The stars that populate the solar neighbourhood were formed in stellar clusters. Through N-body simulations of these clusters, we measure the rate of close encounters between stars. By monitoring the interaction histories of each star, we investigate the singleton fraction in the solar neighbourhood. A singleton is a star which formed as a single star, has never experienced any close encounters wi

The aim of our study was to determine the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor subtype responsible for the NPY-induced contraction of human subcutaneous (s.c.) resistance arteries. To elucidate this, we used (a) in vitro studies of NPY agonists: NPY, peptide YY (PYY), and Pro34NPY induced equally strong and equipotent concentration-dependent contractions of human s.c. resistance arteries, whereas NPY13-3

The binding of factor IX to cultured bovine endothelial cells was characterized using isolated domains of bovine factor IX. An NH2-terminal fragment that consists of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) region linked to the two epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains bound to the endothelial cells with the same affinity as intact factor IX, indicating that the serine protease part of factor IX

A composite material produced from a poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel with entrapped particles of the strong anion-exchange resin Amberlite is presented. The properties of the composite material depended strongly on whether the resin was used in OH- form or Cl- form. The ion-exchange filler in OH- form caused both a significant reinforcement of the composite material and an increase in the gel fusion t

Aims/hypothesis Outcome data on individuals with diabetic foot ulcers are scarce, especially in those with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We therefore examined the clinical characteristics that best predict poor outcome in a large population of diabetic foot ulcer patients and examined whether such predictors differ between patients with and without PAD. Methods Analyses were conducted within

Background: Acupuncture is used for clinical pain relief but has not been evaluated under clinical anaesthesia. This study was designed to compare movement in response to surgical incision in anaesthetized patients subjected to electro-acupuncture (EA) or sham procedures. Our hypothesis was that EA stimulation would reduce the requirements for anaesthetic gas. Methods: Forty-six healthy women, sc

The Wilms tumor gene, WT1, encodes a zinc-finger DNA binding protein which is thought to function as a tissue specific transcription factor, regulating cell growth and differentiation. High expression of WT1 has been detected in a range of acute leukemias. To elucidate a role for WT1 in leukemogenesis, we transfected the monoblastic cell line U937, which lacks detectable levels of endogenous WT1,

New techniques allow for more efficient boundary integral algorithms to compute the Dirichlet–Neumann map for Laplace’s equation in two-dimensional exterior domains. Novelties include a new post-processor which reduces the need for discretization points with 50%, a new integral equation which reduces the error for resolved geometries with a factor equal to the system size, systematic use of regula

Extra-articular RA (ExRA) includes a wide variety of disease manifestations. Although rheumatologists in general are aware that such events are clinically important, the heterogeneity of available data, including discrepancies in case definitions, has complicated constructive discussions on this aspect of the RA disease phenotype. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the import

The interfaces of the nanostructured dye-sensitized solid heterojunction TiO2/Ru-dye/CuI have been studied using photoelectron spectroscopy of core and valence levels, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. A nanostructured anatase TiO2 film sensitized with RuL2(NCS)(2) [cis-bis(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)-bis(isothio-cyanato)-ruthenium(II)] was prepared in a controlled way

Let $(A,^−)$ be a structurable algebra. Then the opposite algebra $(A^{op},^−)$ is structurable, and we show that the triple system $B_A^{op}(x,y,z):=V_{x,y}^{op}(z)=x(\overline y z)+z(\overline y x)−y(\overline x z),x,y,z\in A$, is a Kantor triple system (or generalized Jordan triple system of the second order) satisfying the condition $(A)$. Furthermore, if $A=\mathbb{A}_1\otimes\mathbb{A}_2$ de

OBJECTIVES: To compare different forms and ratios of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to determine which form or ratio provides optimal diagnostic specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 47 patients with BPH and 39 with clinically localized prostate cancer. Pati

BACKGROUND: Halothane and isoflurane have been shown to induce disparate effects on different brain structures in animals. In humans, various methods for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) have produced results compatible with a redistribution of CBF toward deep brain structures during isoflurane anesthesia in humans. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of halothane and isoflurance o

Objective Cell free foetal DNA (cff DNA) extracted from maternal plasma is now recognized as a potential source for prenatal diagnosis but the methodology is currently not well standardized. To evaluate different manual and automated DNA extraction methods with a view to developing standards, an International Workshop was performed. Methods Three plasma pools from RhD-negative pregnant women, a DN

this study we investigated the effects of gastrectomy (Gx) and of the gastric hormone, ghrelin, on the expression of proteins in brown adipose tissue (BAT) that are thought to be involved in thermogenesis. Heat production in BAT is known to depend upon activation and increased expression of β3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR) and the consequent up-regulation of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Mice were s

Analysis of PCR/RFLP variation in 57 Nordic populations of the herb Silene dioica, revealed 13 composite chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes. The geographic distribution of the haplotypes suggests that the postglacial colonization of Fennoscandia by S. dioica may have involved immigration of populations from two main directions. The commonest cpDNA haplotype dominates in populations throughout most

The two aims of this study were to analyse the impact of methadone on outcome, and to confirm the results from previous meta-analyses by using a different methodology. The literature on randomized controlled trials ( RCT) of methadone as maintenance treatment for opioid dependence was systematically reviewed. Eight studies involving 1511 patients were included. Both dichotomous and continuous vari

Background Several candidate genes have been found to be associated with the inflammatory response of IgE-mediated allergy, so also the immunoglobulin constant heavy G chain (IGHG) genes. The IGHG genes are situated close to the IGHE gene on chromosome 14q32, 5'μ, δ, γ3, γ1, α1, γ2, γ4, e, α2, 3'. They are inherited in a Mendelian fashion and expressed randomly in allelic exclusion. The alternativ