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Matrilin-2 is a member of the protein superfamily with von Willebrand factor type A-like modules. Mouse matrilin-2 cDNA fragments were expressed in 293-EBNA cells, and the protein was purified, characterized, and used to immunize rabbits. The affinity-purified antiserum detects matrilin-2 in dense and loose connective tissue structures, subepithelial connective tissue of the skin and digestive tra

The maintenance of plumage color polymorphism in the parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) is still not well understood. Earlier studies indicated that selection may favor pale females and melanic males. If so, females would maximize their fitness, producing pale female and melanic male offspring. We therefore predicted that females might bias their offspring sex ratio toward daughters in pa

There is considerable loss of DM during wet heat treatment of vegetables, leading to an increase in dietary fibre. Correction for the loss of DM indicates that the effects on total dietary fibre are minor. There is, however, depolymerization of the dietary fibre polysaccharides. The degradation is related to the severity of the heat treatment. Souring, freezing and mild microwave treatment have no

This work investigates methods for obtaining reliably clean gold film surfaces. Nine gold cleaning methods are investigated here: UV ozone photoreactor; potassium hydroxide–hydrogen peroxide; potassium hydroxide potential sweep; sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide; sulfuric acid potential cycling; hydrochloric acid potential cycling; dimethylamine borane reducing agent solutions at 25 and 65 °C; and a

Simulations of future tropospheric composition often include substantial increases in biogenic isoprene emissions arising from the Arrhenius-like leaf emission response and warmer surface temperatures, and from enhanced vegetation productivity in response to temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration. However, a number of recent laboratory and field data have suggested a direct inhibition of le

We evaluated biotic and abiotic predictors of rest-phase hypothermia in wintering blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and also assessed how food availability influences nightly thermoregulation. On any given night, captive blue tits (with unrestricted access to food) remained largely homeothermic, whereas free-ranging birds decreased their body temperature (T (b)) by about 5 degrees C. This was not an

Grid technologies are still evolving, with standards yet to be defined and reliable production-level solutions yet to be found. Nevertheless, Grid already stepped out of the cradle and slowly but steadily finds its way to the world of the modern information technologies. Early testers and adopters of this innovative technology are researchers in various fields of science, primarily those that trad

The gamma decay of excited states in the waiting-point nucleus 130Cd82 has been observed for the first time. An 8+ two-quasiparticle isomer has been populated both in the fragmentation of a 136Xe beam as well as in projectile fission of 238U, making 130Cd the most neutron-rich N=82 isotone for which information about excited states is available. The results, interpreted using state-of-the-art nucl

Exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing Streptococcus thermophilus strains have attracted interest recently, since the EPSs act as natural viscosifiers and texture enhancers of fermented foods. We have previously reported that the low level of EPS production by S. thermophilus LY03 could be improved by altering the activities of enzymes in the central carbon metabolism involved in the nucleotide sugar m

The possible function of globules and irregular membrane-bound masses in the gonadotropin cells of the pituitary of Clarias gariepinus was studied. Strong secretory stimulation led to the disappearance of the secretory granules from gonadotropin cells but globules and irregular masses remained present. Acid phosphatase was detected enzyme-cytochemically in both globules and irregular masses. Radio

Gaboxadol (THIP; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol) is an agonist at GABA(A) receptors. THIP concentrations (0.01-50 mM) were applied rapidly to Sf9 cells expressing the human alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2S) GABA(A) receptors. The EC50 values for the peak current in THIP alone or THIP plus 1 muM diazepam were 154 and 53 muM, respectively. In supersaturating THIP (10-50 mM) the rate of curren

The functional relation between receptive fields of climbing fibres projecting to the C1, C3 and Y zones and forelimb movements controlled by nucleus interpositus anterior via the rubrospinal tract were studied in cats decerebrated at the pre-collicular level. Microelectrode tracks were made through the caudal half of nucleus interpositus anterior. This part of the nucleus receives its cerebellar

Objectives: Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) autoantibodies are serologic markers for celiac disease (CD). The aim was to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of different immunoglobulin isotypes against tTG. Methods: Immunoglobulin A (IgA)-tTG, IgG-tTG, and IgGl-tTG were measured in radioligand binding assays in 67 children with untreated and 89 children with treated CD and compared

The acute phase reactant and protease inhibitor alpha1-antichymotrypsin is considered to play a protective role in the airways, but it is not known. Objectives: We analyzed whether the common respiratory pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis interact with antichymotrypsin. Methods: We compared a series of clinical isolates in addition to wild type and

Angle-resolved resonant Auger-electron spectroscopy has been carried out on the nitrogen molecule at selected photon energies around 419 eV, where a 1s core electron and two valence electrons are promoted into the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital 1pi(g). Significant enhancement of a specific band, which cannot be disentangled in direct photoionization, is observed at a binding energy of 37.6 eV

C4b-binding protein (C4BP), an important inhibitor of complement activation, has a unique spider-like shape. It is composed of six to seven identical alpha-chains with or without a single beta-chain, the chains being linked by disulfide bridges in their C-terminal parts. To elucidate the structural requirements for the assembly of the alpha-chains, recombinant C4BP was expressed in HEK 293 cells.