Moraxella catarrhalis immunoglobulin D (IgD)-binding protein (MID) is an outer membrane protein with specific affinity for soluble and cell-bound human IgD. Here, we demonstrate that mutated M. catarrhalis strains devoid of MID show a 75% decreased activation of human B cells as compared with wild-type bacteria. In contrast to MID-expressing Moraxella, the MID-deficient Moraxella mutants did not b

A high-power (10 TW) laser is employed to generate relativistic channels in an underdense plasma. The lengths of the channels are measured by imaging the Thomson-scattered light, and the gas densities are determined through the forward Raman scattered light. The laser-pulse parameters are varied and their impact on the channel formation is studied. It is found that increasing the laser pulse durat

The influence of intrinsic chain stiffness on surface forces in solutions containing semiflexible polymers is investigated with density functional theory. The solvent is included explicitly, but comparisons are also made with exact results obtained with ideal chains, in the absence of solvent particles. We find that as the intrinsic stiffness increases, the polymers are at intermediate separations

Purpose: To present an evaluation method for three-dimensional Look-Locker (3D-LL) based T1 quantification, calculating correct T1 values independent of local flip angle (FA) variations. The method was evaluated both in phantoms and in vivo in a delayed Gadolinium Enhanced MRI of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) study with 33 subjects. Materials and Methods: T1 was measured with 3D-LL, using both local FA corr

Annual recurrent blooms of the toxic dinoflagellates Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium minutum were detected from 2000 to 2003 in harbours along the Catalan coast. The interrelation study between the occurrence of the blooms and specific external conditions at the study sites demonstrated that different factors are required for the bloom of each Alexandrium species. Concentrations higher than

Galectins are a family of β-galactose binding lectins associated with functions such as immunological and malignant events. To study the binding affinity of galectins for natural and artificial saccharides and glycoconjugates we have developed an assay using fluorescence polarization. A collection of fluorescein-conjugated saccharides was synthesized and used as probes with galectins-1 and -3 and

Regioselective reductive openings of mixed phenolic-benzylic acetals, using BH3 center dot NMe3 center dot AlCl3, was investigated, and a mechanism where the outcome is directed by the electrostatic potential of the two oxygen atoms is presented. The regioselective acetal opening was used in the synthesis of a fluorescently labeled analogue to antiproliferative xylosides. The fluorescently labeled

Purpose. To describe how women with a spinal cord injury (SCI) perceived changes in the social network, and how these changes affected their ability to participate in occupation. Method. Thirteen women, aged 25 to 61 years, with a SCI were interviewed twice. The interviews focused on their ability to participate in occupation, their relations with individuals within the social network, and changes

Recent interest has been drawn to the separate components of recognition memory, as studied by event-related potentials (ERPs). In ERPs, recollection is usually accompanied by a late, parietal positive deflection. An earlier, frontal component has been suggested to be a counterpart, accompanying recognition by familiarity. However, this component, the FN400, has alternatively been suggested to ref

OBJECTIVES: The aims were to study the toxicokinetics of 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP) in blood and urine after exposure to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and to study the suitability of 5-HNMP as a biomarker for assessing NMP exposure. METHODS: Six male volunteers were exposed for 8 hours to NMP concentrations of 0, 10, 25, and 50 mg/m3. Blood and urine were sampled before, during, and

Carbon sink strength differences are examined here between ectomycorrhizal fungi in interaction with additions of ammonium and apatite (a phosphorus- and calcium-containing mineral). Pinus muricata associated with Paxillus involutus and four suilloid isolates (Suillus pungens and members of three Rhizopogon section Amylopogon species groups) were used in microcosm nutrient addition experiments. Th

A method for ligand screening by automated nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nano-ESI/MS) is described. The core of the system consisted of a chip-based platform for automated sample delivery from a 96-well plate and subsequent analysis based on noncovalent interactions. Human fatty acid binding protein, H-FABP (heart) and A-FABP (adipose), with small potential ligands was analyzed.

The development of blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow is dependent on communication with bone marrow stroma cells, making these cells central for the appropriate regulation of hematopoiesis. To identify transcription factors that may play a role in gene regulation in stroma cells, we performed comparative gene expression analysis of fibroblastic NIH3T3 cells, unable to su

Background In the US cotton industry, airborne cotton dust levels are regulated, and other countries are moving to specify safety limits for airborne endotoxins. There is concern about potential respiratory health hazards associated with agricultural and otherorganic dusts. In laboratories, ranking which samples have high and low levels of endotoxin is usually in good agreement between laboratorie

The gene encoding Amy 34, a maltohexaose-forming α-amylase from Bacillus halodurans LBK 34 isolated from Lake Bogoria, Kenya, was cloned and sequenced. The mature peptide consists of 958 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 107.2 kDa and pI 4.41, respectively. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant enzyme purified to homogeneity by a combination of metal chela

The binding of Helicobacter pylori to glycosphingolipids was examined by binding of 35S-labeled bacteria to glycosphingolipids on thin-layer chromatograms. In addition to previously reported binding specificities, a selective binding to a non-acid tetraglycosylceramide of human meconium was found. This H. pylori binding glycosphingolipid was isolated and, on the basis of mass spectrometry, proton

Challenges with an ageing population are increasingly becoming a reality in the Western world. Since cognitive impairment increases with age, we can expect an increasing number of older people in need of care. The aim of this article is to describe, analyse and compare different focuses on care of older people with dementia, using examples from France, Portugal and Sweden. The questions are princi

Synovial sarcoma is a morphologically, clinically and genetically distinct entity that accounts for 5-10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. The t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) is the cytogenetic hallmark of synovial sarcoma and is present in more than 90% of the cases. It produces three types of fusion gene formed in part by SS18 from chromosome 18 and by SSX1, SSX2 or, rarely, SSX4 from the X chromosome. The SS1

Gold nanoparticles are routinely used as 'seeds' to grow semiconductor nanowires and it has now been discovered that the nanowires grow faster when the gold seeds are placed closer together.