The secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) is a low molecular weight, tissue-specific inhibitor of, for example, elastase and cathepsin G, which also have antimicrobial capacity. SLPI has been localised to the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genital tracts, but so far not to the kidney. The presence of SLPI in renal tubuli cells was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry and, by means

The 7th Ammendment to the Cosmetics Directive of the European Commission (Directive 76/768/EEC2) bans the marketing of cosmetics containing animal-tested ingredients since March 2009. Excepted are only tests for repeated dose toxicity, for which the animal ban will come into effect by 2013. One major concern for cosmetics, i.e. the risk of containing skin (contact) sensitizers, has in the past bee

Abstract in French Nous proposons ici des stades de développement du français acquis par les adultes suédophones, formulés comme profils grammaticaux d'apprenants à des niveaux différents. Cette proposition se fonde sur les résultats empiriques des travaux menés au sein de deux projets différents sur l'acquisition du français L2 des apprenants suédophones. À partir d'itinéraires acquisitionnels no

Nine strains of staphylococci were examined for their antibiotic resistance and for binding of seven extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules (bovine mucin, porcine mucin, porcine fibronectin, bovine fibrinogen, fetuin, bovine lactoferrin and heparin) immobilized on latex beads in the particle agglutination assay. All nine strains were resistant to bacitracin, and most of them were multiresistant. Fou

Summary: Purpose: The study purpose was to evaluate sleep structure during ketogenic diet (KD) treatment in children with therapy-resistant epilepsy and to correlate possible alterations with changes in clinical effects on seizure reduction, seizure severity, quality of life (QOL), and behavior. Methods: Eighteen children were examined with ambulatory polysomnographic recordings initially and aft

We have recently shown that leukotriene D-4 (LTD4) increases cell survival in intestinal epithelial cells. Here we report and explore the complementary finding that LTD4 also enhances proliferation in these cells. This proliferative response was approximately half of that induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its required activation of protein kinase C (PKC), Ras and the mitogen-activated p

The respiratory pathogen Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae is associated with chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and giant-cell arteritis, which are accompanied by the occurrence of these obligate intracellular bacteria in blood vessels. There, C. pneumoniae seems to be present in a persistent state. Persistence is characterized by modified bacterial metabolism and morphology, as well

Depressed patients have been found to generate fewer anticipated positive future events, but most previous studies have included patients who have either been severely depressed or expressed suicidal thoughts and intents or both. The aim of this study was to compare positive and negative future-directed thinking in persons with mild to moderate depression who did not express suicidal thoughts or i

The sensory quality of broccoli stored in modified atmosphere packages was studied. Oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were used as packaging materials. The LDPE contained an ethylene-absorbing sachet. The samples were stored for I week, either at a constant temperature of 10 degreesC or for 3 days at 4 degreesC, followed by 4 days at 10 degr

Distinct morphologic and clinical features associated with specific chromosomal abnormalities have been described in subgroups of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which often are losses or gains and only rarely translocations. Among 103 consecutive MDS patients diagnosed and karyotyped at the Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg (ALU) between 1993 and 1999, two chronic myelomonocytic leukemias (C

We report the cryo-EM structure of bacteriophage lambda and the mechanism for stabilizing the 20-angstrom-thick capsid containing the dsDNA genome. The crystal structure of the HK97 bacteriophage capsid fits most of the T = 7 lambda particle density with only minor adjustment. A prominent surface feature at the 3-fold axes corresponds to the cementing protein gpD, which is necessary for stabilizat

Introduction and presentation to the six essays that encompasses the issue at hand.

Autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65Ab) are commonly believed to be a major characteristic for type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated the presence of GAD65Ab in healthy individuals (n = 238) and first-degree relatives (FDRs) of T1D patients (n = 27) who tested negative for GAD65Ab in conventional RIAs. Sera were applied to affinity columns coated with GAD65-specific mAbs to absorb a

New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis integrating magnetic resonance image assessment with clinical and other paraclinical methods were introduced in 2001. The "McDonald Criteria" have been extensively assessed and used since 2001. New evidence and consensus now strengthen the role of these criteria in the multiple sclerosis diagnostic workup to demonstrate dissemination of lesions in tim