gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Antitumor activity of a recombinant soluble betaglycan in human breast cancer xenograft. (2002)

We have demonstrated previously that ectopic expression of a soluble betaglycan, also known as transforming growth factor (TGF) beta type III receptor, can suppress the malignant properties of human carcinoma cells by antagonizing the tumor-promoting activity of TGF-beta (A. Bandyopadhyay et al., Cancer Res., 59: 5041-5046, 1999). In the current study, we investigated the potential therapeutic utility of a recombinant preparation of human and rat soluble betaglycan (sBG). Purified recombinant human sBG showed similar properties to its rat counterpart (M. M. Vilchis-Landeros et al., Biochem J., 355: 215-222, 2001). It bound TGF-beta with high affinity and isoform selectivity and neutralized the activity of TGF-beta(1) in two bioassays. Peritumoral (50 micro g/tumor, twice a week) or i.p. (100 micro g/animal, every alternate day) injection of sBG into human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 xenograft-bearing athymic nude mice significantly inhibited the tumor growth. The administration of sBG also reduced metastatic incidence and colonies in the lungs. The tumor-inhibitory activity of sBG was found to be associated with the inhibition of angiogenesis. Systemic sBG treatment significantly reduced tumor microvessel density detected with histological analyses and CD-31 immunostainings, as well as tumor blood volume measured with hemoglobin content. In an in vitro angiogenesis assay, treatment with the recombinant sBG significantly reduced the ability of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells to form a capillary tube-like structure on Matrigel. These findings support the conclusion that sBG treatment suppresses tumor growth and metastasis, at least in part by inhibiting angiogenesis. As such, it could be a useful therapeutic agent to antagonize the tumor-promoting activity of TGF-beta.
Transition Metal-Catalyzed Formation of Phosphorus−Boron Bonds:  A New Route to Phosphinoborane Rings, Chains, and Macromolecules (2000)

A novel catalytic dehydrocoupling route for the synthesis of linear, cyclic, and polymeric phosphinoboranes has been developed. The dehydrocoupling of neat Ph2PH·BH3, which is otherwise very slow below 170 °C, is catalyzed by [{Rh(μ-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2] or [Rh(1,5-cod)2][OTf] (0.5−1 mol % Rh) to give the linear compound Ph2PH−BH2−PPh2−BH3 (1) at 90 °C, and a mixture of the cyclic trimer [Ph2P−BH2]3 (2a) and tetramer [Ph2P−BH2]4 (2b) at 120 °C. In addition, the catalytic potential of other (e.g., Ti, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt) complexes toward the dehydrocoupling of Ph2PH·BH3 was investigated and was in many cases demonstrated. The molecular structures of 1 and 2b, and of the primary phosphine−borane adduct PhPH2·BH3, were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The dehydrogenative coupling of PhPH2·BH3 gave low-molecular-weight poly(phenylphosphinoborane) [PhPH−BH2]n (3) when performed in toluene (110 °C) with ca. 0.5 mol % [Rh(1,5-cod)2][OTf] as catalyst. The absolute weight-average molecular weight was determined by static light scattering (SLS) in THF which showed that Mw = 5600. Samples of high-molecular-weight polymer 3 (Mw = 31 000 or 33 300 by SLS) were synthesized using neat conditions at 90−130 °C in the presence of [{Rh(μ-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2], anhydrous RhCl3, or RhCl3 hydrate (ca. 1 mol % Rh). Poly(phosphinoborane) 3 was thereby obtained in ca. 75% yield as an air-stable, off-white solid and was structurally characterized by 1H, 11B, 13C, and 31P NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The hydrodynamic diameters for polymers 3 in THF were also determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Catalytic dehydrocoupling of the alkyl-substituted phosphine−borane adduct iBuPH2·BH3 was also investigated and was found to be much slower than that of PhPH2·BH3. This produced poly(isobutylphosphinoborane) [iBuPH−BH2]n (4) under neat conditions at 120 °C in the presence of [{Rh(μ-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2] in 80% yield. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and DLS were also used to characterize polymer 4, and the latter indicated that Mw = ca. 10 000−20 000. Prolonged heating of polymers 3 and 4 at elevated temperatures in the presence of catalyst led to insoluble but solvent-swellable gels possibly due to light interchain cross-linking through P−B bonds. In the absence of rhodium catalyst thermally induced dehydrocoupling of PhPH2·BH3 and iBuPH2·BH3 proceeds very slowly and forms only low-molecular-weight materials with complex NMR spectra and which probably possess a branched structure.
The Disappearance of Opioidergic Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Postmenopausal Women* (1983)

In postmenopausal women, the administration of beta-endorphin in repeated pulses (1-2.5 mg) at 1- to 2-h intervals or constant infusion (1 mg/h) for 3-6 h elicited the prompt release of PRL without concomitant change in LH levels. Infusion of an opiate receptor antagonist, naloxone (1.6 mg/h), for 6-7 h also had no effect on LH levels. Since substantial evidence indicates that endogneous opioid peptides exert an inhibitory role on GnRH-LH secretion and that the functional activity of opiate receptors appears to be ovarian steroid dependent, the present observation suggests that the hypersecretion of gonadotropin in the absence of ovarian steroid feedback may, in part, be causally related to a reduced opioid inhibition of GnRH-LH release.
Revenue Equivalence and Bidding Behavior in a Multi-Unit Auction Market: An Empirical Analysis (1993)

Revenue-equivalence of competitive and discriminatory formats is a major result for private-value multiunit auctions with risk-neutral bidders. Among the factors that may cause this result to break down, the most notorious ones are risk-aversion, value-affiliation, and endogenous bidder participation. Using data from competitive and discriminatory auctions undertaken in the Zambian foreign exchange market, the author analyzes revenue-equivalence and other bidding phenomena. The results indicate that (1) competitive auctions were revenue-superior due to higher participation; (2) high bidders adjusted with delay to an auction format change; and (3) a reservation bid was used as a policy instrument. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
Rhes and AGS1/Dexras1 affect signaling by dopamine D1 receptors through adenylyl cyclase (2011)

The GTP binding proteins Rhes and AGS1/Dexras1 define a subfamily of the Ras superfamily and have been shown to affect signaling by G-protein-coupled receptors. We tested the effects of both proteins at an early stage of signaling by dopamine receptors, activation of adenylyl cyclase. Rhes decreased dopamine D1 receptor agonist-stimulated cAMP accumulation in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. It had no effect on cAMP accumulation in the absence of agonist. AGS1/Dexras1, on the other hand, decreased cAMP accumulation in both vehicle-treated and agonist-treated cells, resulting in a higher percentage of stimulation by agonist or a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The effects of AGS1/Dexras1 on cAMP accumulation were not blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting that it may produce these effects through interaction with a G(α) i monomer. Both Rhes and AGS1/Dexras1 were associated with GTP-bound G(α) i in pull-down assays. However, Rhes had no effect on the ability of activated D2 receptor to inhibit cAMP. Neither Rhes nor AGS1/Dexras1 interacted with the D1 receptor in pull-down assays. These findings show that, in addition to its well-known effects on signaling through Gi-coupled receptors, AGS1/Dexras1 can affect signaling through a Gs/olf-coupled receptor. Furthermore, the results suggest that Rhes exerts some of its effects by interacting with G(α) i.
Quantitative Evaluation of Lewis Acidity of Metal Ions Derived from theg Values of ESR Spectra of Superoxide: Metal Ion Complexes in Relation to the Promoting Effects in Electron Transfer Reactions (2000)

The g values of ESR spectra of superoxide-metal ion complexes (O2(*-)-Mn+, n = 1, 2, 3) are determined in acetonitrile at 143 K. The binding energies (deltaE) of metal ions with O2*- have been evaluated from deviation of the gzz values from the free spin value. The deltaE values are well correlated with the catalytic reactivities of metal ions in electron transfer from cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin to O2 and p-benzoquinone, which does not occur in the absence of metal ions under otherwise the same experimental conditions. The deltaE values can thereby be used as the first quantitative measure for Lewis acidity of metal ions in relation with the catalytic reactivities in electron transfer reactions.
Evaluation on a Personalized Mobile Advertising System: a Comparative Approach (2007)

A sensitive, specific and rapid quantitative HPLC assay for 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in samples of brain regions of widely differing size is described. The method utilizes off-line prepurification of tissue supernatants on gravity-fed strong cation exchange columns, on-line enrichment of the entire cation exchange column eluate on short reverse phase enrichment precolumns, further separation by reverse phase chromatography on an analytical column and electrochemical detection. On-line trace enrichment permits the efficient incorporation of off-line column chromatography to maximize assay specificity without compromising assay sensitivity. A reliable, working limit of detection of 200 pg 5-HTP/sample permits the estimation of in vivo tryptophan hydroxylase activity by determining the rate of 5-HTP accumulation following L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibition in small discrete brain regions or larger tissue samples only poorly innervated by 5-HT terminals.
Minkowski Functionals of Connected Soil Porosity as Indicators of Soil Tillage and Depth (2018)

We made use of 3D tomograms from X-ray computed tomography of soil samples from a vineyard in La Rioja (Spain), to explore the ability of Minkowski functionals of connected soil pore space to discriminate between different pore space geometries coming from soils with different management and depth and that, a priori, are expected to have some degree of dissimilarity. We estimate the volume of the connected pore space ($V$), the surface of the interface soil/void ($S$), the accumulated mean curvature of that interface ($C$) and its connectivity ($E$) out of 3D binary images taken from samples of two different depths of soil where two different managements were undertaken. Logit model showed that $V$, $S$ and $C$ are needed to predict soil management and only $V$ is required to infer depths. In our limited experimental circumstances, where we just explain two soil features, it seems natural that not all the four functionals are related to or needed to explain the variety of considered cases of soil structures. Therefore, this could not be an argument to dismiss Minkowski functionals as good candidates as predictors of the geometric structure of soil pore space. Our results suggest just the opposite, and they can be used as discriminants for a wide variety of soil features and behaviors.
Isomerization of carotenoids (1938)

IT is of considerable interest to establish the limits within which the chromatographic method can be applied without danger of chemical alteration taking place in the column.
Reactions of Bis(hexamethyldisilazanyl)manganese(II) with Nitrogen Containing Ligands: Syntheses and X-Ray Structures of [Mn( 1,10-phen){N(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>] and [Mn(4,4' -bipy){N(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>] ·THF (1994)

Abstract The reaction of [Mn{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 (THF)] 1 with 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), 1,10-phenan-throline (1,10-phen) and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) yields three new complexes: [Mn(2,2'-bipy){N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] 2, [Mn(1,10-phen){N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] 3, and [Mn(4,4'-bipy){N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] · THF 4. The crystal structure of 3 reveals mononuclear species with pseudo-tetrahedral coordinated manganese(II) ions. Crystal data for 3: orthorhombic, a = 1741.0(2), b = 1879.3(3), c = 1967.0(3) pm, V = 6.436(2) nm 3 , Z = 8, space group Pbca. Compound 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P 2 1 /c; the lattice parameters are: a = 2139.5(3), b = 925.30(10), c = 1786.4(2) pm, β = 101.34(1)°, V= 3.4675(7) nm3, Z = 4. The molecular structure of 4 consists of zig-zag infinite chains, with bridging 4,4'-bipyridine groups.
Modulation of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Processing by the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein (LRP) (2000)

Beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta), which plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, is derived from the transmembrane beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) by proteolytic processing. Although mechanisms associated with Abeta generation are not fully understood, it is known that Abeta can be generated within endosomal compartments upon internalization of APP from the cell surface. The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) was previously shown to mediate the endocytosis of APP isoforms containing the Kunitz proteinase inhibitor domain (Kounnas, M. Z., Moir, R. D., Rebeck, G. W., Bush, A. I., Argraves, W. S., Tanzi, R. E., Hyman, B. T., and Strickland, D. K. (1995) Cell 82, 331-340; Knauer, M. F., Orlando, R. A., and Glabe, C. G. (1996) Brain Res. 740, 6-14). The objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that LRP-mediated internalization of cell surface APP can modulate APP processing and thereby affect Abeta generation. Here, we show that long term culturing of cells in the presence of the LRP-antagonist RAP leads to increased cell surface levels of APP and a significant reduction in Abeta synthesis. Further, restoring LRP function in LRP-deficient cells results in a substantial increase in Abeta production. These findings demonstrate that LRP contributes to Abeta generation and suggest novel pharmacological approaches to reduce Abeta levels based on selective LRP blockade.
Synthesis of enantio- and diastereo-isomerically pure β- and γ-substituted glutamic acids via glycine condensation with activated olefins (1986)

The glycine fragment in the nickel(II) complex formed from the Schiff base of glycine and (S)-o[(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone undergoes base-catalysed Michael addition in methanol in the presence of MeONa to the activated olefins methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, acrolein, and methyl trans-cinnamate. Complexes of substituted (S)-glutamic acid or its derivatives were formed in good chemical yields with almost complete diastereoselection at the α-carbon atom of the amino acid moiety. Diastereoselection at the β- and γ-atoms was not significant, but the isomeric complexes could be easily separated chromatographically. Cleavage of the pure diastereo-isomers with aqueous HCl gave, in good yields, optically pure glutamic acids and regenerated the original chiral reagent. The configurations of the amino acid β- and γ-carbon atoms were determined by 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy and crystal structure X-ray analysis of the corresponding original complexes. The addition to acrolein, catalysed by triethylamine in methanol, leads to the 1,4-adduct exclusively. The amino acid thus obtained could be converted into (S)-proline by reduction with NaBH4.
Loss of plakoglobin promotes decreased cell-cell contact, increased invasion, and breast cancer cell dissemination in vivo (2012)

Decreased plakoglobin expression increases the invasive behavior of breast cancer cells. This is the first demonstration of a functional role for plakoglobin/γ-catenin in the metastatic process, indicating that this molecule may represent a target for antimetastatic therapies.
Red blood cell and plasma glutathione peroxidase activities and selenium concentration in patients with chronic kidney disease: a review. (2006)

The metabolism of oxygen in aerobic organisms leads to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These entities are able to oxidize almost all classes of macromolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The physiological level of ROS is usually regulated by antioxidant defense mechanisms. There are at least three groups of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutases, catalases and glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Pxs) which neutralize ROS. The trace elements (copper, zinc and selenium) bound to the active sites of the above listed enzymes play an important role in the antioxidant defense system. In mammals, a major function of selenium (Se) and Se-dependent GSH-Pxs is to protect cells from oxidative stress. Selenium concentrations and GSH-Px activities are altered in blood components of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The Se level is frequently lower than in healthy subjects and the concentration very often decreases gradually with advancing stage of the disease. Studies on red cell GSH-Px activity in CKD patients reported its values significantly lower, significantly higher and lower or higher, but not significantly as compared with healthy subjects. On the other hand, all authors who studied plasma GSH-Px activity have shown significantly lower values than in healthy subjects. The degree of the reduction decreases gradually with the progression of the disease. High inverse correlations were seen between plasma GSH-Px activity and creatinine level. A gradual decrease in plasma GSH-Px activity in CKD patients is due to the fact that this enzyme is synthesized predominantly in the kidney and thus the impairment of this organ is the cause of the enzyme's lower activity. Se supplementation to CKD patients has a slightly positive effect in the incipient stage of the disease, but usually no effect was observed in end-stage CKD. Presently, kidney transplantation is the only treatment that may restore plasma Se level and GSH-Px activity in patients suffering from end-stage CKD. A few studies have shown that in kidney recipients, plasma Se concentration and GSH-Px activity are restored to normal values within a period of 2 weeks to 3 months following surgery and thus it can be acknowledged that Se supplementation to those patients has a positive effect on plasma GSH-Px activity.
A New N-Way Power Divider/Combiner Suitable for High-Power Applications (2005)

Theoretical and experimental results are presented on a new N-way power divider/combiner, which is an extension of the N-way combiner by Wilkinson. The main advantages of the new design are (1) external isolation loads, permitting high-power loads, (2) easily realizable geometry, and (3) monitoring capability for imbalances at the output ports. A trial 8-way combiner with 20% bandwidth at a center frequency of 1.15 GHz fully verified the new design concept.
Integrative transformation of Aspergillus oryzae with a plasmid containing the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene. (1987)

The transformation of Aspergillus oryzae has been achieved with a plasmid carrying the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene coding for ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCTase). The frequency of transformation was relatively low (0.7 transformants/μg DNA) but the transformed phenotype was extremely stable for many generations without selective pressure. Southern blot analysis revealed that transformation had occurred by integration of multiple tandem copies of plasmid DNA into the host genome through non-homologous recombination. There was no evidence of the existence of free plasmid in the transformants. The number of integrated copies of the plasmid ranged from 15 to 60. The specific activity of OCTase in the cellfree extract was proportional to the copy number of the plasmid, indicating that most of the integrated argB gene was expressed.
Erythropoietin receptor expression in adult rat cardiomyocytes is associated with an acute cardioprotective effect for recombinant erythropoietin during ischemia‐reperfusion injury (2004)

Erythropoietin (EPO), the principal hematopoietic cytokine that regulates mammalian erythropoiesis, exhibits diverse cellular effects in non-hematopoietic tissues. The physiologic functions of EPO are mediated by its specific cell-surface receptor EPOR. In this study, we demonstrate EPOR expression in adult rat cardiac myocytes and examine the direct effects of EPO on the heart to investigate whether recombinant EPO may exert an acute cardioprotective effect during ischemia-reperfusion injury. To determine whether EPO is cardioprotective, isolated rat hearts were perfused for 10 min in the Langendorff-mode with Krebs-Henseleit buffer in the absence or presence of brief recombinant EPO treatment while left-ventricular-developed pressure (LVDP) was measured continuously to assess contractile function. The hearts were then subjected to 20 min of normothermic global ischemia followed by 25 min of reperfusion. The post-ischemic recovery of LVDP in the untreated control hearts was 26 +/- 5% of their baseline LVDP, whereas hearts pretreated with EPO exhibited significantly improved post-ischemic recovery to 57 +/- 7%. We used 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine whether modulation of intracellular pH and/or high-energy phosphate levels during ischemia contributed to EPO-mediated cardioprotection. These experiments revealed that the rapid cardioprotective effect of EPO during ischemia-reperfusion injury was associated with preservation of ATP levels in the ischemic myocardium.
Fabry-Perot effects in the exponential decay and phase shift reflectivity measurement methods (1991)

The exponential decay and phase shift reflectivity measurement methods are examined for a real optical cavity, i.e., one that includes mechanical vibrations and light source fluctuations in wavelength and amplitude. We compare the two methods and examine the problems inherent in each and present methods for overcoming these. Both methods are shown to be excellent for measuring high reflectivity cavity losses (particularly for the free electron laser case) although suitable precautions should be taken.
Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays (2007)

Miniaturized microfluidic systems provide simple and effective solutions for low-cost point-of-care diagnostics and high-throughput biomedical assays. Robust flow control and precise fluidic volumes are two critical requirements for these applications. We have developed microfluidic chips featuring elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microvalve arrays that: 1) need no extra energy source to close the fluidic path, hence the loaded device is highly portable; and 2) allow for microfabricating deep (up to 1 mm) channels with vertical sidewalls and resulting in very precise features.The PDMS microvalves-based devices consist of three layers: a fluidic layer containing fluidic paths and microchambers of various sizes, a control layer containing the microchannels necessary to actuate the fluidic path with microvalves, and a middle thin PDMS membrane that is bound to the control layer. Fluidic layer and control layers are made by replica molding of PDMS from SU-8 photoresist masters, and the thin PDMS membrane is made by spinning PDMS at specified heights. The control layer is bonded to the thin PDMS membrane after oxygen activation of both, and then assembled with the fluidic layer. The microvalves are closed at rest and can be opened by applying negative pressure (e.g., house vacuum). Microvalve closure and opening are automated via solenoid valves controlled by computer software.Here, we demonstrate two microvalve-based microfluidic chips for two different applications. The first chip allows for storing and mixing precise sub-nanoliter volumes of aqueous solutions at various mixing ratios. The second chip allows for computer-controlled perfusion of microfluidic cell cultures.The devices are easy to fabricate and simple to control. Due to the biocompatibility of PDMS, these microchips could have broad applications in miniaturized diagnostic assays as well as basic cell biology studies.