ecology in anaerobic environments.
Mismeasuring the Mismatch: A Response to Ho (2005)

Daniel Ho claims that if one tugs at a single strand of my analysis of affirmative action, A Systemic Analysis of Affirmative Action in American Law Schools,' the entire structure collapses.2 As I explain briefly in this Response, Ho is wrong. Ho seems to miss the central analytical framework of my article, is vague in his claims of bias, and offers an alternative approach that violates the very methodological precepts he lays out.
Low-complexity signal detection using CG method for uplink large-scale MIMO systems (2014)

Large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (LS-MIMO) is considered as a promising key technology for future 5G wireless communications due to its very high spectrum and energy efficiency. However, one challenging problem to achieve these benefits is a practical signal detection algorithm in the uplink. In this paper, we propose a low-complexity near-optimal signal detection algorithm using the conjugate gradient (CG) method for uplink multi-user large-scale MIMO systems, which can avoid the complicated matrix inversion required by linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) signal detection algorithm. We also provide the convergence proof of the proposed scheme to guarantee its usability in practice. The analysis indicates that the proposed scheme can reduce the computational complexity by about one order of magnitude. The simulation results of the bit error rate performance verify that the proposed algorithm outperforms the recently proposed Neumann series approximation algorithm, and achieves the near-optimal performance of the classical MMSE algorithm by using only a small number of iterations.
Robust H∞ glucose control in diabetes using a physiological model (2000)

Abstract A robust H ∞ controller was developed to deliver insulin via a mechanical pump in Type I diabetic patients. A fundamental nonlinear diabetic patient model was linearized and then reduced to a third‐order linear form for controller synthesis. Uncertainty in the nonlinear model was characterized by up to ±40% variation in eight physiological parameters. A sensitivity analysis identified the three‐parameter set having the most significant effect on glucose and insulin dynamics over the frequency range of interest ω = [0.002, 0.2] (rad/min). This uncertainty was represented in the frequency domain and incorporated in the controller design. Controller performance was assessed in terms of its ability to track a normoglycemic set point (81.1 mg/dL) in response to a 50 g meal disturbance. In the nominal continuous‐time case, the controller maintained glucose concentrations within ±3.3 mg/dL of set point. A controller tuned to accommodate uncertainty yielded a maximum deviation of 17.6 mg/dL for the worst‐case parameter variation.
Maximum likelihood synchronization for OFDM using a pilot symbol: analysis (2001)

A performance analysis of algorithms for maximum likelihood estimation of channel parameters for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing packet detection and synchronization is presented. The detection and synchronization algorithms, which are based on the use of a pilot symbol, are described in Coulson (2001). The performance analyses concentrate on operation in additive white Gaussian noise channels, and the accuracy of these analyses are demonstrated using experimental and simulation data. Methods to extend these analyses to frequency flat multipath fading channels are presented.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to a wild type hepatitis B virus epitope in patients chronically infected by variant viruses carrying substitutions within the epitope. (1994)

Mutations that abrogate recognition of a viral epitope by class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) can lead to viral escape if the CTL response against that epitope is crucial for viral clearance. The likelihood of this type of event is low when the CTL response is simultaneously directed against multiple viral epitopes, as has been recently reported for patients with acute self-limited hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The CTL response to HBV is usually quite weak, however, during chronic HBV infection, and it is generally acknowledged that this is a major determinant of viral persistence in this disease. If such individuals were to produce a mono- or oligospecific CTL response, however, negative selection of the corresponding mutant viruses might occur. We have recently studied two HLA-A2-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B who, atypically, developed a strong HLA-A2-restricted CTL response against an epitope (FLPSDFFPSV) that contains an HLA-A2-binding motif located between residues 18-27 of the viral nucleocapsid protein, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg). These patients failed, however, to respond to any of other HLA-A2-restricted HBV-derived peptides that are generally immunogenic in acutely infected patients who successfully clear the virus. Interestingly, DNA sequence analysis of HBV isolates from these two patients demonstrated alternative residues at position 27 (V --> A and V --> I) and position 21 (S --> N, S --> A, and S --> V) that reduced the HLA and T cell receptor-binding capacities of the variant sequences, respectively. Synthetic peptides containing these alternative sequences were poorly immunogenic compared to the prototype HBc18-27 sequence, and they could not be recognized by CTL clones specific for the prototype peptide. While we do not know if the two patients were originally infected by these variant viruses or if the variants emerged subsequent to infection because of immune selection, the results are most consistent with the latter hypothesis. If this is correct, the data suggest that negative selection of mutant viral genomes might contribute to viral persistence in a subset of patients with chronic HBV infection who express a narrow repertoire of anti-HBV CTL responses.
Molecular analysis of a human interferon‐inducible gene family (1991)

Three functional members of the 1-8 gene family have been isolated on a single human genomic DNA fragment of less than 18 kb. The 1-8U and 1-8D genes are extremely similar; each is contained within a less than 2-kb fragment, has in its 5'flanking region two adjacent 14-base-pair sequences showing high similarity to interferon-stimulable response elements (ISREs) and has two highly related exons. The third gene (9-27) has a similar overall structure, shows substantial similarity to the 1-8s but has only one ISRE which is 3' of two CCAAT boxes not present in the 1-8U and D genes. The cDNA corresponding to the three genes share 120 nucleotides of identical sequence and show greater than 90% identity over 70% of the coding sequence. For the 1-8U and D genes the high similarity extends into the 5' non-coding and flanking regions. The open reading frames encode polypeptides that are likely to be of very similar structure. Antiserum to a conserved peptide detects a polypeptide(s) of about 14 kDa on PAGE which separates into three components on isoelectric focussing. The 9-27 and 1-8U genes are highly interferon-inducible the 1-8D gene is much less so. These differences are mimicked by the activities of the corresponding ISREs placed 5' of a marker gene in expression constructs. They presumably reflect differences in the interaction of the ISREs with the various interferon-inducible and constitutive factors that govern the interferon response.
A systematic review of the epidemiology and interaction of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (2005)

"Low risk" and European populations have a relatively low HSV-2 seroprevalence and infection is more concentrated in those with characteristics putting them at high risk for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. This confounding could mask any protective effect of HSV-1, which is hinted at, but not demonstrated, in prospective and adjusted studies.
Are Elevated Levels of IGF-1 Caused by Coronary Arteriesoclerosis?: Molecular and Clinical Analysis (2010)

The importance of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in coronary artery disease (CAD) due to wide range of its biological effects and its therapeutic potential, has already been described. Our aim was to evaluate possible influence of IGF-1 serum level changes on coronary atherosclerosis. In case of existence of such association our further aim was to verify and explain this phenomenon by examination of promoter P1 of IGF-1gene and receptor gene for IGF-1. The study was performed in 101 consecutive patients undergo for routine coronary angiography. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of coronary atherosclerosis was performed respectively by estimation of the number of culprit lesions in coronary arteries and by Gensini score calculation. IGF-1, IGFBP3 and plasma lipoproteins were measured in all patients. In addition, we evaluated DNA from 101 patients, isolated from blood cells, which was amplified by using PCR with sophisticated primers for P1 promoter of IGF-1 gene and IGF-1 receptor gene, then analyzed utilizing SSCP technique and automatically sequenced. We observed significant increase of serum IGF-1 levels in patients with "3 vessel disease" and with high score in Gensini scale when compared to those without any narrowing lesions in coronary arteries and 0 Gensini score (in group with 3 vessel disease 215.0 ± 71.3 versuss 176.7 ± 34.2 ng/ml p = 0.04 and with high Gensini score 231.4 ± 59.3 versus 181.0 ± 37.8 ng/ml p = 0.01).We found different genotypes for five P1 promoter polymorphisms of IGF-1 gene (RS35767, RS5742612, RS228837, RS11829693, RS17879774). There were no significant associations between the observed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and coronary atherosclerosis nor with levels of circulating IGF-1. We found no structural polymorphism in receptor gene for IGF-1 nor in its extracellular domain(exon 2-4) nor in internal domain (exon 16-21). The effect of increased IGF-1 serum level in our study was probably independent from structural polymorphism in promoter P1 for IGF-1 or in receptor gene for IGF-1.
Threded K-Wire Spinous Process Fixation of the Axis for Modified Gallie Fusion in Children and Adolescents (1989)

A retrospective analysis of a technique for achieving atlantoaxial arthrodesis was performed. Fourteen patients underwent a modified Gallie technique, and all patients achieved successful arthrodesis with minimal restriction in rotation of the neck postoperatively. No patients showed neurologic deterioration. Fixation of a threaded K-wire to the spinous process of the axis improved the stability of the wiring technique, and we have been very successful in achieving atlantoaxial arthrodesis in the pediatric population.
Comparison of difference-frequency generation and cascaded χ^(2) based wavelength conversions in LiNbO_3 quasi-phase-matched waveguides (2003)

Difference-frequency generation (DFG) and cascaded second-order nonlinear interaction (χ(2)) based wavelength conversions in LiNbO3 quasi-phase-matched waveguides were studied systematically. The characteristics of the two conversion methods, such as conversion efficiency, conversion bandwidth, pump-wavelength tolerance, and temperature stability, were compared with both experimental and theoretical results of MgO-doped quasi-phase-matched waveguides. It was found that for shorter device length and lower pump power, DFG based wavelength converters had higher conversion efficiency, and the cascaded χ(2) based wavelength conversions had slightly wider 3-dB signal-conversion bandwidth. The 3-dB signal wavelength-conversion bandwidth decreased exponentially with an increase in device length. For long devices and high pump power, however, the efficiency difference between the cascaded χ(2) based conversions and DFG based ones was minor. Tolerance of pump wavelength for the cascaded χ(2) based wavelength conversions was approximately two times that of DFG-based ones, which decreases with the increase of device length. In both cases, the tolerance of pump wavelength exponentially decreased with an increase of device length. It was found that the temperature stability of the cascaded χ(2) based conversions was identical to that of DFG based conversions. These results are very helpful in choosing suitable wavelength converters for practical optical communication systems.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Management of Mood Disorders (2011)

TMS appears to be an effective treatment; however, at 4 weeks' follow-up after TMS, there had been no further change in depression severity. Problems with finding a suitably blind and ineffective placebo condition may have confounded the published effect sizes. If the TMS effect is specific, only further large double-blind randomized controlled designs with systematic exploration of treatment and patient parameters will help to define optimum treatment indications and regimen.