Concerted activation of different voltage-gated Ca2+ channel isoforms may determine the kinetics of insulin release from pancreatic islets. Here we have elucidated the role of R-type CaV2.3 channels in that process. A 20% reduction in glucose-evoked insulin secretion was observed in CaV2.3-knockout (CaV2.3–/–) islets, close to the 17% inhibition by the R-type blocker SNX482 but much less than the

OBJECTIVE: The principal aim of the study was to estimate the level of exposure to organic solvents of graffiti removers, and to identify the chemicals used in different cleaning agents. A secondary objective was to inform about the toxicity of various products and to optimise working procedures. METHODS: Exposure to organic solvents was determined by active air sampling and biological monitoring

Current internal radiation dosimetry models for the small intestine, and for most walled organs, lack the ability to account for the activity uptake in the intestinal wall. In existing models the cross-dose from nearby loops of the small intestine is not taken into consideration. The aim of this investigation was to develop a general model for calculating the absorbed dose to the radiation-sensiti

Ultra-fast substitution of chloride for bromide, iodide, azide and thiocyanate trans to ethene in Zeise's anion, [PtCl3(C2H4)](-), 1, has been investigated in methanol solvent by use of cryo temperature diode array stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Reactions follow the usual two-term rate law for square-planar substitutions, k(obs)=k(1)+k(2)[Y] (where k(1)=k(MeOH) [MeOH]), with k(1)=118+/-10 s(-1) a

When skin specimens are exposed in vitro to L-dopa and catecholamines these substances accumulate in the Langerhans cells where they can be visualized with the histofluorescence method of Falck and Hillarp. Some methodological aspects are discussed and a preliminary study of Langerhans cells in contact allergy is reported.

Due to its real advantages in terms of spatial resolution, the MRI technique has been chosen in order to study the internal moisture in 2.5 mm thick industrial pulp samples. A spin-echo sequence with very short echo-time (TE= 2 ms) has been designed to measure moisture content inside highly hygroscopic materials and was able to detect moisture even at very low moisture content (6%). In order to en

Cancer is a major cause of human morbidity and mortality, and the risk of developing cancer is about one in three life times. Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor among children and arises from early sympathetic nervous system (SNS) cells arrested in their development. Generally, a low tumor cell differentiation correlates to poor prognosis. Solid tumors, like neuroblastoma,

A number of different noble metal catalysts were studied for activity in the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in hydrogen-rich streams. The prepared catalysts had an active phase of platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium or rhodium impregnated either directly on an aluminia matrix or mounted on nickel or cobalt oxide. The catalysts were studied for activity, but also for the reversed wat

Motivated by applications in high-dimensional settings, we suggest a test of the hypothesis H-0 that two sampled distributions are identical. It is assumed that two independent datasets are drawn from the respective populations, which may be very general. In particular, the distributions may be multivariate or infinite-dimensional, in the latter case representing, for example, the distributions of

More and more countries are now permitting a classification of structural elements with respect to fire exposure to be formulated analytically as an alternative to the internationally preualent method of classification, based on results of standard fire resistance tests. In some countries, the authorities also have taken the next step to approve a general practical application of a direct analytic

A successful model of liaison between the primary and secondary (hospital) levels of health care entails improved co-operation between hospital doctors and general practitioners (GPs). Since its introduction in Denmark in 1991, this approach has been adopted in Sweden and, to a lesser extent, in Norway. Important principles of the model include: 1) both at the primary and secondary level, responsi