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Human calbindin D-28k is a Ca2+ binding protein that has been implicated in the protection of cells against apoptosis. In this study, the structural and functional significance of the five cysteine residues present in this protein have been investigated through a series of cystein e-to-serine mutations. The mutants were studied under relevant physiological redox potentials in which conformational
A second species of the hitherto monotypic genus Microdonophagus Schauff is described as Microdonophagus levis sp. nov. The species is described from material collected at La Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica. Unlike the previously described species, Microdonophagus woodleyi Schauff, it is described from females only and the biology is not known. The addition of a second species of M
We recently finemapped a type 1 diabetes (T1D)-linked region on chromosome 21, indicating that one or more T1D-linked genes exist in this region with 33 annotated genes. In the current study, we have taken a novel approach using transcriptional profiling in predicting and prioritizing the most likely candidate genes influencing beta-cell function in this region. Two array-based approaches were use
Phosphoinositides (PIs) constitute a minor fraction of total cellular lipids in all eukaryotic cells. They fulfill many important functions through interaction with a wide range of cellular proteins. Members of distinct inositol lipid kinase families catalyze the synthesis of these phospholipids from phosphatidylinositol. The hydrolysis of PIs involves phosphatases and isoforms of PI-specific phos
Effects of annual variation in rainfall, temperature and humidity on flowering abundance of eight temperate woodland plants (Anemone nemorosa, Cardamine bulbifera, Lamiastrum galeobdolon,Oxalis acetosella , Ranunculus ficaria, Stellaria holostea, Viola reichenbachiana and Viola riviniana) were studied during 12 consecutive years (1989–2000) in a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) forest in southeast Swed
Sapflow density was measured in six stands in a boreal forest in central Sweden, to assess its dependence on soil moisture and stand characteristics. The stands were mixed and pure Scots pine and Norway spruce stands, which were between 34 and 105 years old. Sapflow was measured in 12 trees per stand using the Granier method during two contrasting growing seasons; one warm and dry and one wet and
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. A major feature of pneumococcal pneumonia is an abundant neutrophil infiltration . It was recently shown that activated neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which contain antimicrobial proteins bound to a DNA scaffold. NETs provide a h
Diffusion of medical technology and the growing proportion of elderly people in the population are generally regarded as major contributors to the increasing health care expenditure in the industrialised world. This study explores the importance of one specific factor in this process, the change in the use of technology among elderly patients. In some instances, a new technology is first used amon
Many fish depend primarily on their tail beat for propulsion. Such a tail is commonly modeled as a two-dimensional flapping foil. Here we demonstrate a novel experimental setup of such a foil that heaves and pitches in a soap film. The vortical flow field generated by the foil correlates with thickness variations in the soap film, which appear as interference fringes when the film is illuminated w
A method is introduced for quantitative detection of cell surface protein expression. The method is based on immunocytochemistry, the use of long decay time europium(III) chelate and platinum(II) porphyrin labels, and detection of photoluminescence emission from adhered cells by time-resolved fluorimetry. After immunocytochemistry, the assay wells are evaporated to dryness and measured in the dry
Background: The early diastolic downward slope (EDS) of the left atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) is a parameter of early left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling, particularly useful in revealing pseudonormalisation of the transmitral Doppler early to atrial (E/A) ratio. In recent studies LV early diastolic function seems to be closely linked to LV systolic function. In order to further
The aim of this study was to investigate the use of various pain relief methods among older people in chronic pain and in need of help to manage activities of daily living. People who reported pain and were in need of help to manage activities of daily living were included in the study. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Swedish version and a modified version of the Pain Management Inventory were
An exact theoretical framework based on Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) is proposed in order to deal with the time-dependent quantum transport in fully interacting systems. We use a partition-free approach by Cini in which the whole system is in equilibrium before an external electric field is switched on. Our theory includes the interactions between the leads and between the lead
Fourteen 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in pairs in standard cages (5 controls) and in individual cages with a running wheel. Four of these rats had run 27-36 km/week (low training-LT) and 5 had run 56-92 km/week (high training-HT). After 4 weeks, the rats were euthanized and Achilles tendons were fixed for electron microscopy. The ultrastructural distribution of cartilage oligomeric m
Sputum samples from 25 patients with bronchiectasis were assayed enzymatically for myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and cathepsin B, and immunologically for cystatin A, cystatin B, cystatin C, cystatin S and kininogen. High myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase levels were found in those sputum samples that were assessed visually to be purulent. These samples were also found to contain high
The breeding biology of great tits (Parus major) was studied in two forests of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) on the west coast of Portugal, 200 km apart: Leiria (north) and Apostica (south). These two forests are located in a transition zone between Atlantic climate in the north, and Mediterranean climate in the south. Breeding onset was, on average, in the second and third week of March, which a
