Elimination of all animal material during both the derivation and long-term culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is necessary prior to future application of hESCs in clinical cell therapy. The potential consequences of transplanting xeno-contaminated hESCs into patients, such as an increased risk of graft rejection [STEM CELLS 2006;24:221229] and the potential transfer of nonhuman pathoge

This review summarizes experimental findings that highlight the complex roles of the immune system in atherogenesis. Immune activation can have either proatherogenic or atheroprotective effects. Immune-modulation therapy via an active or passive immunization strategy aims to exploit the atheroprotective aspects of the immune system to modulate atherosclerosis. Several experimental studies have dem

Novel non-thiazolidinedione, tyrosine-derived peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists, GI 262570, GW 7845, GW 1929, developed by Glaxo-Smith-Kline (GSK) along with pioglitazone and nisoldipine, were studied on currents through L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from mesenteric arteries, and on the diameter of pressurized mesen

OBJECTIVE: To examine the concept of selective superior and inferior vestibular nerve involvement in vestibular neuritis by studying the distribution of semicircular canal (SCC) involvement in such patients. BACKGROUND: Vestibular neuritis was traditionally thought to involve the superior and inferior vestibular nerves. Recent work suggests that in some patients, only the superior nerve is involve

In the neutral title complex, [Cu(C3H2O4)(C5H8N2)(2-)(H2O)]. 2H(2)O or [Cu(mal)(dmp)(2)(H2O)]. 2H(2)O (mal is malonate and dmp is 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole), the Cu-II ion, in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry, is coordinated by two O atoms of the bidentate malonate, the O atom of the water ligand and two N atoms from the two 3,5-dimethylpyrazole ligands. The mean Cu-N bond length is 2

Day care is currently a common way of providing treatment for minor and average paediatric surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess possible benefits of increasing parental involvement in the care of operated children in a day-care surgery unit. By giving parents information and education about post-operative care, the goal was to facilitate recovery and minimize time spent in

In the insulin-secreting beta-cell line beta TC3, stimulation with 11.2 mmol/l glucose caused a rise in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in only 18% of the tested cells. The number of glucose-responsive cells increased after pretreatment of the cells with glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-I)(7-36)amide and at 10(-11) mol/l; 84% of the cells responded to glucose with a rise in [Ca2+]i

Popular Abstract in Swedish Syftet med arbetet är att undersöka och påvisa hur ett bostadshus kan projekteras så att funktionen på bästa sätt motsvarar de krav som ställs, till lägsta möjliga kostnad och miljöpåverkan över hela livscykeln. Såväl metodiken för helhetsprojektering, som byggnadens specifika egenskaper och funktioner studeras. Metodiken som utvecklas är generell, medan tillämpningen, The objective of this work is to explore ways of enhancing the overall lifetime quality, including cost and environmental efficiency, of Swedish concrete multi-dwelling buildings. The building and its characteristics, as well as the procedures for whole life optimisation, are addressed. The methods developed are general for buildings, while the application is specific. The fundamental characteris

The diagnosis and prognosis for 135 women with breast cancer and 99 women with ovarian cancer in a well-defined geographical area, and a follow-up of 7-15 years are described, based on patients' records. Diagnosis was initiated in primary care for 53% of women with breast cancer, and for 57% of women with ovarian cancer. Median patient delay was 1 week for breast cancer, and 3.5 weeks for ovarian

Avian sex determination is chromosomal; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood. There is no conclusive evidence for either of two proposed mechanisms: a dominant genetic switch or a dosage mechanism. No dominant sex-determining gene on the female-specific W chromosome has been found. Birds lack inactivation of one of the Z chromosomes in males, but seem to compensate for a doubl

The opening article of this issue is intended to provide a review of some relevant topics of the mathematical theory of water waves that have recently received considerable attention in the research literature. We also provide a brief discussion about the content and contribution of the articles that make up this issue.

Bone remodeling involves old bone resorption by osteoclasts and new bone formation by osteoblasts. However, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying these consecutive events remain obscure. To address this question in vitro, we have established a cell culture model in which the resorption lacunae are first created by osteoclasts and osteoblast-like cells accomplish the subsequent bone formation.

The activity of titania based copper and platinum monolithic catalysts in the reduction of nitrogen oxides was studied with exhaust gases from a Diesel engine injecting fuel as reductant. Combining both catalysts, a two-stage system was designed, studying the influence of the copper catalysts composition on its performance with synthetic gas mixtures. The influence of reactants concentration and o

The diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM) is often difficult, depending heavily on the experience and skills of the examiner. However, it is important to identify episodes of AOM that involve the risk of complications and to treat these episodes appropriately. The present study was performed in order to evaluate the use of a rapid antigen assay for Streptococcus pneumoniae, the Binax NOW test, as

he objective for this study was to investigate whether the adaptation of postural control was similar during galvanic vestibular stimulation and during vibratory proprioceptivestimulation of the calf muscles. Healthy subjects were tested during erect stance with eyes open or closed. An analysis method designed to consider the adaptive adjustments was used to evaluate the motion dynamics and the ev

In Lake Washington, juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) strongly prefer Daphnia over other prey, switching uniformly to Daphnia when the threshold abundance of 0.4 Daphnia L-1 is achieved. Using long-term Lake Washington data (1978-2001) and fry trap data (1992-2001) from a major tributary, we examined the following: (i) factors that predict Daphnia pulicaria and Daphnia thorata increase