Exclusively synthesized by normal neutrophil and monocyte precursor cells, myeloperoxidase (MPO) functions not only in host defense by mediating efficient microbial killing but also can contribute to progressive tissue damage in chronic inflammatory states Such as atherosclerosis. The biosynthetic precursor, apoproMPO, is processed slowly in the ER, undergoing cotranslational N-glycosylation, tran

Decorin belongs to the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan family, interacts with fibrillar collagens, and regulates the assembly, structure, and biomechanical properties of connective tissues. The decorin-collagen type I-binding region is located in leucine-rich repeats 5–6. Site-directed mutagenesis of this 54-residue-long collagen-binding sequence identifies Arg-207 and Asp-210 in leucine-ri

Possible consequences of the production of small black holes at the LHC for different scenarios with large extra dimensions are investigated. The effects from black hole production on some standard jet observables are examined, concentrating on the reduction of the QCD cross section. It is found that black hole production of partons interacting on a short enough distance indeed seem to generate a

Background: A reason for the digestive problems that often occur around early weaning in piglets could be that the pancreas is not yet fully developed and the enzymes required for degradation of the solid food are not secreted in enough amounts. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of inducing pancreas maturation with enhanced enzyme secretion. Methods: 10-day-old su

Objective: To establish whether children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with signs of pronounced beta-cell-specific autoimmunity as reflected by high autoantibody titers or positivity for several beta-cell-specific autoantibodies show a different pattern of month of birth (MOB) compared with children with T1D and low beta-cell autoimmunity and that of the general population. Research design a

The dic( 7; 9)( p11 similar to 13; p11 similar to 13) is a recurrent chromosomal abnormality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), mainly of B-lineage. Although more than 20 dic(7; 9)-positive ALLs have been reported to date, the molecular genetic consequences of this aberration are unknown. We performed tiling resolution (32K) genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization ( array CGH

Climate change and endeavours towards a sustainable society have brought the interest of wood-based biorefineries to the fore. Lignin is the main energy carrier in chemical pulp mills. Today, the heat value of lignin is commonly recovered in the recovery boiler of the mill. However, interest in the extraction of lignin for use as an external biofuel and in speciality chemicals is growing. Lignosul

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects millions of people world wide causing considerable human suffering and large socioeconomic costs. Increased knowledge of pathological pathways involved in RA will enable development of modern drugs, with reduced side effects. The mouse models offer an attractive approach to dissect the genetic and molecular mechanisms of RA.

A density functional theory for polymer solutions is generalized to cases where the monomers have a different diameter to the solvent. An appropriate free energy functional is obtained by integration of the generalized Flory equation of state for such systems. This functional predicts that entropic demixing may occur in polymer solutions in which the solvent particles are smaller than the monomers

The mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) is considered to be an important mediator of apoptosis and necrosis, and is specifically blocked by cyclosporin A (CsA). CsA has been shown to exert a potent neuroprotective action in vivo when allowed to cross the blood–brain barrier in various animal models of acute neurological insults and neurodegenerative disease. The neuroprotective effect of C

New cancer treatments should aim to destroy tumor cells without disturbing normal tissue. HAMLET (human a-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) offers a new molecular approach to solving this problem, because it induces apoptosis in tumor cells but leaves normal differentiated cells unaffected. After partial unfolding and binding to oleic acid, α-lactalbumin forms the HAMLET complex, which enter

In recent decades, the dominant planning discourse has undergone a great change from a previous top-down approach towards collaborative and communicative planning. Instead of merely planning for the people in a technocratic and positivist approach, planners are increasingly expected to pay attention to the voices of the citizens. However, within this new participatory approach there is a growing p

The transcriptional response in the parasitic fungus Monacrosporium haptotylum and its nematode host Caenorhabditis elegans were analyzed during infection using cDNA microarrays. The array contained 2,684 fungal and 372 worm gene reporters. Dramatic shifts occurred in the transcriptome of M. haptotylum during the different stages of the infection. An initial transcriptional response was recorded a

Purpose: To provide a guideline curriculum covering theoretical and practical aspects of education and training for medical physicists in radiotherapy within Europe. Material and methods: Guidelines have been developed for the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience required to practice as a medical physicist in radiotherapy. It is assumed that the typical entrant into training w