Protein HC (alias alpha 1-microglobulin) contains so far unidentified yellow-brown fluorescent chromophores. Several preparations of human protein HC were extracted with hexane. Most of the extracts contained a substance which, upon reversed-phase HPLC, co-eluted with all-trans- retinol and had an absorption spectrum identical to that of retinol. The substance was also, like retinol, destroyed by

As pointed out in the preceding review (Nachemson and Rydevik 1988), the most serious and common complications of chymopapain treatment of patients with sciatica due to disc herniation are cerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhages and allergic manifestations. Recent progress in biochemical and physiologic studies of cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors allows some speculation on how these complica

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) possesses both beneficial and toxic bioactivities. Mechanisms may operate to counteract harmful effects. We have identified a TNF binding protein (TNF-BP), which shows increased levels in serum and urine of patients on regular hemodialysis treatment (RDT). TNF-BP inhibited the specific binding of human recombinant TNF (rTNF) to its cell surface receptor. Results from ge

The mechanism(s) behind the larger relative increase of Plasma beta 2 microglobulin (P-beta 2m) than that of Plasma albumin (P-alb) during Cuprophan hemodialysis is disputed. To elucidate this phenomenon P-alb, P-beta 2m (MW 11,800) and Plasma cystatin (P-cC; MW 13,000) an inhibitor of cystein proteinases, were determined before and after a Cuprophan or polysulphone hemodialysis (4-7 hr, QB 200 ml

Polyclonal protein HC-IgA complexes (HC-IgA) were isolated from two different serum pools. Their hydrodynamic volumes were found to be slightly greater than that of monomeric IgA but less than that of dimeric IgA. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of reduced and carboxymethylated complexes followed by immunoblotting showed that the complexes contained normal light an

We studied the influence of plasmapheresis on the plasma concentrations of proteins (IgG, IgA, beta 2-microglobulin) used for estimation of tumour cell mass in patients with multiple myeloma. Simultaneously, the effects of plasmapheresis on plasma concentrations of proteins (CRP, alpha 1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin) used for the assessment of inflammatory processes were studied. Also, changes in the

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/cachectin can produce both beneficial and harmful manifestations. Mechanisms may operate to counteract potentially harmful effects such as shock and cachexia. The TNF binding protein (TNF-BP), which is found at increased levels in serum and urine of patients with chronic renal failure, may play such a role. TNF-BP was purified 1,000,000-fold to homogeneity from urine of

For cells to function correctly within an organism, they need different systems to communicate with each other. One crucial part of cell signaling is the proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are macromolecules that bind different signaling molecules and proteins necessary for processes such as growth and proliferation. Therefore, PGs and GAGs are involved in pathological proces

Steps at metal surfaces may influence energetics and kinetics of catalytic reactions in unexpected ways. Here, we report a significant reduction of the CO saturation coverage in Pd vicinal surfaces, which in turn is relevant for the light-off of the CO oxidation reaction. The study is based on a systematic investigation of CO adsorption on vicinal Pd(111) surfaces making use of a curved Pd crystal

Objective: Papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) and stage TaG1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) represent separate categories in current WHO 1999 grade definitions. Similarly, PUNLMP and Ta low-grade are separate entities in the WHO 2004/2016 grading system. However, this classification is currently questioned by reports showing a similar risk of recurrence a

Transcriptional profiling of acute leukemia, specifically by RNA-sequencing or whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS), has provided fundamental insights into its underlying disease biology and allows unbiased detection of oncogenic gene fusions, as well as of gene expression signatures that can be used for improved disease classification. While used as a research tool for many years, RNA-sequencing

Cystatin C is a human cysteine proteinase inhibitor present in extracellular fluids. Cystatin C and a tripeptide derivative (Z-LVG-CHN2) that mimics its proteinase-binding center, were tested for possible antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) and poliovirus type 1. Both recombinant cystatin C and Z-LVG-CHN2 displayed strong inhibitory effects on HSV replication, whereas no s

Book Review

Previous research has expressed concerns about firms engaging less in basic research. We contribute to this debate by studying trends in the scientific publishing activities of firms located in Germany. Our results indicate that the firms’ aggregate volume of scientific publications stayed constant between 2008 and 2016. However, the number and share of publishing firms declined, and publication a

The Rich Kids of Instagram (RKOI) portray luxury lifestyles on social media. The potential roles of travel and transport within these online displays of affluence have not yet been examined. This paper’s purpose is to analyse how transport modes and luxury travel are depicted and interrelated through RKOI images. Co-occurrence analyses were conducted using a data set of Instagram posts with RKOI a

Objective: Parastomal hernia (PH) in association with an ileal conduit is a common complication that is difficult to treat. Mesh reinforcement has been suggested to improve outcomes; either as prophylaxis or for treatment of a parastomal hernia during abdominal wall reconstruction. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was performed in consecutive patients subjected to mesh implantation betw