The interaction between acyl chain homologues (C10 and C12) of n-acyl beta-D-maltoside and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LLGDFFRK-SKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES) was investigated. Emphasis was placed on peptide-micelle complexation and its consequences for peptide proteolytic stability, as well as bactericidal and hemolytic effects of the mixed systems. From circular dichroism and liposome leaka

A novel method was developed for studying the diffusion of proteins through poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), using a diffusion cell. To develop improved formulations for the controlled release of encapsulated drugs it is important to understand the underlying release mechanisms. When using low-molecular-weight PLG as the release-controlling polymer, diffusion through the pores is often propos

This is a report to the network of experts on women´s employment for the medium-term community action programme on equal opportunities for women and men, European Commission.

The sintering of alumina-supported nickel particles has been studied after heat-treatment in ammonia + hydrogen at 523 K and 250 bar. The investigated samples were nickel supported on gamma-alumina, transalumina and alpha-alumina, and co-precipitated nickel oxide-alumina. The sintering process was mainly followed by hydrogen chemisorption. The samples were also characterised by specific surface ar

Thiols are known to influence the metabolism of glutathione. In a previous study (Toxicology 156 (2001) 93) dithiothreitol (DTT) did not show any effect on intra- or extracellular glutathione concentrations in HeLa cell cultures but increased the effects of mercury ions on glutathione concentrations, whereas monothiols such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or glutathione did not. In the present study, we

The objective of this study was to assess the use of on-line monitoring to support the QMRA at water treatment plants studied in the EU MicroRisk project. SCADA data were obtained from diary records, grab three Catchment-to-Tap Systems (CTS) along with system descriptions, sample data and deviation reports. Particular attention was paid to estimating hazardous event frequency, duration and magnitu

The main focus of this work is to investigate the performance of some simple radiation models used in the thermal radiative heat transfer calculations in a 55 MWe fixed bed boiler with wet wood-chips as the fuel. An optically thin approach, Rosseland approximation, and the P1-approximation were utilised in the investigation. A new optimised version, as it comes to computational speed, of the expon

By the use of wavelength-modulation diode laser spectroscopy, water vapor and oxygen are detected in scattering media nonintrusively, at 980 nm and 760 nm, respectively. The technique demonstrated is based on the fact that free gases have extremely sharp absorption structures in comparison with the broad features of bulk material. Water vapor and oxygen measurements have been performed during the

Recent studies have indicated that diets rich in digestible carbohydrates and dietary fibre might be beneficial in the regulation of type II non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD). Addition of the gel forming type of dietary fibre such as pectin and guar gum to meals or glucose solutions reduces post-prandial glucose and insulin response. Addition of cereal fibres in the form of bran seems to have

A new, 1-step, enzyme-linked immunoassay kit for detection of Group A Streptococci (GAS) in throat samples (QuickVue In-Line One-Step Strep A Test; Quidel Corporation, San Diego, CA) was evaluated for use in a study comprising 536 patients in 8 primary healthcare centres. Compared to conventional culture at the clinical microbiology laboratory, the sensitivity achieved was 73.9% and the specificit

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect, on miscarriages and stillbirths, of persistent organochlorine compounds (POC) through dietary intake of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea. METHODS: Information on miscarriages and stillbirths was collected retrospectively by a self-administered questionnaire in a cohort of fishermen's wives from the Swedish east coast (by the Balt

Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) vary considerably between normal individuals. Recent epidemiological studies have provided evidence that these levels are predictive of risk of several common cancers. To evaluate possible sources of variation of the levels of circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in females, we studied sp

Gentrification is a current and often debated concept that concerns social changes in our cities. The concept relates to a development whereby areas earlier inhabited by less wealthy social groups are taken over by middle and upper middle-class residents. In the discussions of these changes, two perspectives have dominated. Representatives for the consumer perspective argue that gentrification occ

Background Acetabular cementation during total hip arthroplasty is considered difficult mainly due to the appearance and anatomy of the acetabulum. Improved cementation technique has been shown to improve the longevity of acetabular components. Method We designed a ceramic model to investigate the effect of varying the initial cement pressurization and cup introduction times on the depth of cemen

Recent immunohistochemical findings suggested that a constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) resides in endocrine pancreas. Here we provide direct biochemical evidence for the presence of cNOS activity in isolated islets. The regulating influence of this nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity for islet hormone release was also investigated. We observed that cNOS activity could be quantitated in is

The development of the red colour in copper ruby alkali silicate glasses has been studied by means of ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, TEM and EXAFS. The results show that in both red and slightly overstruck, brownish glasses the colour is due to clusters of metallic copper. Before striking non-coloured glasses contain mainly cuprous ions, Cu+. Tin acts as a reducing agent but also has an acceler

alpha-Trinositol (D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate), an isomer of the intracellular messenger IP3, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and other effects in animal experiments and in human. The mechanisms of action remain unknown. Several human pathologies are associated with uncontrolled production of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). FGF-2 induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferatio