BACKGROUND: MEK1/2 is a serine/threonine protein that phosphorylates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). Cerebral ischemia results in enhanced expression of cerebrovascular contractile receptors in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) leading to the ischemic region. Here we explored the role of the MEK/ERK pathway in receptor expression following ischemic brain injury using the specific ME

We show that a simple equilibrium model with uncertain growth is able to simultaneously generate patterns in implied volatility and risk aversion that are similar to the ones observed in the data. In addition, the model produces an implied pricing kernel that is increasing for particular levels of wealth.

Dermatan sulfate epimerase 2 (DS-epi2), together with its homologue DS-epi1, transform glucuronic acid into iduronic acid in dermatan sulfate polysaccharide chains. Iduronic acid gives dermatan sulfate increased chain flexibility and promotes protein binding. DS-epi2 is ubiquitously expressed and is the predominant epimerase in brain. Here we report the generation and initial characterization of D

OBJECTIVES: This study examined which individual and national factors affect condom use among adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Multilevel analysis. METHODS: This study reviewed the data on bullying, alcohol use and condom use provided by 18 European countries and subnational entities in the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey. Another eight contextual variables were also analysed. Three mult

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocele repair in patients with grade III lesions and chronic dull scrotal pain.

Combining cultural theory with the philosophy of law, this essay argues that the advent of state-managed, industrial genocide has brought about a crisis of confidence in the institutions of modern society. A wave of incrimination emanates from the holocaust, which primarily strikes against the institutions of law, but also affects the credibility of sociosymbolic mandate as such. Drawing on the wr

Abstract in German Zur Überwachung der Qualität des Betons für den Oresund-Tunnel wurde eine umfassende Betonspezifikation ausgearbeitet. Die geforderte Lebensdauer des Bauwerks ist mit 1 00 Jahre angesetzt - und dies bei aggressiven, betonangreifenden Umgebungsbedingungen: Meerwasser, Taumittel, Frost-Tau-Wechsel, Wasserdruck usw. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt Überblick über die wichtigsten AnfordA comprehensive concrete specification has been prepared to control the quality of the concrete for the Øresund Link. The required service life of the structure is 100 years in environmental conditions that are aggressive to concrete ; marine environment deicing agents, freeze-thaw action, water pressure etc. This paper gives a short review of the most important requirements for the concrete to be

In men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the risk of hypogonadism is often overlooked. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may increase this risk. The objective of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of hypogonadism in NOA-patients, the impact of TESE on hormone balance and the association between testosterone deficiency and dyslipidaemia. Men with NOA who had undergone TESE during the

The clinically important Kidd (JK) blood group system is considered to be relatively uncomplicated, both serologically and genetically. The JK*01 and JK*02 alleles give rise to Jk(a) and Jk(b) antigens, respectively, and silenced alleles result in Jk(a-b-). Other inherited variants analogous to Fy(x) and weak D phenotypes have not been characterized for JK, although recent abstracts indicate their

This article describes the Survivable Network Design Library (SNDlib), a data library for fixed telecommunication network design available at http://sndlib.zib.de. In the current version 1.0, the library contains data related to 22 networks which, combined with a set of selected planning parameters, leads to 830 network design problem instances. In this article, we discuss the data concepts of SND

The virion glycoproteins Gn and Gc of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (family Bunyaviridae) are encoded by the M RNA genome segment and have roles in both viral attachment and membrane fusion. To investigate further the structure and function of the Gc protein in viral replication, we generated 12 mutants that contain truncations from the N terminus. The effects of these deletions were analysed with re