The role of Gas6 in enclothelial cell (EC) function remains incompletely characterized. Here we report that Gas6 amplifies EC activation in response to inflammatory stimuli in vitro. In vivo, Gas6 promotes and accelerates the sequestration of circulating platelets and leukocytes on activated endothelium as well as the formation and enclothelial sequestration of circulating platelet-leukocyte conju

A key step in lipolytic activation of adipocytes is the translocation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) from the cytosol to the surface of the lipid storage droplet. Adipocytes from perilipin-null animals have an elevated basal rate of lipolysis compared with adipocytes from Wild-type mice, but fail to respond maximally to lipolytic stimuli. This defect is downstream of the p-adrenergic receptor-a

A feasibility study and two interlaboratory exercises on the determination of selected heterocyclic amines (HAs) in beef extract, organised in the framework of a European project, are presented. The aim of these exercises was to improve the quality of the laboratories and to evaluate the performance of a standardised analytical method and also the methods currently used by each of the participants

Research on contact zones has paid relatively little attention to host-parasite interactions, although these situations have important but different implications depending on whether one considers the host or the parasite's perspective. We investigated both the role of a host contact zone in parasite expansion and whether parasites could influence contact zone dynamics. We studied the diversity an

Tapasin is a subunit of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). It associates with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. We show that tapasin interacts with beta- and gamma-subunits of COPI coatomer. COPI retrieves membrane proteins from the Golgi network back to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The COPI subunit-associated tapasin also interacts with MHC class I mole

Aerosols affect precipitation by modifying cloud properties such as cloud droplet number concentration (CDNQ. Aerosol effects on CDNC depend on aerosol properties such as number concentration, size spectrum, and chemical composition. This study focuses on the effects of aerosol chemical composition on CDNC and, thereby, precipitation in a mesoscale cloud ensemble (MCE) driven by deep convective cl

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is genetically characterized by the presence of the reciprocal translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11), resulting in a BCR/ABL gene fusion on the derivative chromosome 22 called the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. In 2-10% of the cases, this chimeric gene is generated by variant rearrangements, involving 9q34, 22q11, and one or several other genomic regions. All chromosomes hav

High-level quantum-chemical methods show that the binding in the inclusion complex of hexamethylbenzene (HMB) in 6-cycloparaphenitacetylene (6-CPPA) cannot be explained only in terms of electrostatic interactions-caused by the polarization associated to curved a-conjugated systems-and the inclusion of dispersion forces is definitely needed. The theoretical description of van der Wools interactions

Linkage maps are lacking for many highly influential model organisms in evolutionary research, including all passerine birds. Consequently, their full potential as research models is severely hampered. Here, we provide a partial linkage map and give novel estimates of sex-specific recombination rates in a passerine bird, the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). Linkage analysis of genot

Strong antioxidants, 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin and 5-hydroxy-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-benzopyranone were extracted from sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata L.) by using Soxhlet (SE), microwave-assisted (MAE) and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SFE) extractions at different extraction schemes and parameters. One-step MAE gave the most concentrated extract with 8.15% of 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin (extract y

The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (NBH) decided that a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) should be included in the childhood vaccination directive as a nationwide-programme targeting 12-yearold girls from 2010 as a part of the school-health programme. Currently, vaccination of girls 13-18 years of age is covered by the public insuranc

An amperometric enzyme electrode based on laccase for determining phenolic compounds is proposed. The following three types of polymer materials were used for enzyme immobilization on the surface of a glassy-carbon electrode: positively charged cetyl ethyl poly (ethyleneimine) (CEPEI) and negatively charged commercial Nafion and Eastman AQ 29D polymers. The advantages and disadvantages of each of

In order to elucidate the composition of the female sex pheromone of the northern (beech) winter moth, Operophtera fagata Scharf. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), ovipositor extracts of unmated, calling females were analysed by gas chromatography with simultaneous electroantennographic and flame ionization detection (GC-EAD/FID). Male antennal responses indicated three active components, two of which h

There is a need to develop the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose for production of ethanol from biomass. In recent years the inhibitory effects of lignin in lignocellulosic substrates has been the focus of several studies. This points to the importance of understanding the interactions between cellulose degrading enzymes and lignin. Surface active substances have been shown to adsorb to lignin sur

The micturition reflex can be initiated by contraction or distension of detrusor smooth muscle cells, or by signals from the urothelium. It has been shown that bladder distension causes release of ATP from the urothelium and that ATP can activate P2X(3) receptors on suburothelial afferent nerve terminals to evoke a neural discharge. However, most probably the activation of afferent fibres during b

A computer program, ARAGORN, identifies tRNA and tmRNA genes. The program employs heuristic algorithms to predict tRNA secondary structure, based on homology with recognized tRNA consensus sequences and ability to form a base-paired cloverleaf. tmRNA genes are identified using a modified version of the BRUCE program. ARAGORN achieves a detection sensitivity of 99% from a set of 1290 eubacterial, e

In a systematic study, we investigate the effect of dopant level and hydration on the short-range structure of the proton-conducting perovskite-type oxide BaInxZr1-xO3-x/2 (x = 0 - 0.75), using infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the doping leads to significant local distortions of the average cubic structure of these materials. By increasing the In concentration from x = 0 to x

Background and purpose: Appropriate planning target volume (PTV) definition is critical for local disease eradication in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When margins are added to the gross tumour volume (GTV) in the standard way, the PTV formed may be too large to facilitate dose escalation due to normal tissue tolerance. To increase the feasibility of dose escalation with 3-d

The development of photodynamic therapy into a modality for treatment of prostate cancer calls for reliable optical dosimetry. We employ, for the first time, interstitial time-resolved spectroscopy to determine in vivo optical properties of human prostate tissue. Nine patients are included in the study, and measurements are conducted prior to primary brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer. Int