gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 activation by plasmin regulates a novel endothelial cell-mediated mechanism of collagen gel contraction and capillary tube regression in three-dimensional collagen matrices (2001)

Here, we describe a new function for plasmin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which is to regulate the regression of capillary tubes in three-dimensional extracellular matrix environments. Using a well-described capillary morphogenesis system in three-dimensional collagen matrices, a new model of capillary regression has been established by adding plasminogen to the culture medium. Plasminogen is converted to plasmin by endothelial cell plasminogen activators which then induces matrix metalloproteinase-dependent collagen gel contraction and capillary regression. Plasminogen addition results in activation of MMP-1 and MMP-9, which then results in collagen proteolysis followed by capillary regression. The endothelial cells undergo apoptosis following gel contraction as detected by flow cytometric analysis as well as by detectable caspase-3 cleavage and caspase-dependent cleavage of the actin cytoskeletal regulatory protein, gelsolin. In addition, directly correlating with the contraction response, tyrosine phosphorylation of p130cas, an adapter protein in the focal adhesion complex, is observed followed by disappearance of the protein. Proteinase inhibitors that block MMPs (TIMP-1 or TIMP-2), plasminogen activators (PAI-1) or plasmin (aprotinin) completely block the gel contraction and regression process. In addition, chemical inhibitors of MMPs that block capillary regression also block MMP-1 and MMP-9 activation suggesting that a key element in this regression response is the molecular control of MMP activation by endothelial cells. Blocking antibodies directed to MMP-1 or MMP-9 interfere with capillary regression while blocking antibodies directed to PAI-1 accelerate capillary regression suggesting that endogenous synthesis of PAI-1 negatively regulates this process. These data present a novel system to study a new mechanism that may regulate regression of capillary tubes, namely, plasmin and MMP-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix.
Biological considerations for radioimmunotherapy. (1990)

We have examined three methods that may be useful for improving the therapeutic efficacy of antibody-targeted radionuclides. The principal limitation of radioimmunotherapy is myelotoxicity and thrombocytopenia. These are due mainly to the length of time the radioantibody remains in the blood. The clearance time of a radiolabeled immunoglobulin G (IgG) may be decreased by using fragments prepared from the IgG. Using murine monoclonal antibodies against human colonic cancer in an animal model with a transplantable human colonic tumor, we have shown that fractionated doses of 131I-labeled F(ab')2 fragments can provide similar tumoricidal activity as a single injection of IgG, but toxicity to the normal tissues is reduced significantly at this tumoricidal level. Thus, it is expected that improved tumoricidal activity may be achieved by further escalating the dose of F(ab')2 that is administered at each injection. An anti-antibody (second antibody) may also be used to remove an anti-tumor antibody rapidly from the blood. By allowing intact IgG to be used instead of fragments, a higher percentage of the radiolabeled anti-tumor antibodies may be concentrated in the tumor to provide higher tumor doses, yet toxicity to the normal tissues may be controlled by the removal of the radiolabeled antibody from the blood. We have shown that the injection of a second antibody 48 h after 131I-labeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody is given can reduce toxicity at least 2-fold without affecting the tumoricidal activity of the radioantibody. A third method for reducing the myelotoxicity of radioantibody treatment involves the use of cytokines to increase the production of white blood cells. For example, interleukin 1 may be given prior to, or sometime after, radioantibody treatment to increase the number of circulating white blood cells and thereby reduce myelotoxicity. Thus, modification of some of the biological factors limiting radioimmunotherapy may provide for improvements in cancer treatment with radiolabeled antibodies.
Font adaptive word indexing of modern printed documents (2006)

We propose an approach for the word-level indexing of modern printed documents which are difficult to recognize using current OCR engines. By means of word-level indexing, it is possible to retrieve the position of words in a document, enabling queries involving proximity of terms. Web search engines implement this kind of indexing, allowing users to retrieve Web pages on the basis of their textual content. Nowadays, digital libraries hold collections of digitized documents that can be retrieved either by browsing the document images or relying on appropriate metadata assembled by domain experts. Word indexing tools would therefore increase the access to these collections. The proposed system is designed to index homogeneous document collections by automatically adapting to different languages and font styles without relying on OCR engines for character recognition. The approach is based on three main ideas: the use of Self Organizing Maps (SOM) to perform unsupervised character clustering, the definition of one suitable vector-based word representation whose size depends on the word aspect-ratio, and the run-time alignment of the query word with indexed words to deal with broken and touching characters. The most appropriate applications are for processing modern printed documents (17th to 19th centuries) where current OCR engines are less accurate. Our experimental analysis addresses six data sets containing documents ranging from books of the 17th century to contemporary journals.
The Unusual Structure of a Novel RNA Replicon in Rice (1995)

A linear, plasmid-like, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was isolated from rice, and its entire sequence of 13,952 nucleotides (nt) was determined. The dsRNA encodes a single, unusually long, open reading frame (13,716 nt, 4,572 amino acid residues), which includes an RNA helicase-like domain and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-like domain. A series of Northern hybridization and primer extension experiments revealed that the coding (sense) strand of the dsRNA contains a discontinuity (nick) at a position 1,211 nt (or 1,256 nt) from the 5' end. This discontinuity divides not only the coding strand of dsRNA molecule into a 1,211-nt fragment and a 12,741-nt fragment (or a 1,256-nt fragment and a 12,696-nt fragment) but also divides the long open reading frame into a 5' part of 1,045 nt (348 amino acid residues) and a 3' part of 12,671 nt (4,224 amino acid residues) or a 5' part of 1,090 nt (363 amino acid residues) and a 3' part of 12,626 nt (4,209 amino acid residues). It seems likely that almost all dsRNA molecules in rice plants contain such a discontinuity. This rice dsRNA appears to be a novel and unique RNA replicon.
Control points in eucaryotic ribosome biogenesis (1991)

Ribosome biogenesis in eucaryotic cells involves the coordinated synthesis of four rRNA species, transcribed by RNA polymerase I (18S, 28S, 5.8S) and RNA polymerase III (5S), and approximately 80 ribosomal proteins translated from mRNAs synthesized by RNA polymerase II. Assembly of the ribosomal subunits in the nucleolus, the site of 45S rRNA precursor gene transcription, requires the movement of 5S rRNA and ribosomal proteins from the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm, respectively, to this structure. To integrate these events and ensure the balanced production of individual ribosomal components, different strategies have been developed by eucaryotic organisms in response to a variety of physiological changes. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms modulating the production of ribosomal precursor molecules and the rate of ribosome biogenesis in various biological systems.
Shorter Survival in Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection Is More Closely Associated with T Lymphocyte Activation than with Plasma Virus Burden or Virus Chemokine Coreceptor Usage (1999)

To define predictors of survival time in late human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease, long- and short-duration survivors were studied after their CD4+ T cells fell to </=50/mm3. Immune activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as measured by elevated cell surface expression of CD38 antigen, was strongly associated with shorter subsequent survival (P</=.002). The naive CD45RA+CD62L+ T cell reserve was low in all subjects and did not predict survival (P=.34 for CD4+ and.08 for CD8+ cells). Higher virus burden correlated with CD8+ but not CD4+ cell activation and, after correcting for multiple comparisons, was not associated with shorter survival (P=.02). All of the patients' viruses used CCR5, CXCR4, or both, and coreceptor usage did not predict survival (P=. 27). Through mechanisms apparently unrelated to higher virus burden, immune activation is a major determinant of survival in advanced HIV-1 disease.
Sugar-fermenting yeast as an organic source of carbon dioxide to attract the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (2010)

Yeast-produced CO2 can effectively replace industrial CO2 for sampling of An. gambiae s.s.. This will significantly reduce costs and allow sustainable mass-application of odour-baited devices for mosquito sampling in remote areas.
Capsule Production and Growth Phase Influence Binding of Complement toStaphylococcus aureus (2001)

Complement-mediated opsonization of bacteria by C3 binding is an important component of the host innate immune system. Little information is available concerning the interaction between complement proteins and capsule type 5 and 8 Staphylococcus aureus strains, even though these isolates are responsible for approximately 70% of human staphylococcal infections. To investigate the importance of an intact complement pathway in an experimental staphylococcal infection, control and C3-depleted mice were challenged intravenously with 10(7) CFU of a serotype 5 S. aureus isolate. Whereas only 8% of the control mice succumbed to the infection, 64% of the complemented-depleted animals died. In vitro parameters of C3 binding to two heavily encapsulated (CP++) strains, three encapsulated (CP+) strains, and an isogenic capsule-negative (CP-) mutant were examined. The alternative pathway contributed 90% of C3 binding in 20% serum at 30 min, whereas it accounted for only 13% of C3 binding in 2% serum. Stationary-phase organisms bound only 10% as much C3 as mid-log-phase organisms; this was only in part due to capsule. When the S. aureus strains were cultivated on solid medium, the CP++ isolates bound 50% less C3 than CP+ strains; a CP+ strain bound 42% less C3 than the CP- mutant. Both C3b and iC3b fragments of C3 bound to S. aureus cells, and about one-third of the bound C3 was shed from the staphylococcal surface as iC3b, regardless of the CP phenotype of the strain. Thus, the phase of growth and presence of capsule are critical to opsonization.
Induction of tumor‐cell lysis by bi‐specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing renal‐cell carcinoma and cd3 antigen (1989)

Bi-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed by somatic hybridization of 2 mouse hybridomas, one producing MAb against the G250 renal-cell carcinoma (RCC)-associated antigen and the other against the T-cell antigen CD3 (OKT3). The dual specificity of the hybrid MAb produced by these so-called quadromas was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue sections and by cytotoxicity assays with relevant target and effector cells. The bi-specific MAb could induce TCR alpha beta/CD3+ and TCR gamma delta/CD3+ cloned lymphocytes to kill RCC cells. A noteworthy finding was that the TCR alpha beta and gamma delta lymphocyte clones showed different triggering abilities. The specificity of target-cell lysis by the cytotoxic T cells (CTL) was dictated by the specificity of the G250 MAb. Control bi-specific MAb, recognizing a cell-surface structure not involved in T-cell activation, did not induce lysis. Several IgG subclass switch variants of the G250 hybridoma, i.e., IgG1, 2a, 2b and IgE, were used for somatic hybridization with the OKT3 hybridoma (IgG2a). Except for IgE, all IgG subclass combinations could equally induce cytolysis. Induction of cytolysis was inhibited only by excess OKT3 MAb. Comparison of 2 bi-specific MAb preparations of the same combination (IgG2a/1), produced by 2 quadromas derived from the same parental hybridomas after identical purification procedures, produced different amounts of bispecific MAb.
Macromol. Chem. Phys. 3/2008 (2008)

Cover: Combing dewetting and thermal annealing, 2D polymer latticeworks with multiple polygonal meshes were successfully fabricated by self‐organized anisotropic mass transfer. These ordered structures could be formed on various substrates or further transferred to curved faces. Further details can be found in the article by W. Li, Y. Nie, J. Zhang, D. Zhu, X. Li, H. Sun, K. Yu, and B. Yang * on page 247.
LONG‐TERM INCREASES IN RENAL SYMPATHETIC NERVE ACTIVITY AND HYPERTENSION (1997)

1. Essential hypertensive patients have been characterized by increased sympathetic nerve activity, increased peripheral vascular tone, decreased plasma volume and normal cardiac output when compared with normotensive subjects. Bilateral renal denervation reduces the magnitude or delays the onset of the blood pressure response in numerous models of experimental hypertension regardless of the aetiology of the elevation in arterial pressure. 2. Using a servocontrolled intrarenal infusion system, we have elevated intrarenal noradrenaline concentration via intermittent renal artery infusion without decreasing renal blood flow as a method of simulating selective elevation of renal sympathetic outflow. 3. Chronic intrarenal adrenergic stimulation increased arterial pressure within 24 h and this hypertension persisted for 28 consecutive days. The elevated arterial pressure was not associated with sustained increases in plasma renin activity, aldosterone, circulating catecholamines, arginine vasopressin or significant renal vasoconstriction. Urinary sodium excretion was chronically elevated and the dogs remained in negative sodium balance for the duration of the intrarenal noradrenaline infusion. 4. After 2 weeks of elevated intrarenal neurotransmitter coupled with hypertension, renal vascular reactivity to further adrenergic stimulation was significantly increased because the hypertension was maintained during continual reductions in the daily dosage of neurotransmitter allowed to be infused by the servocontroller. After only 28 days of noradrenaline infusion, renal vascular hypertrophy developed in vessels from 150-300 microns. 5. We conclude that selective and intermittent increases in intrarenal adrenergic neurotransmitter are sufficient to elicit chronic hypertension in the absence of volume expansion. This intrarenal neuroadrenergic hypertension is closely associated with the haemodynamic parameters which characterize a major subset of human essential hypertensives.
Negative thermal expansion (2006)

Materials with a negative thermal expansion coefficient contract when heated and expand when cooled. This paper reviews mechanisms of how this unusual property can be achieved at the molecular and macroscopic level. Some applications of this unusual property are also discussed.
Biologic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 antibody blockade in previously vaccinated metastatic melanoma and ovarian carcinoma patients (2003)

A large number of cancer-associated gene products evoke immune recognition, but host reactions rarely impede disease progression. The weak immunogenicity of nascent tumors contributes to this failure in host defense. Therapeutic vaccines that enhance dendritic cell presentation of cancer antigens increase specific cellular and humoral responses, thereby effectuating tumor destruction in some cases. The attenuation of T cell activation by cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) further limits the potency of tumor immunity. In murine systems, the administration of antibodies that block CTLA-4 function inhibits the growth of moderately immunogenic tumors and, in combination with cancer vaccines, increases the rejection of poorly immunogenic tumors, albeit with a loss of tolerance to normal differentiation antigens. To gain a preliminary assessment of the biologic activity of antagonizing CTLA-4 function in humans, we infused a CTLA-4 blocking antibody (MDX-CTLA4) into nine previously immunized advanced cancer patients. MDX-CTLA4 stimulated extensive tumor necrosis with lymphocyte and granulocyte infiltrates in three of three metastatic melanoma patients and the reduction or stabilization of CA-125 levels in two of two metastatic ovarian carcinoma patients previously vaccinated with irradiated, autologous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting tumor cells. MDX-CTLA4 did not elicit tumor necrosis in four of four metastatic melanoma patients previously immunized with defined melanosomal antigens. No serious toxicities directly attributable to the antibody were observed, although five of seven melanoma patients developed T cell reactivity to normal melanocytes. These findings suggest that CTLA-4 antibody blockade increases tumor immunity in some previously vaccinated cancer patients.
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Expression Is Increased in Asthmatic Airways and Correlates with Expression of Th2-Attracting Chemokines and Disease Severity (2005)

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is said to increase expression of chemokines attracting Th2 T cells. We hypothesized that asthma is characterized by elevated bronchial mucosal expression of TSLP and Th2-attracting, but not Th1-attracting, chemokines as compared with controls, with selective accumulation of cells bearing receptors for these chemokines. We used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression and cellular provenance of TSLP, Th2-attracting (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC)/CCL22, I-309/CCL1) and Th1-attracting (IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10)/CXCL10, IFN-inducible T cell alpha-chemoattractant (I-TAC)/CXCL11) chemokines and expression of their receptors CCR4, CCR8, and CXCR3 in bronchial biopsies from 20 asthmatics and 15 normal controls. The numbers of cells within the bronchial epithelium and submucosa expressing mRNA for TSLP, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and IP-10/CXCL10, but not I-TAC/CXCL11 and I-309/CCL1, were significantly increased in asthmatics as compared with controls (p </= 0.018). TSLP and TARC/CCL17 expression correlated with airway obstruction. Although the total numbers of cells expressing CCR4, CCR8, and CXCR3 did not significantly differ in the asthmatics and controls, there was evidence of selective infiltration of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells in the asthmatic biopsies which correlated with TARC and MDC expression and airway obstruction. Epithelial cells, endothelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells were significant sources of TSLP and chemokines. Our data implicate TSLP, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and IP-10/CXCL10 in asthma pathogenesis. These may act partly through selective development and retention, or recruitment of Th2 cells bearing their receptors.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the menopause: an update (2007)

Since we last reviewed this topic in 2001, considerably more information about dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has accrued, but this has not necessarily left us any wiser about the use of this steroid in postmenopausal women. There is no further evidence that DHEA supplementation is likely to be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cognitive impairment, or in the promotion of wellbeing. Evidence has, however, accumulated for beneficial effects of DHEA on osteoporosis, both in postmenopausal women and in patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy. What is also emerging is a link between low DHEA levels and cardiovascular risk, and between high DHEA levels and breast cancer risk. In fact, the benefits and adverse effects of DHEA administration in postmenopausal women increasingly resemble those of conventional hormone replacement therapy. Overall, we conclude that DHEA is not currently to be recommended for therapeutic use in the majority of postmenopausal women. However, DHEA supplementation may be of benefit in two specific groups of women: those with the lowest circulating levels of DHEA; and those for whom osteoporosis is a particular problem.
Mixed Amphetamine Salts Extended Release for the Treatment of ADHD (2005)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely recognized as one of the most common psychiatric disorders initially diagnosed and treated in childhood; however, it is less widely recognized as a disorder that often persists into adolescence and adulthood. In recent years, there has been increased awareness that adult ADHD is marked by significant impulsivity and impairments of attention and executive function, symptoms that can be linked to, personal, social, and professional dysfunction. Clinicians are increasingly recognizing adult ADHD as a disorder linked to considerable dysfunction and distress, warranting appropriate pharmacologic treatment. Psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are recommended as first-line pharmacotherapeutic agents for the management of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. Because most research on psychostimulant use has involved pediatric ADHD patients, little is known about the safety and efficacy of these agents in adult ADHD.
Development of Porous-Silicon-Based Active Microfilters (2007)

With a goal of preparing silicon-based interactive filters in the micropore range, we have developed the first single-step etch-liftoff procedure (one-step separation) based on the formation and removal of macroporous silicon layers. With silicon wafers whose resistivities are in the range from , we are able to create, in a surprisingly controlled manner, films whose pore diameters range from and whose thickness ranges from . These silicon-based films (filters), which carry a polarizing negative charge, represent an alternative to porous alumina (films) filters (pore diameter not yet in the range) both in terms of their size range and potential interaction-reaction at elevated temperature. Preliminary experiments demonstrate that platinum and copper can be introduced to these filters using electroless solutions with a goal to creating an effective reductive surface. Using these and alternate material combinations, interactive-reactive filters in the size range that operate at temperatures well in excess of porous polymer films can be realized.
Effects of Pinealectomy on Regional Brain Serotonin Metabolism (1985)

The influence of pinealectomy on serotonin cerebral metabolism was examined in male rats maintained in a long photoperiod (14 h L:10 h D). Eight weeks after pinealectomy, serum, hepatic and CNS concentrations of tryptophan were not affected. The concentrations of 5-HT was significantly decreased in only three regions, hypothalamus, midbrain and hippocampus. The levels of 5-HIAA decreased significantly only in the hypothalamus and the midbrain. These results suggest that pinealectomy promotes a decreased hypothalamic and midbrain 5-HT utilization.