gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda (2011)

Withania somnifera (Ashawagandha) is very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as a Rasayana (tonic). It is used for various kinds of disease processes and specially as a nervine tonic. Considering these facts many scientific studies were carried out and its adaptogenic / anti-stress activities were studied in detail. In experimental models it increases the stamina of rats during swimming endurance test and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid and cortisol content produce by swimming stress. Pretreatment with Withania somnifera (WS) showed significance protection against stress induced gastric ulcers. WS have anti-tumor effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma. It was also found effective against urethane induced lung-adenoma in mice. In some cases of uterine fibroids, dermatosarcoma, long term treatment with WS controlled the condition. It has a Cognition Promoting Effect and was useful in children with memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzeimer's diseases. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote formation of dendrites. It has anxiolytic effect and improves energy levels and mitochondrial health. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Large scale studies are needed to prove its clinical efficacy in stress related disorders, neuronal disorders and cancers.
Preliminary results of a pilot study investigating the potential of salivary cortisol measurements to detect occult adrenal suppression secondary to steroid nose drops (2001)

Adrenocortical suppression is a well-known risk of systemic steroids, but is thought less likely to occur with topical intranasal corticosteroids. However, the UK Committee on the Safety of Medicines (UKCSM) has expressed concern about the possibility of this complication. We assessed the prevalence of adrenal suppression in patients with rhinitis using intranasal beclomethasone and betamethasone; and the potential value of salivary cortisol as a tool for detecting this complication. Sixty-six patients (38 men : 28 women; mean age 49.6[sd 16.0] years) were prospectively screened for adrenal insufficiency using clinical assessment and salivary cortisol measurements. Abnormalities at this initial screening were confirmed with a Short Synacthen Test (SST). No patient was clinically Cushingoid. All 22 beclomethasone users had normal salivary cortisols. Eleven (25%) of 44 patients using betamethasone had subnormal salivary cortisol levels (mean morning cortisol 2.8[sd 0.9]nmol/l) suggesting adrenal suppression, which was confirmed by an impaired SST in each case. The positive predictive value of salivary cortisol measurements was 100%. Only patients with abnormal salivary cortisols had a SST, so no comment can be made about sensitivity/specificity. Topical betamethasone may produce occult adrenal insufficiency and assessment of adrenal function is recommended in these patients. Measurement of salivary cortisol is a useful, non-invasive and economical test for monitoring patients using intranasal corticosteroids.
A simple determination method of bromide ion in plasma of methyl bromide workers by head space gas chromatography. (1987)

An improved method for the simple determination of bromide ion in plasma is described. It was modified from the method by Kawai, Sugiyama et al. (1985). In the improved method, 200 μl of plasma and 800 μl of distilled water were placed in a reaction vial to which 100 μl of dimethyl sulfate was added. The reaction vial was immediately sealed, placed in an incubator at 85°C, and shaken for 10 min. At the end of the reaction, a gas-tight syringe was used to draw out the head space gas of 1 ml. The methyl bromide gas was then injected into a gas chromatograph and methyl bromide was determined with F. I. D.A good linear relationship was obtained between the peak area of methyl bromide and the concentration of bromide ion within the range of 0.5 to 500 ppm. Bromide ion in the range of 0.5 to 500 ppm in standard solution was added to the plasma samples. After 10 repeated measurements, the relative standard deviation was found to be in the range of 2.8-3.6% and recovery was over 96%.The analytical results of this method were compared with those obtained by spectrophotometry. The analytical results obtained by the two methods were in good agreement (r=0.9669) in plasma samples of 10 methyl bromide workers.A study to determine bromide ion concentration in 39 methyl bromide workers was made and the results were compared with those observed in 100 workers (control group) not exposed to methyl bromide. The analytical result of the methyl bromide workers was 6.9±4.9 μg/ml and that of the control group was 3.7±1.5 μg/ml, demonstrating a highly significant difference (p<0.005) between the bromide ion concentration in plasma of the methyl bromide workers and that of the control group.This method can be said to be useful in biological monitoring of methyl bromide exposure.
Controlled Release Strategies for Bone, Cartilage, and Osteochondral Engineering—Part I: Recapitulation of Native Tissue Healing and Variables for the Design of Delivery Systems (2012)

The potential of growth factors to stimulate tissue healing through the enhancement of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation is undeniable. However, critical parameters on the design of adequate carriers, such as uncontrolled spatiotemporal presence of bioactive factors, inadequate release profiles, and supraphysiological dosages of growth factors, have impaired the translation of these systems onto clinical practice. This review describes the healing cascades for bone, cartilage, and osteochondral interface, highlighting the role of specific growth factors for triggering the reactions leading to tissue regeneration. Critical criteria on the design of carriers for controlled release of bioactive factors are also reported, focusing on the need to provide a spatiotemporal control over the delivery and presentation of these molecules.
Altered Ca2+ Homeostasis and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Muscle Cells (2013)

The pathogenesis of Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is linked to unstable CTG repeats in the DMPK gene which induce the mis-splicing to fetal/neonatal isoforms of many transcripts, including those involved in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Here we monitored the splicing of three genes encoding for Ca2+ transporters and channels (RyR1, SERCA1 and CACN1S) during maturation of primary DM1 muscle cells in parallel with the functionality of the Excitation-Contraction (EC) coupling machinery. At 15 days of differentiation, fetal isoforms of SERCA1 and CACN1S mRNA were significantly higher in DM1 myotubes compared to controls. Parallel functional studies showed that the cytosolic Ca2+ response to depolarization in DM1 myotubes did not increase during the progression of differentiation, in contrast to control myotubes. While we observed no differences in the size of intracellular Ca2+ stores, DM1 myotubes showed significantly reduced RyR1 protein levels, uncoupling between the segregated ER/SR Ca2+ store and the voltage-induced Ca2+ release machinery, parallel with induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers. In conclusion, our data suggest that perturbed Ca2+ homeostasis, via activation of ER stress, contributes to muscle degeneration in DM1 muscle cells likely representing a premature senescence phenotype.
Process of Structural Transformation of Electrodeposited Amorphous Ni‐P Alloy by Heating (1991)

The process of structural transformation of electrodeposited amorphous Ni‐P alloy (hereafter referred to as a‐Ni‐P) was investigated. Heat‐treated a‐Ni‐P sample films were etched and examined with an optical microscope and three kinds of characteristic crystalline patterns were observed. Using an x‐ray diffractometer and a wavelength dispersive x‐ray spectroscope, they were identified as crystals containing Ni, crystals containing Ni, and and crystals containing Ni. Their existence ratios were obtained by measuring the areas of the respective crystalline patterns which appeared on the surface of the sample films. In addition, the existence ratios in the process of quantitative growths and disappearances of the crystals during heat‐treatment of electrodeposited a‐Ni‐P under constant heating rate were calculated as functions of temperature. It was confirmed that the results of calculations agree well with the quantitative measurements of crystal growths and disappearances in sample films.
Parallel Solution-Phase Synthesis and General Biological Activity of a Uridine Antibiotic Analog Library (2014)

A small library of ninety four uridine antibiotic analogs was synthesized, under the Pilot Scale Library (PSL) Program of the NIH Roadmap initiative, from amine 2 and carboxylic acids 33 and 77 in solution-phase fashion. Diverse aldehyde, sulfonyl chloride, and carboxylic acid reactant sets were condensed to 2, leading after acid-mediated hydrolysis, to the targeted compounds 3-32 in good yields and high purity. Similarly, treatment of 33 with diverse amines and sulfonamides gave 34-75. The coupling of the amino terminus of d-phenylalanine methyl ester to the free 5'-carboxylic acid moiety of 33 followed by sodium hydroxide treatment led to carboxylic acid analog 77. Hydrolysis of this material gave analog 78. The intermediate 77 served as the precursor for the preparation of novel dipeptidyl uridine analogs 79-99 through peptide coupling reactions to diverse amine reactants. None of the described compounds show significant anticancer or antimalarial acivity. A number of samples exhibited a variety of promising inhibitory, agonist, antagonist, or activator properties with enzymes and receptors in primary screens supplied and reported through the NIH MLPCN program.
A Reliable Registry for the Jgroup Distributed Object Model (1999)

S. All local authors can be reached via e-mail at the address last-name@cs.unibo.it. Questions and comments should be addressed to tr-admin@cs.unibo.it. Recent Titles from the UBLCS Technical Report Series 96-15 Jada: a Coordination Toolkit for Java, P. Ciancarini, D. Rossi, October 1996. 96-16 Fault Tolerance through View Synchrony in Partitionable Asynchronous Distributed Systems, A. Montresor, December 1996. 96-17 A Tutorial on EMPA: A Theory of Concurrent Processes with Nondeterminism, Priorities, Probabilities and Time, M. Bernardo, R. Gorrieri, December 1996 (Revised January 1997). 97-1 Partitionable Group Membership: Specification and Algorithms, O. Babao glu, R. Davoli, A. Montresor, January 1997. 97-2 A Truly Concurrent View of Linda Interprocess Communication, N. Busi, R. Gorrieri, G. Zavattaro, February 1997. 97-3 Knowledge-Level Speech Acts, M. Gaspari, March 1997. 97-4 An Algebra of Actors, M. Gaspari, G. Zavattaro, May 1997. 97-5 On the Turing Equivalence of Linda Coord...
An introduction to the mechanical properties of solid polymers (2004)

Preface. 1 Structure of Polymers. 2 The Deformation of an Elastic Solid. 3 Rubber-like Elasticity. 4 Principles of Linear Viscoelasticity. 5 The Measurement of Viscoelastic Behaviour. 6 Experimental Studies of Linear Viscoelastic Behaviour as a Function of Frequency and Temperature: Time-Temperature Equivalence. 7 Anisotropic Mechanical Behaviour. 8 Polymer Composites: Macroscale and Microscale. 9 Relaxation Transitions: Experimental Behaviour and Molecular Interpretation. 10 Creep, Stress Relaxation and Non-linear Viscoelasticity. 11 Yielding and Instability in Polymers. 12 Breaking Phenomena. Appendix 1. Appendix 2. Answers to Problems. Index.
DC-SIGN Mediates Binding of Dendritic Cells to Authentic Pseudo-LewisY Glycolipids of Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae, the First Parasite-specific Ligand of DC-SIGN (2005)

During schistosomiasis, parasite-derived glycoconjugates play a key role in manipulation of the host immune response, associated with persistence of the parasite. Among the candidate host receptors that are triggered by glycoconjugates are C-type lectins (CLRs) on dendritic cells (DCs), which in concerted action with Toll-like receptors determine the balance in DCs between induction of immunity versus tolerance. Here we report that the CLR DC-SIGN mediates adhesion of DCs to authentic glycolipids derived from Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and their excretory/secretory products. Structural characterization of the glycolipids, in combination with solid phase and cellular binding studies revealed that DC-SIGN binds to the carbohydrate moieties of both glycosphingolipid species with Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc (Lewis(X)) and Fucalpha1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc (pseudo-Lewis(Y)) determinants. Importantly, these data indicate that surveying DCs in the skin may encounter schistosome-derived glycolipids immediately after infection. Recent analysis of crystals of the carbohydrate binding domain of DC-SIGN bound to Lewis(X) provided insight into the ability of DC-SIGN to bind fucosylated ligands. Using molecular modeling we showed that the observed binding of the schistosome-specific pseudo-Lewis(Y) to DC-SIGN is not directly compatible with the model described. To fit pseudo-Lewis(Y) into the model, the orientation of the side chain of Phe(313) in the secondary binding site of DC-SIGN was slightly changed, which results in a perfect stacking of Phe(313) with the hydrophobic side of the galactose-linked fucose of pseudo-Lewis(Y). We propose that pathogens such as S. mansoni may use the observed flexibility in the secondary binding site of DC-SIGN to target DCs, which may contribute to immune escape.
The <i>daf‐2</i> gene network for longevity regulates oxidative stress resistance and Mn‐superoxide dismutase gene expression in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> (1999)

Longevity is regulated by the daf-2 gene network in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mutations in the daf-2 gene, which encodes a member of the insulin receptor family, confer the life extension (Age) phenotype and the constitutive dauer (a growth-arrested larval form specialized for dispersal) formation phenotype. The Age phenotype is mutually potentiated by two life extension mutations in the daf-2 gene and the clk-1 gene, a homologue of yeast CAT5/COQ7 known to regulate ubiquinone biosynthesis. In this study, we demonstrated that the daf-2 mutation also conferred an oxidative stress resistance (Oxr) phenotype, which was also enhanced by the clk-1 mutation. Similar to the Age phenotype, the Oxr phenotype was regulated by the genetic pathway of insulin-like signaling from daf-2 to the daf-16 gene, a homologue of the HNF-3/forkhead transcription factor. These findings led us to examine whether the insulin-like signaling pathway regulates the gene expression of antioxidant defense enzymes. We found that the mRNA level of the sod-3 gene, which encodes Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), was much higher in daf-2 mutants than in the wild type. Moreover, the increased sod-3 gene expression phenotype is regulated by the insulin-like signaling pathway. Although the clk-1 mutant itself did not display Oxr and the increased sod-3 expression phenotypes, the clk-1 mutation enhanced them in the daf-2 mutant, suggesting that clk-1 is involved in longevity in two ways: clk-1 composes the original clk-1 longevity program and the daf-2 longevity program. These observations suggest that the daf-2 gene network controls longevity by regulating the Mn-SOD-associated antioxidant defense system. This system appears to play a role in efficient life maintenance at the dauer stage.
A neural network model for the development of simple and complex cell receptive fields within cortical maps of orientation and ocular dominance (1998)

Prenatal development of the primary visual cortex leads to simple cells with spatially distinct and oriented ON and OFF subregions. These simple cells are organized into spatial maps of orientation and ocular dominance that exhibit singularities, fractures, and linear zones. On a finer spatial scale, simple cells occur that are sensitive to similar orientations but opposite contrast polarities, and exhibit both even-symmetric and odd-symmetric receptive fields. Pooling of outputs from oppositely polarized simple cells leads to complex cells that respond to both contrast polarities. A neural network model is described which simulates how simple and complex cells self-organize starting from unsegregated and unoriented geniculocortical inputs during prenatal development. Neighboring simple cells that are sensitive to opposite contrast polarities develop from a combination of spatially short-range inhibition and high-gain recurrent habituative excitation between cells that obey membrane equations. Habituation, or depression, of synapses controls reset of cell activations both through enhanced ON responses and OFF antagonistic rebounds. Orientation and ocular dominance maps form when high-gain medium-range recurrent excitation and long-range inhibition interact with the short-range mechanisms. The resulting structure clarifies how simple and complex cells contribute to perceptual processes such as texture segregation and perceptual grouping.
Finding Useful Questions: On Bayesian Diagnosticity, Probability, Impact, and Information Gain. (2005)

Several norms for how people should assess a question's usefulness have been proposed, notably Bayesian diagnosticity, information gain (mutual information), Kullback-Liebler distance, probability gain (error minimization), and impact (absolute change). Several probabilistic models of previous experiments on categorization, covariation assessment, medical diagnosis, and the selection task are shown to not discriminate among these norms as descriptive models of human intuitions and behavior. Computational optimization found situations in which information gain, probability gain, and impact strongly contradict Bayesian diagnosticity. In these situations, diagnosticity's claims are normatively inferior. Results of a new experiment strongly contradict the predictions of Bayesian diagnosticity. Normative theoretical concerns also argue against use of diagnosticity. It is concluded that Bayesian diagnosticity is normatively flawed and empirically unjustified.
Image reconstruction algorithm for electrical capacitance tomography based on radial basis function neural network (2005)

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) technique is a new technique for two-phase flow measurement. This paper describes the basic principles of ECT. Forward and inverse problem of ECT are analyzed in detail. The conventional image reconstruction algorithm, i.e., linear back projection algorithm has been given. Then, the new image reconstruction algorithm for ECT based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network has been presented. Using the measurement data obtained from the ECT simulation software developed by the author, the reconstructed images were obtained. Results indicate that RBF neural network is suitable for solving the nonlinear problem of ECT image reconstruction. Comparing with linear back projection algorithm, this algorithm has advantages of higher accuracy.
Transport ATPases in the erythrocytes of rats acclimatized to intermittent altitude hypoxia. (1986)

The activity of Na+/K+- and Ca2+-ATPase and some allosteric properties of Na+/K+-ATPase were studied in whole erythrocytes and their membrane preparations (ghosts) from rats exposed to intermittent altitude hypoxia (10 and 24 exposures, 8 h/day in an altitude chamber, stepwise up to an altitude of 7,000 m). Ca2+-ATPase activity was increased both in whole erythrocytes and ghosts after the first phase of acclimatization (10 exposures). In a standard incubation medium (containing 3 mmol.l-1 MgCl2 ), Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the ghosts was also increased after the initial phase of acclimatization whereas in whole erythrocytes Na+/K+-ATPase was only decreased in the regression phase. At high MgCl2 concentrations (12 mmol.l-1) changes of Na+/K+-ATPase activity both in whole erythrocytes and in the ghosts followed similar time course with a pronounced increase in the first phase of acclimatization (10 exposures) followed by an abrupt drop (24 exposures) and then by a gradual normalization in the regression phase. Sensitivity of the enzyme to mounting MgCl2 concentrations was increased in the ghosts at the end of acclimatization and was decreased in whole erythrocytes during acclimatization and especially in the regression phase. It has been suggested that chronic altitude hypoxia leads to the alteration of cooperative interaction of the Na+/K+-ATPase subunits in the erythrocyte membrane and accumulation of some factor in the cells inhibiting this enzyme.
Deoxycytidine excretion by mouse peritoneal macrophages: Its implication in modulation of immunological functions (1982)

Pyrimidine excretion by macrophages was studied in order to identify the potential immunoregulatory effector molecules. Deoxycytidine was found in the culture medium of thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages, along with thymidine, which was shown by others to be a possible immunoregulatory substance. The identification of deoxycytidine was based on: (1) cochromatography with the authentic compound in four different solvents, (2) UV absorption spectral analysis, and (3) the enzymatic peak shift method. Phagocytosis of nucleated chicken erythrocytes, but not enucleated sheep erythrocytes, increased deoxycytidine excretion. The macrophages lacked both deoxycytidine kinase and deoxycytidine deaminase, which is consistent with their excretory pattern. Since it has been known that deoxycytidine can protect cells against cytotoxic effects of thymidine, we propose that deoxycytidine has a role in preventing immunosuppression by thimidine. In patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency, however, immunosuppression caused by combined toxicity of thymidine and deoxyadenosine may not be adequately prevented by deoxycytidine.
Complex adaptive systems: concepts and power industry applications (1997)

Research in complex adaptive systems (CAS) has begun to achieve an understanding of complexity in natural systems as a phenomenon that emerges from the interaction of multiple, simple, but adaptive, agents. The computer experiments, or simulations, used in this research have led to the development of mathematical and computational techniques that are equally applicable to the design of distributed control systems based on the model of a complex system composed of multiple, autonomous, intelligent agents, competing and cooperating in the context of the whole system's environment. The electric power grid, made up of many, geographically dispersed components, is itself a CAS that can exhibit global change almost instantaneously as a result of local actions. The new availability of very high voltage active control devices makes the grid a prime candidate to benefit from a distributed control system based on the CAS model. Such a control system for the grid may be not only useful, but necessary, in order to make feasible the current worldwide trend toward free competition in electric power, which, carried to its ultimate extreme, requires the substitution of coordination by individual agents in a free market for centralized control from a single command site. Using autonomous, adaptive agents to model and simulate the corporate entities, involved in this free competition, can also evolve new business strategies for internal reorganization, external partnerships, and market penetration.