1. The uptake of [3H] adenosine into specific populations of cells in the inner retina has been demonstrated. In mammalian retina, the exogenous adenosine that is transported into cells is phosphorylated, thereby maintaining a gradient for transport of the purine into the cell. 2. Endogenous stores of adenosine have been demonstrated by localization of cells that are labeled for adenosine-like imm

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) has been increasingly promoted as a key measure to mitigate heat stress in cities caused by the urban heat island effect and climate change impacts, including climate variability and extremes. However, comparable information concerning the performance of different UGI types to moderate such impacts is mostly lacking. This creates serious challenges for urban planne

Misfolding and aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) are key features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, but the molecular events controlling this process are not known in detail. In vivo, Aβ aggregation and plaque formation occur in the interstitial fluid of the brain extracellular matrix. This fluid communicates freely with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Here, we examined the effect of human CSF on A

Finite-element programs can be used for designing columns and their bracing systems. It is well known, however, that the output obtained from such programs is highly dependent upon the input (such as imperfections and stiffness properties). In the present study, the effects of imperfections on the predicted strength and stiffness requirements of steel columns and of their bracing systems are inves

The structural properties and thermodynamics of one- and two-component solutions of charged colloidal particles with explicit counterions have been investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. A boot-strap Poisson-Boltzmann (BSPB) theory has been developed to interpret these results and the accuracy of its predictions is compared with other existing theories. The BSPB was also used to predict the gas-l

Purpose: To study pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam (LEV) during pregnancy, delivery, lactation, and in the neonatal period. Methods: Fourteen women with epilepsy receiving LEV treatment during pregnancy and lactation contributed with 15 pregnancies to this prospective study in which LEV concentrations in plasma and breast milk were determined. Trough maternal plasma samples were collected each tr

OBJECTIVE: In heart failure, digitalis increases exercise capacity and reduces morbidity, but has no effect on survival. This raises the suspicion that the inotropic benefits of digitalis may be counteracted by serious adverse effects. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were studied to clarify this. DESIGN: In the Stroke Prevention using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation (SPORT

For disease-free postmenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer, a risk for relapse remains following 5 years of adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen. Additional therapy with tamoxifen beyond 5 years is not indicated due to a demonstrated lack of efficacy beyond this time frame. Thus, there is a need for other endocrine therapy options in the period beyond 5 years. The third-generation arom

Sertraline and paroxetine are frequently prescribed SSRIs for long-term treatment of major depression. Nevertheless, continuous follow-ups of drug concentrations prevailing in patients during the whole treatment period are not available. Hence, in a large phase IV clinical trial, a total of 353 patients with major depression were enrolled for a 6-month comparison of sertraline (50-150 mg daily) an

The PDE3 enzymes or "low Kin cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterases" have long been established as important mediators of cellular physiology, and synthetic PDE3 inhibitors have been critical to the delineation of the enzymes' roles. Yet despite decades of progress on the biology of these enzymes, the medicinal chemistry landscape relating to PDE3 inhibitors has remained essentially unchanged since the

Clearance of the amyloid-P peptide (A beta) as a remedy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major target in on-going clinical trials. In vitro studies confirmed that A beta is taken up by rodent astrocytes, but knowledge on human astrocyte-mediated A beta clearance is sparse. Therefore, by means of flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we evaluated the binding and internaliza

Exocytosis occurs via fusion of secretory granules with the cell membrane, whereupon the granule content is at least partially released and the granule membrane is temporarily added to the plasma membrane. Exocytosis is balanced by compensatory endocytosis to achieve net equilibrium of the cell surface area and to recycle and redistribute components of the exocytosis machinery. The underlying mole

Lake Poopó in Bolivia is a large, extremely shallow lake. The lake surface area is ≈3000 km2 at its spill-over level, although it could dry out at times. The lake water level varies with the regional rains and with the water inflow from the Desaguadero River. This study focuses on using and comparing three different approaches to determine the hypsographic curve for the lake. As the lake is extrem

OBJECTIVE: To measure intracellular and tissue pH in periarticular soft tissue during different phases of antigen induced arthritis in the rat. METHODS: pH was calculated using the following values: (1) the distribution of [14C]-dimethyl-oxazolidinedione; (2) the total tissue water and the extracellular space water volume, which was measured as [14C]-sucrose distribution in nephrectomized rats. Ex

Gel electrolytes based on amphiphilic copolymethacrylates containing ethylene oxide (EO)(n) side chains as ionophilic units and fluorocarbon (CF,), side chains as ionophobic units showed a substantial increase in ion conductivity, as compared to corresponding gels based on homopolymers of (EO),, methacrylate. The highest ion conductivity was found for a gel based on a copolymer composed of 24 wt%

Vertical movement of snowmelt water through snowpacks is modelled by applying the kinematic wave theory. Analytical solutions are obtained for moisture flux, particle velocity, time history and velocity of meltwater front and total moisture content for a single melt event assuming that the melt rate is constant. These solutions are extended to the case involving more than one event.

Purpose: To compare the outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) versus conventional open repair (OR) in patients with a short, angulated or otherwise challenging proximal neck. Methods: The definition of a challenging proximal neck was based on diameter (>= 28 mm), length (= 60 degrees), shape (reverse tapered or bulging), and thrombus lining (>50%). Between January 2005 and December 2007,

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibits insulin signaling and, when overexpressed, plays a role in insulin resistance (Ahmad et al. 1997). We identified, in the 3' untranslated region of the PTP1B gene, a 1484insG variation that, in two different populations, is associated with several features of insulin resistance: among male individuals, higher values of the insulin resistance HOMA(IR)