gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a biomaterial: From polymeric raw material to monofilament vascular suture (1995)

This study identified the effects of various manufacturing processes on the crystalline microstructure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) suture. To achieve this, changes in the crystalline microstructure and the tensile behavior of PVDF monofilaments were monitored in vitro after different thermal processing, coloration, and sterilization treatments. In addition, the in vivo biocompatibility of the manufactured and sterilized PVDF suture was assessed by using it to anastomose a preclotted polyester vascular prosthesis as a thoracoabdominal bypass in a series of dogs. The tissue response was followed by histologic and scanning electron microscopy over implantation periods ranging from 4 h to 6 months. Differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) showed that thermal processing and the addition of a coloring agent had a direct effect on modifying the crystalline microstructure and hence changing the mechanical properties. For example, thermal processing converted some of the alpha phase into the beta and gamma polymorphs, whereas coloration led only to a major increase in the beta-to-alpha ratio. The tensile properties were found to be optimized when the relative proportion of the beta and gamma phases combined compared to the alpha form gave rise to an FTIR A509/A532 absorption ratio between 4.0 and 4.5. Sterilization was found to cause some modifications to the crystalline microstructure near the surface of the monofilaments, but it did not change their mechanical properties. Pathologic examination of the anastomotic regions after different periods of implantation revealed a minimal cellular response, with no mineralization, intimal hyperplasia, or excessive fibrous tissue reaction. This good biocompatibility, together with other desirable characteristics such as ease of manipulation and satisfactory mechanical strength, makes PVDF an attractive alternative monofilament suture material for cardiovascular surgery.
Two Two-Dimensional Materials Are Better than One (2013)

Combining 2D materials and 2D metasurfaces enables the fabrication of photonic devices based on extreme interactions between electrons and light. [Also see Report by Britnell et al. ]
Ultrastructural and Immunocytochemical Study of the Uptake and Distribution of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide in Human Monocytes (1990)

Interaction of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with monocytes stimulates production of a variety of mediators that are involved in the pathogenesis of septic shock and wound repair. We report here the mechanisms of LPS uptake and intracellular distribution of LPS in human monocytes. Ficoll-Hypaque-purified peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) were exposed to LPS from rough Escherichia coli (J5) or to biotin-conjugated LPS (biotin-LPS) from smooth E. coli (0111:B4), or to fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated LPS of E. coli (055:B5) at 37 degrees C for various times and processed for electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. Monocytes were identified by the presence of numerous cytoplasmic peroxidase-positive granules or by monoclonal antibodies against monocyte. LPS micelles were identified by their specific bilayer structure, staining of horseradish peroxidase reaction product, or colloidal gold using biotin-LPS or a monoclonal antibody to LPS. Binding of LPS to cell surface was observed 5 min after incubation with LPS. Intracellular localization of LPS micelles was found 30 min following exposure to LPS. Prolonged incubation with LPS increased intracellular LPS. Intracellularly, LPS micelles were found in large membrane-bound vacuoles, in small vesicles, and in the cytoplasm and nucleus. They were also observed in association with the cytomembrane of various organelles. The overall results indicate that LPS may be taken up by monocytes by direct passive diffusion through ruptures of plasma membrane, pinocytosis, and phagocytosis, involving specific and/or nonspecific binding, and suggest that peripheral blood monocytes play an important role in clearance of LPS; that LPS may have broad effects on cell functions; and that the nonspecific binding to various cytomembranes may be destructive to cell organelles and cells in general.
Mechanism of Active Expiration in Tetraplegic Subjects (1986)

Traumatic tetraplegia produces paralysis of all the well-recognized muscles of expiration. Yet, tetraplegic subjects usually have a small expiratory reserve volume on spirographic examination. To understand the mechanism that enables these patients to empty their lungs actively, we studied the pattern of chest-wall motion during voluntary expiration. We found negligible changes in abdominal dimension, but all subjects had a marked and reproducible decrease in the dimension of the upper rib cage. Electrical measurements established that the subjects had active use of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, and changing the orientation of these muscle fibers by maintaining the shoulders in abduction reduced their expiratory reserve volume by about 60 percent (P less than 0.001). We therefore conclude that the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major plays a crucial part in the mechanism of active expiration in tetraplegic subjects. Training of this muscle bundle could, by increasing its strength and endurance, improve the effectiveness of coughing in such subjects and perhaps diminish the prevalence of bronchopulmonary infections.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 24-Week, Phase 2b Outcomes Study of 3 Different Doses of Encenicline or Placebo in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Probable Alzheimer’s Disease (P7.100) (2015)

OBJECTIVE:The objective of this Phase 2b study was to evaluate the safety and effects of 3 different encenicline doses (0.27mg, 0.9mg, or 1.8mg) versus placebo on cognition and function in subjects with mild to moderate probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BACKGROUND:In AD, progressive deterioration of cognition is associated with reduced function and quality of life. Encenicline is an α7 nicotinic receptor (α7R) partial agonist in clinical development for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and schizophrenia. Preclinical research suggests that encenicline potentiates acetylcholine-mediated response at the receptor, releasing neurotransmitters that modulate cognitive neural networks. DESIGN/METHODS:409 subjects with mild to moderate probable AD who were (add-on) or were not (de novo) administered an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (donepezil or rivastigmine) were randomized to receive 0.27mg (n=104), 0.9mg (n=101), or 1.8mg (n=100) encenicline, or placebo (n=104), and evaluated every 4 weeks for 6 months. Assessment of treatment outcomes included instruments measuring cognition (ADAS-Cog-13), clinical function (CDR-SB), and quality of life. Safety evaluations included assessment of adverse events, laboratory tests, vital signs, and physical examination findings. RESULTS:Encenicline reported the most significant procognitive effects (ADAS-Cog-13) in the 1.8mg group compared with placebo (P<0.05). Secondary measures of cognition and function supported these primary outcomes. De novo subjects reported somewhat greater cognitive improvement (P<0.05) than add-on subjects; significant dose/exposure-response relationships with increasing effects were observed with higher plasma exposures of encenicline. 46[percnt] of subjects experienced a treatment-emergent adverse event(TEAE) (0.27mg, 42.3[percnt]; 0.9mg, 48.5[percnt]; 1.8mg, 53.0[percnt]; placebo, 40.4[percnt]). Add-on subjects experienced more TEAEs (56.7[percnt]) than de novo subjects (36.3[percnt]). CONCLUSIONS:Across various outcomes scales, encenicline showed significant improvements in cognition and global functioning, and was generally well tolerated. These findings provide support for the continued development of encenicline for the treatment of cognitive impairments in adults with AD. Phase 3 studies in mild to moderate AD patients have been initiated.
Intravenous immunoglobulin G for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a meta‐analysis (2002)

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has several effects on the immune system that could have a beneficial influence on disease processes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Four double-blind trials in relapsing-remitting MS have demonstrated that IVIG may reduce the relapse rate, progression and the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions. However, these trials were smaller than the pivotal trials of interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate, and therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of the four trials in order to provide an overall assessment of the benefits of IVIG in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in comparison with other drugs currently available for treatment of disease activity in MS. The meta-analysis showed a significant beneficial effect on the annual relapse rate (effect size -0.5; P = 0.00003), on the proportion of relapse-free patients (0.29 difference; P = 2.1 x 10(-8)), change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (effect size: 0.25; P = 0.04), and a trend towards a reduction in the proportion of patients who deteriorated (P = 0.03). Each single study in the meta-analysis had its weaknesses, but all studies were positive regarding their primary end-point, and the results yield concordant evidence for reduction of relapse rate and progression. The ideal dosage of IVIG for treating MS needs still to be determined. In conclusion, IVIG may be a valuable alternative for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS, but can presently not be considered as a first-line treatment. IVIG could be considered in patients who do not tolerate or are unwilling to take the approved injectable medications, but additional studies are needed to establish the role of IVIG in the management of multiple sclerosis.
On the determinant of elliptic boundary value problems on a line segment (1995)

In this paper we present a formula for the determinant of a matrix-valued elliptic differential operator of even order on a line segment [0, <italic>T</italic>] with boundary conditions.
SEPARATA. CENTENARIO LUCTUOSO DE JUSTO SIERRA (2012)

DE 4 PAGINAS, GACETA UNAM PUBLICA LA SEPARATA CENTENARIO LUCTUOSO DE JUSTO SIERRA, EN LA QUE SE REPRODUCE INTEGRO EL MENSAJE PRONUNCIADO POR EL RECTOR JOSE NARRO ROBLES, EN LA CEREMONIA CONMEMORATIVA DE DICHO ACONTECIMIENTO, CELEBRADA EN EL SALON EL GENERALITO, DEL ANTIGUO COLEGIO DE SAN ILDEFONSO.
Microscopic and baceriologic analysis of expectorated sputum. (1975)

Samples of expectorated sputum were examined grossly and microscopically to determine their suitability for bacterial cultures. Microscopically, specimens were categorized according to the number of leukocytes and squamous epithelial cells (SEC) observed under low-power (times 100) in a Gram-stained smear. The mean number of species isolated was greater than 4 from specimens with more than 10 SEC per field, 2.7 from specimens with fewer than 10 SEC per field, and 2.4 from transtracheal aspirates. Oropharyngeal flora was isolated from nearly all of the specimens with more than 10 SEC per field, and potential pathogens were found in less than 15% of such specimens. The bacterial flora of specimens with fewer than 10 SEC per field closely resembled that of transtracheal aspirates.
Additive manufacture of impedance matching layers for air-coupled ultrasonic transducers (2015)

A key problem in designing an efficient ultrasonic transducer for operating in a low acoustic impedance medium such as air is the large impedance mismatch between the active piezoceramic material and the load medium. While acoustic matching layers can be added to the face of the piezoceramic, the associated manufacturing difficulties and reliability can impact upon the cost and longevity of the resultant transducer. This paper presents some preliminary investigations conducted using an additive manufacturing technique, to develop a new material system for matching layer fabrication for air-coupled ultrasonic transducers. Results to date are very encouraging, and could result in a robust, reproducible, economical and improved fabrication method for air-coupled transducers.
An efficient test relaxation technique for combinational & full-scan sequential circuits (2003)

Reducing test data size is one of the major challenges in testing systems-on-a-chip. This problem can be solved by test compaction and/or compression techniques. Having a partially specified or relaxed test set increases the effectiveness of test compaction and compression techniques. In this paper we propose a novel and efficient test relaxation technique for combinational and full-scan sequential circuits. The proposed technique is faster than the brute-force test relaxation method by several orders of magnitude. The application of the technique in improving the effectiveness of test compaction and compression is illustrated.
Radiation boundary conditions for wave‐like equations (1980)

Abstract In the numerical computation of hyperbolic equations it is not practical to use infinite domains. Instead, one truncates the domain with an artificial boundary. In this study we construct a sequence of radiating boundary conditions for wave‐like equations. We prove that as the artificial boundary is moved to infinity the solution approaches the solution of the infinite domain as O( r −m−1/2 ) for the m ‐th boundary condition. Numerical experiments with problems in jet acoustics verify the practical nature and utility of the boundary conditions.
Traumatic injury to peripheral nerves (2000)

This article reviews the epidemiology and classification of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries, the effects of these injuries on nerve and muscle, and how electrodiagnosis is used to help classify the injury. Mechanisms of recovery are also reviewed. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies, needle electromyography, and other electrophysiological methods are particularly useful for localizing peripheral nerve injuries, detecting and quantifying the degree of axon loss, and contributing toward treatment decisions as well as prognostication.
Abnormal amino acid metabolism in mutants of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> affected in the initiation of sporulation (1985)

Amino acid metabolism was examined during sporulation in a wild-type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in a mutant homozygous for the spd1 mutation (derepression of sporulation). In the wild-type initiation of sporulation involves a rise in intracellular glutamate. In the derepressed mutant there was no further increase of intracellular glutamate: glutamate was already present at a greater concentration than in the wild-type. These elevated glutamate levels are apparently due to reduction in the activity of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. One consequence of the elevated glutamate levels in diploids homozygous for the spd1 mutation is the production of considerable amounts of glycyl-L-proline, glutathione and saccharopine.
History of electric vehicles in General Motors (1994)

This paper traces the efforts by General Motors in the area of electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Propulsion systems developed for different vehicles are described and performance achieved is presented. The activities to commercialize electric vehicles are briefly examined. The paper concludes with recommendations of technologies to be applied in propulsion systems to bring the performance of the electric vehicles to the state that is viable for mass acceptance.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Organ-specific expression profiles of rat mammary gland, liver, and lung tissues treated with targretin, 9-cis retinoic acid, and 4-hydroxyphenylretinamide (2006)

A rexinoid, targretin, and two retinoids, 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) and 4-hydroxyphenylretinamide (4HPR), were examined for their effects on gene expression in rat mammary gland, liver, and lung tissues. The chemopreventive effects of these agents have largely been attributed to their ability to interact with retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and/or retinoid X receptors (RXR). Targretin interacts with the RXR receptors. 9cRA interacts with both the RAR and RXR receptors, whereas 4HPR has a moderate affinity primarily for RAR gamma. Based on previous studies on mammary chemoprevention, targretin (150 mg/kg diet), 9cRA (100 mg/kg diet), and 4HPR (782 mg/kg diet), were administered to rats continually in their diet for 7 days. Tissue- and agent-specific expression differences were determined by comparing tissues from treated rats with those from rats given a control diet. There were significantly more changes associated with targretin than 9cRA or 4HPR. Only a limited number of expression changes were found with 4HPR treatment. For each organ, targretin- and 9cRA-treated tissues clustered closely together, whereas 4HPR-treated tissues clustered with the tissues from the control diet group. In contrast to 9cRA treatment, targretin treatment altered genes that involved fatty acid metabolism and modulation of various cytochromes P450 in the liver, clearly demonstrating the very disparate nature of these two retinoids. These expression signatures could provide useful pharmacodynamic biomarkers for retinoid treatment and chemoprevention.
Enhanced catalytic activity of Ce1−xMxO2 (M = Ti, Zr, and Hf) solid solution with controlled morphologies (2010)

Ce(1-x)M(x)O(2) (M = Ti, Zr, and Hf) nanomaterials with controlled morphology and composition were synthesized by a two-step route for the first time. These nanomaterials exhibit high activities for hydrogen reduction and ethanol reforming reactions, and therefore, they may be useful for applications in catalysis and solid oxide fuel cells.
Action and target cell specificity of human macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP). (1994)

Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) induces mouse resident peritoneal macrophages to become responsive to the chemoattractant C5a and to ingest C3bi-coated erythrocytes. We now show that MSP action is not limited to complement-induced responses, because it also induced responsiveness to the noncomplement chemoattractant casein. In addition to stimulating responsiveness to attractants, MSP functioned alone as a chemoattractant for resident peritoneal macrophages, with an optimal concentration of approximately 0.2 nM. A critical difference between MSP and C5a is that resident macrophages did not migrate to C5a without an additional stimulus such as MSP in the cell suspension, whereas macrophages suspended in medium alone migrated to MSP in the attractant well. Thus, in contrast to C5a, MSP seems capable of a dual role, both activator and attractant. MSP had no effect on responsiveness of mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages to C5a; nor could it attract exudate macrophages or human blood monocytes. Absorption studies showed that resident macrophages have a receptor for MSP, but exudate macrophages do not. In view of these findings, it seems that the biological role of MSP is not as a recruiter of blood monocytes to sites of inflammation, but as an activator of mature macrophages. The MSP-induced activated state for responsiveness to C5a or C3bi was transient, and decayed at a first order rate with a t 1/2 of approximately 1 h. This is a new example of the transience of activation induced in macrophages by proinflammatory stimuli.
Induction of Apoptosis by the Ste20-like Kinase SLK, a Germinal Center Kinase That Activates Apoptosis Signal-regulating Kinase and p38 (2005)

Expression and activity of the germinal center kinase, Ste20-like kinase (SLK), are increased during kidney development and recovery from ischemic acute renal failure. In this study, we characterize the activation and functional role of SLK. SLK underwent dimerization via the C-terminal domain, and dimerization enhanced SLK activity. In contrast, the C-terminal domain of SLK did not dimerize with a related kinase, Mst1, and did not affect Mst1 activity. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of SLK were not associated with changes in kinase activity. SLK induced phosphorylation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) and increased ASK1 activity, indicating that ASK1 is a substrate of SLK. Moreover, SLK stimulated phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase via ASK1, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase nor extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Chemical anoxia and recovery during re-exposure to glucose (ischemia-reperfusion injury in cell culture) stimulated SLK activity. Overexpression of SLK enhanced anoxia/recovery-induced apoptosis, release of cytochrome c, and activities of caspase-8 and -9, and apoptosis was reduced significantly with p38 and caspase-9 inhibitors. Induction of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response by anoxia/recovery or tunicamycin (monitored by induction of Bip or Grp94 expression, phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha subunit, expression of CHOP, and activation of caspase-12) was attenuated in cells that overexpress SLK. Thus, SLK is an anoxia/recovery-dependent kinase that is activated via homodimerization and that signals via ASK1 and p38 to promote apoptosis. Attenuation of the protective aspects of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response by SLK may contribute to its proapoptotic effect.
Plastid genomes of two brown algae, Ectocarpus siliculosus and Fucus vesiculosus: further insights on the evolution of red-algal derived plastids (2009)

The phylogenetic studies using concatenated plastid proteins still do not resolve the question of the monophyly of all chromist plastids. However, these results support both the monophyly of heterokont plastids and that of cryptophyte and haptophyte plastids, in agreement with nuclear phylogenies.
Monoclonal antibody HCV-AbXTL68 in patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCV: Results of a phase 2 randomized study (2006)

A randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation study evaluated the safety and efficacy of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-Ab(XTL)68, a neutralizing, high-affinity, fully human, anti-E2 monoclonal antibody, in 24 HCV-positive patients undergoing liver transplantation. HCV-Ab(XTL)68 or placebo was administered at doses from 20-240 mg as 2-4 infusions during the first 24 hours after transplantation, followed by daily infusions for 6 days, weekly infusions for 3 weeks, and either 2 or 4 weekly infusions for 8 weeks. Serum concentrations of total anti-E2 obtained during daily infusions of 120-240 mg HCV-Ab(XTL)68 were 50-200 microg/mL above concentrations in the placebo group. Median serum concentration of HCV RNA dropped below baseline in all groups immediately after transplantation. On day 2, median change from baseline in HCV RNA was -1.8 and -2.4 log in the 120-mg and 240-mg groups, respectively, compared with -1.5 log with placebo. The difference was lost after day 7 when the dosing frequency was reduced. The coincidence of increases in anti-E2 with decreases in HCV RNA concentration indicate that the dose-related changes in HCV RNA concentration were a result of HCV-Ab(XTL)68 administration in the 120- and 240-mg groups. The overall incidence of nonfatal serious adverse events was higher with placebo (60%) vs. all active treatments combined (42%). In conclusion, HCV-Ab(XTL)68 may decrease serum concentrations of HCV RNA in patients after liver transplantation. Studies evaluating more frequent daily dosing at doses >120 mg are necessary to investigate sustained viral suppression in this population.