The GM2-1 islet ganglioside has been sequenced, found to be a novel ganglioside structure with a sialic acid moiety in the terminal position and two residues of non-acetylated galactosamine and also shown to be a target of autoantibodies in a subset of ICA+ relatives of type 1 diabetic patients who subsequently progressed in the overt disease. In the present study we determined whether antibodies

Background. Epidemiological studies indicate that physical activity reduces the risk of cancer. Physical inactivity or sedentary behavior, has recently been suggested as a risk factor independent of physical activity level. Breast and endometrial cancer incidence have both been associated with physical activity, and endometrial cancer incidence with physical inactivity/sedentary behavior. The purp

The identification of class II binding peptide epitopes from autoimmune disease-related antigens is an essential step in the development of antigen- specific immune modulation therapy. In the case of type 1 diabetes, T cell and B cell reactivity to the autoantigen glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) is associated with disease development in humans and in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. In this st

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is linked to HLA factors on human chromosome 6 and strongly associated with the presence of autoantibodies against the glutamic acid decarboxylase isoform GAD65. These autoantibodies, GAD65Ab are detected both before and at the time of clinical diagnosis. Molecular sequencing of HLA alleles and PCR-based genotyping have improved our understanding of the l

The prevalence and titre of epitope-specific autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) in 155 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) and 9 GAD65 antibody (Ab)-positive healthy children were determined using four GAD65/67 chimaeric molecules which discriminate among the N-terminal (N), middle (M) and C-terminal (C) epitopes of GAD65. Radioligand binding assays for IgG Ab used immunoprecipita

The evolution of helping behaviour in species that breed cooperatively in family groups is typically attributed to kin selection alone. However, in many species, helpers go on to inherit breeding positions in their natal groups, but the extent to which this contributes to selection for helping is unclear as the future reproductive success of helpers is often unknown. To quantify the role of future

BACKGROUND: The adoption of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has increased rapidly, despite lack of conclusive evidence of its superiority regarding long-term outcomes over open retropubic RP (RRP). In 2015, we reported on 12-mo follow-up from the LAPPRO trial showing a moderate advantage of RALP regarding erectile dysfunction. No significant differences were seen for urina

It was recently reported that antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADAb) have a high positive predictive value for insulin-dependency in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. We studied 289 patients classified at onset as having NIDDM. Patients positive for GAD65Ab had a disease onset at a younger age, lower body mass index (BMI) and lower serum C-peptide concentration, and

Small ligaments connecting the crack surfaces just behind the moving crack front are assumed to exist during fast cleavage crack growth. The production and conduction of heat during the process of tearing these ligaments are studied. The straining is computed by assuming an elastic visco-plastic material model. The produced heat during plastic work is calculated. Heat conduction is considered. TheSmall ligaments connecting the crack surfaces just behind the moving crack front are assumed to exist during fast cleavage crack growth. The production and conduction of heat during the process of tearing these ligaments are studied. The straining is computed by assuming an elastic visco-plastic material model. The produced heat during plastic work is calculated. Heat conduction is considered. The

Background: A veld fire disaster in the Tlokwe Local Municipality on 23 August 2011, resultedin an estimated monetary loss of over R43 million. The veld fire disaster was characterised by a lack of strategic management and a subsequent lack of planned, coordinated communication between all role players involved. The lack of strategic communication management indirectly contributed to the losses su

The proinflammatory mediator leukotriene D(4) (LTD(4)) binds to the seven-transmembrane receptor CYSLT(1). Although this leukotriene plays an important biological role, its intracellular signaling pathways are only partly known. In previous experiments, we found that LTD(4) induced tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation of phospholipase (PLC)-gamma1 to a plasma membrane fraction in a human epi