gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Low Dose Insemination in the Sow – A Review (2002)

Artificial insemination (AI) in pigs has been established for about four decades but ejaculates are still used insufficiently. Higher demand of semen for AI and new techniques that involve low sperm concentration require the optimization of insemination protocols. Based on the knowledge of the physiology of sperm transportation and events in the female genital tract prior to fertilization, new strategies are under development to minimize sperm losses. One goal is to deposit the semen into the uterine horn rather than into the proximal cervix. It was shown that the minimal number of spermatozoa necessary for surgical AI at the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) were at least 1 x 10(6) diluted in 0.5 ml of a special extender. Artificial insemination into the distal part of the uterine horn required about 1 x 10(7) million sperm in 20 ml of extender. Meanwhile, first insemination devices for non-surgical intra-uterine AI are commercially available. Using similar sperm concentrations as for surgical AI, non-surgical uterine insemination did not differ significantly from control inseminations in terms of pregnancy rate and litter size. With respect to the fertilizing capacities of their ejaculates, boars have to be selected more strictly for sperm quality parameters as most of the compensatory effects of sperm cells disappear in maximally extended semen samples.
Immunostimulatory nanomedicines synergize with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy to eradicate colorectal tumors (2019)

Nanoparticles can potentially stimulate tumour microenvironments to elicit antitumour immunity. Herein, we demonstrate effective immunotherapy of colorectal cancer via systemic delivery of an immunostimulatory chemotherapeutic combination in nanoscale coordination polymer (NCP) core-shell particles. Oxaliplatin and dihydroartemesinin have contrasting physicochemical properties but strong synergy in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and anticancer activity. The combined ROS generation is harnessed for immune activation to synergize with an anti-PD-L1 antibody for the treatment of murine colorectal cancer tumours. The favourable biodistribution and tumour uptake of NCPs and the absence of peripheral neuropathy allow for repeated dosing to afford 100% tumour eradication. The involvement of innate and adaptive immune systems elicit strong and long lasting antitumour immunity which prevents tumour formation when cured mice are challenged with cancer cells. The intrinsically biodegradable, well tolerated, and systemically available immunostimulatory NCP promises to enter clinical testing as an immunotherapy against colorectal cancer.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I–restricted Cross-presentation Is Biased towards High Dose Antigens and Those Released during Cellular Destruction (1998)

Naive T cells recirculate mainly within the secondary lymphoid compartment, but once activated they can enter peripheral tissues and perform effector functions. To activate naive T cells, foreign antigens must traffic from the site of infection to the draining lymph nodes, where they can be presented by professional antigen presenting cells. For major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted presentation to CD8+ T cells, this can occur via the cross-presentation pathway. Here, we investigated the conditions allowing antigen access to this pathway. We show that the level of antigen expressed by peripheral tissues must be relatively high to facilitate cross-presentation to naive CD8+ T cells. Below this level, peripheral antigens did not stimulate by cross-presentation and were ignored by naive CD8+ T cells, although they could sensitize tissue cells for destruction by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Interestingly, CTL-mediated tissue destruction facilitated cross-presentation of low dose antigens for activation of naive CD8+ T cells. This represents the first in vivo evidence that cellular destruction can enhance access of exogenous antigens to the cross-presentation pathway. These data indicate that the cross-presentation pathway focuses on high dose antigens and those released during tissue destruction.
Dual inhibition of αV integrins and Src kinase activity as a combination therapy strategy for colorectal cancer (2012)

Both Src and αV integrins are important for tumor growth and angiogenesis. They are interconnected and responsible for important features of the tumor phenotype including invasiveness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis. This study examines whether combinational inhibition of both integrin and Src pathways would exert greater antiangiogenesis and antitumor effects than either pathway alone. Using in-vitro cell culture systems, the activity of CNTO95 (Intetumumab), an αV integrin inhibitor, and dasatinib, an Src inhibitor, on proliferation, adhesion, and migration was evaluated in colon cancer cell lines, HCT-116 and RKO, as well as HUVEC cells. The antiangiogenic effect of this combinatory regimen was also tested using an in-vitro tubular network formation assay. The effects of CNTO95 and dasatinib on the activation of Src and integrin pathway signal transduction were also determined by western blotting. The combination of CNTO95 plus dasatinib inhibited adhesion, migration, and paxillin phosphorylation in both HCT-116 and RKO cells. CNTO95 and dasatinib also led to increased apoptosis of HCT-116 cells; however, similar effects were not observed in RKO cells. In addition, dual treatment of CNTO95 and dasatinib exerted enhanced effects on HUVEC cell proliferation, invasion, tubular network formation, and paxillin phosphorylation. In conclusion, our results suggest that concurrent inhibition of both the integrin and the Src pathways exert more pronounced antiangiogenic and antitumor effects than with either pathway being inhibited alone.
Effect of heparin on vascular smooth muscle cells. I. Cell metabolism (1985)

Previous work from our laboratory has shown that heparin inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism of action of this glycosaminoglycan is unknown. In this communication, we have examined the antiproliferative effect of heparin on smooth muscle and other cell types, and have investigated several aspects of heparin on smooth muscle cell metabolism. Smooth muscle and closely related cell types from several species, including human, were much more sensitive to heparin than any other cell type tested, including primary and established cell lines, normal and transformed cell pairs, fibroblasts, epithelial, and endothelial cells. Flow microfluorimetric analysis of cell cycle distribution indicated that heparin blocked either the G0----S transition or a very early S-phase event in smooth muscle cells. Heparin rapidly inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis, but did not affect the rate of protein synthesis. The decrease in nucleic acid synthesis could be accounted for by an inhibition of thymidine and uridine uptake. Interestingly, heparin did not block amino acid or glucose transport. Although no change in the overall rate of protein synthesis was observed in the presence of heparin, we noted at least two changes in the synthesis of specific proteins by smooth muscle cells: two 35,000-dalton proteins which appeared in the culture medium of heparin-treated cells, and the transient disappearance of a 48,000-dalton protein in the substrate attached material of smooth muscle cells exposed to heparin. The role of the observed changes in smooth muscle cell metabolism is yet to be determined, but they may provide valuable clues to the molecular mechanisms controlling the antiproliferative activity of heparin.
Electrophilic Metal Precursors and a β-Diimine Ligand for Nickel(II)- and Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Ethylene Polymerization (1997)

The α-diimine ligand ArNC(Me)C(Me)NAr (Ar = 2,6-C6H3-iPr2) reacts with Pd(OAc)2 in the presence of HBF4·Et2O, or [Pd(MeCN)4](BF4)2 in the absence of acid, to give ethylene polymerization catalysts. The reactions of a related β-diimine ligand with [Pd(MeCN)4](BF4)2 and (1,2-dimethoxyethane)NiBr2, and the polymerization activity of catalysts derived from it, are discussed.
Fluorometric Assessments of Mitochondrial Function and Viability in Cryopreserved Bovine Spermatozoa1 (1997)

Mitochondrial function and sperm viability were quantified in samples of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa from 12 bulls using fluorometric techniques. The active mitochondria of the spermatozoa were fluorescently stained using three different fluorophores: rhodamine 123 (R123), 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyan ine iodide (JC-1) or MitoTracker Green FM (MITO). The stained spermatozoa, and companion aliquots that had been stained with SYBR-14 (a living-cell nucleic acid stain) and propidium iodide to assess viability, were quantified using flow cytometry. The resulting fluorescent measurements of mitochondrial function were compared with microscopic assessments of progressive sperm motility immediately after thawing, with motility after 3-h incubation at 37 degrees C, and with the fluorescent assessment of sperm viability. Staining with either R123 or MITO resulted in a single green population. In contrast, the JC-1 staining of mitochondria produced both green and red-orange populations of spermatozoa and sometimes a progressive gradient between the two populations. The ability of JC-1 to discriminate between mitochondria exhibiting high membrane potential from those having low to medium membrane potential provided a more rigorous estimate of metabolic function than the other two fluorescent stains. Overall, the three fluorometric measurements of mitochondrial function were highly correlated with each other, with the SYBR-14 assessment of viability, and with the microscopic estimates of motility.
DNA gag/Adenovirus Type 5 (Ad5) gag and Ad5 gag/Ad5 gag Vaccines Induce Distinct T-Cell Response Profiles (2008)

Results from Merck's phase II adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) gag/pol/nef test-of-concept trial showed that the vaccine lacked efficacy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a high-risk population. Among the many questions to be explored following this outcome are whether (i) the Ad5 vaccine induced the quality of T-cell responses necessary for efficacy and (ii) the lack of efficacy in the Ad5 vaccine can be generalized to other vector approaches intended to induce HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-specific T-cell responses. Here we present a comprehensive evaluation of the T-cell response profiles from cohorts of clinical trial subjects who received the HIV CAM-1 gag insert delivered by either a regimen with DNA priming followed by Ad5 boosting (n = 50) or a homologous Ad5/Ad5 prime-boost regimen (n = 70). The samples were tested using a statistically qualified nine-color intracellular cytokine staining assay measuring interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta, and gamma interferon production and expression of CD107a. Both vaccine regimens induced CD4(+) and CD8(+) HIV gag-specific T-cell responses which variably expressed several intracellular markers. Several trends were observed in which the frequencies of HIV-1-specific CD4(+) T cells and IL-2 production from antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in the DNA/Ad5 cohort were more pronounced than in the Ad5/Ad5 cohort. Implications of these results for future vaccine development will be discussed.
Mobile agents and mobile workers (1996)

The goal of the paper is to explore the emerging research issues in the nexus of mobile computing and organizational work.
Probiotics in infancy induce protective immune profiles that are characteristic for chronic low‐grade inflammation (2008)

The association of CRP with a decreased risk of eczema at 2 years of age in allergy-prone children supports the view that chronic, low-grade inflammation protects from eczema. Probiotic-induced low-grade inflammation was characterized by elevation of IgE, IgA, and IL-10, the changes typically observed in helminth infection-associated induction of regulatory mechanisms. The findings emphasize the role of chronic microbial exposure as an immune modulator protecting from allergy.
Neuromodulation of Limb Proprioceptive Afferents Decreases Apnea of Prematurity and Accompanying Intermittent Hypoxia and Bradycardia (2016)

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02641249.
Influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein: a structure-function analysis (1994)

A structure-function analysis of the influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein was performed. The M2 protein of human influenza virus A/Udorn/72 and mutants containing changes on one face of the putative alpha helix of the M2 transmembrane (TM) domain, several of which lead to amantadine resistance when found in virus, were expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The membrane currents of oocytes expressing mutant M2 ion channels were measured at both normal and low pH, and the amantadine-resistant mutant containing the change of alanine at residue 30 to threonine was found to have a significantly attenuated low pH activation response. The specific activity of the channel current of the amantadine-resistant mutants was investigated by measuring the membrane current of individual oocytes followed by quantification of the amount of M2 protein expressed in these single oocytes by immunoblotting analysis. The data indicate that changing residues on this face of the putative alpha helix of the M2 TM domain alters properties of the M2 ion channel. Some of the M2 proteins containing changes in the TM domain were found to be modified by addition of an N-linked carbohydrate chain at an asparagine residue that is membrane proximal and which is not modified in the wild-type M2 protein. These N-linked carbohydrate chains were further modified by addition of polylactosaminoglycan. A glycosylated M2 mutant protein (M2 + V, A30T) exhibited an ion channel activity with a voltage-activated, time-dependent kinetic component. Prevention of carbohydrate addition did not affect the altered channel activity. The ability of the M2 protein to tolerate deletions in the TM domain was examined by expressing three mutants (del29-31, del28-31, and del27-31) containing deletions of three, four, and five residues in the TM domain. No ion channel activity was detected from expression of M2 del29-31 and del27-31, whereas expression of M2 del28-31 resulted in an ion channel activity that was activated by hyperpolarization (and not low pH) and was resistant to amantadine block. Examination of the oligomeric form of M2 del28-31 indicated that the oligomer is different from wild-type M2, and the data were consistent with M2 del28-31 forming a pentamer.
Evaluating the performance of parallel subsurface simulators: An illustrative example with PFLOTRAN (2013)

[1] To better inform the subsurface scientist on the expected performance of parallel simulators, this work investigates performance of the reactive multiphase flow and multicomponent biogeochemical transport code PFLOTRAN as it is applied to several realistic modeling scenarios run on the Jaguar supercomputer. After a brief introduction to the code's parallel layout and code design, PFLOTRAN's parallel performance (measured through strong and weak scalability analyses) is evaluated in the context of conceptual model layout, software and algorithmic design, and known hardware limitations. PFLOTRAN scales well (with regard to strong scaling) for three realistic problem scenarios: (1) in situ leaching of copper from a mineral ore deposit within a 5-spot flow regime, (2) transient flow and solute transport within a regional doublet, and (3) a real-world problem involving uranium surface complexation within a heterogeneous and extremely dynamic variably saturated flow field. Weak scalability is discussed in detail for the regional doublet problem, and several difficulties with its interpretation are noted.
Production of Multimeric Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Small-Molecule Radiotracers Using a Solid-Phase 99mTc Preloading Strategy (2007)

Our study describes a simple cartridge-based conversion of 99mTc-pertechnetate to a useful, preloaded NHS ester intermediate that takes only 25 min to prepare and results in >99% radiochemical purity. Using this chemistry, we produced a high-specific-activity, 99mTc-labeled, PSMA-targeted small molecule and demonstrate gamma-ray radioscintigraphic imaging of living human prostate cancer cells.
Travinfo Field Operational Test: Work Plan For The Target, Network, And Value Added Reseller ( V A R ) Customer Studies (1997)

This report contains detailed work plans for the following evaluation tasks associated with the TravInfo evaluation study. These include: the target, Value Added Reseller (VAR) customer studies, and the network performance evaluation. The target study focuses on a high impact Bay Area corridor to evaluate TravInfo impacts or benefits to Bay Area travelers. The network performance evaluation simulates the road conditions in that corridor to estimate TravInfo impacts at the aggregate level. The VAR customer study provides information on those consumers who actually purchase and use Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) devices and subscribe to TravInfo
A single-chain TNF receptor antagonist is an effective inhibitor of TNF mediated cytotoxicity. (1995)

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an important mediator of immune and inflammatory responses and has been recognized as a major pathogenic factor in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. TNF receptor TR60 plays a critical role in signalling the pathogenic activities of TNF. We here describe molecular cloning and bacterial production of a single-chain antibody (scFv H398) directed against TR60 which possesses antagonistic activity. VH and VL encoding sequences were isolated by PCR from the murine hybridoma cell line H398, cloned into a scFv expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant antibody (Ab) fragment was found as an active soluble protein in the periplasm but also formed inclusion bodies. Re-folded scFv H398 purified from inclusion bodies was shown to be functional and stable at 37 degrees C with a half-life of 50 h. Comparison of the antigen binding characteristics of scFv with the parental enzymatically produced Fab H398 revealed that both Ab fragments have the same epitope specificity and an identical antigen binding affinity of 1.5 nM. In an in vitro assay it was demonstrated that scFv H398 is an efficient inhibitor of TNF mediated cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 22 nM, which is comparable to the antagonistic activity of natural Fab H398 with an IC50 of 12 nM. As scFv H398 possesses the high affinity TR60 binding and receptor antagonistic activity of the parental Ab H398 but is expected to be less antigenic in man, it provides a valuable tool for the development of novel therapeutic reagents against TNF mediated diseases.
Central Pressure More Strongly Relates to Vascular Disease and Outcome Than Does Brachial Pressure (2007)

Brachial blood pressure is predictive of cardiovascular outcome; however central pressure may better represent the load imposed on the coronary and cerebral arteries and thereby bear a stronger relationship to vascular damage and prognosis. Relations of brachial and central pressures to carotid artery hypertrophy (intimal-medial thickness and vascular mass), extent of atherosclerosis (plaque score), and incident cardiovascular events were examined in the Strong Heart Study. Central pressures were calculated using radial applanation tonometry. Among 3520 participants, central and brachial pulse pressures were more strongly related to vascular hypertrophy and extent of atherosclerosis than were systolic pressures. Central pulse pressure was more strongly related to all 3 arterial measures than was brachial pulse pressure (r=0.364 versus 0.309 for plaque score; P<0.001 for comparison of Spearman correlation coefficient; r=0.293 versus 0.249 for intimal-medial thickness; P<0.002; r=0.320 versus 0.289 for vascular mass; P<0.05). Among the 2403 participants free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline, 319 suffered fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events during mean follow-up of 4.8+/-1.3 years. After adjustment for age, gender, current smoking, body mass index, cholesterol:HDL ratio, creatinine, fibrinogen, diabetes, and heart rate, central pulse pressure predicted cardiovascular events more strongly than brachial pulse pressure (hazards ratio=1.15 per 10 mm Hg, chi(2)=13.4, P<0.001 versus hazards ratio=1.10, chi(2)=6.9, P=0.008). In conclusion, noninvasively-determined central pulse pressure is more strongly related to vascular hypertrophy, extent of atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular events than is brachial blood pressure. These findings support prospective examination of use of central blood pressure as a treatment target in future trials.
Narrowband impedance matching layer for high efficiency thickness mode ultrasonic transducers (2002)

A new matching layer design concept has been proposed for narrow band continuous wave (CW) devices. The structure is different from well-known wideband design, A high power transducer structure was designed and fabricated with PVDF-TrFE to operate at 1.4 MHz. A maximum power output of 6-9 W/cm/sup 2/ with conversion efficiency of 30-35% was observed.
Modulation of Cell Surface Expression of Nonactivated Cholecystokinin Receptors Using Bivalent Ligand-Induced Internalization (2010)

CCK(2) receptor antagonists potentiate pain relief by MOP receptor agonists. In an attempt to enhance this effect, we prepared bivalent ligands incorporating CCK(2) receptor antagonist and MOP receptor agonist pharmacophores. (9) Ligands with 16- to 22-atom spacers could simultaneously bind both receptors but provided no advantage in activity over individual ligands. We now examine the effect of these ligands on receptor internalization as a mechanism of receptor regulation. We prepared CHO cell lines expressing nonfluorescent halves (YN and YC) of yellow fluorescent protein attached to each receptor. Spatial approximation of constructs was needed to yield fluorescence. Monovalent MOP agonist 1 signaled normally and internalized the MOP receptor. Monovalent CCK(2) antagonist 2 did not stimulate receptor internalization. In the dual receptor-bearing cells, bivalent ligands 3a-c capable of simultaneously binding both receptors resulted in cell surface fluorescence and internalization of the fluorescent complex in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. Bivalent ligand 4 with spacer too short to occupy both receptors simultaneously yielded no signal. Receptor tethering with appropriate bivalent ligands can down-regulate signaling by moving a nonactivated receptor into the endocytic pathway.
A general purpose, single chip video signal processing (VSP) architecture for image processing, coding and computer vision (1994)

The paper describes the architecture of a novel, internally multiprocessing, single chip VSP. The limitations of extended DSP architectures and conventional array processors are discussed in the context of the functional domains of image processing, coding and computer vision. Integration of a novel array-based processing core, together with a RISC processor and intelligent memory management processor provide flexibility. The core architecture is an enhanced array processor whose key features are: 2 bit data path, dual processor mesh connected array planes and combined SIMD/systolic functionality. The core is optimised for 2D windowed operations, particularly 2D MAC and transforms. The device is expected to operate at 80 MHz on low voltage silicon and deliver in excess of 3 G Op s/sup -1/ across a range of target applications.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>