gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Surface Engineering of Protein Nanoparticles Modulates Transport, Adsorption, and Uptake in Mucus (2022)

Protein nanoparticles have been demonstrated as effective carriers for protein antigens and therapeutics due to properties endowed by their protein composition. They exhibit high protein to carrier yields, biocompatibility, and heterogeneous surface properties. While protein nanoparticles have been delivered via multiple routes, including intranasal, their interactions with mucosal barriers have not been well studied or modified. Biological barriers associated with intranasal delivery consist of viscoelastic mucus that hinders material transport through surface interactions and the underlying epithelium. Herein, we altered protein nanoparticle surface properties and characterized interactions with nasal mucus and the subsequent effects on diffusion, cellular uptake, and immune cell maturation. Ovalbumin protein nanoparticles were used, serving as a model vaccine nanoparticle. Unmodified ovalbumin protein nanoparticles were compared to cationic ovalbumin particles functionalized with amine groups, neutral particles functionalized with polyethylene glycol, and zwitterionic particles coated layer-by-layer (LBL) with chitosan and oligonucleotides. Transport analysis indicated rapid diffusion of polyethylene glycol and LBL-modified ovalbumin nanoparticles in porcine nasal mucus, while cationic particles were mucoadhesive. Cellular uptake in the presence of mucus by epithelial and dendritic cells was highest for particles containing positive charges, both LBL and amine-functionalized. These particles also exhibited the most diverse adsorbed protein corona from nasal fluids. The corona impacted both dendritic cell uptake and maturation, with polyethylene glycol and LBL modifications improving CD86 expression. Altogether, surface modifications on protein-based nanocarriers are shown to facilitate distinctive physical and cellular behavior associated with mucosal delivery.
Investigating the Function of Adult DRG Neuron Axons Using an In Vitro Microfluidic Culture System (2021)

A critical role of the peripheral axons of nociceptors of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is the conduction of all-or-nothing action potentials from peripheral nerve endings to the central nervous system for the perception of noxious stimuli. Plasticity along multiple sites along the pain axis has now been widely implicated in the maladaptive changes that occur in pathological pain states such as neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Notably, increasing evidence suggests that nociceptive axons actively participate through the local expression of ion channels, receptors, and signal transduction molecules through axonal mRNA translation machinery that is independent of the soma component. In this report, we explore the sensitization of sensory neurons through the treatment of compartmentalized axon-like structures spanning microchannels that have been treated with the cytokine IL-6 and, subsequently, capsaicin. These data demonstrate the utility of isolating DRG axon-like structures using microfluidic systems, laying the groundwork for constructing the complex in vitro models of cellular networks that are involved in pain signaling for targeted pharmacological and genetic perturbations.
Anemia in Chronic Heart Failure (2006)

A nemia occurs commonly in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and has been proposed as a novel therapeutic target in this patient population.The present review will summarize the current knowledge of the prevalence, causative factors, and pathophysiological correlates of anemia in CHF.Potential risks and benefits of therapy with erythropoietic agents for the treatment of anemia in CHF will also be discussed. Prevalence of Anemia in CHF][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Variability in estimated prevalence is partly attributable to use of inconsistent definitions of anemia in individual reports.The World Health Organization definition of anemia (hemoglobin concentration Ͻ13.0 g/dL in men and Ͻ12.0 g/dL in women) takes into account known gender differences in distribution of hemoglobin values, 16 whereas the National Kidney Foundation defines anemia as hemoglobin Յ12 g/dL in men and postmenopausal women. 17These standard definitions of anemia are not based on wellestablished physiological or population norms.Published reports in CHF populations have used these and other study-specific definitions of anemia (including other arbitrary or statistically defined hemoglobin and hematocrit categories and administrative diagnostic codes from hospital records).Despite these inconsistencies in the definition of anemia cases, most studies indicate that the prevalence of anemia is increased in CHF populations with comorbid kidney disease, advanced age, and more severe symptoms (range, 30% to 61%) when compared with less symptomatic ambulatory populations (range, 4% to 23%).In patients with CHF and preserved ejection fraction, the few published reports indicate that anemia is also highly prevalent in this group.
The nature of apraxia in corticobasal degeneration. (1994)

Although apraxia is one of the most frequent signs in corticobasal degeneration, the phenomenology of this disorder has not been formally examined. Hence 10 patients with corticobasal degeneration were studied with a standardised evaluation for different types of apraxia. To minimise the confounding effects of the primary motor disorder, apraxia was assessed in the least affected limb. Whereas none of the patients showed buccofacial apraxia, seven showed deficits on tests of ideomotor apraxia and movement imitation, four on tests of sequential arm movements (all of whom had ideomotor apraxia), and three on tests of ideational apraxia (all of whom had ideomotor apraxia). Ideomotor apraxia significantly correlated with deficit in both the mini mental state examination and in a task sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction (picture arrangement). Two of the three patients with ideomotor apraxia and ideational apraxia showed severe cognitive impairments. The alien limb behaviour was present only in patients with ideomotor apraxia. In conclusion, ideomotor apraxia is the most frequent type of apraxia in corticobasal degeneration, and may be due to dysfunction of the supplementary motor area. There is a subgroup of patients with corticobasal degeneration who have a severe apraxia (ideomotor and ideational apraxia), which correlates with global cognitive impairment, and may result from additional parietal or diffuse cortical damage.
A mutation adjacent to the beta cleavage site of factor IX (valine 182 to leucine) results in mild haemophilia Bm (1990)

The genetic basis of a mild form of haemophilia Bm has been investigated. The patient under investigation has a mild bleeding disorder and has never experienced spontaneous bleeds. Factor IX coagulant activity (FIX:C) was 0.15 units/ml and factor IX antigen (FIX:Ag) 1.32 units/ml. The prothrombin time performed with an ox brain thromboplastin was 65 s (normal plasma 31 s). Studies of the abnormal factor IX protein in this patient showed a normal molecular weight and normal calcium binding properties. Activation of the mutant factor IX with factor XIa showed normal proteolytic cleavage. DNA sequence from the eight factor IX exons and flanking introns was amplified from this patient using the polymerase chain reaction. The amplified material was subjected to direct chain termination nucleotide sequencing. The only nucleotide sequence alteration found was a G----C transversion at nucleotide 20,524, changing the amino acid encoded at residue 182 from valine to leucine. This residue is one amino acid removed from the beta cleavage site of factor IX. This residue is highly conserved in other vitamin K dependent serine proteases and we propose that its alteration in this patient is responsible for his mild haemophilic phenotype, and for the abnormal interaction of this factor IX protein with the extrinsic system of coagulation.
Value and use of 'new generation' distiller's dried grains with solubles in swine diets (2003)

What is DDGS? Corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a co-product produced by dry mill ethanol plants as a result of fermenting corn starch to produce fuel ethanol and carbon dioxide. Each bushel of corn (25.4 kg) fermented in a dry mill ethanol plant will produce approximately 10.2 liters of ethanol, 8.2 kg of carbon dioxide, and 8.2 kg of DDGS. Yellow dent corn is most commonly used to produce ethanol and DDGS because it is an excellent source of readily fermentable starch. Corn contains about 62% starch, 3.8% corn oil, 8.0% protein, and 11.2% fiber, and 15% moisture. Because most of the starch is converted to ethanol during fermentation, the resulting nutrient fractions (protein, oil, fiber) are 2 to 3 times more concentrated in DDGS compared to corn. A few ethanol plants use sorghum, barley, and wheat to make ethanol, and as a result, the nutritional composition of the DDGS produced from these grain sources is different than corn DDGS. Approximately 40% of US fuel ethanol is produced in dry mills, whereas the other 60% is produced in wet mills (Figures 1 and 2). Because the ethanol production processes are different between dry mills and wet mills, the resulting corn co-products are also nutritionally different. Dry mills produce DDGS, but wet mills produce corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, and corn germ meal. According to Long (1985), wet milling of yellow dent corn involves its separation into the four major products (dry matter basis): corn starch (67.2 %), corn gluten feed (19.6 %), corn gluten meal (60% protein, 5.7 %), and corn germ (50% corn oil, 7.5 %). The ethanol beverage industry also produces DDGS (<1% of total DDGS production), but it is often dark in color, tends to be more variable in nutrient content (due to the type and source of grain used), and has lower levels of digestible nutrients than DDGS from ‘new generation’ fuel ethanol plants. Brewer’s dried grain is a co-product of the beer manufacturing industry and consists of the dried residue of barley malt and other grains that have been used to provide maltose and dextrins for fermenting. Use of brewer’s dried grains in monogastric diets is limited due to the relatively high fiber level (18 to 19%). A comparison of the nutrient composition of these grain co-products is shown in Table 1. The primary nutritional advantages of new generation DDGS compared to corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, and brewer’s dried grains are the high levels of oil and available phosphorus (Table 1). The DE and ME value of new generation DDGS is significantly higher than corn gluten feed and brewer’s dried grains, comparable to corn, but less than corn gluten meal. Amino acid levels of DDGS are lower than corn gluten meal and corn germ meal, but comparable to corn gluten feed and brewer’s dried grains. How is ‘new generation’ DDGS different from ‘old generation’ DDGS?
Distribution of multiple intrinsic defects in C doped α-Al2O3 (2019)

Carbon doped alumina (Al2O3:C) finds widespread use being a highly sensitive Optically Stimulated Dosimeter(OSL) phosphor. The enhanced sensitivity of this material is correlated with the number of anion vacancies produced during its synthesis. There have been a few studies which attempt to unravel the mechanism of this enhancement by looking at the effects of Al/O vacancy/substitution by C atoms. In this work, we find that there is a preferred inter-defect separation when producing two Al/O vacancies. The defect formation energies and density of states are also computed.
Critical Factors in the Growth of Hyperdoped Germanium Microwires by Electrochemical Liquid–Liquid–Solid Method (2018)

Factors that affect crystalline growth of germanium (Ge) micro- and nanowires by the electrochemical liquid–liquid solid (ec-LLS) method in water have been identified. Alloys of gallium and indium (Ga1–xInx) were used as liquid metal microdroplet electrodes in ec-LLS to determine whether the resultant conductivity of as-grown Ge could be strongly modulated by adjusting the fraction of Ga. Current–potential measurements on individual microwires were performed as a function of alloy composition. All alloys of Ga and In yielded Ge microwires with low resistivity and showed evidence of metal incorporation beyond the solubility limit (i.e., hyperdoping). The observed Ge crystal growth rates were insensitive to the alloy composition. In contrast, lowering the concentration of GeO2 dissolved in solution and/or increasing the density of droplets noticeably slowed down the microwire growth rate. Cumulatively, these data help define what parameters should be useful in refining the ec-LLS method to produce materials with specific targeted properties.
Enhancement of Infection of HepG2 Cells in Culture by Predigestion of Hepadnavirus with V8 Protease (2004)

In this chapter, a method for infecting HepG2 cells with human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is reviewed. This chapter provides a step-wise, experimentally sensitive description of how to perform the protease infectivity assay. The assay is highly technical and sensitive to certain cell culture and virological steps. Therefore, essential technical points are emphasized, to assist the experimentalist as much as possible.
Multimeric expression of the antimicrobial peptide buforin II in Escherichia coli by fusion to a cysteine-rich acidic peptide (1999)

A cost-effective mass production method for a strong antimicrobial peptide, buforin II, which was isolated from the stomach of Bufo bufo gargarizans, has been developed. This method is based on the neutralization of the positive charge of buforin II by fusion with a cysteine-rich acidic peptide (CAP) to avoid any lethal effect on the host. The neutralized fusion peptide was multimerized and expressed in Escherichia coli as tandem repeats to increase the production yield. Multimers of the CAP-buforin II fusion peptide were successfully expressed at high levels in E. coli as inclusion bodies. More than 100 mg of pure buforin II was obtained per 1l of E. coli culture after cleaving the multimeric polypeptide with CNBr. The buforin II obtained from the recombinant E. coli had antimicrobial activity identical to that of natural buforin II. The proposed expression system can provide a cost-effective mass production method for both antimicrobial peptides and other host-lethal basic proteins.
Spectroscopic Characterization and Modeling of Methyl- and Hydrogen-Terminated Oligo(ethylene glycol) Self-Assembled Monolayers (2012)

Two series of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) thiol compounds HS-(CH2CH2O)nR, with R = CH3, H and n = 5, 6, 7, have been synthesized and used to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. The data from null ellipsometry, infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations of this type of OH- and CH3-terminated OEG SAMs are used to examine the rarely addressed in-SAM orientation of oligo(ethylene glycols) and to provide detailed assignments of infrared bands in the fingerprint and CH-stretching regions. On the basis of these results, a new spectral band has been observed at 2947 cm–1 and identified by the first-principle calculations as localized vibrations that are specific for hydrogen-terminated OEG thiolate SAMs. This band can be used as an indicator of a high crystalline-like ordering. It is furthermore stressed that theory agrees with the experimentally obtained CH-stretching spectra remarkably well if, and only if, the OEG helix axis within studied SAMs is tilted by about 20° with respect to the surface normal.
Increased BAT Thermogenesis in Male Mouse Apolipoprotein A4 Transgenic Mice (2023)

Dietary lipids induce apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) production and brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Administration of exogenous APOA4 elevates BAT thermogenesis in chow-fed mice, but not high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Chronic feeding of HFD attenuates plasma APOA4 production and BAT thermogenesis in wildtype (WT) mice. In light of these observations, we sought to determine whether steady production of APOA4 could keep BAT thermogenesis elevated, even in the presence of HFD consumption, with an aim toward eventual reduction of body weight, fat mass and plasma lipid levels. Transgenic mice with overexpression of mouse APOA4 in the small intestine (APOA4-Tg mice) produce greater plasma APOA4 than their WT controls, even when fed an atherogenic diet. Thus, we used these mice to investigate the correlation of levels of APOA4 and BAT thermogenesis during HFD consumption. The hypothesis of this study was that overexpression of mouse APOA4 in the small intestine and increased plasma APOA4 production would increase BAT thermogenesis and consequently reduce fat mass and plasma lipids of HFD-fed obese mice. To test this hypothesis, BAT thermogenic proteins, body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, and plasma lipids in male APOA4-Tg mice and WT mice fed either a chow diet or a HFD were measured. When fed a chow diet, APOA4 levels were elevated, plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced, and BAT levels of UCP1 trended upward, while body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, and plasma lipids were comparable between APOA4-Tg and WT mice. After a four-week feeding of HFD, APOA4-Tg mice maintained elevated plasma APOA4 and reduced plasma TG, but UCP1 levels in BAT were significantly elevated in comparison to WT controls; body weight, fat mass and caloric intake were still comparable. After 10-week consumption of HFD, however, while APOA4-Tg mice still exhibited increased plasma APOA4, UCP1 levels and reduced TG levels, a reduction in body weight, fat mass and levels of plasma lipids and leptin were finally observed in comparison to their WT controls and independent of caloric intake. Additionally, APOA4-Tg mice exhibited increased energy expenditure at several time points when measured during the 10-week HFD feeding. Thus, overexpression of APOA4 in the small intestine and maintenance of elevated levels of plasma APOA4 appear to correlate with elevation of UCP1-dependent BAT thermogenesis and subsequent protection against HFD-induced obesity in mice.
Processing of frequency and location in human subcortical auditory structures (2015)

To date it remains largely unknown how fundamental aspects of natural sounds, such as their spectral content and location in space, are processed in human subcortical structures. Here we exploited the high sensitivity and specificity of high field fMRI (7 Tesla) to examine the human inferior colliculus (IC) and medial geniculate body (MGB). Subcortical responses to natural sounds were well explained by an encoding model of sound processing that represented frequency and location jointly. Frequency tuning was organized in one tonotopic gradient in the IC, whereas two tonotopic maps characterized the MGB reflecting two MGB subdivisions. In contrast, no topographic pattern of preferred location was detected, beyond an overall preference for peripheral (as opposed to central) and contralateral locations. Our findings suggest the functional organization of frequency and location processing in human subcortical auditory structures, and pave the way for studying the subcortical to cortical interaction required to create coherent auditory percepts.
Identification of Rickettsial Infections by Using Cutaneous Swab Specimens and PCR (2010)

To determine the usefulness of noninvasive cutaneous swab specimens for detecting rickettsiae, we tested skin eschars from 6 guinea pigs and from 9 humans. Specimens from eschars in guinea pigs were positive for rickettsiae as long as lesions were present. Optimal storage temperature for specimens was 4 degrees C for 3 days.
Neuronal Loss of Drosophila NPC1a Causes Cholesterol Aggregation and Age-Progressive Neurodegeneration (2008)

The mistrafficking and consequent cytoplasmic accumulation of cholesterol and sphingolipids is linked to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. One class of disease, the sphingolipid storage diseases, includes Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), caused predominantly (95%) by mutation of the NPC1 gene. A disease model has been established through mutation of Drosophila NPC1a (dnpc1a). Null mutants display early lethality attributable to loss of cholesterol-dependent ecdysone steroid hormone production. Null mutants rescued to adults by restoring ecdysone production mimic human NPC patients with progressive motor defects and reduced life spans. Analysis of dnpc1a null brains shows elevated overall cholesterol levels and progressive accumulation of filipin-positive cholesterol aggregates within brain and retina, as well as isolated cultured brain neurons. Ultrastructural imaging of dnpc1a mutant brains reveals age-progressive accumulation of striking multilamellar and multivesicular organelles, preceding the onset of neurodegeneration. Consistently, electroretinogram recordings show age-progressive loss of phototransduction and photoreceptor synaptic transmission. Early lethality, movement impairments, neuronal cholesterol deposits, accumulation of multilamellar bodies, and age-dependent neurodegeneration are all rescued by targeted neuronal expression of a wild-type dnpc1a transgene. Interestingly, targeted expression of dnpc1a in glia also provides limited rescue of adult lethality. Generation of dnpc1a null mutant neuron clones in the brain reveals cell-autonomous requirements for dNPC1a in cholesterol and membrane trafficking. These data demonstrate a requirement for dNPC1a in the maintenance of neuronal function and viability and show that loss of dNPC1a in neurons mimics the human neurodegenerative condition.
Sorting Using Networks of Queues and Stacks (1972)

AI~STRAC'r. The problem of sorting a sequence of numbers using a network of queues and stacks is presented. A characterization of sequences sortable using parallel queues is given, and partial characterizations of sequences sortable using parallel stacks and networks of queues are given.
Imaging of Bone Sarcomas (2007)

Identification, staging, and treatment of bone sarcomas rely on both clinical and imaging evaluations. Although conventional radiography remains the primary imaging modality for characterizing bone tumors, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography can each add information for staging and treatment planning.
Laparoscopic splenectomy: Current concepts (2017)

Since early 1990's, when it was inaugurally introduced, laparoscopic splenectomy has been performed with excellent results in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Nowadays laparoscopic splenectomy is the approach of choice for both benign and malignant diseases of the spleen. However some contraindications still apply. The evolution of the technology has allowed though, cases which were considered to be absolute contraindications for performing a minimal invasive procedure to be treated with modified laparoscopic approaches. Moreover, the introduction of advanced laparoscopic tools for ligation resulted in less intraoperative complications. Today, laparoscopic splenectomy is considered safe, with better outcomes in comparison to open splenectomy, and the increased experience of surgeons allows operative times comparable to those of an open splenectomy. In this review we discuss the indications and the contraindications of laparoscopic splenectomy. Moreover we analyze the standard and modified surgical approaches, and we evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes.