Metasedimentary granulites from the central portion of the Belarus-Podlyasie granulite belt were studied with the purpose to reproduce the Paleoproterozoic tectono-thermal evolution in the western part of the East European craton. The regularities identified in the compositional variations in minerals (particularly, garnet), textural relations between minerals, and thermobarometric data point to t

A series of CCK2 receptor ligands were analysed with respect to their interaction with binding sites in the membranes of COS-7 cells and SK-N-MC cells transiently expressing the human CCK2 receptor (short isoform). The ligands were YF476, YM022, AG041R, L-740,093, JB93182, PD134308, and PD136450. Their binding was analysed by radioligand competition using [H-3]L-365,260 as the labelled ligand. Sat

To define fibre type grouping in terms of random and non-random arrangements of the two fibre types, type 1 (ST) and type 2 (FT), we adopted the measure of counting the number of "enclosed fibres". The statistical properties of the number of enclosed fibres, and the number and size of groups of enclosed fibres were studied in computer-simulated muscle cross-sections, using a model based upon hexag

The selective mobilization of fatty acids from white fat cells depends on their molecular structure, in particular the degree of unsaturation. The present study was designed to examine if the release of fatty acids by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in vitro i) is influenced by the amount of unsaturation, ii) depends on the temperature, and iii) could explain the selective pattern of fatty acid mob

Two potential azapeptide inhibitors of cathepsin K were designed and synthesized. To analyze in detail interactions between these azainhibitors and the investigated cysteine protease, molecular dynamics simulations were performed. For the obtained compounds the equilibrium constants for dissociation of inhibitor-enzyme complex, K-i, were determined. The examined azapeptides proved to be not as pot

Swifts regularly spend the night flying at high altitude. From previous studies based on tracking radar observations, we know that they stay airborne during the night and prefer to orient themselves into the wind direction with an increased angular concentration with increasing wind speed. In this study, we investigated the orientation relative to the wind of individual swifts by frequency (discre

The solubility of 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, limonene, their mixtures and the extract of eucalyptus leaf oils in supercritical carbon dioxide were determined using the dynamic method at 80, 100, 150, and 250 bar and 40 and 60 degreesC for each pressure. The results showed an increase in the solubility of all oils with an increase in pressure and a decrease with temperature. The mixtures of both pu

The origins and spread of eastern Mediterranean civilizations 4000-2000 years ago constitute defining events in human development. Interregional connections across the sea played critical roles in building increasingly sophisticated economies and societies. Research of trade and exchange among these first centers has relied upon ancient societies' archaeological artifacts. The most ubiquitous arti

Objective: to conceptualise mothers’ and fathers’ thoughts and feelings before, during and after the routine ultrasound examination during the second trimester of pregnancy. Design, setting and participants: a grounded theory study. Two to four weeks after their ultrasound examination, 22 Swedish mothers and 22 fathers were interviewed in their homes. Findings: the basic social process was co

During revision total hip replacement using morcellised compacted bone allograft, 16 patients were randomised to receive a graft which had been rinsed in either an ibandronate solution or in saline. Patients were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry after operation and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. A region of interest between the tip of the femoral stem and the distal plastic plug was chosen

Objective: (1) To evaluate constraint-induced movement therapy for chronic stroke patients modified into group practice to limit the demand on therapist resources. (2) To explore whether extended mitt use alone may enhance outcome. Design: A combined case-control and randomized controlled study with pre- and post-treatment measures by blinded observers. Setting: A university hospital rehabilitatio

The aim was to investigate quality of life (QoL) in elderly persons newly diagnosed with cancer (65+ years) in relation to age, contact with the health-care system, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), hope, social network and support, and to identify which factors were associated with low QoL. The sample consisted of 101 patients (75 women and 26 men) newly diagnosed with cancer.

Quantum chemical calculations providing detailed information of dye-sensitized semiconductor nanocrystals are presented. The calculations are used to elucidate both structural and electronic properties of photoelectrochemical devices, such as environmentally friendly Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), at the molecular level. Quantum chemical calculations have recently been performed on both organ

In order to understand the expression and evolution of host resistance to pathogens, we need to examine the links between genetic variability at the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc), phenotypic expression of the immune response and parasite resistance in natural populations. To do so, we characterized the Mhc class I and IIB genes of house sparrows with the goal of designing a PCR-based geno

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) has been developed as a powerful technique for separating and purifying proteins. In this study, we have characterized the ability of new multimodal pH-HIC media to resolve proteins with only small differences in their primary structures. This was done by determining the retention times of different green fluorescent protein (GFP) mutants prepared from

Mps1 kinase plays an evolutionary conserved role in the mitotic spindle checkpoint [1-8]. This system precludes anaphase onset until all chromosomes have successfully attached to spindle microtubules via their kinetochores [9]. Mps1 overexpression in budding yeast is sufficient to trigger a mitotic arrest, which is dependent on the other mitotic. checkpoint components, Bub1, Bub3, Mad1, Mad2, and

Subsolidus phase relations have been determined for the BaO:TiO2:Ta2O5 system by X-ray diffraction analysis of ~100 specimens prepared in air at temperatures near but below the solidus (1275 °C to 1500 °C). For the BaO:Ta2O5 subsystem, the formation of all three polymorphs of BaTa2O6 (orthorhombic, tetragonal, and hexagonal) was confirmed. The present study found no stable phases forming between B