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Acute ethanol exposure stimulated serotonin2 receptor signalling in cultured astrocytes. Pretreatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor H7 significantly increased the ethanol-induced potentiation of [3H]-inositol phosphates accumulation. The increase could be explained by an augmented activation of phospholipase C. The results indicate a role of PKC for the modulation of ethanol effects on cellu

We investigate charge formation in bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on conjugated polymers in the form of alternating polyfluorene copolymers and the methanofullerene PCBM. Using transient absorption spectroscopy we show that optimal charge formation is obtained with 20-50 wt% PCBM. This is in contrast to the maximum short circuit current density obtained at similar to 80 wt% PCBM as determin

Neoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks of the lower to middle crust are exposed along parts of the East African Orogen (EAO). However, the mechanisms and rates of exhumation of these deep orogenic rocks remain unclear. In eastern Eritrea, the rocks of the EAO comprise two lithotectonic domains: Ghedem and Bizen. The Ghedem domain consists of low-angle mylonites among lower to middle crustal g

Two sets of strongly coupled rotational bands have been identified in Zn-62. These bands have been observed up to the terminating states of their respective configurations. Lifetime measurements indicate that the transition quadrupole moments in these bands decrease as termination is approached. These results establish the first terminating states of rotational bands in the A similar to 60 mass re

Magnetic brain responses to speech sounds were measured in 10 healthy neonates. The stimulation consisted of a frequent vowel sound [a] with a steady pitch contour, which was occasionally replaced by the vowel [i:] with a steady pitch, or the vowel [a] with a rising pitch, manifesting a change of intonation. The magnetic mismatch-negativity response (MMNm) was obtained and successfully modelled to

Objective. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a cartilage matrix macromolecule. The protein is detectable in serum and has been investigated as a biomarker of osteoarthritis (OA). An association between COMP and OA has been shown, yet the precise factors governing serum levels of COMP remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic factors influence serum levels o

We present a method to include colour-suppressed effects in the Mueller dipole picture. The model consistently includes saturation effects both in the evolution of dipoles and in the interactions of dipoles with a target in a frame-independent way. When implemented in a Monte Carlo simulation together with our previous model of energy-momentum conservation and a simple dipole description of initia

Effects of furfural on the aerobic metabolism of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied by performing chemostat experiments, and the kinetics of furfural conversion was analyzed by performing dynamic experiments. Furfural, an important inhibitor present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, was shown to have an inhibitory effect on yeast cells growing respiratively which was much greater than

When restoring former agricultural land to more low-nutrient input ecosystems, the establishment of a plant community can be enhanced by sowing desirable species. In this study our aim was to determine whether management of the plant community influences the microarthropod community. We carried out a field experiment in three European countries on set-aside arable land and determined soil mites fr

Autopsy study of 17 newborn infants with lethal autosomal recessive disease presenting as growth retardation with lactic acidosis, Fanconi aminoaciduria, and hepatic hemosiderosis is reported. The patients succumbed between day 1 and 4 months of life; 9 patients died within the first month. All patients showed severe pathologic changes of liver with cholestasis in all livers. Extensive accumulatio

Objective. To evaluate CAT-192, a recombinant human antibody that neutralizes transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), in the treatment of early-stage diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). Methods. Patients with SSc duration of < 18 months were randomly assigned to the placebo group or to 1 of 3 CAT-192 treatment groups: 10 mg/kg, 5 mglkg, 0.5 mg/kg. Infusions were given on day 0 an

Background: Cytokine response is an important factor in the development of shock and organ failure. The aim of this study was to investigate intraperitoneal (peritoneal) and venous (systemic) postoperative cytokine release after major surgery. Methods: Major abdominal surgery was performed in 19 patients. Preoperative systemic measurements and postoperative systemic and peritoneal measurements of

The use of molecular mechanics calculations to supplement experimental data in standard X-ray crystallography and NMR refinements is discussed and it is shown that structures can be locally improved by the use of quantum chemical calculations. Such calculations can also be used to interpret the structures, e. g. to decide the protonation state of metal-bound ligands. They have shown that metal sit

In a 5-year follow-up study of 88 animal exposed laboratory technicians, the incidence of laboratory animal allergy (LAA), lung function, and the development of allergy test reactivity were investigated. Only two individuals developed test positive LAA rhinitis during the follow-up period. Furthermore, one subject who had previously had LAA rhinitis developed LAA asthma. In the remaining subjects

Three separate proteins, BchD, BchH, and BchI, together with ATP, insert magnesium into protoporphyrin IX. An analysis of ATP utilization by the subunits revealed the following: BchH catalyzed ATP hydrolysis at the rate of 0.9 nmol per min per mg of protein. BchI and BchD, tested individually, had no ATPase activity but, when combined, hydrolyzed ATP at the rate of 117.9 nmol/min per mg of protein

Europe has positioned itself as a front runner for climate mitigation policy globally. However, to reach climate mitigation targets that go far beyond Kyoto commitments, climate policy must become more integrated with sectoral policies such as energy, transport and agriculture. To achieve such policy integration, policy refraining and dilemma sharing among sectoral actors are important mechanisms.

When assessing the health status of patients after orthopaedic surgery, such as knee arthroplasty, general health and disease-specific questionnaires are gaining in popularity because of their precision in detecting subtle differences. Self-administered postal surveys using extensive questionnaires have associated patient burden, however, which may have an impact on response rate and completeness.