Background In spite of significant safety measures, allergy to industrial enzymes remains a major concern. The increasing prevalence of occupational allergy emphasizes the need to investigate the functional properties of enzyme-exposed dendritic cells (DCs), as DCs possess a potent ability to activate allergen-specific T cells. Objective This study aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms unde

Background Stent implantation is an effective method for treatment of atherosclerotic disease. Factors predisposing to in-stent restenosis are still largely unknown. Contact allergy to metal ions eluted from the stent has been suggested to be a risk factor. Objectives To explore whether there is a possible induction of contact allergy to metals used in stents among patients with a stainless steel

The project reported on here, construed within the general ontological framework of hermeneutic inquiry, considers the methodological consequences of this basic approach. A specific methodology that was developed, capturing both subjective contents and discursive construction processes, is described. It consists of a Diary-in-group method combining personal diary writing with group conversations a

Using long-term organ cultures of rat prostate tissue explants, we previously demonstrated that PRL both stimulates proliferation and acts as an androgen-independent suppressor of apoptosis in prostate epithelial cells, leading to epithelial hyperplasia. In this work we delineate intracellular signaling molecules activated by PRL in prostate tissue to identify candidate signaling proteins that are

Stroke poses a massive burden of disease, yet we have few effective therapies. The paucity of therapeutic options stands contrary to intensive research efforts. The failure of these past investments demands a thorough re-examination of the pathophysiology of ischaemic brain injury. Several critical areas hold the key to overcoming the translational roadblock: (1) vascular occlusion: current recana

Abstract (1/2-em) Two-phase systems consisting of a polymer rich phase and polymer depleted phase, where the polymer is either ethyl(hydroxy ethyl)cellulose (EHEC) or Ucon (a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), have been studied. Both of these polymers can be separated from an aqueous solution by either temperature increase or addition of cosolutes. The polymers are thermosepa

We have performed photoluminescence spectroscopy on single GaAs nanowires with InAs quantum dots in the form of thin slices of InAs, possibly alloyed with Ga as InGaAs, incorporated into the GaAs. The nanowires were grown by chemical beam epitaxy using gold nanoparticles as catalysts. The photoluminescence measurements showed rich spectra consisting of sharp lines with energies and excitation powe

The effects of an increase in UV-B radiation on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated at four levels of applied nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha−1 of N) under Mediterranean field conditions. The experiment simulated a 20% stratospheric ozone depletion over Portugal. Enhanced UV-B and N deficiency decreased yield and total biomass production by 22–49%. High UV-B dose reduced

In this study,a silicon micro immobilised enzyme reactor (mu IMER) has been applied for hydrolysis of maltoheptaose as a model maltodextrin and starch using immobilised otamylase (from Aspergillus oryzae) and glycoamylase (from Aspergillus niger). The influence of several parameters was investigated such as immobilisation chemistry, buffer constituents, pH, temperature, flow rate and substrate con

This paper emphasizes that rights facilitate decentralized use of information and computation. A dynamically efficient adjustment process that solves a private information linear resource allocation problem by a sequential auction of production and trading rights is presented. It is shown that in equilibrium the sequential auction mimics the simplex algorithm in a decentralized way and thereby giv

It is now becoming increasingly clear that free radicals contribute to brain damage in several conditions, such as hyperoxia and trauma. It has been more difficult to prove that free radical production mediates ischemic brain damage, but it has often been suggested that it may be a major contributor to reperfusion damage, observed following transient ischemia. Recent results demonstrate that cereb

Bridge splitting in chloroform of the orthometalated chloro-bridged complex [Pt(mu-Cl)(2-Me2NCH2C6H4)](2) (1), with ethene, cyclooctene, allyl alcohol and phosphine according to 1 + 2L --> 2 [PtCl(2-Me2NCH2C6H4)(L)], where L = C2H4 (3a), C8H14, (3b), CH2CHCH2OH (3c), and PPh3 (4a and 4b) gives monomeric species with L coordinated trans or cis to aryl. With olefins the thermodynamically stable isom

Objective. To determine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of durometer measurements of skin hardness as an outcome measure in clinical trials of scleroderma. Methods. Skin hardness was measured during a multicenter treatment trial for scleroderma using handheld digital durometers with a continuous scale. Skin thickness was measured by modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS). Other outcome data

Background: Health effects and health care seeking were investigated among women in rural Vietnam exposed to physical and/or sexual violence from their partner in the past year. The study was conducted within the framework of the demographic surveillance site in Bavi District, Ha Tay Province in northern Vietnam. Methods: Face-to-face interviews based on a questionnaire developed by the WHO for us

n mechanically ventilated patients, sedatives and analgesics are commonly used to ensure comfort, but there is no documented knowledge about the impact of depth of sedation on patients' perception of discomfort. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between stressful experiences and intensive care sedation, including the depth of sedation. During 18 months, 313 intu

Application of cellulolytic enzymes for upgrading of secondary fibers has extensively been studied during the last decades. In many cases, research has been carried out with industrial enzyme preparations which often consist of several enzyme components. The presence of various enzymes makes the determination of the role of each of them difficult in changes of pulp and paper properties. Therefore,

Lignocellulose hydrolysate is an abundant substrate for bioethanol production. The ideal microorganism for such a fermentation process should combine rapid and efficient conversion of the available carbon sources to ethanol with high tolerance to ethanol and to inhibitory components in the hydrolysate. A particular biological problem are the pentoses, which are not naturally metabolized by the mai