gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Role of the C terminus in antigen P1 surface localization in Streptococcus mutans and two related cocci (1996)

The C terminus of the major surface protein P1 from Streptococcus mutans is composed of a hydrophilic domain, an LPNTGV motif, a hydrophobic domain, and a charged tail. These features are shared by surface proteins from many gram-positive coccal bacteria. To investigate the role of the C-terminal domains in antigen P1 surface localization, full-length and truncated P1 gene constructs, which were expressed on the shuttle vector pDL276, were transformed into the P1-negative mutant S. mutans SM3352, Streptococcus gordonii DL-1, and Enterococcus faecalis UV202. Transformants were tested for expression of P1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaying and Western blotting. The results showed that full-length P1 was expressed by transformants of all three bacteria and was localized on the cell surface. A fusion protein composed of the Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin binding protein C terminus and the P1 protein N terminus was found to surface localize in S. mutans. Deletion of the entire C-terminal domains resulted in P1 being expressed in the culture supernatant. A P1 truncation, which carried only the hydrophilic domain at its C terminus, was found partially associated with the cell surface. This truncated P1 was readily removed from the isolated cell wall by hot sodium dodecyl sulfate-mercaptoethanol extraction. In contrast, the full-length P1 remained associated with the isolated cell wall after similar treatment, suggesting covalent linkages between the full-length P1 and the cell wall. The results described above showed that antigen P1 was anchored to the cell wall by its C-terminal domains probably via covalent linkages with the cell wall. The results also support a universal mechanism involving the C-terminal domains for protein surface localization among this group of gram-positive bacteria.
Vacuoles in the Acrysof<sup>TM</sup> Intraocular Lens as Factor of the Presence of Serum in Aqueous Humor (2001)

The number of vacuoles increases with incubation time in aqueous humor containing serum. The addition of serum increased the proportion of lipids and proteins in the solution, which also occurs with a breakdown in the blood-aqueous barrier. The results of the present study point to a physiological factor that may lead to vacuole formation in IOLs and may aid clinicians in identifying risk factors involved in the formation of vacuoles.
[Synthesis and biological activity of some Val(Ala)-Tyr and Val-Tyr-Tyr peptides]. (1992)

15B2 and WF-10129, reported as potent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), were used as lead compounds for design of novel ACEI. Some of Val-Tyr-Tyr and Val-Tyr peptides were synthesized and tested for ability to inhibit ACE in vitro and in Vivo. The most potent compound was found to be N-(1-benzoyl-1-carboxymethyl)-L-Alanyl-L-Tyrosine (II5, IC50 = 7.9 x 10(-10) mol/L) which was prepared by the addition of Ala-Tyr to benzoyl-acrylic acid in the presence of triethylamine. The structure-activity relationships were also discussed.
Accurate remote distance sensing by use of low-coherence interferometry: an industrial application (1998)

An apparatus for accurate remote distance sensing based on fiber-optic low-coherence light interferometry has been designed for molten glass level measurement. We demonstrate operation of the meter in an adverse industrial environment with <20-mum resolution (standard deviation) within a 20-mm range with the sensing head placed in an oven at ~800 degrees C. In laboratory conditions we were able to measure with 3-mum resolution, which could be improved to submicrometer level by optimization of a reference arm of the interferometer and detection electronics.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Results in Activation of Multiple Protein Kinase C Isoforms Leading to Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (2001)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important respiratory pathogen that preferentially infects epithelial cells in the airway and causes a local inflammatory response. Very little is known about the second messenger pathways involved in this response. To characterize some of the acute response pathways involved in RSV infection, we used cultured human epithelial cells (A549) and optimal tissue culture-infective doses (TCID(50)) of RSV. We have previously shown that RSV-induced IL-8 release is linked to activation of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In this study, we evaluated the upstream events involved in ERK activation by RSV. RSV activated ERK at two time points, an early time point consistent with viral binding and a later sustained activation consistent with viral replication. We next evaluated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in RSV-induced ERK kinase activity. We found that A549 cells contain the Ca(2+)-dependent isoforms alpha and beta1, and the Ca(2+)-independent isoforms delta, epsilon, eta, mu, theta, and zeta. Western analysis showed that RSV caused no change in the amounts of these isoforms. However, kinase activity assays demonstrated activation of isoform zeta within 10 min of infection, followed by a sustained activation of isoforms beta1, delta, epsilon, and mu 24-48 h postinfection. A cell-permeable peptide inhibitor specific for the zeta isoform decreased early ERK kinase activation by RSV. Down-regulation of the other PKC isoforms with PMA blocked the late sustained activation of ERK by RSV. These studies suggest that RSV activates multiple PKC isoforms with subsequent downstream activation of ERK kinase.
Synthesis and properties of fluorinated polyimides and fluorinated poly(imide amide)s containing pendent cyano groups (1994)

Abstract A series of fluorinated polyimides and fluorinated poly(imide amide)s containing pendent cyano groups were prepared and investigated to determine their dielectric constants as a function of relative humidity and thermal characteristics. The fluorinated polymides and fluorinated poly(imide amide)s containing pendent cyano groups were prepared by reaction of bis(4‐aminophenoxy) benzonitriles with a fluorinated dianhydride and with a fluorinated di(acid chloride) containing preformed imide rings. The properties of the fluorinated polyimides and fluorinated poly(imide amide)s containing pendent cyano groups were compared with those of fluorinated polyimides and fluorinated poly(imide amide)s prepared from 1,3‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene. The introduction of the pendent cyano groups caused an increase in the dielectric constant and an increase in the glass transition temperature of the polymers compared with the polymers prepared without pendent cyano groups.
Calmodulin as a Potential Target by Which Berberine Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Hepatoma <scp>B</scp>el7402 Cells (2013)

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid that has drawn extensive attention because it possesses various biological activities. Several mechanisms have been proposed to interpret the anticancer activity of berberine. However, these explanations are mostly based on its downstream-regulated genes or proteins; information on the direct target proteins that mediate the antiproliferative action of berberine remains unclear. In this study, a computational pipeline based on a ligand-protein inverse docking program and mining of the 'Connectivity MAP' data was adopted to explore the potential target proteins for berberine. The results showed that four proteins, that is calmodulin, cytochrome P450 3A4, sex hormone-binding globulin, and carbonic anhydrase II, were suggested to be the potential targets of berberine. The anticalmodulin property of berberine was demonstrated with an in vitro phosphodiesterase activity assay. Flow cytometric analysis found that G1 cell cycle arrest induced by berberine in Bel7402 cells was enhanced by cotreatment with calmodulin inhibitors. Western blotting results indicated that berberine treatment decreased phosphorylation of calmodulin kinase II and blocked subsequent MEK1 activation as well as p27 protein degradation. These results suggested that calmodulin might play crucial roles in berberine-induced cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.
Locally affine registration of free-form surfaces (1994)

In this paper, we are concentrating on the problem of nonrigid matching of two surfaces described by points. We deform the first surface by attaching to each point a local affine transformation. We ensure that the variation of these affine transformations along the surface is smooth, that the curvature of the deformed surface tends to be preserved and that the corresponding points on the two surfaces tend to be brought nearer. We call this deformation a locally affine deformation. Our framework does not require either a prior parametrization or the knowledge of the topology of the surfaces. It is illustrated with experiments on real biomedical surfaces: faces, brains and hearts.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
A Bacterial Flagellin, <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> FlaB, Has a Strong Mucosal Adjuvant Activity To Induce Protective Immunity (2005)

Flagellin, the structural component of flagellar filament in various locomotive bacteria, is the ligand for Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) of host cells. TLR stimulation by various pathogen-associated molecular patterns leads to activation of innate and subsequent adaptive immune responses. Therefore, TLR ligands are considered attractive adjuvant candidates in vaccine development. In this study, we show the highly potent mucosal adjuvant activity of a Vibrio vulnificus major flagellin (FlaB). Using an intranasal immunization mouse model, we observed that coadministration of the flagellin with tetanus toxoid (TT) induced significantly enhanced TT-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses in both mucosal and systemic compartments and IgG responses in the systemic compartment. The mice immunized with TT plus FlaB were completely protected from systemic challenge with a 200x minimum lethal dose of tetanus toxin. Radiolabeled FlaB administered into the nasal cavity readily reached the cervical lymph nodes and systemic circulation. FlaB bound directly to human TLR5 expressed on cultured epithelial cells and consequently induced NF-kappaB and interleukin-8 activation. Intranasally administered FlaB colocalized with CD11c as patches in putative dendritic cells and caused an increase in the number of TLR5-expressing cells in cervical lymph nodes. These results indicate that flagellin would serve as an efficacious mucosal adjuvant inducing protective immune responses through TLR5 activation.
Complement 5a Receptor Inhibition Improves Renal Allograft Survival (2008)

Complement activation plays a key role in mediating apoptosis, inflammation, and transplant rejection. In this study, the role of the complement 5a receptor (C5aR) was examined in human renal allografts and in an allogenic mouse model of renal transplant rejection. In human kidney transplants with acute rejection, C5aR expression was increased in renal tissue and in cells infiltrating the tubulointerstitium. Similar findings were observed in mice. When recipient mice were treated once daily with a C5aR antagonist before transplantation, long-term renal allograft survival was markedly improved compared with vehicle-treatment (75 versus 0%), and apoptosis was reduced. Furthermore, treatment with a C5aR antagonist significantly attenuated monocyte/macrophage infiltration, perhaps a result of reduced levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and the intercellular adhesion molecule 1. In vitro, C5aR antagonism inhibited intercellular adhesion molecule 1 upregulation in primary mouse aortic endothelial cells and reduced adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, C5aR blockade markedly reduced alloreactive T cell priming. These results demonstrate that C5aR plays an important role in mediating acute kidney allograft rejection, suggesting that pharmaceutical targeting of C5aR may have potential in transplantation medicine.
Selective two-electron reduction of C60 by 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine via photoinduced electron transfer (1997)

The selective two-electron reduction of C 60 to 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerene is attained via photoinduced electron transfer from 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine to the triplet excited state of C 60 in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid in benzonitrile under irradiation of visible light.
Adoptive Transfer of Tumor-Specific Th2 Cells Eradicates Tumors by Triggering an <i>In Situ</i> Inflammatory Immune Response (2016)

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) trials to date have focused on transfer of autologous tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells; however, the potential of CD4<sup>+</sup> T helper (Th) cells for ACT is gaining interest. While encouraging results have been reported with IFNγ-producing Th1 cells, tumor-specific Th2 cells have been largely neglected for ACT due to their reported tumor-promoting properties. In this study, we tested the efficacy of idiotype-specific Th2 cells for the treatment of mice with MHC class II-negative myeloma. Th2 ACT efficiently eradicated subcutaneous myeloma in an antigen-specific fashion. Transferred Th2 cells persisted in vivo and conferred long-lasting immunity. Cancer eradication mediated by tumor-specific Th2 cells did not require B cells, natural killer T cells, CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells, or IFNγ. Th2 ACT was also curative against B-cell lymphoma. Upon transfer, Th2 cells induced a type II inflammation at the tumor site with massive infiltration of M2-type macrophages producing arginase. In vivo blockade of arginase strongly inhibited Th2 ACT, consistent with a key role of arginase and M2 macrophages in myeloma elimination by Th2 cells. These results illustrate that cancer eradication may be achieved by induction of a tumor-specific Th2 inflammatory immune response at the tumor site. Thus, ACT with tumor-specific Th2 cells may represent a highly efficient immunotherapy protocol against cancer. Cancer Res; 76(23); 6864-76. ©2016 AACR.
Cancer in women (2003)

Incidence, mortality and survival trends for the most frequent cancers affecting women are presented on a worldwide basis. Data sources are represented by several different cancer databases, as no single world cancer database covers these epidemiological measures. Monitoring cancer incidence, mortality and survival are fundamental indicators which allow estimates and predictions of geographical and temporal changes of these diseases, enabling the design and set-up of adequate cancer control activities and national health programs. The observed differences in cancer incidence, mortality and survival in more developed countries compared with less developed countries (as defined by WHO) are mainly due to different individual and social risk factors between the two geo-political areas. For some cancers, advancements in screening, diagnosis and treatment in the more developed areas were the most effective factors in reducing incidence and mortality as well as prolonging survival. These effects were not detected in the less developed areas because of the limited access to primary and specialist care.
Internal Lysine Palmitoylation in Adenylate Cyclase Toxin from <i>Bordetella pertussis</i> (1994)

A number of bacterial protein toxins, including adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin from Bordetella pertussis, require the product of an accessory gene in order to express their biological activities. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate that activated, wild-type AC toxin was modified by amide-linked palmitoylation on the epsilon-amino group of lysine 983. This modification was absent from a mutant in which the accessory gene had been disrupted. A synthetic palmitoylated peptide corresponding to the tryptic fragment (glutamine 972 to arginine 984) that contained the acylation blocked AC toxin-induced accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, whereas the non-acylated peptide had no effect.
Taking responsibility for our future (1999)

In her article Cutting Costs Compromises Care, Sue Richards (1999) raises the profile of the all too evident fact that downgrading and skill mix are a current reality for nurses working in general practice.
Structural Analysis of Regional Economies Based on the IntraRegional I-O Table of Metro-Manila (2001)

マニラ首都圏は地方部からの急激な流入人口による都市膨張，都市失業・貧困層の増大，生活基盤整備の不足による顕在的な環境悪化などの問題を抱えている典型的な東南アジア開発途上国の大都市である。したがって当該地域の産業構造を鳥瞰し，雇用・環境政策が地域経済ヘ及ぼす影響を定量的に把握することのできるデータベースである産業連関表は開発途上国の地域研究，および都市政策を検討する際に有用な情報を提供する。しかし，開発途上国を対象とした作表についてはデータおよび専門家に制約があり，整備事例が限られていた。 そこで本稿は，東南アジアの代表的な開発途上国大都市であるマニラ首都圏をとりあげ，著者らが進めてきたマニラ首都圏産業連関表作成の試みについて述べるとともに，首都圏内の生産誘発および雇用誘発などの経済構造を分析した。結果としては，生産誘発効果の小さい小規模サービス業および製造業での雇用吸収力か大きいことが明らかになった。この結果よりマニラ首都圏産業連関表は，増加する都市貧困層や地方部からの移住者は雇用条件の不安定な都市インフォーマル部門に雇用吸収される傾向にあるといわれる開発途上国大都市の経済構造を反映した鳥瞰表であることが示された。
<i>Xenopus</i> Bcl-X <sub>L</sub> selectively protects Rohon-Beard neurons from metamorphic degeneration (2001)

Amphibian metamorphosis involves extensive, but selective, neuronal death and turnover, thus sharing many features with mammalian postnatal development. The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-X(L) plays an important role in postnatal mammalian neuronal survival. It is therefore of interest that accumulation of the mRNA encoding the Xenopus Bcl-X(L) homologue, termed xR11, increases abruptly in the nervous system, but not in other tissues, during metamorphosis in Xenopus tadpoles. This observation raises the intriguing possibility that xR11 selectively regulates neuronal survival during postembryonic development. To investigate this hypothesis, we overexpressed xR11 in vivo as a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-xR11 fusion protein by using somatic and germinal transgenesis. Somatic gene transfer showed that the fusion protein was effective in counteracting, in a dose-dependent manner, the proapoptotic effects of coexpressed Bax. When GFP-xR11 was expressed from the neuronal beta-tubulin promoter by germinal transgenesis we observed neuronal specific expression that was maintained throughout metamorphosis and beyond, into juvenile and adult stages. Confocal microscopy showed GFP-xR11 to be exclusively localized in the mitochondria. Our findings show that GFP-xR11 significantly prolonged Rohon-Beard neuron survival up to the climax of metamorphosis, even in the regressing tadpole tail, whereas in controls these neurons disappeared in early metamorphosis. However, GFP-xR11 expression did not modify the fate of spinal cord motoneurons. The selective protection of Rohon-Beard neurons reveals cell-specific apoptotic pathways and offers approaches to further analyze programmed neuronal turnover during postembryonic development.
Prognostic Value and Therapeutic Potential of TREM-1 in <b><i>Streptococcus pyogenes-</i></b>Induced Sepsis (2013)

TREM-1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) is a surface molecule expressed on neutrophils and macrophages which has been implicated in the amplification of inflammatory responses triggered during infection. In the present study, we have investigated the clinical significance of TREM-1 in Streptococcus pyogenes-induced severe sepsis in both experimentally infected mice as well as in patients with streptococcal toxic shock. We found that S. pyogenes induced a dose-dependent upregulation of TREM-1 in in vitro cultured phagocytic cells and in the organs of S. pyogenes-infected mice. Furthermore, we reported a positive correlation between serum levels of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) and disease severity in infected patients as well as in experimentally infected mice. Hence, sTREM-1 may represent a useful surrogate marker for streptococcal sepsis. We found that modulation of TREM-1 by administration of the TREM-1 decoy receptor rTREM-1/Fc substantially attenuated the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. More importantly, treatment of S. pyogenes-infected septic mice with rTREM-1/Fc or the synthetically produced conserved extracellular domain LP17 significantly improved disease outcome. In summary, our data suggest that TREM-1 may not only represent a valuable marker for S. pyogenes infection severity but it may also be an attractive target for the treatment of streptococcal sepsis.
The Sleep of Long-Haul Truck Drivers (1997)

Long-haul truck drivers in this study obtained less sleep than is required for alertness on the job. The greatest vulnerability to sleep or sleep-like states is in the late night and early morning.
Re-epithelialization of normal human excisional wounds is associated with a switch from alpha v beta 5 to alpha v beta 6 integrins. (1996)

During cutaneous wound repair, keratinocytes move laterally across the wound surface. For this lateral movement epidermal cells must disassemble their tenacious connections to the basement membrane and their neighbouring cells, and express surface receptors that permit translocation over the wound surface extracellular matrix. If the basement membrane is disrupted, the epidermis migrates over a provisional matrix that contains fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin and tenascin. Although alpha 5 beta 1 integrin, a fibronectin receptor, is expressed by human epidermis during re-epithelialization of excisional and incisional wounds, the spatial and temporal patterns of vitronectin, tenascin, and other fibronectin receptors are less clear. Other potential receptors include alpha v beta 5 for vitronectin and alpha v beta 6 for fibronectin and tenascin. To study provisional matrix integrin expression during human wound healing, full-thickness 4-mm punch biopsies were performed on the inner surface of the upper arm in adult volunteers. At 3, 7 and 14 days after injury wound sites were excised, bisected, quick frozen in liquid nitrogen, and examined for the expression of alpha 5, beta 1, alpha v, beta 5 and beta 6. At 3 days, alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha v beta 5, but not alpha v beta 6, appeared around the basal and suprabasalar cells of the migrating epidermis. At 7 days, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha v beta 5, and alpha v beta 6 appeared around the perimeter of the basal cells of the migrating epidermis. By 14 days, when re-epithelialization was complete, all basal and suprabasalar cells overlying the wound expressed alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha v beta 6, but not alpha v beta 5. Thus, alpha v appeared to switch its heterodimeric association from beta 5 to beta 6 subunit during re-epithelialization.
Management of psoriasis in adolescence (2014)

Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disorder affecting 2%–4% of the world's population. The prevalence of the disease in childhood and adolescence ranges between 0.5% and 2%. The management of psoriasis in adolescence is an intriguing and complicated task. Given the paucity of officially approved therapies, the very limited evidence-based data from randomized controlled trials, and the absence of standardized guidelines, physicians must rely on published experience from case reports both from the field of dermatology as well as from the application of these drugs for other pediatric conditions coming from the disciplines of rheumatology, gastroenterology, and oncology. Psoriatic adolescents deal with a potentially disfiguring and lifelong disease that could permanently impair their psychological development. It must be clarified to them that psoriasis does not have a permanent cure, and therefore the main goal of treatments is to establish disease control and prolonged periods between flares. The majority of adolescents suffer from mild psoriasis, and thus they are treated basically with topical treatment modalities. Phototherapy is reserved for adolescents with mild-to-moderate plaque disease and/or guttate psoriasis when routine visits to specialized centers do not create practical problems. Systemic agents and biologics are administered to patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, or erythrodermic psoriasis. Keywords: adolescent psoriasis, pediatric psoriasis, treatment, systemic treatment, biologic agents