gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
In vitro candidastatic properties of the human neutrophil calprotectin complex. (1993)

Microbiostatic mechanisms may contribute substantially to host defense against infection by certain microbes. We studied the candidastatic activity of human neutrophils, neutrophil cytosol, and neutrophil-derived "calprotectin," a cytosolic protein complex comprised of two subunits, MRP8 and MRP14. Intact neutrophils, neutrophil lysates (prepared by ultrasonic disruption, freezing and thawing, or nonionic detergent extraction), and granule-depleted neutrophil cytosol were effective in restricting the growth of Candida albicans in a nutrient-rich tissue culture medium, RPMI 1640. Neither a subcellular fraction enriched in neutrophil granules nor selected purified granule components (lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G, leukocyte elastase, lysozyme, and defensins) exerted candidastatic activity in this medium. Gel filtration liquid chromatography, anion exchange FPLC, and SDS-PAGE showed that the fungistatic factor in neutrophil cytosol was associated with the calprotectin complex. Its antifungal effects included restriction of yeast phase and mycelial growth and inhibition of glucose incorporation by yeast phase cultures. The antifungal effects of calprotectin were sustained for over 120 h and were inhibited by zinc. However, studies with 65Zn-enriched RPMI suggested that the candidastatic effects of calprotectin were not mediated by sequestration or binding of zinc. After reversed phase HPLC, calprotectin fractions containing MRP14 exhibited fungistatic activity, whereas fractions depleted of MRP14 but enriched for MRP8 lacked fungistatic activity. The results support a potentially significant role for the calprotectin complex of neutrophil cytosol in antifungal defense and suggest that MRP14 is of key importance in that activity.
Immunological Detection of a Novel Advanced Glycation End-Product (2001)

This study provides new data on the pathways of AGE formation from 3-DG and methods for the immunochemical detection of AGEs. We also provide immunochemical evidence for the existence of six distinct AGEs in vivo among the AGE-modified proteins and peptides in the serum of diabetic patients on hemodialysis.
Cucurbiturils and Their Applications in Nanoscience (2008)

Cucurbit [n]uril (CB[n], n = 5 -10), a family of host molecules comprising n glycoluril units, have a hydrophobic cavity and two identical carbonyl-laced portals, which allow them to form stable inclusion complexes with a wide variety of guest molecules. 1For example, CB [7] forms very stable host-guest complexes with ferrocenemethylammonium (FA) ions in water with a binding constant up to 2 10 12 M -1 .It is one of the highest binding affinity ever observed in synthetic receptors and quite close to that of the biotin-avidin pair (10 13 -10 15 ).Our recent discovery of a direct functionalization method of CB[n] allowed us to synthesis a wide variety of tailor-made CB[n] derivatives and explore new applications of the host family. 2 For example, lipophilic CB[n] (n = 5, 6) behave as an ion channel when embedded in a lipid bilayer.Amphiphilic CB[6] derivatives form vesicles whose surface can be easily modified by host-guest interactions, which may be useful in targeted drug delivery.We recently synthesized polymer nanocapsules via polymerization of allyloxyCB[6] which has a rigid core and multiple polymerizable allyl groups at the periphery. 3Without using any pre-organized structures or templates the reaction directly produces polymer nanocapsules with a stable structure and narrow size distribution.The polymer shell made of host molecules allows tailoring of the surface properties by host-guest interactions.The easy synthesis and unique ability to tailor surface properties in a noncovalent manner make the polymer capsules and vesicles potentially useful in many applications including targeted drug delivery.We also reported a novel noncovalent method to immobilize a protein on a solid surface using the CB[7]-FA pair, which may serve as a replacement of the avidin-biotin system for this and other applications. 4Some of our recent work will be presented
How Wenzel and Cassie Were Wrong (2007)

We argue using experimental data that contact lines and not contact areas are important in determining wettability. Three types of two-component surfaces were prepared that contain "spots" in a surrounding field: a hydrophilic spot in a hydrophobic field, a rough spot in a smooth field, and a smooth spot in a rough field. Water contact angles were measured within the spots and with the spot confined to within the contact line of the sessile drop. Spot diameter and contact line diameter were varied. All of the data indicate that contact angle behavior (advancing, receding, and hysteresis) is determined by interactions of the liquid and the solid at the three-phase contact line alone and that the interfacial area within the contact perimeter is irrelevant. The point is made that Wenzel's and Cassie's equations are valid only to the extent that the structure of the contact area reflects the ground state energies of contact lines and the transition states between them.
“Microcanals” for micropipette access to single cells in microfluidic environments (2004)

We demonstrate the fabrication and operation of "microcanals"(i.e. open-air microfluidic channels without a roof), which enable micropipette manipulation and probing of cells within a microfluidic environment. The microcanal devices are fabricated in PDMS on glass substrates using a PDMS membrane transferring technique. Here we show patch-clamp electrophysiological recording and intracellular dye injection performed on cells seeded in microcanals.
Genotypic Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Two Distinct Populations Using Molecular Beacons: Implications for Rapid Susceptibility Testing (2000)

Past genotypic studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may have incorrectly estimated the importance of specific drug resistance mutations due to a number of sampling biases including an overrepresentation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. An accurate assessment of resistance mutations is crucial for understanding basic resistance mechanisms and designing genotypic drug resistance assays. We developed a rapid closed-tube PCR assay using fluorogenic reporter molecules called molecular beacons to detect reportedly common M. tuberculosis mutations associated with resistance to isoniazid and rifampin. The assay was used in a comparative genotypic investigation of two different study populations to determine whether these known mutations account for most cases of clinical drug resistance. We analyzed samples from a reference laboratory in Madrid, Spain, which receives an overrepresentation of MDR isolates similar to prior studies and from a community medical center in New York where almost all of the resistant isolates and an equal number of susceptible controls were available. The ability of the molecular beacon assay to predict resistance to isoniazid and rifampin was also assessed. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the assay for isoniazid resistance were 85 and 100%, respectively, and those for rifampin resistance were 98 and 100%, respectively. Rifampin resistance mutations were detected equally well in isolates from both study populations; however, isoniazid resistance mutations were detected in 94% of the isolates from Madrid but in only 76% of the isolates from New York (P = 0.02). In New York, isoniazid resistance mutations were significantly more common in the MDR isolates (94%) than in single-drug-resistant isolates (44%; P < 0.001). No association between previously described mutations in the kasA gene and isoniazid resistance was found. The first mutations that cause isoniazid resistance may often occur in sequences that have not been commonly associated with isoniazid resistance, possibly in other as yet uncharacterized genes. The molecular beacon assay was simple, rapid, and highly sensitive for the detection of rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates and for the detection of isoniazid resistance in MDR isolates.
A merged CMOS LNA and mixer for a WCDMA receiver (2003)

A low-noise amplifier (LNA) and mixer circuit in 0.35-μm CMOS operates at 2.1 GHz. Merging the LNA and mixer lowers the number of transistors in the signal path and thereby also the nonlinearity and power consumption. The circuit meets the specifications for a direct conversion wide-band code-division multiple access (WCDMA) receiver. Its noise figure is 3.4 dB (5kHz to 5MHz), the total conversion gain is 23 dB, the third-order input-referred intercept point is -1.5 dBm, and the local oscillator leakage to the antenna is less than -71 dBm. The fully differential circuit takes 8 mA from a 2.7-V supply.
The prognostic value of angiogenesis factor expression for predicting recurrence and metastasis of bladder cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy. (2000)

To determine the prognostic value of angiogenesis factor expression for patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder treated with neoadjuvant methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC) chemotherapy and radical cystectomy, we evaluated the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) by in situ hybridization, and we determined microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemistry. These factors were evaluated in 55 biopsy specimens prior to therapy and in the cystectomy specimens of 51 patients after completion of therapy. By univariate analysis, VEGF expression and MVD in the biopsy specimens were significant predictors of disease recurrence. By multivariate analysis, only VEGF expression was an independent prognostic factor. Pathological stage, bFGF expression, and MVD in the cystectomy specimens after therapy were all independent prognostic factors for disease recurrence. The results of this exploratory study indicate that the expression levels of VEGF and bFGF as indicated by in situ hybridization and MVD as indicated by immunohistochemistry identify patients with muscle-invasive TCC who are at high risk of developing metastasis after aggressive therapy with systemic M-VAC chemotherapy and radical cystectomy.
A Review: Inflammatory Process in Alzheimer's Disease, Role of Cytokines (2012)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder to date. Neuropathological hallmarks are β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, but the inflammatory process has a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of AD. Inflammatory components related to AD neuroinflammation include brain cells such as microglia and astrocytes, the complement system, as well as cytokines and chemokines. Cytokines play a key role in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes in AD. An important factor in the onset of inflammatory process is the overexpression of interleukin (IL)-1, which produces many reactions in a vicious circle that cause dysfunction and neuronal death. Other important cytokines in neuroinflammation are IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. By contrast, other cytokines such as IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β can suppress both proinflammatory cytokine production and their action, subsequently protecting the brain. It has been observed in epidemiological studies that treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the risk for developing AD. Unfortunately, clinical trials of NSAIDs in AD patients have not been very fruitful. Proinflammatory responses may be countered through polyphenols. Supplementation of these natural compounds may provide a new therapeutic line of approach to this brain disorder.
Noninvasive measurement and imaging of liver iron concentrations using proton magnetic resonance (2004)

Measurement of liver iron concentration (LIC) is necessary for a range of iron-loading disorders such as hereditary hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplasia. Currently, chemical analysis of needle biopsy specimens is the most common accepted method of measurement. This study presents a readily available noninvasive method of measuring and imaging LICs in vivo using clinical 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging units. Mean liver proton transverse relaxation rates (R2) were measured for 105 humans. A value for the LIC for each subject was obtained by chemical assay of a needle biopsy specimen. High degrees of sensitivity and specificity of R2 to biopsy LICs were found at the clinically significant LIC thresholds of 1.8, 3.2, 7.0, and 15.0 mg Fe/g dry tissue. A calibration curve relating liver R2 to LIC has been deduced from the data covering the range of LICs from 0.3 to 42.7 mg Fe/g dry tissue. Proton transverse relaxation rates in aqueous paramagnetic solutions were also measured on each magnetic resonance imaging unit to ensure instrument-independent results. Measurements of proton transverse relaxivity of aqueous MnCl2 phantoms on 13 different magnetic resonance imaging units using the method yielded a coefficient of variation of 2.1%.
Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Volume 70, Number 3 (1988): Sects and New Religious Movements. Edited by Anthony Dyson and Eileen Barker. Manchester: John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1988. 240 pp. £17.50. (1991)

Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Volume 70, Number 3 (1988): Sects and New Religious Movements. Edited by Anthony Dyson and Eileen Barker. Manchester: John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1988. 240 pp. £17.50. - Volume 60 Issue 1
Respiratory rhythmically regulated electrical stimulation of paralyzed laryngeal muscles (1984)

Electrical stimulation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, synchronized with inspiration, was achieved in dogs, utilizing a radio frequency stimulus triggered by a chest wall expansion transducer. This system brings about the abduction of the paralyzed vocal cord for the entire duration of inspiration, which allows a normal flow of air through the larynx. The stimulation system could be tested successfully in actual experiments in dogs with artificial paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Its effectiveness could be proved through observation of the vocal cord movements (photographic documentation) and recording subglottic pressure variations. Transmission of stimulation energy is effected by electrical induction.
Regulation of Lipid A Modifications by Salmonella typhimurium Virulence Genes phoP-phoQ (1997)

Bacterial pathogenesis requires proteins that sense host microenvironments and respond by regulating virulence gene transcription. For Salmonellae, one such regulatory system is PhoP-PhoQ, which regulates genes required for intracellular survival and resistance to cationic peptides. Analysis by mass spectrometry revealed that Salmonella typhimurium PhoP-PhoQ regulated structural modifications of lipid A, the host signaling portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by the addition of aminoarabinose and 2-hydroxymyristate. Structurally modified lipid A altered LPS-mediated expression of the adhesion molecule E-selectin by endothelial cells and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression by adherent monocytes. Thus, altered responses to environmentally induced lipid A structural modifications may represent a mechanism for bacteria to gain advantage within host tissues.
FVIII gene delivery by muscle electroporation corrects murine hemophilia A (2004)

In vivo intramuscular electroporation of naked FVIII plasmid successfully corrects murine hemophilia.
Antimicrobial Activity of 10 Different Plant Polyphenols against Bacteria Causing Food-Borne Disease (2004)

The antibacterial activities of 10 different plant polyphenols were evaluated by comparing their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against several food-borne pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (20 strains), some serotypes of the genus Salmonella (26 strains), Escherichia coli (23 strains), and some species of the genus Vibrio (27 strains). The polyphenols examined were epigallocatechin (1), epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (2), punicalagin (3), tannic acid (4), castalagin (5), prodelphinidin (6), geraniin (7), procyanidins (8), a theaflavin mixture of black tea (9), and green tea polyphenols treated with loquat polyphenol oxidase (10). The average MICs of all polyphenols against S. aureus and the genus Vibrio (192+/-91 and 162+/-165 microg/ml, respectively) were much lower than the values against the genus Salmonella and E. coli (795+/-590 and 1519+/-949 microg/ml, respectively) (p<0.01). The coefficient of variation of the MICs of all polyphenols against S. aureus was the least and that against the genus Vibrio was the greatest. The mean MICs of each plant polyphenol against S. aureus (98-389 microg/ml) and the genus Vibrio (68-488 microg/ml) were similar. The relatively lower mean MIC values of 1, 2, 5, and 6 suggest the importance of 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl groups in antibacterial activity.
Enhancement of the optical Kerr effect exhibited by an integrated configuration of silicon quantum dots and silver nanoparticles (2011)

We present nonlinear refractive results for three different systems produced by ion implantation: high purity silica substrates with silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs), silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), and one sample containing both. We used a femtosecond optical Kerr gate (OKG) with 80 fs pulses at 830 nm to investigate the magnitude and response time of their nonlinear response. The Ag-NPs samples were prepared implanting 2 MeV Ag2+ ions at different fluencies. A sample with 1×1017 ions/cm2 showed no discernible Kerr signal, while for one with 2.4×1017 ions/cm2 we measured |χ(3)|1111 = 5.1×10-11 esu. The Si-QDs sample required irradiation with 1.5 MeV Si2+ ions, at a 2.5×1017 ions/cm2 fluence in order that the OKG results for this sample yielded a similar |χ(3)|1111 value. The sample containing the Si-QDs was then irradiated by 1 MeV Ag2+ ions at a 4.44 × 1016 ions/cm2 fluence and thermally treated, for which afterward we measured |χ(3)|1111 = 1.7×10−10 esu. In all cases the response time was quasi-instantaneous. These results imply that the inclusion of Ag-NPs at low fluence, enhances the nonlinearity of the composite by a factor of around three, and that this is purely electronic in nature. Pump-probe results show that there is not any nonlinear absorption present. We estimate that the confinement effect of the Si-QDs in the sample plays an important role for the excitation of the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) related to the Ag-NPs. A theoretical model that describes the modification of the third order nonlinearity is also presented.
Nonresponders to hepatitis B vaccine can present envelope particles to T lymphocytes. (1995)

The mechanisms causing nonresponsiveness to hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) vaccines in humans remain largely unknown. The increased incidence of nonresponsiveness in subjects with HLA-DR3 or -DR7 haplotype suggests that immune response mechanisms governed by genes of the MHC are involved. It is conceivable that APC of nonresponders are defective in the presentation of HBsAg because they are unable to adequately take up, process, or present this Ag. To examine this hypothesis we have used PBMC from nonresponders to present recombinant particles containing S or PreS2-S sequences to HBsAg-specific T cell lines from haplo-identical responder vaccinees. The proliferative response of these lines was used to evaluate the efficacy of Ag presentation. Unfractionated PBMC from five DR2+ and six DR7+ nonresponders did not proliferate to HBsAg in vitro, whereas they vigorously proliferated upon stimulation with tetanus toxoid, thus ruling out the presence of a generalized immunodeficiency. All DR2(15)+ nonresponders were able to present hepatitis B envelope Ag to HBsAg-specific, DR1501-restricted T cells. PBMC from six DR7+ nonresponders were all able to present HBsAg to DR07-restricted T cell lines and PBMC from three DPw4+ nonresponders were able to present HBsAg to DP0402-restricted T cell lines. Additional experiments showed that PBMC from two nonresponders presented HBsAg equally well and sometimes better than PBMC from two partially HLA-matched high responders. We conclude that HLA-DR2+, -DR7+, and -DPw4+ nonresponder vaccinees are able to take up, process and present HBsAg to allogeneic, haplo-identical T cell lines in vitro.
Effect of adenoviral transduction of the fragile histidine triad gene into esophageal cancer cells. (2001)

Reintroduction of a tumor suppressor gene product in cancer cells is a promising strategy for cancer gene therapy. The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene has been identified in a region at chromosome 3p14.2, which is deleted in many tumors, including esophageal cancer. Previous studies have shown frequent biallelic alterations of the FHIT gene in numerous tumors, and have demonstrated a tumor suppressor function of Fhit. We have studied the biological effects of adenoviral-FHIT transduction in esophageal cancer cell lines. Results showed suppression of cell growth in vitro in three of seven esophageal cancer cell lines, all seven of which showed abundant expression of the transgene. Adenoviral-FHIT expression, but not control adenoviral infections, induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in two esophageal cancer cell lines, TE14 and TE4, which express no or very little Fhit, respectively. Treatment of TE14 cells with adenoviral-FHIT vectors resulted in abrogation of tumorigenicity in nude mice. A third esophageal cancer cell line, TE12, without detectable endogenous Fhit, showed accumulation of cells at S to G2-M and a small apoptotic cell fraction after adenoviral-FHIT transduction. Thus, adenoviral-FHIT expression can inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer cells, at least in part through caspase-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that adenoviral-FHIT infection should be explored as a therapeutic strategy.
Retention of glycosyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus. (1997)

A number of Golgi glycosyltransferases has been cloned to date. They all are membrane proteins and share the same type II topology, but they do not possess an obvious sequence homology which would suggest a common Golgi retention signal. However, it was shown that the membrane-spanning domain and its flanking regions contain necessary and sufficient information for Golgi retention of these enzymes. Currently, two mutually complementary models have been proposed to explain the mechanism of Golgi retention of glycosyltransferases mediated by their transmembrane domain. The first model postulates the retention through oligomerization, which prevents enzymes from entering the transport vesicles. The second suggests that retention depends on the length of a membrane-spanning domain and thickness of the membrane along the Golgi complex. It has to be pointed out that neither the oligomerization nor the membrane thickness model alone can answer all questions and further work is still needed to elucidate the retention process of Golgi proteins.
Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by nonionic block polymer surfactants (1994)

Abstract Eight block copolymers of hydrophilic polyoxy‐ethylene and hydrophobic polyoxypropylene were examined for their effects on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) in H9 cells. Although the polymers decreased cellular replication, they did not appear to be toxic to the cells; rather, they seemed to arrest cellular growth. Three triblock copolymers were found to inhibit HIV replication at low concentrations. Maximum inhibition was achieved at concentrations of 50 μUg/ml by day 5 following infection. The combination of azidothymidine with both HIV‐1‐inhibitory and noninhibitory copolymers resulted in antagonistic effects, with an increase in viral replication, compared to treatment with copolymers or azidothymidine alone. These copolymers should be useful in the study of the mechanism of HIV replication in cell cultures and may yield clinically useful compounds in combination therapies for HIV infection. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.