The formation of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) root tissue is characterized by distinct morphological and developmental stages, such as preinfection and adhesion, mantle, and Hartig net formation. The global pattern of gene expression during these stages in the birch (Betula pendula)-Paxillus involutus ECM association was analyzed using cDNA microarrays. In comparison with nonsymbiotic conditions, 251 fun

The methodology for ready-made matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) target plates covered with an optimized thin layer consisting of matrix and nitrocellulose has been developed. Piezoelectric microdispensing enabled sample depositions in a high-density array format of 2000 sample depositions on a conventionally sized target plate (45 x 47 mm). The sample depositions were made repro

A series of copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and the more hydrophobic comonomer N-tert-butylacrylamide (NTBAM), with increasing NTBAM content (i.e., increasing hydrophobicity) were prepared. The adhesion of human epithelial cells on polymer films prepared from copolymers of NIPAM: NTBAM was observed to increase with increasing polymer hydrophobicity. However, in the absence of serum, ce

Mating behaviour and mating patterns are affected to a large extent by body size in both hermaphrodites and gonochorists. Detailed research on mating patterns, mate choice, pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection in marine pulmonates is wanting, thus warranting more attention as a study system in the future. The simultaneous hermaphroditic limpet Siphonaria capensis (Pulmonata: Basommatophora) s

A microfabricated proteomic sample preparation and sample presentation device, Integrated Selective Enrichment Target, (ISET), comprising an array of 96 perforated nanovials is described. Each perforated nanovial can be filled with solid-phase extraction media for purification and concentration of peptides prior to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI IVIS). The val

Several previous studies have addressed pheromone communication in various flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), including the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (du Val). Different stereoisomers of 4,8-dimethyldecanal (DMD) were reported as the only components of an aggregation pheromone, but the behavioral activity of DMD is low. In the present study, additional previously reported s

We report here on a procedure to obtain large amounts of a chloroplast-localized heat shock protein (HSP21) with unknown structure and function, by using anEscherichia coliexpression system for the pea (Pisum sativum) protein and a purification procedure based on perfusion ion-exchange chromatography. After initial precipitation steps, the sample was applied to cation- and anion-exchange on two co

For a concrete beam resting on a bed of sand, an analytical solution technique is derived by which the mobility can be identified. To achieve realistic predictions, significant damping in the bed needs to be introduced. The modest damping of the concrete has little effect on the mobility for small frequencies whereas it has a significant effect for higher frequencies. An imperfection in the bed in

Background. Children born preterm (PT) have medical conditions and impairments that may affect their oral health. Hypothesis. Our hypothesis for the study was that PT children display more dental behaviour management problems (BMPs) and less favourable oral health behaviour than controls (C). Methods. Parents of 153 PT children and 153 C children were interviewed regarding the children's oral heal

A large number of methods have been developed over the years to study protein-protein interactions. Many of these techniques are now available to the nonspecialist researcher thanks to new affordable instruments and/or resource centres. A typical protein-protein interaction study usually starts with an initial screen for novel binding partners. We start this review by describing three techniques t

The procoagulant function of activated factor V (FVa) is inhibited by activated protein C (APC) through proteolytic cleavages at Arg(306), Arg(506), and Arg(679). The effect of APC is potentiated by negatively charged phospholipid membranes and the APC cofactor protein S. Protein S has been reported to selectively stimulate cleavage at Arg(306), an effect hypothesized to be related to reorientatio

A novel human apolipoprotein [apolipoprotein M (apoM)l was recently described and demonstrated to be a lipocalin. We have now examined apoM in wild-type mice and mice with genetically altered lipoprotein metabolism. Liver and kidney showed high mRNA expression, whereas spleen, heart, brain, and testis demonstrated low expression. ApoM gene expression was initiated on embryonic day 10. Western blot

During the formation of peribronchial fibrosis in asthma, remodeling of connective tissue is due to an increase in deposition of extracellular matrix components like that of specific types of collagens and proteoglycans. By taking bronchial biopsies, we were able to isolate cell cultures derived from asthmatic patients and healthy volunteers, which provides a good model system to study differences

The present work investigates the occurrence and significance of aberrant DNA methylation patterns during early stages of atherosclerosis. To this end, we asked whether the genetically atherosclerosis-prone APOEnull mice show any changes in DNA methylation patterns before the appearance of histologically detectable vascular lesion. We exploited a combination of various techniques: DNA fingerprinti

During a 2-year period, 5476 normal routine obstetrical ultrasound investigations were performed in the 2nd trimester (16th to 20th week). Data on biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal diameter (AD) and femur length (FL) have been obtained from this material. Ratios between BPD/AD and BPD/FL have been calculated, and from these ratios, graphs were constructed. Only nine normal fetuses (0.2%) were f