The most frequently used model to describe the exponential increase in mortality rate over age is the Gompertz equation. Logarithmically transformed, the equation conforms to a straight line, of which the slope has been interpreted as the rate of senescence. Earlier, we proposed the derivative function of the Gompertz equation as a superior descriptor of senescence rate. Here, we tested both measu

PhenCode (Phenotypes for ENCODE; http://www.bx.psu.edu/phencode) is a collaborative, exploratory project to help understand phenotypes of human mutations in the context of sequence and functional data from genome projects. Currently, it connects human phenotype and clinical data in various locus-specific databases (LSDBs) with data on genome sequences, evolutionary history, and function from the E

OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations between frailty and reproductive axis hormones (as an important regulatory system) in middle aged and older men. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: The European Male Aging Study. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand two hundred nineteen community-dwelling European men aged 40 to 79. MEASUREMENTS: Interviewer-assisted questionnaires to assess physical activity, health

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare subcortical volumes of seven suicide attempters with those of six healthy controls. Suicide attempters had 10% smaller right caudate nucleus and 19% bilaterally smaller globus pallidus. In suicide attempters, volumes of the globus pallidus correlated negatively with previously reported measures of solidity (non-impulsive temperament) and serotonin tra

PURPOSE: We developed a new family of test algorithms. This is an evaluation in normal subjects. METHODS: One eye in each of twenty normal subjects, with a mean age of 37 years (range 26 to 59), was tested twice with each of the SITA, Full Threshold and Fastpac strategies of the Humphrey perimeter at 3 separate visits. Actual test times and number of stimulus exposures were compared. Test-retest

Factor I (FI) is a soluble, 88 kDa glycoprotein present in plasma at a concentration of approximately 35 mg/L. FI inhibits all complement pathways as it degrades activated C4b and C3b when these are bound to a cofactor such as C4b-binding protein or factor H. Here, we describe a method for purification of FI from human plasma, which is based on affinity chromatography followed by anion exchange ch

By combining ozone and water, the effect of exposing epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide to an aggressive wet-chemical process has been evaluated after high temperature annealing in ultra high vacuum. The decomposition of ozone in water produces a number of oxidizing species, however, despite long exposure times to the aqueous-ozone environment, no graphene oxide was observed after the two-step

Ecosystems are multifunctional and provide humanity with a broad array of vital services. Effective management of services requires an improved evidence base, identifying the role of ecosystems in delivering multiple services, which can assist policy-makers in maintaining them. Here, information from the literature and scientific experts was used to systematically document the importance of servic

Abstract Objectives. To determine whether a steerable catheter with electrogram guidance (CS-assist group) could facilitate access to the coronary sinus (CS) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation. Design. Consecutive patients who underwent CRT implantation were recruited prospectively into the CS-assist group (n = 81) and compared with those using conventional techniques with

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is the first major step towards successful initiation of preimplantation development, which culminates in the formation of implantation-competent embryos. EGA occurs at species-specific embryonic cell stages. In the present work, EGA was identified for buffalo embryos by studying the development rate of embryos in normal as well as imposed transcription block cond

The structure of the lamellar phase of aqueous pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12E5) surfactant at various temperatures and molar fractions is studied by using united atom molecular dynamics simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. Namely, the simulation model is used to interpret the magnitude and temperature dependence of experimental C-H order parameter profiles in t

One group of commonly found parasites in birds, for which fitness consequences and effects on life history traits have been much debated are Haemosporidian blood parasites. In a long term study population of great reed warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus in Sweden, previous studies have shown that the Haemosporidian blood parasites are in their chronic phase during the breeding season and that the

OBJECTIVES:: The objectives of this clinical trial of orally administered manganese in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver were to assess signal enhancements in the liver with and without the addition of an uptake promoter, ascorbic acid, and to evaluate acute safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: A total of 18 healthy adult males were enrolled in the present trial. Contrast medium: MnCl2, dos

In Safeguards work under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the isotopic analysis of uranium and plutonium micro particles has strengthened the means for detecting undeclared nuclear activities. In order to assure accuracy and precision in the analytical methodologies used, the instrumental techniques need to be calibrated. The objective of this study was to produce and characterize particles consistin

Streptococcus pyogenes of the M1 serotype can cause streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and acute lung damage. CD162 is an adhesion molecule that has been reported to mediate neutrophil recruitment in acute inflammatory reactions. In this study, the purpose was to investigate the role of CD162 in M1 protein-provoked lung injury. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with monoclonal antibody directed again

MASH stands for "Macros for the Automation of SHadow". It allows to run a set of ray-tracing simulations, for a range of photon energies for example, fully automatically. Undulator gaps, crystal angles etc. are tuned automatically. Important output parameters, such as photon flux, photon irradiance, focal spot size, bandwidth, etc. are then directly provided as function of photon energy. A photon

Collagen type VI is a subepithelial extracellular matrix component in airways and an adhesive substrate for oral pathogens [Bober et al.: J Innate Immun 2010;2:160-166]. Here, we report that collagen VI displays a dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against group A, C, and G streptococci by membrane disruption in physiological conditions. The data disclose previously unrecognized aspects of the