gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of the central noradrenergic system by Toxoplasma gondii infection (2018)

Abstract The parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii becomes encysted in brain and muscle tissue during chronic infection, a stage that was previously thought to be dormant but has been found to be active and associated with physiological effects in the host. Dysregulation of catecholamines in the CNS has previously been observed in chronically-infected animals. In the study described here, the noradrenergic system was suppressed with decreased levels of norepinephrine in brains of infected animals and in infected neuronal cells in vitro. Expression of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), essential for synthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine, was the most differentially-expressed gene in infections in vitro and was down-regulated in infected brain tissue, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal locus coeruleus/pons region. The down-regulated DBH expression in infected rat catecholaminergic and human neuronal cells corresponded with decreased norepinephrine and increased dopamine. As the DBH suppression was observed in vitro , this effect is not caused by neuroinflammation. Silencing of DBH expression was specific for T. gondii infection and was not observed with CMV infection. The noradrenergic-linked behaviors of sociability and arousal were altered in chronically-infected animals, with a high correlation between DBH expression and infection intensity. These findings together provide a plausible mechanism to explain prior discrepancies in changes to CNS neurotransmitters levels with infection. The suppression of norepinephrine synthesis observed here may, in part, explain behavioural effects of infection, associations with mental illness, and neurological consequences of infection such as the loss of coordination and motor impairments associated with human toxoplasmosis.
Mesenchymal stem cells transfer mitochondria to allogeneic Tregs in an HLA-dependent manner improving their immunosuppressive activity (2022)

Cell-based immunotherapies can provide safe and effective treatments for various disorders including autoimmunity, cancer, and excessive proinflammatory events in sepsis or viral infections. However, to achieve this goal there is a need for deeper understanding of mechanisms of the intercellular interactions. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a lymphocyte subset that maintain peripheral tolerance, whilst mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent nonhematopoietic progenitor cells. Despite coming from different origins, Tregs and MSCs share immunoregulatory properties that have been tested in clinical trials. Here we demonstrate how direct and indirect contact with allogenic MSCs improves Tregs' potential for accumulation of immunosuppressive adenosine and suppression of conventional T cell proliferation, making them more potent therapeutic tools. Our results also demonstrate that direct communication between Tregs and MSCs is based on transfer of active mitochondria and fragments of plasma membrane from MSCs to Tregs, an event that is HLA-dependent and associates with HLA-C and HLA-DRB1 eplet mismatch load between Treg and MSC donors.
The impact of residual mitral regurgitation on outcomes in patients with primary mitral regurgitation undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (2022)

Abstract Background Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) has become an established therapeutic approach for patients at high surgical risk with relevant mitral regurgitation (MR). While robust data exists on the impact on outcome of residual MR (rMR) following M-TEER for patients with secondary MR, data on the exact role of rMR in primary MR is currently scarce. This study aimed to investigate the adverse impact of relevant rMR on outcomes in a real-world population of patients undergoing M-TEER for primary MR. Methods This single-center, retrospective analysis includes data from 364 consecutive patients with relevant primary MR treated by M-TEER at a high-volume center between 11/2008–01/2020. Post-procedural rMR was defined as the MR grade determined by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge. Primary endpoint was defined as all-cause mortality; the composite secondary endpoint included all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure at 1-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression analysis were performed to study the impact of rMR on outcomes. Results In this high-risk population (mean age 78.6±7.4 years, 55.2% male, median logistic EuroSCORE 17.5% [interquartile range 10.4; 27.7], median STS Score 4.4% [interquartile range 2.8; 6.6]), rMR at discharge was successfully reduced to none/mild (≤1+) in 191 (52.5%) patients. Moderate rMR (=2+) was found in 129 (35.4%) patients and moderate-to-severe or severe rMR (≥3+) was present in 44 (12.1%) patients post-procedurally. Patients with rMR≥3+ presented with enlarged left atria at baseline (left atrium volume: rMR≤1+: 101.8ml [interquartile range (IQR): 77.3, 129.6]; rMR=2+: 113.7ml [IQR: 90.4, 154.3]; rMR≥3+: 123.0ml [IQR: 92.9, 147.5]; p=0.009) and dilated left ventricle (left ventricle end-diastolic diameter: rMR≤1+: 54.8±8.7mm; rMR=2+: 59.7±9.8mm; rMR≥3+: 59.1±10.0mm; p&amp;lt;0.001). Baseline NT-proBNP was significantly higher in patients with relevant post-precedural rMR (≥3+) compared to patients with none/mild or moderate rMR (p=0.038). Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrate significant differences for the primary and secondary endpoints (Figure 1). Compared to patients with none/mild and moderate rMR, higher rates of all-cause mortality were reported in patients with rMR≥3+ at 1-year follow-up (rMR≤1+: 16.2%; rMR=2+: 23.9%; rMR≥3+: 40.0%; p[log-rank] = 0.007). Moreover, adjusted cox regression analysis identified rMR≥3+ as an independent predictor of adverse outcome (Hazard Ratio = 2.70 [95%-confidence interval: 1.12–6.50]; p=0.027). Conclusions Our data provides first evidence that clinical outcome in patients with primary MR undergoing M-TEER is impacted by the grade of post-procedural rMR. This analysis, therefore, emphasizes the importance of minimizing rMR to the lowest possible grade in order to achieve optimal long-term survival. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
Life Span Extension of Drosophila melanogaster : Genetic and Population Studies (2003)

During the past two decades, genetic studies of model organisms have been the most important tool underlying advances in understanding the biological basis of aging and longevity. Drosophila melanogaster, the geneticist's fruit fly, is a model organism because it has been the focus of genetic studies for more than 90 years. This review argues that studies on D. melanogaster will make an especially important contribution to the field of aging and longevity at the intersection of research on genetics, complex traits, and fly populations. Five approaches have been used to study the genetics of longevity of D. melanogaster: (1) laboratory selection, (2) quantitative genetics, (3) transgenic overexpression, (4) mutation analysis, and (5) measurement of gene expression. The first two approaches attempt to decompose longevity as a complex character. The third and fourth approaches start by looking for major gene effects on life span. The fifth approach is emerging as part of a major advance in technology in which the expression of almost all genes in the genome can be measured at one time. Genetic research on aging and longevity using D. melanogaster has been reviewed previously (Arking 1987, 1988; Arking and Dudas 1989; Rose 1991; Curtsinger et al. 1995; Tower 1996; Stearns and Partridge 2001). The present chapter reviews the range of genetic approaches used to study aging and life span (length of life).
Ultraschall-Charakteristika von Fibroadenomen korrelieren mit klinischen und histologischen Parametern (2008)

Hypothese: Ultraschall-Charakteristika von Fibroadenomen (FA) sind abhängig von klinischen und histologischen Parametern. Material und Methoden: Bei 221 FA wurden folgende Ultraschall-Charakteristika erfasst: Form, Tumorachse, Echogenität, Wandkontur, Wandbegrenzung, Binnenstruktur, hyperechogene Spots, Randsaum, Schallfortleitung, Lateraler Schallschatten, Umgebungsreaktion, sowie Vaskularisation. Wir untersuchten den Einfluss des Patientinnen-Alters, der Tumorgröße und der histologischen Klassifizierung auf die Ausprägung dieser Charaktersitika. Die FA waren vom adulten Typ und wurden unterteilt in floride, regressive und Mischtypen. Ergebnisse: Medianes Alter der 221 Patientinnen: 41 Jahre. Mittlerer größter Tumordurchmesser: 16mm. Floride FA: bei jungen Frauen häufiger (p<0,001) und größer als regressive FA (p=0,007). Signifikante Unterschiede zwischen floriden und regressiven FA bezüglich: Schallfortleitung (p<0,001), Echogenität (p=0,003) und Wandkontur (p=0,042). Bei größeren (>16mm) FA häufiger: horizontale Achse (p=0,009), inhomogene Echogenität (p=0,001), hyperechogene Spots (p<0,001), verstärkte dorsale Schallfortleitung (p>0,001), lobulierte Wandkontur (p=0,009), starke Vaskularisation (p<0,001). Bei größeren FA seltener: lateraler Schallschatten (p=0,047). Bei den älteren Patientinnen (>30 Jahre) häufiger: dorsale Schallabschwächung (p=0,047), irreguläre Wandkontur (p=0,038), homogene Echogenität (p=0,047). Schlussfolgerung: Patientinnen-Alter, Tumorgröße und histologische Klassifizierung beeinflussen Ultraschall-Charakteristika von FA. Dies kann bei der diagnostischen Klassifizierung und der Entscheidung für Biopsien hilfreich sein.
Accurate Substrate Analysis Based on a Novel Finite Difference Method via Synchronization Method on Layered and Adaptive Meshing (2013)

In this paper, we present a finite difference method (FDM) based on layered and adaptive meshing to extract substrate resistance. To allow adaptive meshing, a novel synchronization method is introduced which expresses the potential at other points than the centroids of panels by modifying the finite difference equations. This method makes it possible to overcome the high computational cost of the FDM due to tight uniform meshing requirements while enjoying a straightforward implementation and easy handling of irregular/arbitrary substrate structures to extract the substrate coupling of integrated circuits.
Process Intensification in the Gas Phase Conversion of Dimethyl Maleate to Tetrahydrofuran (2013)

Abstract Durch die Verwendung eines bifunktionellen Cu/ZnO/γ‐Al 2 O 3 ‐Katalysators ist es möglich, die normalerweise mehrstufige Gasphasenumsetzung von Dimethylmaleat (DMM) zu Tetrahydrofuran (THF) in einem einzigen Festbettreaktor mit einer THF‐Ausbeute von nahezu 100 % durchzuführen. Die Raum‐Zeit‐Ausbeute an THF wird durch das Zulaufverhältnis H 2 /DMM kaum beeinflusst, lässt sich aber durch Erhöhung des Totaldrucks und insbesondere der Temperatur erheblich steigern.
Weight-Sharing Supernet for Searching Specialized Acoustic Event Classification Networks Across Device Constraints (2023)

Acoustic Event Classification (AEC) has been widely used in devices such as smart speakers and mobile phones for home safety or accessibility support [1]. As AEC models run on more and more devices with diverse computation resource constraints, it became increasingly expensive to develop models that are tuned to achieve optimal accuracy/computation trade-off for each given computation resource constraint. In this paper, we introduce a Once-For-All (OFA) Neural Architecture Search (NAS) framework for AEC. Specifically, we first train a weight-sharing supernet that supports different model architectures, followed by automatically searching for a model given specific computational resource constraints. Our experimental results showed that by just training once, the resulting model from NAS significantly outperforms both models trained individually from scratch and knowledge distillation (25.4% and 7.3% relative improvement). We also found that the benefit of weight-sharing supernet training of ultra-small models comes not only from searching but from optimization.
Expression of <i>N</i>-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Subunits in the Bovine Ovum: Ova as a Potential Source of Autoantigens Causing Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis (2015)

Autoimmune synaptic encephalitis is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against synaptic constituent receptors and manifests as neurological and psychiatric disorders. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is such an autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects young women. It is associated with antibodies against the extracellular region of the NR1 subunit of postsynaptic NMDAR. Each NMDAR functions as a heterotetrameric complex that is composed of four subunits, including NR1 and NR2A, NR2B, or NR2C. Importantly, ovarian teratoma is a typical complication of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in female patients and may contain antigenic neural tissue; however, antigenic sites remain unknown in female patients without ovarian teratoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of NMDARs in the ovum. We detected NR1 and NR2B immunoreactivity in protein fractions extracted from the bovine ovary and ova by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis. Immunoprecipitates digested with trypsin were analyzed by reverse phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We obtained the following five peptides: SPFGRFK and KNLQDR, which are consistent with partial sequences of human NR1, and GVEDALVSLK, QPTVAGAPK, and NEVMSSK, which correspond to those of NR2A, NR2B and NR2C, respectively. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the bovine ovum was stained with the immunoglobulin G purified from the serum of a patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Taken together, we propose that the normal ovum expresses NMDARs that have strong affinity for the disease-specific IgG. The presence of NMDARs in ova may help explain why young females without ovarian teratomas are also affected by anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
Adsorption of Trimethyl Phosphite at the Ge(100)-2 × 1 Surface by Nucleophilic Reaction (2013)

Although phosphorus adsorption on semiconductors has potential applications in sensors, adhesion promoters, wear-resistant coatings, and monolayer doping for ultrashallow junction transistors, it has been the subject of few studies. Adsorption of trimethyl phosphite at the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface is studied in this work by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. Trimethyl phosphite adsorbs by dissociation of a methoxy C–O bond, forming dimethyl germylphosphonate and methyl species at the surface. These results demonstrate a method for formation of covalent Ge–P bonds at the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface by reaction of a P–O–R group, which is common to many phosphorus-containing functional groups. Moreover, this reaction is directly analogous to several known reactions of trialkyl phosphites in solution showing that the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface can mimic nucleophilic/electrophilic molecular reactants in organophosphorus chemistry. By showing the similarity between heterogeneous reaction at a surface and homogeneous reaction in solution, these results provide guidance in understanding the reaction of other phosphorus-containing compounds at semiconductor surfaces.
Controlling the composition of Ti1−xAlxN thin films by modifying the number of TiN and AlN subcycles in atomic layer deposition (2003)

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Coupling analysis of high speed PM generator used for distributed generation system (2010)

High-speed permanent magnetic generator (HSPMG) is a common and important power generation equipment in distributed generation systems. In this paper, a 100kW level HSPMG is studied, and the transient 2-D electromagnetic field is analyzed by using FEA, from which losses distributions (heat sources), especially eddy loss in rotor sleeve in machines are determined. Then, the 3-D thermal field is calculated, in which the variations of flowing state and temperature of fluid in stator ducts along the axial direction are considered, as well as its effects on motor temperature distribution. Based on this, the cooling system is optimal designed, and a new cooling ducts with variational cross section is proposed. The obtained conclusions may provide useful reference for the design and research of HSPMG.
ChemInform Abstract: Biological Processing of DNA Modified by Platinum Compounds (1991)

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.
Development and Application of an Asphaltene Deposition Tool (ADEPT) for Well Bores (2011)

Asphaltenes often tend to deposit in reservoirs, flow lines, separators, and other systems along production lines causing significant production loss due to restricted oil flow or damages caused to the units and instruments used along the flow lines. Asphaltenes are typically stable in the oil; however, changes in conditions such as temperature or pressure or compositional changes can trigger the phase separation and resultant deposition of these asphaltenes on the surfaces encountered along the flow. Hence, it is required to be able to forecast the possibility of precipitation of asphaltenes for given operating conditions and quantify the amount of deposition. In this work, the development of an asphaltene deposition tool (ADEPT) that can predict the occurrence and calculate the magnitude and profile of asphaltene deposition in a well bore is discussed. The simulator consists of a thermodynamic module and a deposition module. The thermodynamic module uses the Perturbed Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC SAFT) equation of state to describe the phase behavior of oil, which is first characterized by using thermodynamic properties such as saturation points and asphaltene onset pressure data and physical properties such as the density of the oil. The deposition module is then used along with input from the thermodynamic module to calculate magnitude of asphaltene deposition along the length of well bore/pipe lines. The mathematical model used in the deposition module is first benchmarked and validated by comparing the simulation results against the experimentally measured asphaltene deposition flux in a capillary scale deposition experiment. The simulator was then used to study deposition in two field cases, for which measurements of asphaltene deposition profile were reported in the literature. This study demonstrates the development and application of a simple yet comprehensive simulator that can be easily integrated with other commercial flow simulators, facilitating quick calculations of the change in the asphaltene deposition profile and magnitude with change in operating conditions as the production continues. It is shown that the simulator enables operators to perform quick sensitivity studies and map out operating envelopes to avoid potential risk zones.
Strategic Behavior and Price Discovery (2001)

The paper analyzes the effects of strategic behavior by an insider in a price discovery process, akin to an information tatonnement, in the presence of a competitive informed sector. Such processes are used in the preopening period of continuous trading systems in several exchanges. It is found that the insider manipulates the market using a contrarian strategy in order to neutralize the effect of the trades of competitive informed agents. Furthermore, consistently with the empirical evidence available, we find that information revelation accelerates close to the opening, that the market price does not converge to the fundamental value no matter how many rounds the tatonnement has, and that the expected trading volume displays a U-shaped pattern. We also find that a market with a larger competitive sector (smaller insider) has an improved informational efficiency and an increased trading volume. The insider provides a public good (a lower informativeness of the price) for the competitive informed sector.
Biocatalytic synthesis of 4-pregnen-20,21-diol-3-one, a selective inhibitor of human 5α-reductase type II (2007)

Biocatalysis, the conversion of substrates into valuable products by the use of enzymes, has some striking advantages in comparison to standard organic chemistry for drug synthesis. By biocatalysis, substrates that contain several identical reactive groups at different positions can be converted with high regio-selectivity and enantio-selectivity. In this study, an E. coli isolate (E132) was identified which was able to convert the steroid desoxycorticosterone into the product 4-pregnen-20,21-diol-3-one in real terms. The product was purified from the cell culture supernatant by HPLC and its structure was demonstrated by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. It was tested on inhibition of human 5alpha-reductases type I and type II. At a concentration of 10 microM, inhibition was 49.0% for type I and 81.8% for type II, whereas there was no inhibition of human aromatase (CYP19) at 20 microM and human 17alpha-hydroxylase-C17,20-lyase (CYP17) at 2.5 microM detectable. The IC50 value of 4-pregnen-20,21-diol-3-one for human 5alpha-reductase type II was determined to be 1.56 microM.
Antiamnesic effect of the two novel κ‐opioid agonists, VA‐100 and VA‐101, in the mouse passive avoidance test (2001)

Abstract The effects of the administration of the two novel κ‐opioid agonists (VA‐100, VA‐101) on memory processes were evaluated with the mouse passive avoidance test. The administration of VA‐100 (50–100 mg kg –1 p.o.) and VA‐101 (100 mg kg –1 p.o.) administered 20 min before the training session prevented nor‐binaltorphimine (4.9 μg per mouse i.c.v.), scopolamine (1.5 mg kg –1 i.p.), mecamylamine (20 mg kg –1 i.p.), diphenhydramine (20 mg kg –1 i.p.), and baclofen (2 mg kg –1 i.p.) amnesia. At the highest effective doses, none of the drugs impaired motor coordination, as revealed by the rota‐rod test, nor modified spontaneous motility and inspection activity, as revealed by the hole board test. The antiamnesic effect induced by VA‐100 and VA‐101 was comparable to that exerted by the κ‐opioid agonist U‐50,488H, as well as that induced by the nootropic drug piracetam and the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. These results suggest that the activation of κ‐opioid receptors plays an important role in the prevention of memory impairment. On these bases, κ‐opioid receptor agonists could represent a useful symptomatic treatment for cognitive deficits. Drug Dev. Res. 54:12–18, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Experimental and Computational Investigation on the Pre-Heating of Fuel to Improve Cold Starting of Diesel Engines (2003)

This paper describes the effect of elevated fuel temperature on cold starting operability in compression ignition engines. This study was based on the hypothesis that in a cold start condition, fuel heated to a temperature higher than the surrounding ambient air before it enters the combustion chamber would improve cold starting. Experiments on heating the injector and the fuel before the injection event were performed in a cold room facility with ambient temperatures varying from −20 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius. A computational analysis of the injector was conducted using Star-CD to more fully understand the physical phenomena involved and help explain results obtained from the experiment. Results indicated that fuel heating does affect the efflux velocity, Sauter mean diameter and the lifetime of a fuel droplet. Droplet break-up time and spray penetration are not much affected. Computational and experimental results were within 30% of each other. Results of this work should be useful in the design of improved cold starting methods of diesel fueled engines.