gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
μ-Crystallin as an Intracellular 3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine Holder in Vivo (2007)

Previously, we identified reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent cytosolic T(3) binding protein in rat cytosol. Cytosolic T(3)-binding protein is identical to mu-crystallin (CRYM). Recently, CRYM mutations were found in patients with nonsyndromic hereditary deafness. Although it has been established that CRYM plays pivotal roles in reserving and transporting T(3) into the nuclei in vitro and has a clinical impact on hearing ability, the precise functions of CRYM remain to be elucidated in vivo. To further investigate the in vivo functions of CRYM gene products, we have generated mice with targeted disruption of the CRYM gene, which abrogates the production of CRYM. CRYM knockout loses the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent T(3) binding activity in the cytosol of the brain, kidney, heart, and liver. At the euthyroid state, knockout significantly suppresses the serum concentration of T(3) and T(4) despite normal growth, heart rate, and hearing ability. The disruption of the gene does not alter the expression of TSHbeta mRNA in the pituitary gland or glutathione-S-transferase alpha2 and deiodinase 1 mRNAs in either the liver or kidney. When radiolabeled T(3) is injected intravenously, labeled T(3) rapidly enters into and then escapes from the tissues in CRYM-knockout mice. These data suggest that because of rapid T(3) turnover, disruption of the CRYM gene decreases T(3) concentrations in tissues and serum without alteration of peripheral T(3) action in vivo.
Evaluation of the Measurement of Serum Cystatin C by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Humans as a Marker of the Glomerular Filtration Rate in Dogs (2009)

The serum cystatin C (Cys-C) concentration is a better filtration marker than plasma creatinine (Cre) concentration in humans. In veterinary medicine, a few studies have shown that the serum Cys-C concentration in dogs is also a better marker than the plasma Cre concentration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of measuring the serum Cys-C concentration by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a marker of the glomerular filtration rate in dogs with various renal dysfunctions. The serum Cys-C concentration in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly higher (1.23 +/- 0.21 mg/L) than that in 76 control dogs (0.85 +/- 0.15) (P<0.001). The reference range of the serum Cys-C concentrations in samples from the 76 control dogs was 0.55-1.15 mg/l. Serum Cys-C concentration was more strongly correlated with plasma iohexol clearance (r=-0.704, P<0.001) than plasma Cre concentration in dogs (r=-0.598, P<0.001). In a receiver operating characteristics analysis, significant differences between the serum Cys-C and plasma Cre concentrations were found with regard to their AUC (0.949, [SE, 0.019] and 0.849 [SE, 0.029]) and diagnostic sensitivity (90.3% and 73.6%) for detecting decreased PCio (P<0.05). Therefore, the measurement of serum Cys-C concentration by ELISA is more useful for the detection of early CKD than measuring the plasma Cre concentration.
Microalgal Biomass for Greenhouse Gas Reductions: Potential for Replacement of Fossil Fuels and Animal Feeds (2009)

Microalgal biomass production offers a number of advantages over conventional biomass production, including higher productivities, use of otherwise nonproductive land, reuse and recovery of waste nutrients, use of saline or brackish waters, and reuse of CO2 from power-plant flue gas or similar sources. Microalgal biomass production and utilization offers potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) avoidance by providing biofuel replacement of fossil fuels and carbon-neutral animal feeds. This paper presents an initial analysis of the potential for GHG avoidance using a proposed algal biomass production system coupled to recovery of flue-gas CO2 combined with waste sludge and/or animal manure utilization. A model is constructed around a 50-MW natural gas-fired electrical generation plant operating at 50% capacity as a semibase-load facility. This facility is projected to produce 216 million k⋅Wh/240-day season while releasing 30.3 million kg-C/season of GHG-CO2. An algal system designed to capture 70% of flue-gas CO2 would produce 42,400 t (dry wt) of algal biomass/season and requires 880 ha of high-rate algal ponds operating at a productivity of 20 g-dry-wt/m2-day. This algal biomass is assumed to be fractionated into 20% extractable algal oil, useful for biodiesel, with the 50% protein content providing animal feed replacement and 30% residual algal biomass digested to produce methane gas, providing gross GHG avoidances of 20, 8.5, and 7.8%, respectively. The total gross GHG avoidance potential of 36.3% results in a net GHG avoidance of 26.3% after accounting for 10% parasitic energy costs. Parasitic energy is required to deliver CO2 to the algal culture and to harvest and process algal biomass and algal products. At CO2 utilization efficiencies predicted to range from 60–80%, net GHG avoidances are estimated to range from 22–30%. To provide nutrients for algal growth and to ensure optimal algae digestion, importation of 53 t/day of waste paper, municipal sludge, or animal manure would be required. This analysis does not address the economics of the processes considered. Rather, the focus is directed at determination of the technical feasibility of applying integrated algal processes for fossil-fuel replacement and power-plant GHG avoidance. The technology discussed remains in early stages of development, with many important technical issues yet to be addressed. Although theoretically promising, successful integration of waste treatment processes with algal recovery of flue-gas CO2 will require pilot-scale trials and field demonstrations to more precisely define the many detailed design requirements.
An Novel Dynamic Clustering Algorithm Based on Geographical Location for Wireless Sensor Networks (2008)

One of the key problems for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is how to make the best of limited energy. The conventional clustering method has the unique potential to be the framework for energy-conserving wireless sensor networks .In this paper, a novel dynamic clustering algorithm based on geographical location information(GL-DC)is proposed for WSNs. Comparing with other algorithms, GL-DC has two obvious features: Firstly, it improves energy utility by changing the activity of wireless communication module of sensor nodes, energy model and state transition of sensor nodes. Secondly, GL-DC adopts the maximum ratio of residual energy and the square of distance between node and Sink to select cluster head in order to prolong network lifetime. Simulation results show that the performance of GL-DC is better than LEACH , EADEEG and PEGASIS algorithm for wireless sensor network with high-density deployment and low traffic.
Crystal structure of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein H/glycoprotein L (gH/gL) complex (2010)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a γ-herpesvirus that infects B cells and epithelial cells and that has been linked to malignancies in both cell types in vivo. EBV, like other herpesviruses, has three glycoproteins, glycoprotein B (gB), gH, and gL, that form the core membrane fusion machinery mediating viral penetration into the cell. The gH and gL proteins associate to form a heterodimeric complex, which is necessary for efficient membrane fusion and also implicated in direct binding to epithelial cell receptors required for viral entry. To gain insight into the mechanistic role of gH/gL, we determined the crystal structure of the EBV gH/gL complex. The structure is comprised of four domains organized along the longest axis of the molecule. Comparisons with homologous HSV-2 gH/gL and partial pseudorabies virus gH structures support the domain boundaries determined for the EBV gH/gL structure and illustrate significant differences in interdomain packing angles. The gL subunit and N-terminal residues of gH form a globular domain at one end of the structure, implicated in interactions with gB and activation of membrane fusion. The C-terminal domain of gH, proximal to the viral membrane, is also implicated in membrane fusion. The gH/gL structure locates an integrin binding motif, implicated in epithelial cell entry, on a prominent loop in the central region of the structure. Multiple regions of gH/gL, including its two extreme ends, are functionally important, consistent with the multiple roles of gH/gL in EBV entry.
Double recoverable block of function – a molecular control of transgene flow with enhanced reliability (2005)

Despite all the achieved benefits and potential promises from recombinant DNA technology of plants, the potential of transgene spread to wild relatives and to non-transgenic crops is still of a wide-spread concern. We continue to develop recoverable block of function (RBF) technology for gene flow control in transgenic plants. RBF consists of two elements: blocking construct (BC) and recovering construct (RC). Natural expression of the BC (barnase) in embryos and sprouts blocks a physiological function essential for survival or reproduction of the transgenic plant (mRNA synthesis and germination). Artificially induced (heat shock treatment) RC (barstar) recovers the blocked function enabling transgenic plant to reproduce. In natural conditions without artificial induction of RC the transgenic plant can not reproduce itself. However, a single RBF may still fail because of the potential for mutations and gene silencing of the inserted constructs. To minimize the frequency of such an inactivation, we developed a double RBF, in which a single insert comprising two BC, flanking a transgene of interest, was constructed and transferred into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum (L.)). We used a barstar gene driven by a heat shock or 35S promoter as a RC, and two different promoters were used for barnase genes in the BC. One BC contained a seed germination specific cysteine endopeptidase promoter (BC1) and the other contained the cruciferin promoter (BC2), which is active during fruit development and embryogenesis. Three alternative constructs of double RBF are described, and a segregating two-insert as well as a one-insert cassettes, were compared. One-insert system comprising two BC with different nucleotide sequences but degenerate codons that expressed the same Barnase protein appeared to be the most reliable choice. The biological and molecular data obtained suggest that double RBF is a potent transgene containment technique that can safely be applied in agriculture.
Peer Reviewed: Perfluorochemical Surfactants in the Environment (2002)

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVFeaturesNEXTPeer Reviewed: Perfluorochemical Surfactants in the EnvironmentThese bioaccumulative compounds occur globally, warranting further study.John P. Giesy and Kurunthachalam KannanCite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 7, 146A–152APublication Date (Web):April 1, 2002Publication History Published online1 April 2002Published inissue 1 April 2002https://doi.org/10.1021/es022253tRequest reuse permissions This publication is free to access through this site. Learn MoreArticle Views12644Altmetric-Citations854LEARN 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 (33 MB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:Surfactants Get e-Alerts
*-Box: towards reliability and consistency in dropbox-like file synchronization services (2013)

Cloud-based file synchronization services, such as Drop-box, have never been more popular. They provide excel-lent reliability and durability in their server-side storage, and can provide a consistent view of their synchronized files across multiple clients. However, the loose coupling of these services and the local file system may, in some cases, turn these benefits into drawbacks. In this paper, we show that these services can silently propagate both local data corruption and the results of inconsistent crash recovery, and cannot guarantee that the data they store re-flects the actual state of the disk. We propose techniques to prevent and recover from these problems by reducing the separation between local file systems and synchro-nization clients, providing clients with deeper knowledge of file system activity and allowing the file system to take advantage of the correct data stored remotely. 1
Improving abnormal hemorheological parameters in ApoE-/- mice by Ilex kudingcha total saponins (2009)

The aim of this study was to test the effects of Ilex kudingcha total saponins on hemorheology of ApoE-/- mice suffering from hypercholesterolemia induced by high-cholesterol diet. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the high-cholesterol diet group, 50 mg/kg atorvastatin treatment group, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg Ilex kudingcha saponins treatment groups, and all the drug treatment groups were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. After administration with saponins (150 mg/kg or more) and atorvastatin (50 mg/kg) for six weeks, the plasma total cholesterol (TC), whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), and erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI) had a remarkable decrease compared with that of the high-cholesterol diet group, but the hematocrit (Hct) and erythrocyte deformation index (DI) had no significant changes. In addition, it is found that the improving effects of saponins on reducing plasma fibrinogen (Fg) levels and prolonging the blood coagulation times including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and prothrombin time (PT). In conclusion, the Ilex kudingcha total saponins may have a significant therapy application of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis by considering its actions on hemorheological characteristics.
The guanine-rich fragile X chromosome repeats are reluctant to form tetraplexes (2004)

Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we studied conformational properties of guanine-rich DNA strands of the fragile X chromosome repeats d(GGC)n, d(GCG)n and d(CGG)n, with n = 2, 4, 8 and 16. These strands are generally considered in the literature to form guanine tetraplexes responsible for the repeat expansion. However, we show in this paper that the repeats are reluctant to form tetraplexes. At physiological concentrations of either Na+ or K+ ions, the hexamers and dodecamers associate to form homoduplexes and the longer repeats generate homoduplexes and hairpins. The tetraplexes are rarely observed being relatively most stable with d(GGC)n and least stable with d(GCG)n. The tetraplexes are exclusively formed in the presence of K+ ions, at salt concentrations higher than physiological, more easily at higher than physiological temperatures, and they arise with extremely long kinetics (even days). Moreover, the capability to form tetraplexes sharply diminishes with the oligonucleotide length. These facts make the concept of the tetraplex appearance in this motif in vivo very improbable. Rather, a hairpin of the fragile X repeats, whose stability increases with the repeat length, is the probable structure responsible for the repeat expansion in genomes.
Salivary thiocyanate secretion during a fleet ballistic missile submarine patrol. 561. (1969)

Abstract : Tobacco smoke products make up a variable proportion of the atmospheric contaminants of a fleet ballistic missile submarine. A biological measurement of the degree of effective tobacco inhalation both in smokers and non-smokers would be a useful tool in environmental health studies. Salivary thiocyanate levels seemed promising as such a tool. Thirty volunteers were selected from a submarine crew: 14 smokers and 16 non-smokers. Saliva was collected by standard methods during refit and on patrol. Thiocyanate content was measured and relationships were sought with dietar, smoking and patrol factors. Strong positive relationships were found between the thiocyanate levels and smoking but no significant changes were found in either smokers or non-smokers on patrol. No relationships were found with dietary factors or with the amount smoked. It is concluded that the atmospheric effects are not extreme enough to be detected by this biological method.
Autocrine Human Growth Hormone Stimulates Oncogenicity of Endometrial Carcinoma Cells (2008)

Recent published data have demonstrated elevated levels of human GH (hGH) in endometriosis and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Herein, we demonstrate that autocrine production of hGH can enhance the in vitro and in vivo oncogenic potential of endometrial carcinoma cells. Forced expression of hGH in endometrial carcinoma cell lines RL95-2 and AN3 resulted in an increased total cell number through enhanced cell cycle progression and decreased apoptotic cell death. In addition, autocrine hGH expression in endometrial carcinoma cells promoted anchorage-independent growth and increased cell migration/invasion in vitro. In a xenograft model of human endometrial carcinoma, autocrine hGH enhanced tumor size and progression. Changes in endometrial carcinoma cell gene expression stimulated by autocrine hGH was consistent with the altered in vitro and in vivo behavior. Functional antagonism of hGH in wild-type RL95-2 cells significantly reduced cell proliferation, cell survival, and anchorage-independent cell growth. These studies demonstrate a functional role for autocrine hGH in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma and indicate potential therapeutic relevance of hGH antagonism in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma.
The Properties of Oxide-Coated Cathodes. I (1939)

First Page
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Using Plasma Prepared with Photochemical Treatment (INTERCEPT Plasma). (2004)

Abstract INTERCEPT Plasma (I-FFP) uses amotosalen (S-59, 150μM ) and UVA light (3 J/cm2 to inactivate pathogens in single plasma units. TPE is the mainstay therapy for TTP. Efficacy and safety of I-FFP for TPE of TTP were evaluated in a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Eligible patients (pts) with TTP unrelated to cancer, cancer therapy, transplantation, AIDS, HUS, or SLE received daily TPE (1.0 to 1.5 blood volumes) with either I-FFP or conventional plasma (C-FFP) for up to 2 TPE cycles, each with a maximum of 35 days (d) of TPE. Treated pts were followed for 7 d after the last TPE to detect overall adverse events (AE) and for 60 d after achieving remission to detect relapse and serious adverse events (SAE). The primary endpoint was the proportion of pts in remission (platelet count ≥ 150,000/μL for 2 consecutive d without neurologic progression) within 30 d after the 1st TPE. Secondary endpoints were: time to 1st remission, volume of plasma used, number of TPEs, relapse rates after remission, vWF cleaving protease (vWF-CP) activity and inhibitor levels, antibodies to potential S-59 neoantigens, and safety. 35 pts (17 I-FFP, 18 C-FFP), mean age of 40 yr, 80% female were treated. TPE with I-FFP was comparable to C-FFP in remission rates (82% I-FFP, 89% C-FFP:p=0.66), median time to remission (6 d I-FFP, 6 d C-FFP:p=0.58), mean total volume of plasma exchanged (40.6 L I-FFP, 41.3 L C-FFP:p=0.86), mean number TPEs (11.3 I-FFP, 10.3 C-FFP:p=0.68), and relapse rates (36% I-FFP, 38% C-FFP:p=1.00). Baseline and post TPE vWF-CP activity and inhibitor levels were similar between groups. Overall AEs, serious AEs, deaths (1 I-FFP and 1 C-FFP: neither attributed to TPE), rates of discontinuation from study, laboratory abnormalities, and vital signs (VS) during TPE were comparable between groups. 1 C-FFP pt had TRALI. Five I-FFP pts had AEs coded to the cardiac system organ class compared to no C-FFP pts (p=0.02). In 4 of the I-FFP pts, these AEs were non-serious and did not interrupt TPE. One I-FFP pt with relapsing TTP had a serious AE after 12d of TPE, recovered without sequelae, was withdrawn from study, and continued on non-study FFP TPE with recurrent relapse. No antibodies to potential S-59 neoantigens were detected in any pts. In this trial, efficacy endpoints and safety profiles of TTP pts treated with I-FFP TPE were similar to those for TTP pts treated with C-FFP TPE.
Phosphate-Induced Vascular Calcification (2004)

Hyperphosphatemia is thought to underlie medial vascular calcification in advanced renal failure, but calcification can occur in other conditions in the absence of hyperphosphatemia, indicating that additional factors are important. To identify these factors, a model of medial calcification in rat aorta in vitro was developed. Aortic rings from rats were incubated in serum-free medium for 9 d, and calcification was measured as incorporation of (45)Ca and confirmed by histology and x-ray diffraction. No calcification occurred in normal vessels despite elevated free Ca(2+) and PO(4)(3-) concentrations of 1.8 mM and 3.8 mM, respectively, but mechanical injury resulted in extensive calcification in the media. Co-incubation studies revealed that normal aortas produced a soluble inhibitor of calcification in injured vessels that was destroyed by alkaline phosphatase. Culture of normal aortas with alkaline phosphatase resulted in calcification of the elastic lamina identified as hydroxyapatite by x-ray diffraction. This effect of alkaline phosphatase was not due to dephosphorylation of osteopontin (OPN), and calcification was not increased in aortas from OPN-deficient mice. The inhibitor was identified as pyrophosphate on the basis of the calcification induced in aortas cultured with inorganic pyrophosphatase, the inhibition of calcification in injured aortas by pyrophosphate, and the production of inhibitory levels of pyrophosphate by normal aortas. No calcification occurred under any conditions at a normal PO(4)(3-) concentration. It is concluded that elevated concentrations of Ca(2+) and PO(4)(3-) are not sufficient for medial vascular calcification because of inhibition by pyrophosphate. Alkaline phosphatase can promote calcification by hydrolyzing pyrophosphate, but OPN is not an endogenous inhibitor of calcification in rat aorta.
Harvesting Photons in the Infrared. Electron Injection from Excited Tricarbocyanine Dye (IR-125) into TiO<sub>2</sub> and Ag@TiO<sub>2</sub> Core−Shell Nanoparticles (2006)

TiO2 and Ag@TiO2 core shell nanoparticles have been modified with a carbocyanine dye (IR-125) to extend the photoresponse in the near-infrared. Upon binding dye molecules to TiO2, we observe a sharp decrease in the fluorescence yield. The electron injection into TiO2 was found to dominate the deactivation of the excited singlet state. The rate constant for the charge injection process as determined from the decay of the excited singlet is ∼1011 s-1. In the case of Ag@TiO2, the electrons injected into the TiO2 layer are quickly transferred to the Ag core. The metal core in Ag@TiO2 did not alter the forward charge-transfer kinetics, but it influenced the back electron transfer. The regeneration of the dye involving the reaction between the oxidized dye and injected electron was a factor of 2 slower for Ag@TiO2 than the TiO2 system. Use of composite nanoparticles comprised of a metal core semiconductor shell may provide new ways to modulate charge recombination processes in dye-sensitized solar cells.