Climate change will alter precipitation patterns with consequences for soil C cycling. An understanding of how fluctuating soil moisture affects microbial processes is therefore critical to predict responses to future global change. We investigated how long-term experimental field drought influences microbial tolerance to lower moisture levels (“resistance”) and ability to recover when rewetted af

Morphological and optical properties of tentacular epidermis and cornea of the eyes of some species of terrestrial gastropod pulmonate molluscs were studied and their evolutionary transformations were estimated. It was demonstrated that all examined properties of tentacular epidermis and cornea of these species are typical for terrestrial pulmonates. In the course of evolution tentacular epidermis

A new black yeast species, Exophiala macquariensis is described that is a member of the ascomycete family Herpotrichiellaceae, order Chaetothyriales. The genus Exophiala is comprised of opportunistic pathogens isolated from clinical specimens as well as species recovered from hydrocarbon contaminated environments. Several species have been reported to be able to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenz

The ISO22400 standard defines key performance indicators for manufacturing operation management. Its visionary goal is to be applicable to all industry types, regardless the production methodology and the process configuration. Pursuing this objective, a challenging trade-off between generality and specificity in the definitions must be found. In the cited standard, the former approach has been pr

Many microorganisms are alive while suspended in the atmosphere, and some seem to be metabolically active during their time there. One of the most important factors threatening their life and activity is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Quantitative understanding of the spatial and temporal survival patterns in the atmosphere, and of the ultimate deposition of microbes to the surface, is limited

Wilms tumour is a paediatric malignancy with features of halted kidney development. Here, we demonstrate that the Iroquois homeobox genes IRX3 and IRX5 are essential for mammalian nephrogenesis and govern the differentiation of Wilms tumour. Knock-out Irx3−/Irx5− mice showed a strongly reduced embryonic nephron formation. In human foetal kidney and Wilms tumour, IRX5 expression was already activat

Improving the lung function after experimental allergen challenge by blocking of mast cell (MC) mediators and the capability of MC mediators (including histamine, prostaglandin (PG) D2, and leukotriene (LT) C4) in induction of mucosal edema, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion provide evidence that MCs play a key role in pathophysiology of asthma. In asthma, the number of MCs increases in the

Hyperlocal media has repeatedly been framed as a potential saviour of local journalism, but the democratic and civic role that often is ascribed to hyperlocals is not obvious or uncomplicated. The hyperlocals’ vulnerable economic situation makes them dependent on free content, for example material produced by local councils or organizations. This paper investigates the role of hyperlocal media ent

Background: With improving survival in ovarian cancer, second primary cancers (SPCs) and their etiological foundations are becoming an issue. The ways in which family history may influence the occurrence of SPCs and the related mortality are not well known. Methods: Based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, we identified 11,300 ovarian cancer patients and followed them for diagnoses of SPCs unt

While a standard part of twin modeling, the magnitude of shared environment (c2) is rarely examined by comparing estimates obtained using other methods. To clarify these effects on familial resemblance, we estimated c2 for 20 diverse phenotypes in: (i) monozygotic and dizygotic twins, (ii) all step-siblings, and (iii) reared together and apart half-siblings, ascertained from the Swedish general po

Background: Familial clustering of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers and the significance of family history has been addressed previously. We aimed to elucidate the familial risk based on the specified tumor location and histology. Method: In the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, we determined the familial risk of UGI cancer patients diagnosed (1958–2015) with esophageal and gastric cancer by tum

During recent years there has been an increasing demand for better operation of wastewater treatment plants in order to guarantee satisfactory effluent quality at minimal cost. The renewed interest in instrumentation and control comes after a period of huge investments in sewer networks and treatment plants. Several factors have contributed to the potential for better operation and control, such a

Problemet med förfalskade läkemedel är stort globalt. Patienter med svårbedömdasymtom kan ha biverkningar av sådana. Läkare behöver vara mer medvetna om förekomsten av förfalskade läkemedel, och veta hur de ska handskas med problemet.