Increased hematocrit (Hct) attributable to splenic contraction accompanies human apneic diving or apnea with face immersion. Apnea also causes heart rate reduction and peripheral vasoconstriction, i.e., a cardiovascular diving response, which is augmented by face immersion. The aim was to study the role of apnea and facial immersion in the initiation of the hematological response and to relate thi

Previous studies in a fetal erythroid cell line demonstrated that the transcription factor, Kruppel-like factor 11 (KLF11), could specifically induce transcription from a gamma-globin gene promoter, and that this induction was mediated through a specific canonical CACCC cis-DNA binding motif. We report here that ectopic expression of KLF11 can also induce fetal gamma-globin gene expression in the

Cytomegalovirus induces a chronic infection that in normal individuals is controlled by the immune system. In the case of humoral immunity, epitopes, in particular antigenic domain-1, in glycoprotein B have proven to be important for the induction of virus-neutralizing activity. Such antibodies can exert potent virus-neutralizing activity but can also block neutralizing antibodies from binding. Fu

We investigated possible motivations for sound symbolism in spatial demonstratives within 101 areally and genetically diverse languages. Six different predictions were formulated on the basis of factors such as (a) semiotic ground (iconic, indexical or combined), (b) speaker-centered, hearer-centered or both and (c) applicable to vowels, consonants or both. Each one of these six predictions result

The efficacy of intraportal (i.p.) nor-epinephrine infusion in controlling bleeding upon liver trauma in the presence of normal as well as defective platelet function was evaluated in the rat. Infusion of nor-epinephrine (10-4 M, NE) took place after cannulation of the gastro-duodenal vein, during 5 min prior to liver trauma. Simultaneously blood pressure (BP) was registered. Platelet aggregation

Our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogenesis has advanced greatly in recent years. In this review, we provide a general background of UTI pathogenesis, followed by an update on the mechanisms of UTI susceptibility, with a particular focus on genetic variation affecting innate immunity. The innate immune response of the host is critically important in the

The specification and differentiation of dentate gyrus granule neurons in the hippocampus require temporally and spatially coordinated actions of both intrinsic and extrinsic molecules. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) and NeuroD1 are key regulators in these processes. Based on existing classification, we analyzed the molecular events occurring during hippocampal

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines seldom provide in depth information about the most suitable type and intensity of exercise to obtain optimal benefit in different subgroups of T2D individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of group exercise training on exercise capacity, insulin sensitivity and HbA1c in women with diabetes. METHODS: Twenty-two women with T2D participated in a supe

Haptic interface technology has the potential of becoming an important component of access systems for people who are blind or visually disabled. The purpose of this study was to learn more about how a haptic interface, in this case the Phantom from SensAble Technologies, can be used to give blind persons access to 2D graphics and similar computer-based graphics. User tests were carried out with 2

Background and Purpose. Data on performance times for the 'timed up and go' (TUG) test with analyses of factors, that eventually could affect the result in patients with hip fracture, have not been published to date. The aims of the present study, therefore, were to assess normative reference values of TUG performances and determine the influence of individual and clinical factors on TUG-test scor