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Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a pentameric glycoprotein present in cartilage, tendon and ligament. Fragments of the molecule are present in the diseased cartilage, synovial fluid and serum of patients with knee injuries, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although COMP is a substrate for several matrix metalloprotemases (MMPs), the enzymes responsible for COMP degradation in

BACKGROUND: Markedly decreased or absent gastric acid production is associated with a number of clinically significant conditions, and identification of patients with hypo/achlorhydria may be important. However, current methods of assessing impaired acid secretion are unreliable, time-consuming, and/or complex. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate a modified endoscopic Congo red test

OBJECTIVE: The reason that only a minority of smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still largely unknown. Glycosylation defects are involved in the pathological mechanisms in cystic fibrosis (CF), where chronic progressive obstructive lung disease dominates the clinical picture. Whether defects of protein glycosylation occur in COPD has not previously been examined. Incr

Early Ordovician (Late Arenig) limestones from the SW margin of Baltica (Scania-Bomholm) have multicomponent magnetic signatures, but high unblocking components predating folding, and the corresponding palaeomagnetic pole (latitude = 19degreesN, longitude = 051degreesE) compares well with Arenig reference poles from Baltica. Collectively, the Arenig poles demonstrate a midsoutherly latitudinal pos

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a secreted member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast activation and differentiation. In animal models OPG prevents bone loss, and in humans bone resorption can be reduced by injections of OPG. OPG may also play a role in cardiovascular disease since mice lacking the OPG gene display arterial calcification. In a screening effort

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) exist as more than 100 distinct types. Variants of HPVs appear to be common findings while HPV subtypes have been considered rare. New information about subtypes has recently been reported by us. Our characterisation of subtype HPV38b[FA125] and the identification of several HPV isolates representing putative subtypes have considerably extended the knowledge about thi

The sex-dependent effect of environmental conditions on nestlings has been extensively studied in size dimorphic birds. Whether males or females are more sensitive to poor conditions is not yet clear; however, the degree of sexual size-dimorphism, brood size and their interactions seem to influence the pattern. Much less is known about sex-dependent environmental sensitivity in size-monomorphic sp

Physical properties of aqueous solutions of hydrophobically modified crosslinked polyacrylic acids change quite extensively as the polymer is charged up. A study is carried out concerning the similarities between two polymer ionization processes, that is, by pH increment and anionic surfactant addition. The two processes charge the polymer by distinctly different mechanisms. At sufficiently high p

A more detailed mechanistic understanding of how low molecular weight (MW) carbon (C) substrates are mineralized within the rhizosphere by soil microbial communities is crucial to accurately model terrestrial C fluxes. Currently, most experiments regarding soil C dynamics are conducted ex-situ (laboratory) and can fail to account for key variables (e.g. temperature and soil water content) which va

Background and purpose: Rat stomach ECL cells secrete histamine and pancreastatin in response to gastrin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-27 ( PACAP). This study applies microdialysis to explore how ECL cells in situ respond to PACAP and gastrin. Experimental approach: Both peptides were administered by microinfusion into the gastric submucosa. The microdialysate was analysed for

Hyaluronan is a free glycosaminoglycan which is abundant in the extracellular matrix of the developing brain. Although not covalently linked to any protein it can act as a backbone molecule forming aggregates with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans of the lectican family and link proteins. Using neurocan-GFP as a direct histochemical probe we analyzed the distribution and organization of hyaluronan

Service life planning and performance classification are key issues in the building sector. Well-functioning 'performance models' are absolutely essential to predict the service life and functionality of buildings, building assets, and building products overtime. Different types of performance models have been established for various building materials, but cannot necessarily transferred to wood-b

Natural disturbances play a key role in ecosystem dynamics and are important factors for sustainable forest ecosystem management. Quantitative models are frequently employed to tackle the complexities associated with disturbance processes. Here we review the wide variety of approaches to modelling natural disturbances in forest ecosystems, addressing the full spectrum of disturbance modelling from

For construction in rock a thorough pre-investigation is important in order to avoid unforeseen conditions which may delay the work. It is crucial to remember the results from this investigation in the further work, and use the experience from the construction to update the geological prognosis and reduce the uncertainties. Different geophysical methods have proved valuable tools in such investiga

Several organic cations, such as guanidino compounds and polyamines, have been found to accumulate in plasma of patients with kidney failure due to inadequate renal clearance. Here, we studied the interaction of cationic uremic toxins with renal organic cation transport in a conditionally immortalized human proximal tubule epithelial cell line (ciPTEC). Transporter activity was measured and valida

We analyze the Ce3+-Pr3+:Y2SiO5 emission spectra obtained under selective excitation of the two Ce3+ sites in Y2SiO5 and we show clear evidence of direct energy transfer from Ce3+ to Pr3+. Energy transfer microparameters were calculated from the experimental spectral overlap between the Ce3+ emission and the Pr3+ and Eu3+ absorptions from which, the transfer mechanisms Ce3+-> Pr3+ are concluded to

Objective. This study aimed to survey current Swedish practices for performing and handling transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies. Material and methods. A Swedish Urology Network (SUNe) was organized for the distribution of information, survey studies and research collaborations. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to the members in 2011. Results. In this first SUNe survey, 137 (91

The Palaeocene arctic supported a vegetation type quite distinct from the tundra and polar desert of today. Here we demonstrate, through the palynological record, the structure of this extinct vegetation and its dynamics over this period. The Late Palaeocene coal-bearing units of the Sagwon Bluffs on Alaska's North Slope (present latitude 69 degrees N) are predominantly fine-grained, non-marine an

Submerged macrophytes play a key role in the functioning of stream ecosystems since they strongly affect the biological and physical environment of the habitat. On the other hand, flow velocity may affect growth and establishment of submerged macrophytes in streams and rivers. However, little attention has been paid to the morphological responses of submerged macrophytes to different stream flows

The Protogine Zone is a major tectonic zone situated at the eastern boundary of the Sveconorwegian orogenic belt in southern Sweden. This structure hosts Mesoproterozoic dolerite dykes and plutonic rocks including ultramafic cumulate, syenite, monzonorite and granite. Pb-Pb zircon evaporation ages are reported for seven samples of rocks along the Protogine Zone, including the Vaggeryd syenite plut