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Human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) protects host tissue, and those pathogens able to hijack this plasma glycoprotein, from complement-mediated destruction. We now show that the first two complement control protein (CCP) modules of the C4BP alpha-chain, plus the four residues connecting them, are necessary and sufficient for binding a bacterial virulence factor, the Streptococcus pyogenes M4 (Arp4) p

This paper reviews Olof Thorin's contributions to mathematical analysis, actuarial mathematics, and probability theory, though in reversed order. In probability theory he is known for his path-breaking work on infinite divisibility. In actuarial mathematics he contributed significantly to the ruin problem. However, his international fame very much relies on his work in mathematical analysis and hi

Testing models of macroevolution, and especially the sufficiency of microevolutionary processes, requires good collaboration between molecular biologists and paleontologists. We report such a test for events around the Late Cretaceous by describing the earliest penguin fossils, analyzing complete mitochondrial genomes from an albatross, a petrel, and a loon, and describe the gradual decline of pte

This study was to elucidate the physiological effects of dynamic apneas, as performed as a discipline in breath-hold diving for recreational or competitive purposes. Therefore, cardiovascular and respiratory effects of apneas with simultaneously initiated exercise were investigated in ten trained breath-hold divers. They performed maximum duration apneas with face immersion (26 degrees C) under re

1. The female-limited colour polymorphic damselfly Ischnura elegans has proven to be an interesting study organism both as an example of female sexual polymorphism, and in the context of the evolution of colour polymorphism, as a model of speciation processes. 2. Previous research suggests the existence of correlations between colour morph and other phenotypic traits, and the different female morp

Stable oxygen and carbon isotope data from a lacustrine sequence at Graenge, southeast Denmark, revealed distinct environmental changes related to Late Weichselian climatic development in the region. Comparison of isotopic records obtained from sedimentary carbonates and freshwater molluscs enabled reconstruction of changes in the lacustrine environment. The degree of thermal and chemical stratifi

In this study, we found Lewis X (Le(X)) determinants on 68% of Helicobacter pylori isolates from patients with chronic gastroduodenal diseases. Anti-Le(X) IgG were detected more frequently in the sera from dyspeptic children and adults (45 and 46%), with or without proved (culture) H. pylori infection, than in the sera from healthy individuals (14%, and 25%). In contrast, the prevalence of anti-Le

BACKGROUND. Patients with the familial syndrome hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) exhibit air increased risk for several tumor types, of which the greatest lifetime risk is for colorectal and endometrial carcinoma. HNPCC is caused by a germline mutation in one of several identified mismatch repair (MMR) genes and typically presents with microsatellite instability (MSI) and frequ

Causality tests in the Granger's sense are increasingly applied in empirical research. Since the unit root revolution in time-series analysis, several modifications of tests for causality have been introduced in the literature. One of the recent developments is the Toda-Yamamoto modified Wald (MWALD) test, which is attractive due to its simple application, its absence of pre-testing distortions, a

Platelets contain growth factors that are believed to stimulate early fracture repair. Autologous platelets can be sequestered, concentrated, and mixed with thrombin to yield a so-called autologous growth factor gel, which might enhance bone repair or bone graft incorporation. The effect of this platelet concentrate on total tissue and bone ingrowth into porous coralline hydroxyapatite was studied

This paper synthesizes and expands on the results of a recent series of investigations aimed at characterizing the interactions of orthophosphate, phenylphosphonate, and clodronate ions with hydrous alumina surfaces. The paper shows that gamma-Al2O3 is a thermodynamically unstable substance in water, which undergoes a (surface) phase transformation into bayerite, beta-Al(OH)(3). Furthermore, it al

The BioCyc database collection is a set of 160 pathway/genome databases (PGDBs) for most eukaryotic and prokaryotic species whose genomes have been completely sequenced to date. Each PGDB in the BioCyc collection describes the genome and predicted metabolic network of a single organism, inferred from the MetaCyc database, which is a reference source on metabolic pathways from multiple organisms. I

The present investigation deals with the main factors involved in early infection of nematode eggs by fungal parasites. We studied the effect of hydrophobicity on appressorium formation by germlings of Pochonia rubescens (syn. Verticillium suchlasporium), P. chlamydosporia (syn. V. chlamydosporium) and Lecanicillium lecanii (syn. V. lecanii). Appressoria were frequently formed on hydrophobic surfa

In this paper we shall concentrate on Gaussian (or close to Gaussian) loads acting on a structure. The goal is to compute a measure of risk for fatigue of a component during a specific time period and the so called "safety index" will be used to combine different types of uncertainties. The presented methodology can be applied in a more general situation of environmental loads which properties may

Costs of sperm production may lead to prudence in male sperm allocation and also to male mate choice. Here, we develop a life history-based mutual mate choice model that takes into account the lost-opportunity costs for males from time out in sperm recovery and lets mate competition be determined by the prevailing mate choice strategies. We assume that high mating rate may potentially lead to sper

Recent evidence for efficient delivery of macromolecules, such as peptides and nucleic acids, from the cell exterior to the nucleus offers the interesting possibility of developing novel treatments directed at intranuclear targets. The findings should also stimulate the search for physiological ligands that utilize similar transport mechanisms to regulate pathobiological processes. Cytokines, grow