Objective To evaluate a calibration method for disk diffusion antibiotic susceptibility tests, using zone diameter values generated in the individual laboratory as the internal calibrator for combinations of antibiotic and bacterial species. Methods The high-zone side of zone histogram distributions was first analyzed by moving averages to determine the peak position of the susceptible population

We present a software solution that enables faster and more accurate data analysis of 2DE/MALDI TOF MS data. The software supports data analysis through a number of automated data selection functions and advanced graphical tools. Once protein identities are determined using MALDI TOF MS, automated data retrieval from online databases provides biological information. The software, called 2DDB, redu

It has been proposed that hyaluronan-binding proteoglycans play an important role as guiding cues during neural crest (NC) cell migration, but their precise function has not been elucidated. In this study, we examine the distribution, structure and putative role of the two major hyaluronan-binding proteoglycans, PG-M/versicans and aggrecan, during the course of avian NC development. PG-M/versicans

The complex [Mn-III(HL)(L)(py)(CH3OH)](CH3OH)-C-. (H2L=2-ortho-hydroxyphenylbenzimidazole, py pyridine), 1, has been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography. The complex is triclinic, space group P-1(-) with a = 10.396(2), b = 10.7340(10), c = 15.193(2) angstrom, alpha = 73.193(4)degrees, beta = 76.283(8)degrees, gamma = 61.400(40)degrees, V = 1415.1(4)angstrom(3), Z = 2, D-c

Superlattices with magnetic layers containing from 8 to 16 GaMnAs monolayers corresponding to the mixed crystal composition between 5 and 6% of Mn and from 4 to 10 GaAs monolayers were grown by the low temperature MBE technique and characterized by Raman scattering. Folded acoustic phonons were observed for all superlattices in the Raman scattering spectra. The interlayer exchange coupling, found

Cardiac index, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, carbon dioxide elimination and ventilation of each lung were studied during thoracotomy. Seventeen patients, placed in the full lateral position, were ventilated mechanically through a Carlens' tube to moderate hypocapnia. Mean cardiac index increased by 12% as the pleura was opened (P less than 0.05), with no further change during surgery

We have examined the short-term effects of three volatile anaesthetics, halothane, isoflurane and desflurane, on mucociliary activity in the rabbit maxillary sinus in vivo. Mucociliary activity was recorded photoelectrically and the signal processed by fast Fourier transformation. Administration of 1.0 MAC of halothane, isoflurane or desflurane caused a temporary increase in mucociliary activity,

Six healthy volunteers were exposed to gaseous hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) concentrations of 10, 40, or 80 micrograms.m-3 (65, 260 or 520 nmol.m-3, respectively) for 8 h. The respiratory uptake of the inhaled HHPA was almost complete. Rapid increases in plasma and urinary levels of hexahydrophthalic acid (HHP acid) were seen. During the first 4 h after the end of exposure, the half-time of

This article addresses the role of proximity for knowledge collaboration between dedicated biotechnology firms (DBFs) and related actors. Innovation projects managed by a selection of eight Swedish DBFs are analysed in detail and classified with regard to their specific knowledge characteristics. Based on this classification, explanations to the relative importance of functional and relational pro

In this study, we assessed the prevalence of self-rated post-traumatic stress in relation to reported trauma in an unselected primary care population. A total of 1113 out of 1378 consecutive attenders (response rate 81%) to 10 health centres completed the self-report instruments Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Post Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS-10). A horizontal visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-100

Depending on the balance between sink and source processes for C, drained organic forest soil ecosystems can be in balance or act as net sinks or sources of CO2 to the atmosphere. In order to study the effect of groundwater level and soil temperature on C-flux, the CoupModel was calibrated (climate data, groundwater levels, soil CO2 flux, net ecosystem fluxes of CO2-exchange, sensible heat flux an

We describe a novel cell culture protocol for the generation of neurons from a human teratocarcinoma cell line. These neurons were used to investigate hypoxic-ischaemic cell damage and for developing neuroprotective strategies. Cultures of human model neurons should eventually serve to reduce the number of experimental animals in cerebral stroke research.

The ultrafast decay of the x-ray diffraction intensity following laser excitation of an InSb crystal has been utilized to observe carrier dependent changes in the potential energy surface. For the first time, an abrupt carrier dependent onset for potential energy surface softening and the appearance of accelerated atomic disordering for a very high average carrier density have been observed. Inert

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion can lead to pulmonary injury characterised by increased macromolecular leakage and leukocyte sequestration. Important mediators of ischaemia-reperfusion-associated injury include polymorphonuclear granulocytes and platelet-activating factor. AIM: To investigate the potential therapeutic inhibition of platelet-activating factor in intestinal ischaemia-re

Tumor-associated trypsin-2 and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) are associated with cancer, particularly with invasive squamous cell carcinomas. They require activation for catalytical competence via proteolytic cascades. One cascade is formed by enterokinase, trypsin-2 and MMP-9; enterokinase activates trypsinogen-2 to trypsin-2, which is an efficient proMMP-9 activator. We describe here that ora

The analysis of Helicobacter pylori proteins is a demanding task for the elucidation of virulence factors, antigens and vaccines, all important for diagnosis, therapy and protection. In the "pre-genomic era" the purification of proteins was mostly performed by using various techniques such as detergent treatment of the bacterial cells, ultra-centrifugation, various chromatographic methods, antibod

Investigating claims that a clothed person’s mass loss does not always represent their evaporative heat loss (EVAP), a thermal manikin study was performed measuring heat balance components in more detail than human studies would permit. Using clothing with different levels of vapor permeability and measuring heat losses from skin controlled at 34°C in ambient temperatures of 10, 20, and 34°C with