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Inactivation of the hormone-sensitive lipase gene (HSL) confers male sterility with a major defect in spermatogenesis. Several forms of HSL are expressed in testis. HSLtes mRNA and protein are found in early and elongated spermatids, respectively. The other forms are expressed in diploid germ cells and interstitial cells of the testis. To determine whether the absence of the testis-specific form o

The near-field characteristics of a turbulent jet with moderate swirl generated by a fully developed, axially rotating pipe flow are investigated with LDV, time-resolved stereoscopic PIV measurements, as well as with large-eddy simulations. Large-scale vortical structures in either double, triple or even quadruple-helix configuration are found at the pipe exit but rapidly break down or amalgamate

Glucose-evoked insulin secretion exhibits a biphasic time course and is associated with accelerated intracellular granule movement. We combined live confocal imaging of EGFP-labelled insulin granules with capacitance measurements of exocytosis in clonal INS-1 cells to explore the relation between distinct random and directed modes of insulin granule movement, as well as exocytotic capacity. Reduci

We investigated whether exposure to heavy metal pollution affected the immune function of individuals in a free living population of a small insectivorous passerine bird, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. We measured humoral immune responses in two study areas: a polluted area in the vicinity of a copper smelter and a control area far from the smelter. Plasma corticosterone level and blood h

Amyloidogenic proteins like cystatin C and prion proteins have been shown to form dimers by exchange of subdomains of the monomeric proteins. This process, called "three-dimensional domain swapping," has also been suggested to play a part in the generation of amyloid fibrils. One variant of cystatin C, L68Q cystatin C, is highly amyloidogenic, and persons carrying the corresponding gene suffer fro

Objectives: In mammals, the postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract is characterized by vast structural and functional changes. Using a suckling rat model, we investigated whether red kidney bean lectin, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a potent gut mitogen in adult rats, can accelerate the growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: At either 10 or 14 days of age, suckling

The study includes partitioning of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems consisting of the polymer dextran and the non-ionic surfactant C12E5 (pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether). In this system a micelle-enriched phase is in equilibrium with a polymer-enriched phase. Charges can be introduced into the micelles by the addition of charged surfactants. The charge of the mixed micelles is easi

Interactions between transmembrane helices play a key role in almost all cellular processes involving membrane proteins. We have investigated helix-helix interactions in lipid bilayers with synthetic tryptophan-flanked peptides that mimic the membrane spanning parts of membrane proteins. The peptides were functionalized with pyrene to allow the self-association of the helices to be monitored by py

We report the first experimental measurements and theoretical calculations for the hyperfine splitting of the 3d(5) 4s ground state of Mn II. The hyperfine structure constants were determined using Fourier transform spectroscopy with a hollow cathode discharge lamp. The uncertainties in the magnetic dipole constants, A, are between 3 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-4) cm(-1). Extensive configuration interact

Immunization of mice with type II collagen (CII), a cartilage-restricted protein, leads to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CIA symptoms consist of an erosive joint inflammation caused by an autoimmune attack, mediated by both T and B lymphocytes. CD4+ alphabeta T cells play a central role in CIA, both by helping B cells to produce anti-CII antibodies, and b

Inter-atrial conduction delay in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported. However, the area of this conduction delay has not been well identified. The activation time and conduction velocity over the right atrial endocardium were evaluated during sinus rhythm using the CARTO mapping technique in 6 patients with paroxysmal AF (AF group) and 11 patients without history of AF (contro

New cancer treatments should aim to destroy tumor cells without disturbing normal tissue. HAMLET (human a-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) offers a new molecular approach to solving this problem, because it induces apoptosis in tumor cells but leaves normal differentiated cells unaffected. After partial unfolding and binding to oleic acid, α-lactalbumin forms the HAMLET complex, which enter

A high respiratory rate associated with the use of small tidal volumes, recommended for acute lung injury (ALI), shortens time for gas diffusion in the alveoli. This may decrease CO2 elimination. We hypothesized that a postinspiratory pause could enhance CO2 elimination and reduce PaCO2 by reducing dead space in ALI. In 15 mechanically ventilated patients with ALI and hypercapnia, a 20% postinspir

The imaging properties of optimally designed planar-concave (PC) collimators were evaluated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The evaluation was done with respect to total system spatial resolution and the overall image noise distribution in single-photon emission tomography. The results showed that the non-isotropy with PC collimators, assessed by the ratio of the full-width at half-maximum in

Aim. Several studies have shown a negative correlation between cancer and atopy-related diseases. There are also a few reports of a positive relationship. We wanted to further evaluate these relationships in a prospective study. Subjects and methods. The incidence of malignant diseases among adult patients with atopy-related diseases (asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, eczema etc; n=13811), who had been

In this paper we argue that Long Wave Theory provides a useful conceptual tool for understanding the transition from the industrial to the, post-industrial economy. While economic theories struggle to fully explain the structural changes involved in the shift towards the information economy, long wave theory offers a promising avenue for understanding the complex relationship between technology an

The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of different endogenous and exogenous factors associated with cirrhosis development among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive individuals from an area of low prevalence. We studied 106 consecutive HCV RNA positive patients who had undergone liver biopsy. Each patient was assessed with special attention to risk factors for hepatitis C infection, ave

Background: Research about interactions between family members and staff are sparse, although family members’ needs and experiences in intensive care units are well researched areas. Aim: The aim was to describe and interpret interactions between family members and staff in intensive care units. Methods: Interviews (n=24) with family members and repeated observations of interactions of family me

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of 2-R-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (R = H, methyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, amino, phenyl, benzyl) were studied experimentally and by time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. In acidic media a substantial red shift is observed due to the presence of conjugate acid forms. Two conjugate acid forms (3H and 4H) are possible for unsymmetrically su