Search results

Background The activity of the human enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) varies greatly between individuals because of genetic polymorphism. TPMT is involved in the detoxification and activation of thiopurines such as 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, and azathioprine. These drugs are used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and inflammatory bowel disease. A total of 29 sequence

Most common human traits and diseases have a polygenic pattern of inheritance: DNA sequence variants at many genetic loci influence the phenotype. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified more than 600 variants associated with human traits(1), but these typically explain small fractions of phenotypic variation, raising questions about the use of further studies. Here, using 183,727 in

Synthetic gibbsite was prepared and thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The protonation and charging of the particle surface(s) in 20 and 100 mM (Na)Cl ionic media were investigated using potentiometric titrations and zeta potential measurements. These measurements in

The growth of suitable protein crystals is an essential step in the structure determination of a protein by X-ray crystallography. At present, crystals are mostly grown using trial-and-error procedures, and protocols that rapidly screen for the crystal nucleation step are rare. Presented here is an approach to minimize the consumption of precious protein material while searching for the nucleation

Rationale: Budesonide/formoterol and tiotropium are commonly used maintenance treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Combining these medications may provide additional benefits. Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of budesonide/formoterol added to tiotropium in patients eligible for inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta(2)-agonist combination therapy.

Ex vivo gene transfer to the CNS has so far been hampered by instability of transgene expression. To avoid the phenomenon of transgene down-regulation, we have employed strong, constitutive promoters and compared this expression system with the inducible Tet expression system incorporated in a single plasmid vector or in lentiviral vectors. Plasmid-based transgene expression directed by the consti

The selective mobilization of fatty acids from white fat cells depends on their molecular structure, in particular the degree of unsaturation. The present study was designed to examine if the release of fatty acids by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in vitro i) is influenced by the amount of unsaturation, ii) depends on the temperature, and iii) could explain the selective pattern of fatty acid mob

Objective To quantify the occurrence of intestinal metaplasia in columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) during endoscopic surveillance and to evaluate the impact of antireflux surgery on the development of intestinal metaplasia. Summary Background Data The malignant potential in segments of CLE is mainly restricted to those containing intestinal metaplasia. Patients with segments of CLE in which no intest

Species individualistic responses to warming and increased UV-B radiation are moderated by the responses of neighbors within communities, and trophic interactions within ecosystems. All of these responses lead to changes in ecosystem structure. Experimental manipulation of environmental factors expected to change at high latitudes showed that summer warming of tundra vegetation has generally led t

Popular Abstract in Swedish Idag behöver människor som talar, tänker och lever på olika sätt mer än någonsin kunna kommunicera med varandra. Ett självklart språk för dessa kontakter är för en svensk ofta engelska. Det lär sig varje elev under minst tio år i vår skola. Men för att kunna förstå andra bättre, fordras också att vi blir medvetna om skilda sätt att uppfatta världen omkring oss. Vi behövThe aim of this study is to examine the prospects of developing intercultural understanding through English as a foreign language (EFL) education in the Swedish comprehensive school. This overall aim is split into two subordinate aims: (1) to analyse and problematize the intercultural dimension of EFL as three discourses, research discourse, authority discourse and teacher discourse; (2) to relate

Complement is a cascade-like system that is part of the innate immune defence. It is an explosive system, potentially harmful also for the host cells, and needs to be strictly regulated. An important down-regulator of complement is C4b-binding protein (C4BP). C4BP contains two different types of subunits, seven identical a-chains and one unique P-chain. The alpha-chains bind to C4b, C4BP's target

Background: Human breast tissue undergoes phases of proliferation, differentiation and regression regulated by changes of the levels of circulating sex hormones during the menstrual cycle or aging. Ovarian hormones also likely play a key role in the etiology and biology of breast cancer. Reports concerning the proliferative effects of steroid hormones on the normal epithelium of human breast have

Popular AbstractBarnomsorg- och skolakommittén fick i augusti 1996 uppdraget att utarbeta ett samlat måldokument för förskolans s.k. sexårsverksamhet och för det obligatoriska skolväsendet. I de två betänkandena –Växa i lärande (SOU 1997:21) och Att erövra omvärlden (SOU 1997:157) – anknyter kommittén till 1946 års skolkommissions tankar om skolans inre arbete, i sin vision av den svenska skolans This thesis is mainly about the life and work of the Austrian teacher and psychologist Elsa Köhler (1879-1940), but also about the work of her followers on the Swedish West coast. It traces the influences of pedagogic progressivism and the Central European school-reform movements, on the Swedish school and pre-school system, during the first half of the 20th century. These ideas as laid down in th

Medical geography usually attempts to disentangle and explain the ecological and causal contexts of health, disease and environment by mapping spatial patterns of cases and potential pathogenic factors. However, many diseases are believed to show after long periods of latency , spanning years and even decades between initial exposure and clinical onset. In view of high spatial human mobility - in

Popular Abstract in Swedish Reformationens budskap brukar karakteriseras med hjälp av några "allena": Kristus allena, tron allena, nåden allena och Skriften allena. I denna studie undersöks hur Martin Chemnitz (1522-86) behandlar dessa teman och hur han sätter dem i relation till Augustinus teologi. Martin Chemnitz var en av de mest framstående evangeliska teologerna i generationen efter Martin Lu

Background: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1) play essential roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. High levels of both uPA and PAT-1 are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. To confirm the prognostic value of uPA and PAI-1 in primary breast cancer, we reanalyzed individual patient data provided by members of the European Organization for Re