gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Increasing both CoCrMo‐alloy particle size and surface irregularity induces increased macrophage inflammasome activation in vitro potentially through lysosomal destabilization mechanisms (2013)

Recent investigations indicate that innate immune "danger-signaling" pathways mediate metal implant debris induced-inflammatory responses, for example, NALP3 inflammasome. How the physical characteristics of particles (size, shape, and chemical composition) affect this inflammatory reactivity remains controversial. We examined the role of Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy particle shape and size on human macrophage phagocytosis, lysosomal destabilization, and inflammasome activation. Round/smooth versus irregularly shaped/rough CoCrMo-alloy particles of ∼1 and 6-7 µm diameter were investigated for differential lysosomal damage and inflammasome activation in human monocytes/macrophages. While spherical/smooth 1 µm CoCrMo-alloy particles did not measurably affect macrophage IL-1β production, irregular 1 µm CoCrMo-alloy particles induced significant IL-1β increases over controls. Both round/smooth particles and irregular CoCrMo-alloy particles that were 6-7 µm in size induced >10-fold increases in IL-1β production compared to similarly shaped smaller particles (p < 0.05). Larger irregular particles induced a greater degree of intracellular lysosomal damage and a >3-fold increase in IL-1β versus similarly sized round/smooth particles (at an equal dose, particles/cell). CoCrMo-alloy particle-size-induced IL-1β production was dependent on the lysosomal protease Cathepsin B, further supporting lysosomal destabilization as causative in inflammation. Phagocytosable larger/irregular shaped particles (6 µm) demonstrated the greatest lysosomal destabilization (observed immunofluorescently) and inflammatory reactivity when compared on an equal dose basis (particles/cell) to smaller/spherical 1 µm particles in vitro.
Self‐Assembled Monolayer Mediated Silica Coating of Silver Triangular Nanoprisms (2007)

Silver core/silica shell (Ag@SiO2) nanoprisms are prepared by passivating silver nanoprism cores with 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHA), which prevents their etching and aggregation during the subsequent silica coating reaction. The resulting triangular Ag@SiO2 nanoprisms can be dispersed in organic media, environment in which the bare silver prisms are unstable, and modified with a wide variety of functional groups, including oligonucleotides. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2007/c1506_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Effects of welding conditions on axial shortening behavior and tensile strength of friction welded joints of 5052 aluminum alloy (1998)

5052 aluminum alloy were friction welded using a brake type friction welding machine. Effects of the welding conditions on axial shortening behavior and tensile strength of the friction welded joints were investigated. Upset pressure such as welding conditions were determined 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of friction pressure. Burn-off length increased almost lineally just after the start of friction process. Forge length increases sharply immediately after the upset process, then, forge length reaches constant value. Total loss is a good correlation with burn-off length and forge length. In case of the upset pressure being equal to friction pressure, the tensile strength of welded joints veried very widely. If upset pressure is setting higher than friction pressure, tensile strength of welded joints become higher than that of the joint with friction pressure equal to upset pressure, and amount of scatter were reduced. The maximum tensile strength of welded joints shows 92% that of the base metal.
Rho kinase inhibitors: a patent review (2014 – 2016) (2017)

The Rho-kinases (ROCK), ROCK1 and ROCK2, are potent, widespread biochemical modulators which have been extensively studied. Due to the involvement of ROCKs in multiple biological processes, ROCK inhibitors have pleiotropic actions and may be of relevance for a number of therapeutic applications. The drawback is however that their use might be limited by occurrence of side effects. Areas covered: Since the publication of the latest review in 2014, there have been significant advances in the field of ROCK inhibitors. In this paper we reviewed the patents published between September 2013 and September 2016. Recent novel molecules will be described. and progress from the compounds series described in the previous review as well as any new expected therapeutic uses for ROCK inhibitors that popped up in the last three years will be examined. Expert opinion: While a number of potential applications in human for ROCK inhibitors have been reported, very few molecules are currently available to patients. In addition to fasudil, ripasudil (K-115, Kowa) was only recently approved in Japan for the treatment of glaucoma (2014). Notwithstanding some failures and subsequent discontinuation, the Pipeline of preclinical and clinical ROCK inhibitors remains significant.
Evading metal adduct formation during desorption‐ionization mass spectrometry (2010)

An investigation into the propensity of metal adduct formation in the recently developed Desorption Ionization by Charge Exchange (DICE) mass spectrometric technique has demonstrated that this method could be utilized to minimize spectral complications caused by metal adducts. For example, peaks for sodium and other metal adducts were not observed in the mass spectra acquired by the ambient-pressure DICE technique from samples deposited on a solid surface, even after the salt content of samples was deliberately increased. A mass spectrum recorded from a urine sample by this technique showed peaks only for the proton adducts of urea and creatinine. This technique employs a nebulized spray of charged toluene droplets for analyte desorption. Because of the non-polar nature of the spray reagent, it neither contains any appreciable amount of cations nor provides any favored 'pickup' of metal cations from the sample matrix. Consequently, peaks for metal adducts that are commonly observed with other desorption techniques are minimal or absent in the spectra recorded by the DICE method.
Shedding light on the variability of optical skin properties: finding a path towards more accurate prediction of light propagation in human cutaneous compartments (2018)

Finding a path towards a more accurate prediction of light propagation in human skin remains an aspiration of biomedical scientists working on cutaneous applications both for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. The objective of this study was to investigate variability of the optical properties of human skin compartments reported in literature, to explore the underlying rational of this variability and to propose a dataset of values, to better represent an <i>in vivo</i> case and recommend a solution towards a more accurate prediction of light propagation through cutaneous compartments. To achieve this, we undertook a novel, logical yet simple approach. We first reviewed scientific articles published between 1981 and 2013 that reported on skin optical properties, to reveal the spread in the reported quantitative values. We found variations of up to 100-fold. Then we extracted the most trust-worthy datasets guided by a rule that the spectral properties should reflect the specific biochemical composition of each of the skin layers. This resulted in the narrowing of the spread in the calculated photon densities to 6-fold. We conclude with a recommendation to use the identified most robust datasets when estimating light propagation in human skin using Monte Carlo simulations. Alternatively, otherwise follow our proposed strategy to screen any new datasets to determine their biological relevance.
Acidizing—Lessons from the Past and New Opportunities (2012)

Abstract The Canadian energy sector pioneered and developed industry-leading oil- and liquids-rich reservoir acidizing technology. This involved new acid additive chemistry and completion techniques. However, many of the newer technical professionals in the industry have not been exposed to this technology. The first section of this paper outlines acidizing technology, with a focus on application to current new opportunities. Many of the current oil- and liquids-rich plays involve naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs. Acid treatments designed to enhance the conductivity of the existing fracture system can provide more-effective reservoir drainage than proppant fracturing treatments. The second section of this paper discusses how new placement techniques can offer more-effective zonal isolation while reducing completion time and associated costs, and how acid pre-pads can also reduce breakdown pressures and help minimize near-wellbore (NWB) tortuosity effects in many shale and sandstone reservoirs.
Sphenopalatine ganglion block in primary headaches (2020)

The variety of responses strongly suggests that clinicians would benefit from formalized protocols for SPG blocks. More experienced clinicians may have developed individualized protocols that they feel are more effective. The lack of evidence-based protocols contribute to clinicians not performing SPG blocks more frequently.
<i>FoxH1</i>(<i>Fast</i>) functions to specify the anterior primitive streak in the mouse (2001)

The node and the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) are important organizing centers that pattern the mouse embryo by establishing the anterior-posterior (A-P), dorsal-ventral (D-V), and left-right (L-R) axes. Activin/nodal signaling through the Smad2 pathway has been implicated in AVE formation and in morphogenesis of the primitive streak, the anterior end of which gives rise to the node. The forkhead DNA-binding protein, FoxH1 (or Fast), functions as a Smad DNA-binding partner to regulate transcription in response to activin signaling. Here, we show that deletion of FoxH1 in mice results in failure to pattern the anterior primitive streak (APS) and form node, prechordal mesoderm, notochord, and definitive endoderm. In contrast, formation of the AVE can occur in the absence of FoxH1. The FoxH1 mutant phenotype is remarkably similar to that of mice deficient in the forkhead protein Foxa2 (HNF3beta), and we show that Foxa2 expression is dependent on FoxH1 function. These results show that FoxH1 functions in an activin/nodal-Smad signaling pathway that acts upstream of Foxa2 and is required specifically for patterning the APS and node in the mouse.
Development of novel, cross-species microsatellite markers for Acropora corals using next-generation sequencing technology (2014)

The genus Acropora (Scleractinia, Acroporidae) is one of the most widespread coral genera, comprising the largest number of extant species among scleractinian (reef-building) corals. Molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that A. tenuis belongs to the most basal clade (clade I) while A. digitifera belongs to a derived clade (clade IV). In order to develop microsatellite markers that would be useful for most Acropora species, we sequenced the genomic DNA of A. tenuis, using a next generation sequencer (Illumina MiSeq), and designed primer sets that amplify microsatellite loci. Afterward we selected primer pairs with perfectly matched nucleotide sequences from which at least one primer was uniquely mapped to the A. digitifera genome. Fourteen microsatellite markers showed non-significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in both A. tenuis and A. digitifera. Thus these markers could be used for wide range of species and may provide powerful tools for population genetics studies and conservation of Acropora corals.
Involvement of matrix metalloproteinases in the adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (2002)

When mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes are induced to differentiate into adipocytes, they change from an extended fibroblast-like morphology to a rounded one. This change most likely occurs through extracellular matrix remodelling, a process known to be mediated in part by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we have shown by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR, zymographic and immunoblot analysis that MMP-2, MMP-9 and membrane type 1 (MT1)-MMP are regulated during adipose conversion. To assess the importance of MMPs for adipocytic differentiation we have used MMP-specific inhibitors as well as neutralizing antibodies. Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with the broad MMP inhibitor Ilomastat or the more restricted MMP-2 Inhibitor I prevented their differentiation into adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by absence of triglyceride accumulation. Inhibitor treatment prevented the fibronectin-network degradation, as well as the induction of the genes for peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma and adipsin, two adipocyte phenotype markers. Inhibitor treatment was effective when applied during the early stages of adipocytic conversion, whereas inhibitor treatment during later stages had little effect. Inhibitor treatment did not inhibit clonal mitotic expansion; nor did it affect the expression pattern of the adipogenic transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) or its nuclear translocation. It did, however, markedly reduce C/EBPbeta DNA-binding capacity. Taken together, these results suggest that MMPs, and notably MMP-2 and MMP-9, may be necessary mediators of adipocytic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.
Engineering of the catalytic site of xylose isomerase to enhance bioconversion of a non-preferential substrate (2012)

Mutation in active site would either completely eliminate enzyme activity or may result in an active site with altered substrate-binding properties. The enzyme xylose isomerase (XI) is sterospecific for the α-pyranose and α-fructofuranose anomers and metal ions (M1 and M2) play a pivotal role in the catalytic action of this enzyme. Mutations were created at the M2 site of XI of Thermus thermophilus by replacing D254 and D256 with arginine. Mutants D254R and a double mutant (D254R/D256R) showed complete loss of activity while D256R showed an increase in the specificity on D-lyxose, L-arabinose and D-mannose which are non-preferential substrates for XI. Both wild type (WT) and D256R showed higher activity at pH 7.0 and 85°C with an increase in metal requirement. The catalytic efficiency Kcat/Km (S(-1) mM(-1)) of D256R for D-lyxose, L-arabinose and D-mannose were 0.17, 0.09 and 0.15 which are higher than WT XI of T.thermophilus. The altered catalytic activity for D256R could be explained by the possible role of arginine in catalytic reaction or the changes in a substrate orientation site. However, both the theories are only assumptions and have to be addressed with crystal study of D256R.
Measurements of very low oxygen tensions in unstirred liquids (1972)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTMeasurements of very low oxygen tensions in unstirred liquidsCameron J. Koch and Jack. KruuvCite this: Anal. Chem. 1972, 44, 7, 1258–1263Publication Date (Print):June 1, 1972Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 June 1972https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60315a043RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views36Altmetric-Citations7LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (641 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts
Antioxidant Properties of Soybean Isoflavone Extract and Tofu in Vitro and in Vivo (2005)

Isoflavones in soybean were extracted in the crude form using 80% food-grade ethanol at 80 degrees C for 6 h and followed by concentration and dehydration. The soy extract contained isoflavones primarily in the forms of glucosides. In vitro antioxidant activities of the soy extract containing 20-500 ppm isoflavones were conducted using a Rancimat method. The results showed that soy isoflavone extract had strong in vitro antioxidant activity. There was a dose-dependent response for the in vitro antioxidant activity at the lower concentrations but not at the higher concentrations. In vivo antioxidant property was determined by measuring the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in various organs of rats that were fed with diets containing partially oxidized oil and various levels of isoflavones for up to 24 weeks. Neither short-term (8 weeks) feeding nor low isoflavone content (50 ppm) induced changes in superoxide dismutase or catalase activities in rats. Only diets containing high isoflavone contents (150 and 250 ppm) showed obvious elevated enzymatic levels in various organs. In addition, a laboratory-prepared tofu containing approximately 50 ppm isoflavones had better effects than the soy extract with the 250 ppm isoflavone group, which indicated that molecules other than isoflavones may have a synergistic effect on in vivo antioxidant enzyme inductions of tofu.
Directed disruption of the tobacco <i>ndhB</i> gene impairs cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (1998)

To evaluate the physiological significance of cyclic electron flow around photosystem (PS) I, we used a reverse genetic approach to focus on 11 chloroplast genes that encode homologs of mitochondrial complex I subunits ( ndhA - K ). Since their discovery, the exact function of the respiratory components in plant chloroplasts has been a matter of discussion. We disrupted one of these genes ( ndhB ) in tobacco by chloroplast transformation. Analysis of the transient increase in chlorophyll fluorescence after actinic light illumination and the redox kinetics of P700 (reaction center chlorophylls of PS I) suggest that the cyclic electron flow around PS I is impaired in the ndhB -deficient transformants. Transformants grew normally in a greenhouse, suggesting that the cyclic electron flow around PS I mediated by ndh gene products is dispensable in tobacco under mild environmental conditions.
Red blood cells modulate structure and dynamics of venous clot formation in sickle cell disease (2019)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with chronic activation of coagulation and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Erythrocyte sickling, the primary pathologic event in SCD, results in dramatic morphological changes in red blood cells (RBCs) because of polymerization of the abnormal hemoglobin. We used a mouse model of SCD and blood samples from sickle patients to determine if these changes affect the structure, properties, and dynamics of sickle clot formation. Sickling of RBCs and a significant increase in fibrin deposition were observed in venous thrombi formed in sickle mice. During ex vivo clot contraction, the number of RBCs extruded from sickle whole blood clots was significantly reduced compared with the number released from sickle cell trait and nonsickle clots in both mice and humans. Entrapment of sickled RBCs was largely factor XIIIa-independent and entirely mediated by the platelet-free cellular fraction of sickle blood. Inhibition of phosphatidylserine, but not administration of antisickling compounds, increased the number of RBCs released from sickle clots. Interestingly, whole blood, but not plasma clots from SCD patients, was more resistant to fibrinolysis, indicating that the cellular fraction of blood mediates resistance to tissue plasminogen activator. Sickle trait whole blood clots demonstrated an intermediate phenotype in response to tissue plasminogen activator. RBC exchange in SCD patients had a long-lasting effect on normalizing whole blood clot contraction. Furthermore, RBC exchange transiently reversed resistance of whole blood sickle clots to fibrinolysis, in part by decreasing platelet-derived PAI-1. These properties of sickle clots may explain the increased risk of venous thromboembolism observed in SCD.
Psoriasis: In vivo models for topical drug evaluation (1988)

Abstract Psoriasis is a common skin disease characterized by scaling erythematous skin plaques, which in severe cases can cover the entire skin. It affects about 2% of the population of the USA. The etiology is unknown, but the diseased skin shows a benign epidermal hyperplasia and abnormal differentiation plus dermal inflammation. There is no reproducible naturally occurring animal model for psoriasis. As a result, a variety of simulated animal models have been produced that possess some of the characteristic features, e.g., epidermal hyperplasia. These have been used to study epidermal kinetics and biochemical abnormalities associated with epidermal hyperplasia. Some of these models have also been used to study and screen for potentially effective and antipsoriatic drugs. There will always be, however, the need to study effects of new agents in carefully conducted studies on psoriasis patients to confirm efficacy.
Alternative splicing of the human estrogen receptor α primary transcript: Mechanisms of exon skipping (2003)

The 1785 nucleotides of the coding region of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) are dispersed over a region of more than 300,000 nucleotides in the primary transcript. Splicing of this precursor RNA frequently leads to variants lacking one or more exons that have been associated to breast cancer progression. The most frequent splice variant lacks exon 4 and is expressed in the human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7 at a level similar to that of the full-length messenger. The in silico analysis of ER-alpha splice sites by Hamming clustering, a self learning method trained on more than 28,000 experimentally proved splice sites, reveals high relevance for the 5' and 3' splice sites of exon 4. The splicing analysis of transfected mini-gene constructs containing drastically shortened introns excludes that weak splice sites, intron or exon lengths or splice enhancers are responsible for exon skipping. Exon 6 is never skipped in MCF-7 cells but is spliced out from mini-gene derived primary transcripts if inserted between exons 3 and 5 instead of exon 4. As a consequence, it appears that a particular splice site affinity of exon 3 donor (5' splice site) and exon 5 acceptor sites (3' splice site) is responsible for skipping of the exon in between.