Most IDDM patients temporarily restore some of their beta-cell function following the initiation of insulin therapy. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of age, gender, metabolic state at diagnosis and presence of autoantibodies (GAD65 antibodies and ICA) on the duration of the clinical partial remission. In total, 149 consecutively diagnosed IDDM children, 0-16 y old (70F, 79M, mea

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

To analyze whether HLA may be a determinant of the risk of developing cervical cancer precursor lesions, the association between HLA and cervical neoplasia among HPV16-seropositive and -negative subjects was determined in a population-based cohort in the Vasterbotten county of Northern Sweden. HLA genotyping of DR and DQ was done by PCR in 74 patients and 164 healthy controls matched for age, sex

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

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

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) regulates one-carbon transfer reactions that are essential for amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, and uses pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. Apo SHMT2 exists as a dimer with unknown functions, whereas PLP binding stabilizes the active tetrameric state. SHMT2 also promotes inflammatory cytokine signalling by interacting with the deubiquitylatin

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

A crack perpendicular to, and initially with the tip on, a bimaterial interface is studied. An asymptotic analysis is performed and crack growth proceeds straight ahead at constant remote load. Mode I conditions and plane strain are assumed. The materials on both sides of the interface are elastic perfectly‐plastic with different elastic properties and the same yield stress. A finite element analy

To study the formation and characterize the structure of mixed complexes of oppositely charged block copolymers and surfactants are of great significance for practical applications, e.g., in drug carrier formulations that are based on electrostatically assisted assembly. In this context, biocompatible block copolymers and biosurfactants (like bile salts) are particularly interesting. In this work,

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

Two-way communication and strong relationships between government and affected communities are necessary to enhance the latter’s resilience to disaster risks. The Tlokwe City Council (TCC) in the North-West province, South Africa, is facing a dolomite and sinkhole disaster risk that threatens the safety of several residential areas, including informal settlements. A dolomite disaster riskreduction