julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Transforming Growth Factor β Regulates Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein Expression in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells through a Novel Smad/Ets Synergism
2001-12-01

The majority of breast cancers metastasizing to bone secrete parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). PTHrP induces local osteolysis that leads to activation of bone matrix-borne transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta). In turn, TGF beta stimulates PTHrP expression and, thereby, accelerates bone destruction. We studied the mechanism by which TGF beta activates PTHrP in invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that TGF beta 1 up-regulates specifically the level of PTHrP P3 promoter-derived RNA in an actinomycin D-sensitive fashion. Transient transfection studies revealed that TGF beta 1 and its effector Smad3 are able to activate the P3 promoter. This effect depended upon an AGAC box and a previously described Ets binding site. Addition of Ets1 greatly enhanced the Smad3/TGF beta-mediated activation. Ets2 had also some effect, whereas other Ets proteins, Elf-1, Ese-1, and Erf-1, failed to cooperate with Smad3. In comparison, Ets1 did not increase Smad3/TGF beta-induced stimulation of the TGF beta-responsive plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) promoter. Smad3 and Smad4 were able to specifically interact with the PTHrP P3-AGAC box and to bind to the P3 promoter together with Ets1. Inhibition of endogenous Ets1 expression by calphostin C abrogated TGF beta-induced up-regulation of the P3 transcript, whereas it did not affect the TGF beta effect on PAI expression. In TGF beta receptor II- and Ets1-deficient, noninvasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells, TGF beta 1 neither influenced endogenous PTHrP expression nor stimulated the PTHrP P3 promoter. These data suggest that TGF beta activates PTHrP expression by specifically up-regulating transcription from the PTHrP P3 promoter through a novel Smad3/Ets1 synergism.
Peripheral Artery Occlusion: Treatment with Abciximab plus Urokinase versus with Urokinase Alone— A Randomized Pilot Trial (the PROMPT Study)
2001-12-01

In patients with lower extremity arterial occlusion who were undergoing urokinase thrombolysis, adjunctive abciximab treatment resulted in faster thrombus dissolution and improved amputation-free survival, despite an increase in major bleeding.
Fatal Myocarditis Associated with Acute Parvovirus B19 and Human Herpesvirus 6 Coinfection
2001-12-01

ABSTRACT We report on the case of a healthy young boy who developed a fulminant myocarditis due to acute coinfection with erythrovirus (parvovirus B19) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in the absence of an antiviral immune response. We suggest that the HHV-6-induced immunosuppression enhanced dissemination of parvovirus B19, which led to fatal myocarditis.
Pharmaceutical applications of supercritical carbon dioxide.
2001-12-01

The appearance of a supercritical state was already observed at the beginning of the 19th century. Nevertheless, the industrial extraction of plant and other natural materials started about twenty years ago with the decaffeination of coffee. Today carbon dioxide is the most common gas for supercritical fluid extraction in food and pharmaceutical industry. Since pure supercritical carbon dioxide is a lipophilic solvent, mixtures with organic solvents, especially alcohols, are used to increase the polarity of the extraction fluid; more polar compounds can be extracted in this way. The main fields of interest are the extraction of vegetable oils from plant material in analytical and preparative scale, the preparation of essential oils for food and cosmetic industry and the isolation of substances of pharmaceutical relevance. Progress in research was made by the precise measurement of phase equilibria data by means of different methods. Apart from extraction, supercritical fluid chromatography was introduced in the field of analytics, as well as micro- and nanoparticle formation using supercritical fluids as solvent or antisolvent. This review presents pharmaceutical relevant literature of the last twenty years with special emphasis on extraction of natural materials.
Nanoscale Lateral Field-Emission Triode Operating at Atmospheric Pressure
2001-12-01

A nano-triode fabricated out of doped silicon-on-insulator material is demonstrated. Low turn-on voltages and the possibility of direct integration into existing silicon technology are but two of the advantages of these new devices. It is also possible to tune the current collected at the drain electrode by biasing the gate electrodes. The Figure depicts a scanning electron micrograph of the free-standing silicon nanostructure.
Pharmacokinetics of therapeutic doses of tropisetron in healthy volunteers
2001-12-01

Aims To establish the bioavailability of tropisetron (5 mg) administered orally as capsule compared with 2 mg given intravenously. Methods Using a randomized crossover design, 18 healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of tropisetron (5 mg) and an intravenous bolus of tropisetron (2 mg) separated by a wash‐out period of 1 week. Plasma concentrations of tropisetron were determined by h.p.l.c. and the pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Results The mean pharmacokinetic parameters for 5 mg tropisetron given orally were C max 3.46 ng ml −1 , t max 2.6 h, t 1/2 5.7 h and AUC(0,∞) 32.9 ng ml −1 h. After intravenous administration initial plasma concentration was 15.1 ng ml −1 , t 1/2 5.6 h, AUC(0,∞) 20.7 ng ml −1 h, V 678 l and CL 1800 ml min −1 . An inverse correlation was demonstrated between CYP2D6 activity, measured by the sparteine metabolic ratio, and the bioavailability (mean 0.60, range 0.27–0.99) of oral tropisetron. Conclusions Tropisetron exhibits a wide range of oral bioavailability at therapeutic doses, which is mainly determined by CYP2D6 activity.
The Protein-Tyrosine-Phosphatase SHP2 Is Phosphorylated on Serine Residues 576 and 591 by Protein Kinase C Isoforms α, β1, β2, and η
2001-12-01

To study whether protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms can interact with protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (PTPs) which are connected to the insulin signaling pathway, we co-overexpressed PKC isoforms together with insulin receptor, docking proteins, and the PTPs SHP1 and SHP2 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. After phorbol ester induced activation of PKC isoforms alpha, beta 1, beta 2, and eta, we could show a defined gel mobility shift of SHP2, indicating phosphorylation on serine/threonine residues. This phosphorylation was not dependent on insulin receptor or insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) overexpression and did not occur for the closely related phosphatase SHP1. Furthermore, PKC phosphorylation of SHP2 was completely blocked by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide and was not detectable when SHP2 was co-overexpressed with kinase negative mutants of PKC beta 1 and -beta 2. The phosphorylation also occurred on endogenous SHP2 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably overexpressing PKC beta 2. Using point mutants of SHP2, we identified serine residues 576 and 591 as phosphorylation sites for PKC. However, no change of phosphatase activity by TPA treatment was detected in an in vitro assay. In summary, SHP2 is phosphorylated on serine residues 576 and 591 by PKC isoforms alpha, beta 1, beta 2, and eta.
Exploring the Latent Structure of the Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, and Physical Anhedonia Scales in a German Sample
2001-12-01

The schizotypy model proposed by Meehl (1990) assumes a discontinuous distribution of schizophrenia liability. The "schizogene" is thought to determine if one is at risk for psychosis (i.e., whether one is a member of the taxon or its complement, which are considered to be the two latent classes). Using a German non-student sample (n = 809) we wanted to (1) replicate the results of prior research pertaining to the latent structure and base rate of schizotypy assessed by the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PER; Chapman, Chapman, & Raulin, 1978), and (2) investigate whether the same holds true for two other prominent psychometric indices, the Magical Ideation Scale (MI; Eckblad & Chapman, 1983) and the Physical Anhedonia Scale (PhA; Chapman et al., 1976), if one uses the same kind of analysis--the MAXCOV-HITMAX analysis based on subsets of items (Meehl, 1973). Pertaining to PER and PhA, our results are in accordance with prior research showing a latent class structure and a base rate of about 12% for schizotypy. However, for MI, there was no evidence of a taxonic structure. Possible reasons for MI's negative results are discussed as well as the role of the concept "anhedonia."
Rate-dependent activation of a prefrontal-insular-cerebellar network during passive listening to trains of click stimuli: an fMRI study
2001-12-01

Eight volunteers underwent fMRI during passive listening to click trains. Using a parametric approach, rate-response profiles across the frequency band considered (2-6 Hz) were determined. Several cerebral structures outside the central-auditory pathways and target areas displayed distinct activation patterns each: rate-response profiles resembling high-pass (left side) or low-pass filtered (right side) signal series emerged at the level of the anterior insula, band-pass like characteristics (center frequency: 3-4 Hz) were observed within the left inferior frontal gyrus, and click train rates > 4 Hz yielded enhanced activation of the right cerebellar hemisphere. A variety of clinical and experimental data indicate that the left and right cerebral hemispheres act as high- and low-pass filters, respectively, on auditory input (double filtering by frequency theory). In light of the present fMRI data, the anterior insula contributes to the assumed double filtering by frequency functions. Furthermore, these intrasylvian areas seem to join up with the right cerebellum and the left inferior frontal gyrus to a network subserving parsing/timing functions within the auditory-verbal domain.
Quasi-periodic Oscillation in Seyfert Galaxies: Significance Levels. The Case of Markarian 766
2001-12-01

We discuss methods to compute significance levels for the existence of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) which take the red-noise character of the X-ray lightcurves of these objects into account. Applying epoch folding and periodogram analysis to the XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 766, a possible QPO at a timescale of 4200s has been reported. Our computation of the significance of this QPO, however, shows that the 4200s peak is not significant at the 95% level. We conclude that the 4200s feature is an artifact of the red-noise process and not the result of a physical process within the Active Galactic Nuclei.
VARIATIONS OF SULFUR ISOTOPES, TRACE ELEMENT COMPOSITIONS, ANDCATHODOLUMINESCENCE OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE Pb-Zn ORES FROM THE DRAU RANGE,EASTERN ALPS (SLOVENIA-AUSTRIA): IMPLICATIONS FOR ORE DEPOSITION ON AREGIONAL VERSUS MICROSCALE
2001-12-01

The sulfur isotope composition of sulfide ore minerals of the Drau Range varies considerably, down to centimeter-scale variations, both on a regional and a local scale. Broadly scattering δ 34S values, ranging between +2 and –25 per mil with a mean around –17 per mil, are probably related to both local bacteriogenic and thermal reduction of Late Triassic marine sulfate. The 34S is typically more depleted in ore deposited in subtidal carbonate rocks than in the economic Zn and Pb ore, preferably deposited within intratidal carbonate host rock. The 34S/32S ratio increases on the order of FeS2 < PbS < ZnS, which reflects disequilibrium and low-temperature formation. The strong depletion of 34S in botryoidal sphalerite, ranging between –24 and –32 per mil, appears to be correlated with the crystal mode (wurtzite-sphalerite fibers) and the enrichment of the trace elements Fe, As, Tl, and Ge. Sphalerite generations of specific cathodoluminescense, color, and closely related trace element composition are correlated district-wide. A decrease of the trace elements Fe, As, Tl, and Ge in the sphalerite generations is coeval with a minor depletion of 34S in the range of –3 and –12 per mil for δ 34S values in several hand specimens. Variations in δ 34S values and trace element zonation on a regional to local scale indicates mixing of local sulfur sources with a regional metal-rich brine. However, distinct peaks in some ore deposits and more positive δ 34S values of between –5 and –10 per mil are also compatible with derivation of the sulfur from basement rocks. The enrichment of the trace element Cu in orange-luminescing sphalerite negatively correlated with Fe, As, Tl, and Ge and, therefore, strongly suggests leaching of copper from Late Permian to Early Triassic continental red beds. Frequent evaporites in this stratigraphic section might have supplied sulfur of relatively heavy isotopic composition to the brine. Hence, some sulfur may also have been transported with a metal-rich brine.
Time independence of the prognostic impact of tumor cell detection in the bone marrow of primary breast cancer patients.
2001-12-01

TCD remains an independent prognostic factor The impact of TCD does not change with longer follow-up time. TCD is a reliable prognostic factor and provides important information about the process of metastasis.
Production of ω mesons in proton–proton collisions
2001-12-01

The cross section for the production of mesons in proton-proton collisions has been measured in a previously unexplored region of incident energies. Cross sections were extracted at 92 MeV and 173 MeV excess energy, respectively. The angular distribution of the at =173 MeV is strongly anisotropic, demonstrating the importance of partial waves beyond pure s-wave production at this energy.
Identification of the sigB Operon in Staphylococcus epidermidis : Construction and Characterization of a sigB Deletion Mutant
2001-12-01

ABSTRACT The role of the alternative sigma factor ς B in Staphylococcus epidermidis was investigated by the construction, complementation, and characterization of a sigB deletion mutant. Electrophoretic analyses confirmed a profound influence of ς B on the expression of exoproteins and cytoplasmic proteins. Detailed investigation revealed reduced lipase and enhanced protease activity in the ς B mutant. Furthermore, no significant influence of ς B on heterologous biofilm formation or on the activity of the global regulator agr was detected.
High Prevalence of Human Antibodies to Recombinant Duffy Binding-Like α Domains of the Plasmodium falciparum -Infected Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 in Semi-Immune Adults Compared to That in Nonimmune Children
2001-12-01

ABSTRACT We used a panel of nine fusion proteins that contain different Duffy binding-like α (DBL-α) domains of Plasmodium falciparum -infected erythrocyte membrane protein 1 to assess the levels of antibody activity in serum samples obtained from semi-immune or nonimmune individuals from Lambaréné, Gabon. Recognition was measured in terms of either the prevalence or the magnitude of the response. A strong correlation between the immune status of the patients and reactivity with recombinant proteins was observed, which was interpreted as a reflection of the number of infections acquired over time. The antibody responses were predominantly directed toward variable epitopes of the DBL-α domain. Antibody responses could be reduced by preincubation of the sera with various fusion proteins. A portion of individuals who exhibited high-level responses to all fusion proteins also had antibodies which recognized conserved epitopes. The possibility that a synergizing effect of anti-DBL-α domain antibodies could support chemotherapy is discussed.
Presence of kynurenic acid and kynurenine aminotransferases in the inner retina
2001-12-01

Kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs I and II) are pivotal to the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), the only known endogenous glutamate receptor antagonist and neuroprotectant. This study is the first to identify KYNA in the rat retina and to examine immunohistochemically the distribution of KAT isoforms. As determined by HPLC, KYNA concentration in the retina was 99.9 +/- 24.6 pmol/g wet wt. Immunohisto- chemical experiments showed that both KATs were present in the retina. KAT I was preferentially localised on Müller cell endfeet while KAT II was expressed in cells within the ganglion cell layer. In conclusion, KYNA is present and synthesised in the inner retina. This may suggest a modulatory role in glutamate-mediated retinal neurotransmission.
In Vitro Activities and Postantifungal Effects of the Potent Dolastatin 10 Derivative Auristatin PHE
2001-12-01

ABSTRACT The pentapeptide dolavaline-valine-dolaisoleuine-dolaproine-phenylalanine-methyl ester (auristatin PHE) is a derivative of the anticancer drug dolastatin 10 (dolavaline-valine-dolaisoleuine-dolaproine-dolaphenine). Broth microdilution assays with a wide variety of yeast and filamentous fungal species demonstrated the specificity of auristatin PHE for Cryptococcus neoformans and several species of Trichosporon . The duration of the postantifungal effect (PAFE) for C. neoformans was determined for exposure times ranging from 30 min to 2 h. For the derivative, a PAFE was detectable after 45 min of exposure. The effect plateaued after 1 h of exposure, with a PAFE of approximately 6.5 h at four or eight times the auristatin PHE MIC. In contrast, there was no measurable PAFE after 1 h of exposure to dolastatin 10. Human serum greatly prolonged the PAFE of auristatin PHE at eight times the MIC. Auristatin PHE arrested C. neoformans in the budding stage, possibly due to a tubulin-inhibitory action. Auristatin PHE has potential as a narrow-spectrum fungicidal agent and as a probe that can be used to study cryptococcal cell division.
Bactericidal effect of delmopinol on attached and planktonic Streptococcus sanguinis cells
2001-12-01

The aim of this investigation was to determine the antibacterial effect of varying concentrations of delmopinol‐HCl on attached as well as on planktonic Streptococcus sanguinis cells in vitro . In addition, a possible antiadhesive effect on attached micro‐organisms was to be investigated. S. sanguinis cells were allowed to attach to glass surfaces. These as well as planktonic cells were exposed to delmopinol‐HCl in concentrations ranging from 0.2% to 0.00005% for 2 min. The percentage of vital bacteria was calculated by means of a fluorescence staining method. Total counts of attached bacteria were performed to determine any possible detaching effect by the delmopinol‐HCl. The CFU were determined for the planktonic bacteria. Attached as well as planktonic bacteria showed a marked decrease in vitality following exposure to 0.2% delmopinol‐HCl. After exposure to 0.05% this was only the case with the attached microorganisms. The total number of attached bacteria was not reduced by the delmopinol treatment. During initial dental biofilm formation, delmopinol‐HCl causes a bactericidal effect when applied in concentrations of 0.05% and higher.
The effect of multiple source information on message scrutiny: The case of source expertise and likability1
2001-12-01

To test for the effect of multiple source information on message scrutiny, in a three-factorial experiment source likability, source expertise, and argument quality were manipulated independently. In line with predictions, results indicated heightened message scrutiny in the case of inconsistent as compared to consistent source information. Thus, argument quality affected attitudes and perceived argument strength only when the message was presented by a dislikable expert and a likable non-expert (inconsistent source information). Both measures were unaffected by argument quality when the message was presented by a likable expert and a dislikable non-expert (consistent source information). The role of multiple source information in persuasion is discussed.
The STELLA project: two 1.2m robotic telescopes for simultaneous high-resolution Echelle spectroscopy and imaging photometry
2001-12-01

We present an overview and a brief report on the status of the STELLA project (abbreviation for STELLar Activity). The STELLA-I telescope will be the first robotic telescope that feeds a bench-mounted high-resolution Echelle spectrograph with a set of 50 and 100 μm fibres and provides spectral resolutions of up to 47,000 with a 1 arcsec slit. The spectrograph is a white-pupil design located in a separated temperature-controlled room to guarantee long-term stability. The building will have a roll-off roof and is capable to host two telescopes. First light for STELLA-I is planned for summer 2002. STELLA-II is foreseen to be a photometric imaging telescope for the optical and near-infrared wavelengths and will follow in 2003.
Visibility Driven Rasterization
2001-12-01

We present a new visibility driven rasterization scheme that significantly increases the rendering performance of modern graphic subsystems. Instead of rasterizing, texturing, lighting, and depth‐testing each individual pixel, we introduce a two‐level visibility mask within the rasterization stage which facilitates the removal of groups of pixels and triangles from rasterization and subsequent pipeline stages. Local visibility information is stored within the visibility mask that is updated several times during the generation of a frame. The update can easily be accomplished by extending already available (in hardware) occlusion culling mechanisms (i.e. those of HP and SGI), where it is possible to integrate the additional functionality without any additional delay cycles. In addition to these existing hardware based occlusion culling approaches—which cull only geometry contained in bounding volumes determined as occluded —we are able to significantly accelerate the rendering of the geometry determined as visible . However, our approach does not specifically rely on such occlusion culling hardware.The proposed new rasterization scheme is well suited for hardware implementation, can easily be integrated into low‐cost rasterizers, and its scalability can vary upon available chip real estate. Only incremental modifications of modern graphics subsystems are required to achieve a significant improvement in rendering performance.
The Effects of Postmenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and Oral Contraceptives on the Endogenous Estradiol Metabolism
2001-12-01

The estradiol metabolism may be of clinical relevance in the pathophysiology of various diseases; the increase in D-ring metabolites over A-ring metabolites in breast cancer patients is of special interest. Since estrogen therapy has been blamed for increasing the risk of breast cancer, the effects of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraception were investigated on the ratio of the main D-ring metabolite, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16-OHE1), to the main A-ring metabolite, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1). In our study, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women consisted of administration of estradiol valerate either with or without addition of the progestin dienogest. In the second part of the study, women of reproductive age received ethinylestradiol plus dienogest or ethinylestradiol plus norethisterone acetate as oral contraceptives (OC). 2-OHE1 and 16-OHE1 were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 8 h night-urine collected before and after 3 months of hormone administration. With HRT, that is, estradiol valerate or estradiol valerate plus dienogest, the ratios before treatment were 0.47 and 0.60; after 3 months, they were 0.54 and 0.52, respectively. There were no significant differences. With oral contraception, that is, ethinylestradiol plus dienogest or norethisterone acetate, the ratios before administration were 0.62 and 0.68, vs. 0.31 and 0.54 after 3 months, respectively. The ratio after ethinylestradiol and dienogest was significantly lower after treatment. HRT and OC in the estrogen-progestin combinations tested did not impose any negative effects on estradiol metabolism--they did not elicit a higher D-ring metabolism, which is considered to increase breast cancer risk.