gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Sipuleucel-T (sip-T) induced lytic CD8+ T cell responses to target antigens in men with hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). (2017)

162 Background: Sip-T is an FDA-approved immunotherapy for patients (pts) with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic CRPC. Sip-T is manufactured from autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with the immunogen PA2024, a fusion antigen of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) conjugated to granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. After sip-T, antibody and T cell responses to PA2024 and/or PAP correlate with improved survival. To further elucidate the mechanism of sip-T–induced immune responses, we evaluated the proliferative and lytic ability of PA2024- and PAP-specific CD8+ T cells. Methods: Mononuclear blood cells were labeled with the membrane dye carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and cultured with PA2024 or PAP. In vitro proliferative and lytic CD8+ (cytotoxic T lymphocyte [CTL]) T cell responses to these antigens were evaluated by flow cytometry. For proliferation, progressive dilution of CFSE was measured. For CTL activity, the loss of intracellular granzyme B (GzB), indicating exocytosis of this apoptosis-mediating enzyme, was assessed. Samples were from 2 sip-T clinical trials STAND (NCT01431391) and STRIDE (NCT01981122), hormone-sensitive and CRPC pts, respectively. Results: Six wk after sip-T administration, CD8+ PAP- and PA2024-specific responses were observed (n=14 pts assessed). The magnitude of PA2024-specific CD8+ proliferative responses was greater than that for PAP-specific responses. CD8+ T cells from a subset of pts who exhibited PA2024- and/or PAP-specific proliferative responses were assessed for lytic ability. After in vitro antigen stimulation, CTL activity in all evaluated samples (n=14, PA2024; n=13, PAP) was demonstrated by a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in intracellular GzB relative to a no-antigen control. Conclusions: Sip-T induced CD8+ CTL proliferation against the target antigens PAP and PA2024. Moreover, antigen-specific CTL activity provides the first direct evidence that sip-T can induce tumor cell lysis. These antigen-specific CD8+ lytic abilities were observed within 6 wk following sip-T, suggesting rapidly generated immune responses. Clinical trial information: NCT01431391; NCT01981122.
Structure and expression of the rat inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. (1990)

The complete primary structure of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor from rat brain was elucidated using a series of overlapping cDNA clones. Two different sets of clones that either contain or lack a 45-nucleotide sequence in the amino-terminal third of the protein were isolated, suggesting a differential splicing event that results in the biosynthesis of either a 2734- or 2749-amino acid receptor protein. Hydrophobicity analysis demonstrates the presence of a cluster of hydrophobic sequences in the carboxyl-terminal third of the protein that probably comprise eight transmembrane regions and that may form the calcium channel intrinsic to the receptor. The receptor was universally expressed at low levels in all tissues and cultured cells tested. Transfection of a full-length expression construct of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor into COS cells resulted in the biosynthesis of a 260-kDa protein that bound inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and formed high molecular weight complexes similar to the native receptor as analyzed by sucrose gradient centrifugations. On the other hand, the protein product synthesized by a mutant receptor construct in which the amino-terminal 418 amino acids were deleted failed to bind inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The mutant receptor still formed high molecular weight complexes, suggesting that it folded normally and that the amino-terminal sequences of the receptor are part of the ligand binding domain.
La transmisión de valores socioculturales y sociopolíticos en los sistemas educativos formales de tres sistemas políticos contemporáneos y arquetípicos: La España franquista, la Rusia soviética y la República Italiana. Estudio comparativo de la narración de la Historia en los libros de texto de la enseñanza obligatoria (2011)

Mediante un analisis de contenido cuantitativo, complementado con un paralelo analisis cualitativo, se estudio comparativamente una muestra representativa de los libros de texto de Historia mas difundidos durante el periodo historico de la coexistencia pacifica de la guerra fria (para Espana 1970/75) en la ensenanza obligatoria de tres paises: La Rusia sovietica, la Espana franquista y la Republica italiana. Y ello con el objetivo mas general de determinar la influencia de unos sistemas politicos (arquetipicos representantes de, respectivamente, las ideologias marxista, autoritario-fascistoide y democratico-liberal) sobre sus respectivos sistemas educativos. Tal influencia se observa rastreando en los textos la plasmacion de las ideologias respectivas -y la eventual influencia de las ajenas- a traves, fundamentalmente de los datos resultantes de la aplicacion de un sistema de 10 categorias de analisis, identificadoras de valores socioculturales y sociopoliticos, a tal fin, relevantes.
Next generation RFID using ultra-wideband signaling (2012)

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a powerful technology for asset monitoring and tracking and has a vast potential to reduce operating costs for many applications. While conventional narrowband RFID systems have successfully been used in several applications, the challenges posed by their signal characteristics has prevented their widespread use in some operational scenarios requiring data security and privacy, long lifetime, and operations in cluttered environments. Even though the state-of-the-art research in narrowband RFID systems has overcome some of these challenges, the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) signaling for tag-reader communications could be another option to address the unresolved problems. In this paper we present a summary of such challenges and explain how UWB technology can provide a viable solution for each of them. More detailed discussions on this topic are available in [1]. This paper is organized as follows. We start with an overview of the key challenges of narrowband signaling in tag-reader communications, then we briefly go over the concept of UWB signaling and discuss the distinct advantages of using UWB for tag-reader communications in various RFID challenges. We conclude the paper with a summary of discussions.
Size and positional effects of promoter RNA segments on virus-induced RNA-directed DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing (2011)

DNA methylation at a gene promoter can be triggered by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) through the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway and induces transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). Although genes involved in the RdDM pathway have been identified, whether dsRNAs of different promoter regions have different extent of effects on RdDM and/or TGS is unknown. Here, we addressed this question by targeting the CaMV 35S promoter in the plant genome using a recombinant Cucumber mosaic virus that contained various portions of the promoter. The efficiency of the induction of TGS depended on the length of the promoter segment triggering the RdDM; the lower size limit for TGS induction was 81-91 nt. TGS was induced when 70-nt fragments were connected in tandem, none of which solely induced TGS. TGS induction did not simply depend on the production of small interfering RNAs corresponding to the promoter. Along with the induction of RdDM, spreading of DNA methylation from the originally targeted site toward the adjacent regions was detected. The maintenance of TGS in the progeny that lacks an RNA trigger depended on the promoter segments triggering the RdDM in the former generation and was correlated with the number of cytosines at symmetrical sites in the targeted region. These results indicate that both the length of dsRNA above the threshold and the frequency of cytosines at symmetric sites in the region targeted by dsRNA are the major factors that allow induction of heritable TGS via RdDM.
Designer lignins: harnessing the plasticity of lignification (2016)

Lignin is a complex polyphenolic constituent of plant secondary cell walls. Inspired largely by the recalcitrance of lignin to biomass processing, plant engineering efforts have routinely sought to alter lignin quantity, composition, and structure by exploiting the inherent plasticity of lignin biosynthesis. More recently, researchers are attempting to strategically design plants for increased degradability by incorporating monomers that lead to a lower degree of polymerisation, reduced hydrophobicity, fewer bonds to other cell wall constituents, or novel chemically labile linkages in the polymer backbone. In addition, the incorporation of value-added structures could help valorise lignin. Designer lignins may satisfy the biological requirement for lignification in plants while improving the overall efficiency of biomass utilisation.
A wireless ranging system as an embedded sensor module for the long cane (2002)

This paper presents the design and implementation of a ultrasound-based wireless ranging system that is suited for integration into the shaft of a conventional long cane to serve as a travel aid for the blind. The new cane provides distance and height information on overhanging obstacles in the travel path ahead of the user. The system consists of three ultrasonic sensors, a microcontroller-based RF telemetric data transmitter, and a data receiver. Systematic experiments using four representative objects have confirmed that the system is capable of detecting obstacles within four meters ahead, with the maximum relative error of detection less than 8%.
Ectopic <i>TAL-1/SCL</i> Expression in Phenotypically Normal or Leukemic Myeloid Precursors: Proliferative and Antiapoptotic Effects Coupled with a Differentiation Blockade (1997)

The TAL-1 gene specifies a basic helix-loop-helix domain (bHLH) transcription factor, which heterodimerizes with E2A gene family proteins. tal-1 protein is abnormally expressed in the majority of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs). tal-1 is expressed and plays a significant role in normal erythropoietic differentiation and maturation, while its expression in early myeloid differentiation is abruptly shut off at the level of late progenitors/early differentiated precursors (G. L. Condorelli, L. Vitelli, M. Valtieri, I. Marta, E. Montesoro, V. Lulli, R. Baer, and C. Peschle, Blood 86:164-175, 1995). We show that in late myeloid progenitors (the phenotypically normal murine 32D cell line) and early leukemic precursors (the human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line) ectopic tal-1 expression induces (i) a proliferative effect under suboptimal culture conditions (i.e., low growth factor and serum concentrations respectively), via an antiapoptotic effect in 32D cells or increased DNA synthesis in HL-60 cells, and (ii) a total or marked inhibitory effect on differentiation, respectively, on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced granulopoiesis in 32D cells or retinoic acid- and vitamin D3-induced granulo- and monocytopoiesis in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, experiments with 32D temperature-sensitive p53 cells indicate that aberrant tal-1 expression at the permissive temperature does not exert a proliferative effect but causes p53-mediated apoptosis, i.e., the tal-1 proliferative effect depends on the integrity of the cell cycle checkpoints of the host cell, as observed for c-myc and other oncogenes. tal-1 mutant experiments indicate that ectopic tal-1 effects are mediated by both the DNA-binding and the heterodimerization domains, while the N-terminally truncated tal-1 variant (M3) expressed in T-ALL malignant cells mimics the effects of the wild-type protein. Altogether, our results (i) indicate proliferative and antidifferentiative effects of ectopic tal-1 expression, (ii) shed light on the underlying mechanisms (i.e., requirement for the integrity of the tal-1 bHLH domain and cell cycle checkpoints in the host cell, particularly p53), and (iii) provide new experimental models to further investigate these mechanisms.
Singular Fields in Plane-Strain Penetration (1991)

Local singular fields are investigated in the vicinity of the vertex of a sharp wedge that penetrates a viscous solid. Material behavior is modeled by the usual powerlaw constitutive relation. Wall friction is accounted for by imposing friction factors along the walls of the wedge. The case of a Newtonian fluid is investigated analytically, and sample numerical results are presented for nonlinear strain rate hardening. It is shown that the exponent of strain rate singularity increases as the wedge becomes sharper and smoother. Increasing the hardening parameter also results in a stronger strain rate singularity. High levels of wall friction induce an intensive shear boundary layer near the wall.
Critical Bleeding in Vascular Surgery: Expanding the Indication of Recombinant Activated Factor VII (2006)

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is considered a universal hemostatic agent. We present our experience with rFVIIa in vascular surgery patients who developed major hemorrhagic complications with no obvious major vessel bleeding as an expansion of the indications of rFVIIa. Of 973 major complex vascular procedures, 18 patients with intractable bleeding were administered 40 to 80 mug/kg rFVIIa. Blood and by-products transfused, pH, coagulation profile, platelet count, and preoperative antiplatelets and anticoagulants were recorded.Twelve patients (67%) showed clinical improvement. Six remained unstable despite further hemostatic measures and died perioperatively. Thirty-three percent (n = 6) received over 20 U of blood before rFVIIa administration. All but one died within the first 24 hours (p = .0175). Seven patients had acidosis with a pH of 7.3 or less. Five of them died within 24 hours (p = .05). Six patients had a platelet count below 100,000/cm3, five of whom died perioperatively (p = .0175). Patients with an international normalized ratio above 1.2 had a better survival rate because rFVIIa was used early. There were no signs of systemic or local thrombotic events. The amount of blood and plasma transfused was significantly reduced after rFVIIa administration.rFVIIa is a safe adjunct for patients with significant hemorrhagic complications, with a low risk of thrombotic complications. We found it effective if administered early with measures to achieve hemodynamic stability and correction of acidosis.
Relationship between negative cooperativity and insulin action (1981)

We have compared the respective abilities of porcine insulin and [LeuB25]insulin to enhance the rate of dissociation of receptor-bound [125I]insulin from IM-9 lymphocytes and isolated rat adipocytes and to increase the rate of adipocyte glucose transport and oxidation. Although porcine insulin (100 ng/mL) greatly enhanced the dissociation rate of previously bound [125I]insulin, [LeuB25]insulin (at a concentration yielding equivalent receptor occupancy) had no effect. Nevertheless, the analogue fully stimulated adipocyte glucose transport and oxidation at concentrations consistent with its reduced (1.7% of normal) intrinsic binding affinity. Activation of glucose transport by the analogue was rapid, and the corresponding rate of activation was indistinguishable from that produced by native insulin. The increased dissociation rate observed with increasing receptor occupancy by native porcine insulin has been interpreted as evidence for negative cooperative site-site interactions between occupied receptors. According to this formulation, [LeuB25]insulin is a "noncooperative" insulin analogue. Since this [LeuB25]insulin retains full biologic activity, the enhancement of the insulin dissociation rate at high levels of receptor occupancy does not reflect a phenomenon inherent in insulin's action to augment glucose metabolism.
Ridge Network in Crumpled Paper (2007)

The network formed by ridges in a straightened sheet of crumpled paper is studied using a laser profilometer. Square sheets of paper were crumpled into balls, unfolded and their height profile measured. From these profiles the imposed ridges were extracted as networks. Nodes were defined as intersections between ridges, and links as the various ridges connecting the nodes. Many network and spatial properties have been investigated. The tail of the ridge length distribution was found to follow a power-law whereas the shorter ridges followed a log-normal distribution. The degree distribution was found to have an exponentially decaying tail, and the degree correlation was found to be disassortative. The facets created by the ridges and the Voronoi diagram formed by the nodes have also been investigated.
FULL-FIELD OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY OF THE NORMAL DIGESTIVE MUCOSA: A PROMISING TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF THE DIGESTIVE BARRIER (2019)

Full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique, based on interferometry, allowing dynamic acquisition of images of ex vivo specimens on a microscopic scale. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of imaging normal digestive biopsies using FF-OCT.
Recent advancements in artificial blood technology (2023)

Recent advancements in artificial blood technology Professor Allan Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Medicine shares promising developments regarding the creation of safe and effective artificial blood products. Haemorrhage accounts for approximately 35% of civilian and approximately 90% of military potentially survivable in-field deaths. However, logistic challenges (blood typing, donor availability and cold chain) limit blood deployment in resource-limited and austere environments. As such, a ‘universal donor’, shelf-stable, portable whole blood analogue (WBA) could transform care in both civilian and military settings.
Phosphorylation of the transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus: direct demonstration of phosphorylation of serine 17 and identification of an additional site of tyrosine phosphorylation in p60v-src of Prague Rous sarcoma virus (1986)

We provide direct evidence that serine 17 is the major site of serine phosphorylation in p60v-src, the transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus, and in its cellular homolog, p60c-src. The amino acid composition of the tryptic peptide containing the major site of serine phosphorylation in p60v-src was deduced by peptide map analysis of the protein labeled biosynthetically with a variety of radioactive amino acids. Manual Edman degradation revealed that the phosphorylated serine in this peptide was the amino terminal residue. These data are consistent only with the phosphorylation of serine 17. The major site of serine phosphorylation in chicken p60c-src, the cellular homolog of p60v-src, is contained in a tryptic peptide identical to that containing serine 17 in p60v-src of Schmidt Ruppin Rous sarcoma virus of subgroup A. Serine 17 is therefore also phosphorylated in p60c-src. The p60v-src protein encoded by Prague Rous sarcoma virus was found to contain two sites of tyrosine phosphorylation. The previously unrecognized site of tyrosine phosphorylation may be tyrosine 205 or possibly tyrosine 208. Treatment of Prague Rous sarcoma virus-infected cells with vanadyl ions stimulated the protein kinase activity of p60v-src and increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine 416 but not the phosphorylation of the additional site of tyrosine phosphorylation.
Multifunctional and Tunable Surfaces Based on Pyrene Functionalized Nanoparticles (2019)

Abstract The tuning of the optical properties of pyrene, immobilized on alumina nanoparticle surfaces, is demonstrated. To this end, phosphonic acid functionalized pyrene derivatives are shown to self‐assemble into stoichiometrically mixed monolayers featuring hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or fluorophilic phosphonic acid ligands and to form defined core–shell hybrids depending on the molecular mixing ratio and the nature of the ligand monomer, excimer, or mutual emission of both evolved. The spectroscopic observations are explained by the respective mobility of the dye molecules with respect to their fixed, specific anchor points and the resulting probability to form excimers and are supported by molecular dynamic simulations, X‐ray reflectivity measurements, and temperature‐dependent steady‐state fluorescence assays. In terms of an additional tuning of the emission color change and/or the on‐off switching of the fluorescence, the formation of core–shell–shell system is carried out by applying amphiphiles. The general concept is fully transferable to demobilized films of nanoparticles, thereby enabling a switchable solid‐state surface.
Optimal Design of the Coring Bit Cutting Edge in Percussive/Vibratory Drilling (2005)

The objective of this study is to develop an analytical method for the optimization of the design of the coring bits of vibratory drills with cutting teeth that percussively penetrate into brittle material. This optimization is intended to improve the drill rate of the Ultrasonic Driller and Corer (USDC) that was developed by scientists from JPL and engineers from Cybersonics, Inc. The USDC was developed for possible in-situ sample and other extraterrestrial applications in future NASA missions. A theoretical investigation was undertaken to study the rock-bit penetration characteristics and derive the analytical formulation of the specific energy for a coring bit with wedge-shape cutting teeth, based on two analytical models from rock fracture mechanics. It was found that there exists an optimal spacing/depth ratio for the cutting teeth, and the optimal number of cutting teeth on the bottom annulus of the coring bit can be designed to achieve a minimum total coring bit specific energy. Experimental tests were performed to corroborate the analytical results. It was shown that the laboratory drilling tests follow the trend predicted by the theoretical analysis. The methodology developed here can be used for the optimization of any coring/drill bit with a wedge-shape cutting teeth array in percussive/vibratory drills into brittle material.
Management of Rectal Prolapse: The Role of Laparoscopic Approaches (2003)

Rectal prolapse is a lifestyle-altering disability which has been treated with over 100 surgical options. The specific goals of surgical management of full thickness rectal prolapse are to minimize the operative risk in this typically elderly population, eradicate the external prolapse of the rectum, improve continence, improve bowel function, and reduce the risk of recurrence. The theoretical advantages of a laparoscopic approach are to couple reductions in surgical morbidity and good post-operative outcome. Studies which compare the same laparoscopic and open surgical approach for rectal prolapse have demonstrated that laparoscopy confers benefits related to postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and return of bowel function. Virtually every type of open transabdominal surgical approach to rectal prolapse has been laparoscopically accomplished. Current laparoscopic surgical techniques include suture rectopexy, stapled rectopexy, posterior mesh rectopexy with artificial material, and resection of the sigmoid colon with colorectal anastomosis, with or without rectopexy. The growing body of literature supports the concept that laparoscopic surgical techniques can safely provide the benefits of low recurrence rates and improved functional outcome for patients with full thickness rectal prolapse.