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Human cystatin D is a novel member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors present in saliva and tears. Two alleles of the cystatin D gene (CST5), encoding protein variants with either Cys or Arg as residue 26 in their 122-residue polypeptide chains, are present in the population. Expression of the two alleles was investigated by immunochemical analyses of the secreted cystat
We consider the conditions necessary for the development of an inverted population among the energy levels of free atoms in a medium exposed to radiation in spectral non- equilibrium. In particular, we focus on monochromatic radiation occurring as a result of an accidental wavelength coincidence between a pumping emission line and a pumped absorption line in two different elements. We examine espe
The rat femoral artery was used as a free graft and was studied after 2, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. The patency of the grafts was 100% (2 days, n = 6), 78% (7 days, n = 9), 63% (14 days, n = 8), 33% (30 days, n = 12), and 18% (60 days, n = 11). Histology showed an intimal thickening after 14 days and the media, which in the controls consisted of eight to ten layers of myocytes, was reduced to six to
The recent years have witnessed considerable developments in the interpretation of the three-dimensional structures of plant polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the context of their functional specificity. A plethora of new structures of catalytic, carbohydrate-binding and protein-scaffolding modules involved in (hemi)cellulose catabolism has emerged in harness with sophisticated biochemical analy
Water-soluble hemicelluloses were extracted from milled aspen wood (Populus tremula) employing microwave oven treatment at 180oC for 10 min. The final pH of this extract was 3.5. From this extract oligo- and polysaccharides were isolated and subsequently fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography. The structures of the saccharides in three of the fractions obtained were determined by 1H and 13C
Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a potentially attractive operating mode for stationary natural gas engines. Increasing demand for efficient, clean burning engines for electrical power generation provides an opportunity to utilize HCCI combustion if several inherent difficulties can be overcome. Fuel composition, particularly the higher hydrocarbon content (ethane, propane, and bu
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) belongs to the thrombospondin family and is a homopentamer primarily expressed in cartilage. Mutations in the COMP gene result in the autosomal dominant chondrodysplasias pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and some types of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), which are characterized by mild to severe short-limb dwarfism and early-onset osteoarthritis. We have
River-dominated coastal areas are typically sites of active biogeochemical cycling, with productivity enhanced by terrestrial inputs of nutrients and organic matter. To examine the spatial variability and relationship between river discharge, phytoplankton, and organic carbon distributions, we analyzed surface water and sediment from the Louisiana shelf adjacent to the Mississippi River. Samples w
Virtual Network Operators lease bandwidth from different data carriers to offer well managed Virtual Private Networks. By using proprietary algorithms and leased resource diversity they can offer Quality of Service, at competitive prices, which is difficult to attain from traditional data network operators. Since maximizing the profit is a key objective for virtual network operators, in this paper
Impaction of cancellous bone grafts in a bone chamber in rats in a previous study led to decreased ingrowth of new bone after 6 weeks compared with unimpacted grafts. The current study analyzes whether this decrease represented a final loss of ingrowth or just a delay, if the decrease was influenced by immunologic factors, and if it was possible to influence the inhibitory effect by adding a bone
Background Extensive efforts to develop hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) based gene therapy have been hampered by low gene marking. Major emphasis has so far been directed at improving gene transfer efficiency, but low gene marking in transplanted recipients might equally well reflect compromised repopulating activity of transduced cells, competing for reconstitution with endogenous and unmanipulated
OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer cells secrete the unique protease human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) that represents a target for proteolytic activation of cytotoxic prodrugs. The objective of this study was to identify hK2-selective peptide substrates that could be coupled to a cytotoxic analogue of thapsigargin, a potent inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase pump that ind
Small-angle neutron scattering and mean-field lattice modeling were used to characterize a class of water-based magnetic fluids tailored specifically to extract soluble organic compounds from water. The fluids consist of a suspension of similar to7 nm magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles coated with a bifunctional polymer layer comprised of an outer hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) region for col
In anesthetized rabbits (n = 25) subject to slow intravenous saline loading (0.4 ml.min-1.kg-1) for 3 h, we measured pulmonary interstitial pressure (Pip) in intact in situ lungs with glass micropipettes inserted directly into the lung parenchyma via a "pleural window." Measurements were done in apneic animals at the end-expiratory volume with O2 delivered in the trachea. Pip was -10 +/- 1.5 (SD)
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is an islet neuropeptide that stimulates insulin secretion. To explore whether islet GRP contributes to neurally mediated insulin secretion, we studied GRP receptor (GRPR)-deleted mice. By using RT-PCR we showed that GRPR mRNA is expressed in islets of wild-type mice, but is lost in GRPR-deleted mice. Functional studies revealed that GRP potentiates glucose-stimulat
In the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Study, all 699 Oxford meniscal bearing cemented unicompartmental prostheses (Biomet, Bridgend, UK) were identified and analyzed regarding failure pattern and compared with all Marmor prostheses (Smith & Nephew Richards, Orthez, France) and with a time-, age-, and sex-matched subset of Marmor prostheses using survival statistics expressed as cumulative revision
Objective: While multiple lines of evidence suggest the importance of genetic contributors to risk of preterm birth, the nature of the genetic component has not been identified. We perform segregation analyses to identify the best fitting genetic model for gestational age, a quantitative proxy for preterm birth. Methods: Because either mother or infant can be considered the proband from a preterm
Calcination and carbonation behaviour of dolomite has been studied in a pressurised thermo balance at pressures in the range of 1.1 to 2.3 MPa and for temperatures ranging from 730 to 840 degrees C. The atmosphere consisted of nitrogen containing up to 20 vol.-% carbon dioxide. The calcination of dolomite has been studied as a function of temperature, particle size, and P-CO2. An investigation con
