gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Decreased vascular matrix metalloproteinase abundance in diabetic patients with symptomatic macroangiopathy. (2002)

The incidence of diabetic amputations is 2- to 3-fold higher in African-American patients compared to Caucasians. Vascular remodeling characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition occurs in diabetes and contributes to vascular complications. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play important roles in the regulation of collagen turnover and vascular remodeling. However, the temporal expression profile of MMPs in diabetic vascular tissue during the disease process remained unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the vascular MMP system in African-American diabetic patients without symptoms to patients undergoing lower limb amputation due to severe vascular complications. Internal mammary artery (IMA, N = 8) and anterior/posterior tibial artery (AT/PT, N = 8) specimens were obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and lower limb amputation, respectively. ECM inducer protein (EMMPRIN) and MMP activator membrane-type MMP (MT1-MMP), as well as MMP-1, -2, and -9, were quantified by immunoblotting and densitometry (pixels). MMP-1 and -9 levels were decreased from 398 +/- 61 and 175 +/- 54 pixels, respectively, in IMA tissue to 287 +/- 31 and 51 +/- 36 pixels in the AT/PT tissue (P < .05). Both EMMPRIN and MT1-MMP expression was increased by 3-fold in AT/PT preparations (P < .05). These results provided evidence that the molecular components required for the induction and activation of the MMP system exist in arterial vasculature and, MMP expression is downregulated in diabetic patients with severe complications despite elevated MMP inducer and activator proteins. Decreased MMP activity may contribute to pathological remodeling leading to increased incidence of amputations in African-American patients.
Efavirenz Has the Highest Anti-Proliferative Effect of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors against Pancreatic Cancer Cells (2015)

All studied NNRTIs were toxic against cancer cells. A low percentage of patients taking Efavirenz reached in vitro cytotoxic blood levels. It can be speculated that in HIV-1 positive patients having high Efavirenz blood levels pancreatic cancer incidence might be reduced. Efavirenz might be a new option in the treatment of cancer.
On Message-Passing, MAP Estimation in Graphical Models and DCOPs (2012)

Abstract. The maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation problem in graphical models is a problem common in many applications such as computer vision and bioinformatics. For example, they are used to iden-tify the most likely orientation of proteins in protein design problems. As such, researchers in the machine learning community have developed a variety of approximate algorithms to solve them. On the other hand, dis-tributed constraint optimization problems (DCOPs) are well-suited for modeling many multi-agent coordination problems such as the coordina-tion of sensors in a network and the coordination of power plants. In this paper, we show that MAP estimation problems and DCOPs bear strong similarities and, as such, some approximate MAP algorithms such as it-erative message passing algorithms can be easily tailored to solve DCOPs as well.
Inhibition of Insulin Release from Rat Pancreatic Islets by Drugs that Are Analogues of Dopamine (1984)

Various synthetic dopamine (DA) analogues have been shown to produce glucose intolerance and inhibit the compensatory increase in serum insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To investigate the possibility that there is a direct action of dopamine analogues to inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin release from the endocrine pancreas, the following compounds were compared with the effects of epinephrine (EPI) on isolated rat pancreatic islets: apomorphine (APO), pergolide, lergotrile, TL-99 (2-dimethylamino-6,7-dihydroxytetralin), and RDS-127 (2-di-n-propyl-amino-4,7-dimethoxyindane). EPI, TL-99, and pergolide inhibited insulin release in a concentration-dependent fashion (10(-7)-10(-5) M), whereas lergotrile inhibited at 10(-5) M but not at 10(-6) M. RDS-127 and APO were ineffective at 10(-5) M, but produced a greater than 50% inhibition at 2 X 10(-4) M. The potencies of the DA analogues fell into two groups: compounds that are approximately as active as EPI (e.g., TL-99 and pergolide) or compounds that are relatively inactive (e.g., APO, lergotrile, and RDS-127). The inhibitory actions of EPI, TL-99, and pergolide were blocked by the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine, whereas the DA receptor antagonist, sulpiride, had no effect, suggesting an action initiated at alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Drugs from both groups produced marked glucose intolerance and inhibited the compensatory increase in insulin during an OGTT. Adrenodemedullation blocked the glucose intolerance and inhibition of insulin release caused by RDS-127, whereas these effects of TL-99 were not attenuated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tissue engineered in-vitro vascular patch fabrication using hybrid 3D printing and electrospinning (2022)

Three-dimensional (3D) engineered cardiovascular tissues have shown great promise to replace damaged structures. Specifically, tissue engineering vascular grafts (TEVG) have the potential to replace biological and synthetic grafts. We aimed to design an in-vitro patient-specific patch based on a hybrid 3D print combined with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) differentiation. Based on the medical images of a 2 months-old girl with aortic arch hypoplasia and using computational modelling, we evaluated the most hemodynamically efficient aortic patch surgical repair. Using the designed 3D patch geometry, the scaffold was printed using a hybrid fused deposition modelling (FDM) and electrospinning techniques. The scaffold was seeded with multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for later maturation to derived VSMC (dVSMC). The graft showed adequate resistance to physiological aortic pressure (burst pressure 101 ​± ​15 ​mmHg) and a porosity gradient ranging from 80 to 10 ​μm allowing cells to infiltrate through the entire thickness of the patch. The bio-scaffolds showed good cell viability at days 4 and 12 and adequate functional vasoactive response to endothelin-1. In summary, we have shown that our method of generating patient-specific patch shows adequate hemodynamic profile, mechanical properties, dVSMC infiltration, viability and functionality. This innovative 3D biotechnology has the potential for broad application in regenerative medicine and potentially in heart disease prevention.
A Simple Cu(II) Polyelectrolyte as a Method to Increase the Work Function of Electrodes and Form Effective p‐Type Contacts in Perovskite Solar Cells (2021)

Abstract One effective strategy to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is to develop new hole transport layers (HTLs). In this work, a simple polyelectrolyte HTL, copper (II) poly(styrene sulfonate) (Cu:PSS), which comprises easily reduced Cu 2+ counter‐ions with an anionic PSS polyelectrolyte backbone is investigated. Photoelectron spectroscopy reveals an increase in the work function of the anode and upward band bending effect upon incorporation of Cu:PSS in PSC devices. Cu:PSS shows a synergistic effect when mixed with polyethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) in various proportions and results in a decrease in the acidity of PEDOT:PSS as well as reduced hysteresis in completed devices. Cu:PSS functions effectively as a HTL in PSCs, with device parameters comparable to PEDOT:PSS, while mixtures of Cu:PSS with PEDOT:PSS shows greatly improved performance compared to PEDOT:PSS alone. Optimized devices incorporating Cu:PSS/PEDOT:PSS mixtures show an improvement in efficiency from 14.35 to 19.44% using a simple CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 active layer in an inverted (P‐I‐N) geometry, which is one of the highest values yet reported for this type of device. It is expected that this type of HTL can be employed to create p ‐type contacts and improve performance in other types of semiconducting devices as well.
Epigenetic alterations in amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells derived from normal and fetus‐affected gestations: A focus on myogenic and neural differentiations (2019)

Amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) are autologous to the fetus and represent a potential alternative source for the regenerative medicine and treatment of perinatal disorders. To date, AF-MSCs differentiation capacity to non-mesodermal lineages and epigenetic regulation are still poorly characterized. The present study investigated the differentiation potential of AF-MSCs toward neural-like cells in comparison to the mesodermal myogenic lineage and assessed epigenetic factors involved in tissue-specific differentiation. Myogenic and neural differentiation assays were performed by the incubation with specific induction media. Typical MSCs markers were determined by flow cytometry, the expression of lineage-specific genes, microRNAs and chromatin modifying proteins were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. AF-MSCs of normal and fetus-affected gestations had similar stem cells characteristics and two-lineage potential, as characterized by cell morphology and the expression of myogenic and neural markers. Two-lineage differentiation process was associated with the down-regulation of miR-17 and miR-21, the up-regulation of miR-34a, miR-146a and DNMT3a/DNMT3b along with the gradual decrease in the levels of DNMT1, HDAC1, active marks of chromatin (H4hyperAc, H3K9ac, H3K4me3) and the repressive H3K9me3 mark. Differentiation was accompanied by the down-regulation of PRC1/2 proteins (BMI1/SUZ12, EZH2) and the retention of the repressive H3K27me3 mark. We report that both AF-MSCs of normal and fetus-affected gestations possess differentiation capacity toward myogenic and neural lineages through rather similar epigenetic mechanisms that may provide potential applications for further investigation of the molecular basis of prenatal diseases and for the future autologous therapy.
Carbon/MnO2Double-Walled Nanotube Arrays with Fast Ion and Electron Transmission for High-Performance Supercapacitors (2014)

The novel carbon (C)/MnO2 double-walled nanotube arrays (DNTAs) are designed and fabricated via template-assisted electrodeposition. The unique DNTA architectures of C/MnO2 composites with high weight fraction of MnO2 allow high electrode utilization ratio and facilitate electron and ion transmission. In the half-cell test, the hybrid C/MnO2 DNTAs as electrodes show a large specific capacitance (Csp) of 793 F/g at the scan rate of 5 mV/s, high energy/power densities, and much enhanced long-term cycle stability. After 5,000 cycles, the Csp retention of C/MnO2 DNTAs keeps ∼97%, which is much larger than 69% of the MnO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs). The symmetrical supercapacitors (SSCs) composed of C/MnO2 DNTAs also show the predominant performance, such as large Csp of 161 F/g and high energy density of ∼35 Wh/kg, indicating that the C/MnO2 DNTAs is a potential electrode for supercapacitors. The high order pore passages, double-walled structures, hollow structures, and high conductivity are responsible for the superior performance of C/MnO2 DNTAs. Such hybrid C/MnO2 DNTAs may bring new opportunities for the development of supercapacitors with superior performance.
Small‐angle x‐ray scattering studies of crazed glassy polymers (1983)

Abstract A small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) study of the relaxed craze structure in polystyrene was performed using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory 10‐m SAXS facility. Coupled with known results from transmission electron microscopy studies, the SAXS patterns can be interpreted as scattering from an open‐cell foam with void spaces interspersed among the fibrils. Results have shown the scattering centers in crazed polystyrene can be modeled as cylinders the axes of symmetry of which are parallel to the tensile axes. Scattering centers are bimodal in their size distribution, with aspect ratios of 1.0 and 2.6. Crazes in lower‐molecular‐weight polystyrene have more and larger scattering centers than crazes in higher‐molecular‐weight polystyrene, while variations in strain rate and test temperature during craze formation have no effect on the relaxed craze morphology. A comparison of SAXS patterns from polystyrene and polycarbonate indicates that the morphologies of their respective crazes are significantly different.
Management of keloids and hypertrophic scars. (2009)

Keloids and hypertrophic scars represent an exuberant healing response that poses a challenge for physicians. Patients at high risk of keloids are usually younger than 30 years and have darker skin. Sternal skin, shoulders and upper arms, earlobes, and cheeks are most susceptible to developing keloids and hypertrophic scars. High-risk trauma includes burns, ear piercing, and any factor that prolongs wound healing. Keloid formation often can be prevented if anticipated with immediate silicone elastomer sheeting, taping to reduce skin tension, or corticosteroid injections. Once established, however, keloids are difficult to treat, with a high recurrence rate regardless of therapy. Evidence supports silicone sheeting, pressure dressings, and corticosteroid injections as first-line treatments. Cryotherapy may be useful, but should be reserved for smaller lesions. Surgical removal of keloids poses a high recurrence risk unless combined with one or several of these standard therapies. Alternative postsurgical options for refractory scars include pulsed dye laser, radiation, and possibly imiquimod cream. Intralesional verapamil, fluorouracil, bleomycin, and interferon alfa-2b injections appear to be beneficial for treatment of established keloids. Despite the popularity of over-the-counter herb-based creams, the evidence for their use is mixed, and there is little evidence that vitamin E is helpful.
Application of Electric Current in Friction Stir Welding (2010)

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively new joining technique and has many applications. In FSW, heat generated due to friction between FSW tool and work-piece material softens the material and allows the materials in work-pieces to be stirred and joined together. FSW allows the work-pieces to be joined without reaching the melting point of the material, thus resulting in better welds. However, a large amount of mechanical energy has to be consumed for FSW of high-strength, difficult-to-weld metals such as titanium alloys. Hence, new FSW methods should be investigated to reduce the required energy. In this study, an innovative electrically-enhanced friction stir welding (EEFSW) has been developed. Electric current is passed in welding coupons of Aluminum 6061 plates and its effect on welding process and welds are examined. The results indicate that, with the aid of electric current, improvement in welding speed and reduction in energy consumption is obtainable, which enhances the productivity and widens the range of applications of FSW. Weld properties are found to be affected by the introduced current as well.
Aprend.e - Sistema integrado de formação e aprendizagem (2004)

Systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and primary research studies were undertaken to understand the mechanisms, diagnosis, progression, and treatment of CSM and OPLL and to provide summary statements and clinical recommendations. This article reports the methods used in the studies in this focus issue. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: The objectives of this focus issue were met using a variety of article and study designs, each of which has some unique methodological aspects associated with it. The reader should refer to the full article in this issue for additional details specific to that topic. The methods for systematic review follow accepted standards for rigor and, together with the application of Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation, are intended to allow for transparency in the process for creating the clinical recommendation.
Advanced Micropipette Techniques for Cell Physiology (1987)

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Control of Host‐Matrix Morphology Enables Efficient Deep‐Blue Organic Light‐Emitting Devices (2023)

Mixing a sterically bulky, electron-transporting host material into a conventional single host-guest emissive layer is demonstrated to suppress phase separation of the host matrix while increasing the efficiency and operational lifetime of deep-blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with chromaticity coordinates of (0.14, 0.15). The bulky host enables homogenous mixing of the molecules comprising the emissive layer while suppressing single host aggregation; a significant loss channel of nonradiative recombination. By controlling the amorphous phase of the host-matrix morphology, the mixed-host device achieves a significant reduction in nonradiative exciton decay, resulting in 120 ± 6% increase in external quantum efficiency relative to an analogous, single-host device. In contrast to single host PHOLEDs where electrons are transported by the host and holes by the dopants, both charge carriers are conducted by the mixed host, reducing the probability of exciton annihilation, thereby doubling of the deep-blue PHOLED operational lifetime. These findings demonstrate that the host matrix morphology affects almost every aspect of PHOLED performance.
The use of geophysical surveying methods in the detection of natural cavities and mineshafts (1987)

Summary The use of geophysical methods for the location of cavities and mineshafts is reviewed in relation to engineering problems at the site investigation stage. Their success is limited by the resolution and penetration achieved by the particular method applied in a given situation. It is shown that no one single geophysical method will provide the answer to all the problems associated with cavity location but considerable improvement can be achieved by the application of several methods to a given problem. It is suggested that for most standard geophysical methods it is possible to detect a cavity whose depth of burial is less than twice its effective diameter. The concept of effective diameter is shown to be of considerable importance since the presence of the cavity or mineshaft does affect the physical properties of the surrounding rock mass and, hence, gives rise to a far larger anomalous zone than that produced by the cavity on its own.
Insertion of Foreign T Cell Epitopes in Human Tumor Necrosis Factor α with Minimal Effect on Protein Structure and Biological Activity (2004)

To create a human therapeutic vaccine able to circumvent self-tolerance against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, foreign T helper epitopes were inserted into human TNFalpha, with minimal effect on the native three-dimensional structure. TNFalpha variants were screened for solubility, structural stability, biological activity, and after immunization, for eliciting inhibitory antibodies. The longest and most flexible loop in TNFalpha, also designated loop 3, is the only region that is not involved in intra- or intermolecular interactions and therefore constitute an attractive insertion site. However, the extension of the flexible loop by epitope insertions destabilized the TNFalpha molecule. Therefore, two cysteines were introduced to form a stabilizing disulfide bond between loops 2 and 3. In a second design approach, three TNFalpha monomers were linked by two T cell epitopes and expressed as a single chain TNFalpha trimer. TNFalpha variants that were expressed as soluble proteins also had a conserved tertiary structure, as determined by circular dichroism. The biological activity of the TNFalpha variants was of the same magnitude as human TNFalpha in cellular assays. Introduction of three separate single-point mutations (D143N, A145R, or Y87S) diminished the cytotoxicity of the mutated variants 50-800-fold compared with native TNFalpha. Antisera from mice immunized with the different TNFalpha variants were able to cross-react with native human TNFalpha and to inhibit TNFalpha signaling via the TNF receptors in vitro, suggesting that the structural binding epitopes of native human TNFalpha and thus the native conformation were conserved in the constructed vaccine candidates.
Self-Healable Ultra-Stretchable Wearable Sensor Materials (2020)

Wearable strain sensors are essential for the realization of applications in the broad fields of remote healthcare monitoring, soft robots, immersive gaming, among many others. These flexible sensors should be comfortably adhered to skin and capable of monitoring human motions with high accuracy, as well as exhibiting excellent durability. However, it is challenging to develop electronic materials that possess the properties of skin. The presented skin-like electronic material exhibits ultrahigh stretchability, repeatable autonomous self-healing ability, quadratic response to strain, and linear response to flexion bending. This conductive polymer system, under ambient conditions, synergistically constructs a regenerative dynamic polymer complex crosslinked by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, which enables these unique properties. Sensitive strain-responsive mechanisms owing to the homogenous and viscoelastic nature provide unidirectional tensile strain and bending deformations. Furthermore, this material is scalable and simple to process in an environmentally-friendly manner, paving the way for the next generation wearable sensors.
Automated generation and analysis of attack graphs (2005)

An integral part of modeling the global view of network security is constructing attack graphs. Manual attack graph construction is tedious, error-prone, and impractical for attack graphs larger than a hundred nodes. In this paper we present an automated technique for generating and analyzing attack graphs. We base our technique on symbolic model checking algorithms, letting us construct attack graphs automatically and efficiently. We also describe two analyses to help decide which attacks would be most cost-effective to guard against. We implemented our technique in a tool suite and tested it on a small network example, which includes models of a firewall and an intrusion detection system.