gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Factors That Drive Peptide Assembly from Native to Amyloid Structures: Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of [Leu-5]-Enkephalin Mutants (2014)

Five different mutants of [Leu-5] Enkephalin YGGFL peptide have been investigated for fibril formation propensities. The early oligomer structures have been probed with a combination of ion-mobility mass spectrometry and computational modeling. The two peptides YVIFL and YVVFL form oligomers and amyloid-like fibrils. YVVFV shows an early stage oligomer distribution similar to those of the previous two, but amyloid-like aggregates are less abundant. Atomic resolution X-ray structures of YVVFV show two different modes of interactions at the dry interface between steric zippers and pairs of antiparallel β-sheets, but both are less favorable than the packing motif found in YVVFL. Both YVVFV and YVVFL can form a Class 6 steric zipper. However, in YVVFV, the strands between mating sheets are parallel to each other and in YVVFL they are antiparallel. The overall data highlight the importance of structurally characterizing high order oligomers within oligomerization pathways in studies of nanostructure assembly.
Inhibition of Volatile Sevoflurane Degradation Product Formation in an Anesthesia Circuit by a Reduction in Soda Lime Temperature (1994)

This study demonstrates that the release of volatile sevoflurane degradation products in an anesthesia circuit is highly dependent on soda lime temperatures. A reduction of the temperature of soda lime may be a feasible method of preventing the release of significant levels of sevoflurane degradation products without interfering with carbon dioxide absorption or altering the sevoflurane concentration.
Plasma Norepinephrine Variation with Dietary Sodium Intake in Normotensive Subjects and Patients with Essential Hypertension (1982)

Sympathetic nervous system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the interaction between sodium intake and sympathetic nervous activity in the patients with essential hypertension. Plasma and urinary catecholamines (CA) were measured in 38 hypertensive patients (WHO 1-2 stage) and 24 age-matched normal subjects on regular (urinary sodium excretion (UNaV): 133 +/- 8 mEq/day; mean +/- SEM), high (UNaV 317 +/- 90 mEq/day), and low (UNaV 67 +/- 28 mEq/day) sodium diets for each 5 days at random. CA were analyzed by THI methods after HPLC separation. Twenty-four hour urinary norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and electrolytes (Na+, K+) excretion on the 5th day of each regimen were determined. In the 6th day morning supine and 5 min upright plasma NE(PNE), plasma E (PE), and plasma renin activity were determined after blood pressure and pulse rate measurement. The results were also analyzed according to the difference between salt-sensitive and non-salt-sensitive type of hypertensive patients. Plasma NE was 1.1 +/- 0.4 p mol/ml (supine), 1.5 +/- 0.4 p mol/ml (upright) in normotensive subjects and 1.8 +/- 1.1 p mol/ml (supine), 2.5 +/- 1.1 p mol/ml (upright) in the patients with essential hypertension, 24 hr urinary NE excretion were 116 +/- 54 micrograms/day in normotensive subjects and 138 +/- 88 micrograms/day in the patients with essential hypertension on regular sodium intake. Mean plasma NE levels in patients with essential hypertension were always higher than those in normotensive subjects on any sodium diets. Plasma NE and urinary NE were significantly reduced by high sodium intake and increased by low sodium intake in both normotensive subjects and the patients with essential hypertension. Percentile decrease in PNE when the diet was changed from low sodium to high sodium was much greater in normotensive subjects than the patients with essential hypertension. These tendency was observed in both salt-sensitive and non-salt-sensitive hypertensive patients. However, PNE in non-salt-sensitive hypertensive subjects tended to be higher than those in salt-sensitive hypertensive subjects. These results suggest that abnormal relationship between sodium intake and sympathetic nervous system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.
ChemInform Abstract: A Nonisocyanate Route to Monodisperse Branched Polyurethanes. (2002)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Gibberellins in Immature Seeds ofPharbitis nil (1971)

Two new gibberellins, gibberellins A26 and A27 were isolated from immature seeds of Japanese morning-glory (Pharbitis nil) and their structures were elucidated as I and IX. Seven gibberellin glucosides (F-I~F-VII) were isolated from immature seeds of Japanese morning-glory (Pharbitis nil). The structures were elucidated as 2-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellin A3 (F-I), 2-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellenic acid (F-II), 2-O-β-glucosyl-isogibberellin A3 (F-III), 3-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellin A26 (F-IV), 3-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellin A27 (F-VI) and 3-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellin A29 (F-VII). The one of the glucosides (F-V) was identified as 3-O-β-glucosyl-gibberellin A8 isolated from Phaseolus multiflorus.
A comparative study of the physiological costs of walking in ten bilateral amputees (2008)

The physiological cost of walking is greater in bilateral amputees (BA) than in both unilateral amputee and non-pathological gait. The aim of this study was to describe the physiological costs and other standard gait characteristics in a sample population of BA, walking at self-selected (comfortable) speeds. Amputees had bilateral trans-tibial, bilateral trans-femoral or trans-tibial/trans-femoral amputations as a result of trauma or congenital defects. All amputees wore their own prosthetic limbs which were either full-length prostheses or short non-articulating pylon prostheses (SNAPPs). The results were compared with a base line data set collected from a non-pathological control group. It was anticipated that amputees with high-level amputations would walk at the slowest speeds, have the highest physiological costs and lowest perception of walking ability. However, varying walking speeds resulted in varying exercise intensities, exercise heart rates and perceptions of walking that could not be directly related to amputation levels. It is therefore concluded that bilateral amputee gait is complex, varied and not easily categorized.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives Bearing the Styryl and Phenylethynyl Groups and Application to a Fluorescence Derivatization Reagent. (2000)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Cloning and Sequence Analysis of the Nucleotide-Binding Domain of an Alpha-Glucan, Water Dikinase Gene from Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) (2013)

Several key genes involved in starch biosynthesis have been identified in cassava. However, while phosphorylation has been recognized as an essential step in starch metabolism in higher plants, the underlying gene(s) in cassava have not been isolated so far. To gain insights into starch phosphorylation in cassava, we produced three genomic clones encoding a fragment of an Alpha-glucan, water dikinase (GWD), the primary enzyme required for starch phosphorylation. Sequence analysis showed that each of the clones contained the nucleotide-binding domain of the C-terminus of plant GWDs. The three genomic gwd clones had 98.8% homology at both nucleotide and amino acid levels and represented two distinct allelic sequences with two amino acid substitutions. The shorter clone, pOYE308-1, was 561 base pairs long and encoded a polypeptide of 106 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 180.3kDa. Two putative introns were identified in each of the gwd clones. Phylogenetic analysis of the cassava GWD sequences with other plant GWDs revealed that the cassava GWD belongs to the same group as that of castor bean, potato, tomato and tobacco. These resources add to the current knowledge base of starch metabolism in cassava and expand the molecular tool box for starch modification in this important tropical root crop.
Insulin and Hypertension (1990)

Patients with hypertension have been shown to be resistant to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and hyperinsulinemic when compared to matched control groups with normal blood pressure. In addition, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia have been demonstrated in rat models of hypertension-including SHR rats and Sprague-Dawley rats fed a fructose-enriched diet. Furthermore, fructose-induced hypertension can be attenuated by experimental interventions which decrease insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia. These observations raise the possibility that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may play a role in blood pressure regulation. Finally, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia increase risk of coronary artery decrease in patients with hypertension, both directly, and indirectly by their influence on very low density and high density lipoprotein metabolism.
Regulation of IgA Production by Intestinal Dendritic Cells and Related Cells (2019)

The intestinal mucosa is a physiological barrier for most microbes, including both commensal bacteria and invading pathogens. Under homeostatic conditions, immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the major immunoglobulin isotype in the intestinal mucosa. Microbes stimulate the production of IgA, which controls bacterial translocation and neutralizes bacterial toxins at the intestinal mucosal surface. In the intestinal mucosa, dendritic cells (DCs), specialized antigen-presenting cells, regulate both T-cell-dependent (TD) and -independent (TI) immune responses. The intestinal DCs are a heterogeneous population that includes unique subsets that induce IgA synthesis in B cells. The characteristics of intestinal DCs are strongly influenced by the microenvironment, including the presence of commensal bacterial metabolites and epithelial cell-derived soluble factors. In this review, we summarize the ontogeny, classification, and function of intestinal DCs and how the intestinal microenvironment conditions DCs and their precursors to become the mucosal phenotype, in particular to regulate IgA production, after they arrive at the intestine. Understanding the mechanism of IgA synthesis could provide insights for designing effective mucosal vaccines.
A COMPARISON OF PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESSES BASED ON THE MANIPULATION OF REFERENTIAL INFORMATION (2007)

This paper aims at developing a helpful method for producing creative designs by manipulating referential information in the initial stage of the design process. The exercise is carried out for a product design (lightings) by two groups, each of which is intentionally provided with different levels of referential information: one on buildings (Group-A) and the other on products (Group-B). The main findings derived from the analysis are summarized as follows: 1) Four different design process patterns were found according to the 'Concreteness vs. Target-domain Matrix' adopted in the paper. What we've called the 'Dynamic developing pattern' using a wide range of the Matrix domain scored the highest points. This pattern is particular to Group-A members. 2) The quantity of sketches drawn by Group-A was twice the amount of Group-B. This tendency was apparent especially in the initial stage when gathering ideas from the given referential information. 3) The analysis on the contents of the sketches reveals that Group-A members tried to extract abstract relations within the referential information in the initial stage. They then started sketching the concrete material aspects towards the final design. The final proposals following this sketching process generally earned higher scores.
CCN2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is Essential for Pericyte Adhesion and Endothelial Basement Membrane Formation during Angiogenesis (2012)

CCN2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) is a matricellular protein that regulates cell adhesion, migration, and survival. CCN2 is best known for its ability to promote fibrosis by mediating the ability of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) to induce excess extracellular matrix production. In addition to its role in pathological processes, CCN2 is required for chondrogenesis. CCN2 is also highly expressed during development in endothelial cells, suggesting a role in angiogenesis. The potential role of CCN2 in angiogenesis is unclear, however, as both pro- and anti-angiogenic effects have been reported. Here, through analysis of Ccn2-deficient mice, we show that CCN2 is required for stable association and retention of pericytes by endothelial cells. PDGF signaling and the establishment of the endothelial basement membrane are required for pericytes recruitment and retention. CCN2 induced PDGF-B expression in endothelial cells, and potentiated PDGF-B-mediated Akt signaling in mural (vascular smooth muscle/pericyte) cells. In addition, CCN2 induced the production of endothelial basement membrane components in vitro, and was required for their expression in vivo. Overall, these results highlight CCN2 as an essential mediator of vascular remodeling by regulating endothelial-pericyte interactions. Although most studies of CCN2 function have focused on effects of CCN2 overexpression on the interstitial extracellular matrix, the results presented here show that CCN2 is required for the normal production of vascular basement membranes.
Positive selection of mutants with deletions of the gal-chl region of the Salmonella chromosome as a screening procedure for mutagens that cause deletions (1975)

We have developed a convenient and specific positive selection for long deletions through the gal region of the chromosomes of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Through simultaneous selection for mutations in the two closely linked genes, gal and chlA, a variety of deletions of varying length, some extending through as much as 1 min of the chromosome, could be readily obtained. Many of these deletions resulted in the loss of a gene, which we named dhb, concerned with the ability of the bacterium to synthesize the iron chelating agent enterobactin. The selection was adapted for the screening of mutagens for their ability to generate long deletions in the bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid. Forty agents were screened for this capability. Nitrous acid, previously reported to be an efficient mutagen for this purpose, increased the frequency of deletion mutations 50-fold in our system. Three others, nitrogen mustard, mitomycin C, and fast neutrons, were shown to increase the frequency of long deletions between five- and eightfold. The remainder were found to be incapable of generating these deletions.
A Predictive Model for Water and Polymer Flooding (1984)

Abstract A predictive model (PM) has been developed for water and polymer flooding for use in screening studies and feasibility analysis. The PM requires only a fraction of the computing time of numerical simulators, but includes most of the phenomena which affect flood performance. This is accomplished by combining a two-dimensional crosssectional model (using vertical equilibrium), with areal sweep correlations, and injectivity functions which gives results (oil rate versus time) which are suitable for economic analysis. The paper presents validations of the PM against simulator, analytical, and field results. A brief sensitivity analysis concludes the paper.
A Possible Genetic Mechanism Underlying Individual and Interstrain Differences in Opioid Actions: Focus on the Mu Opioid Receptor Gene (2004)

Individual differences in responses to opioids limit effective pain treatment with these drugs. Identifying the mechanism could help to improve the analgesic effects of them. Since the molecular cloning of the mu opioid receptor (muOR) gene, substantial advances in opioid research have been made, including the discoveries that muOR plays a mandatory role in the analgesic effects of opioids and that the sequence of the muOR gene varies from one individual to another. It is conceivable that the differences in the muOR gene cause individual differences in opioid actions. The present review summarizes the recent advances made in research on human and mouse muOR genes and proposes that the variances in the 3' untranslated region (39-UTR) of the muOR gene might participate in the variability of the opioid response.
Pincer Ligand Modifications To Tune the Activation Barrier for H2 Elimination in Water Splitting Milstein Catalyst (2015)

Modifications on the ligand environment of Milstein ruthenium(II) pincer hydride catalysts have been proposed to fine-tune the activation free energy, ΔG(⧧) for the key step of H2 elimination in the water splitting reaction. This study conducted at the B3LYP level of density functional theory including the solvation effect reveals that changing the bulky t-butyl group at the P-arm of the pincer ligand by methyl or ethyl group can reduce the ΔG(⧧) by a substantial margin, ∼ 10 kcal/mol. The reduction in the steric effect of the pincer ligand causes exothermic association of the water molecule to the metal center and leads to significant stabilization of all the subsequent reaction intermediates and the transition state compared to those of the original Milstein catalyst that promotes endothermic association of the water molecule. Though electron donating groups on the pyridyl unit of the pincer ligand are advantageous for reducing the activation barrier in the gas phase, the effect is only 1-1.4 kcal/mol compared to that of an electron withdrawing group. The absolute minimum of the electrostatic potential at the hydride ligand and carbonyl stretching frequency of the catalyst are useful parameters to gauge the effect of ligand environment on the H2 elimination step of the water splitting reaction.
Alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential during preimplantation stages of mouse and human embryo development (2003)

Mitochondria are cellular organelles regulating metabolism and cell death pathways. This study examined changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) throughout the stages of preimplantation development in mouse embryos conceived either in vivo or in vitro and human embryos donated to research from IVF. Embryos stained with the deltapsim-sensitive dye (JC-1) were quantified for the ratio of high- to low-polarized mitochondria using a deconvolution microscope. Overall, mouse zygotes and early embryos contain a subset of high-polarized mitochondria with a progressive increase in the ratio of deltapsim observed with increasing cleavage. A transient increase in the ratio of high to low deltapsim was observed in in vivo fertilized 2-cell stage embryos, coincident with embryonic genome activation in the mouse, but not in 2-cell embryos obtained through IVF. We further observed that arrested mouse 2-cell embryos possessed an increased ratio of deltapsim compared with non-arrested embryos. In human 8-cell embryos we observed an increased ratio of high- to low-polarized mitochondria with increasing degrees of embryo fragmentation. We concluded that the pattern of mitochondrial membrane potential progressively changes throughout preimplantation development, and that an aberrant shift in deltapsim could contribute to, or is associated with, decreased developmental potential.
Islande: s'isoler nuit gravement à la diversité du patrimoine génétique. 06 juin 2018 (2018)

Le Figaro Science
Higher degree by research (HDR) : what candidates and supervisors want (2014)

A major influencing factor in the timely completion of a higher degree by research (HDR) is a positive relationship between the candidate and the supervisor. Understanding the supervisory expectations of both parties has the potential to assist both the selection of a supervisor and student on the basis of 'philosophical' best fit. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the supervisory expectations of both the supervisor and the candidate. A purposive sample of HDR candidates (n= 53) and supervisors (n=31) completed a self-administered survey. Candidates and supervisors expectations differed significantly as to who should be the person to choose the research topic and research methodology. Opinions also differed significantly as to whether the supervisor should insist on regular meetings. The HDR journey is collaborative with both parties equally identifying the relationship needs to be warm and supportive. Expectations should be articulated early in the journey, with both agreeing on the frequency of meetings and the extent of support anticipated.
ACTIVITY SEQUENCE OF Mo(II) STRUCTURES CHEMICALLY ATTACHED ON SiO2 IN THE CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION OF ETHENE AND 1,3-BUTADIENE (1985)

Abstract The catalytic activities of well-characterized SiO2-attached Mo(II)-monomer, Mo(II)-dimer and Mo(II)-cluster catalysts in the hydrogenation of ethene at 200 K and 1,3-butadiene at 273 K were studied to find a structural property of active sites controlling the catalysis in combination with EXAFS(Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) studies. The hydrogenation activity markedly depended upon the separation(bond distance) and assembly of Mo atoms, the activity decreasing in the following order; (Remark: Graphics omitted.).
Thienoisothiazoles. III. The Synthesis and Reactions of 3-Phenyl-5-alkylthioisothiazole-4-carbonitriles and 3-Phenylthieno[3,2-d]isothiazoles (1989)

Oxidation of the alkyl 3-amino-4-cyano-3-phenylpropenedithioates (1), obtained by alkylation of the condensation product of 3-amino-3-phenylpropenenitrile and carbon disulfide, produced 3-phenyl-5-alkylthioisothiazole-4-carbonitriles (2a-d). The ease of nucleophilic displacement of the S-alkyl group in the isothiazole (2a) was utilized to synthesize the isothiazoles (2f-j). 3-Phenylthieno[3,2-d] isothiazole (3e) was prepared by deamination, hydrolysis and decarboxylation of the intermediate ethyl 4-amino-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d]isothiazole-5-carboxylate (3a), which was obtained by ring-closure of ethyl 2-(4-cyano-3-phenylisothiazol-5-ylthio)acetate (2d). 3-Phenylthieno[3,2-d] isothiazole was unreactive towards weaker electrophiles , but undergoes bromination and nitration in the a-position of the thiophen ring. The position of substituents in 5-bromo- (3w) and 5-nitro-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d] isothiazole (4a) was verified by alternative synthesis. The attempted deamination of 4-amino-5-bromo-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d] isothiazoe (30) and 4-amino-S-nitro-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d] isothiazole (3r) yielded 3-phenyl-S-nitrothieno[3,2-d]isothiazol-4-ol (3s) only, but the isomeric 4-bromo-3-phenyithieno[3,2-d] isothiazole (3v) was obtained by decarboxylation of 4-bromo-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d]isothiazole-5-carboxylic acid (3u). An alternative synthesis of the 5-nitro derivative was achieved by decarboxylation of 5-nitro-3-phenylthieno[3,2-d]isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (32). Mild reduction of 3-phenylthieno[3,2-dlisothiazole derivatives, (3a,b) and (4c), with hydrogen sulfide or hypophosphorous acid afforded the substituted 3-(a-aminobenzylidene )-2,3-dihydrothiophen-2-thiones (5a-c), and the 3-benzoyl-2-alkylthiothiophen derivatives (6a,b) were obtained by a one-step synthesis, which avoided the isolation of the air-sensitive intermediates.