The oxidation of sulfite to sulfate by two different models of the active site of sulfite oxidase has been studied. Both protonated and deprotonated substrates were tested. Geometries were optimized with density functional theory (TPSS/def2-SV(P)) and energies were calculated either with hybrid functionals and large basis sets (B3LYP/def2-TZVPD) including corrections for dispersion, solvation, and

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly type 16, is causally associated with cancer of the uterine cervix, which mainly develops at the squamocolumnar (SC) junction. The progression of cervical HPV infections into (pre)neoplastic lesions suggests that viral antigens are not adequately recognized by innate immunity or presented to the adaptive immune system. Members of the defensin famil

The agro-climatic resources of Cameroon are examined in light of the potential for food crop production and challenges presented by climate change. We find that the diversity of Cameroon's agro-climate offers the potential for the cultivation of a variety of food crops. This feature of Cameroonian agriculture can be used in addressing the country's adaptive capacity to climate change. However, the

The aim of this article is to introduce a meta-theoretical discussion in architectural research about materiality and its effect on everyday life and use. Taking a relational perspective, I distinguish between three different perspectives on materialities as described in theories in recent decades. From these perspectives I develop three possible conceptualisations of interobjectivity. The first p

Current guidelines recommend chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management based on symptoms or health status assessment and lung function parameters. However, COPD is a complex and heterogeneous disease that needs an individualized approach for proper disease management. A structured consultation including health status assessment tools, such as the Clinical COPD Questionnaire and the C

The suppressive role of phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX2) complex-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in adaptive immunity-driven arthritis models is well established. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of NOX2 complex-derived ROS In a model of innate immunity-driven arthritis and to identify the ROS-regulated innate receptors that control

In this paper we present a method to produce superhydrophobic polymeric coatings by combining the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) with electrostatic deposition (ED). A copolymer, poly(vinyl acetate)-poly(vinyl pivalate) was dissolved in a mixture of supercritical carbon dioxide and acetone and sprayed through a nozzle with an applied voltage of 8 kV onto a surface placed on a ear

Imprinting theory suggests that founding conditions are stamped' on organizations, and these imprinted routines often resist change. In contrast, strategic choice theory suggests that the firm can overcome organizational inertia and deliberately choose its future. Both theories offer dramatically different explanations behind an organization's capacity for change. IPO firms provide a unique contex

Background:The microRNA-205 (miR-205) has been shown to be deregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). Here we continue to investigate the prognostic and therapeutic potential of this microRNA.Methods:The expression of miR-205 is measured by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridisation in a well-documented PCa cohort. An AGO2-based RIP-Chip assay is used to identify targets that are verified with western blots, lu

Introduction: The molecular mechanics energies combined with the Poisson-Boltzmann or generalized Born and surface area continuum solvation (MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA) methods are popular approaches to estimate the free energy of the binding of small ligands to biological macromolecules. They are typically based on molecular dynamics simulations of the receptor-ligand complex and are therefore intermedi

The aim of this study was to determine if single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RANKL, RANK, and OPG influence bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in men. Pairwise tag SNPs (r(2) >= 0.8) were selected for RANKL, RANK, and OPG and their 10-kb flanking regions. Selected tag SNPs plus five SNPs near RANKL and OPG, associated with BMD in published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), w

Mitochondrial abnormalities may be involved in PTSD, although few studies have examined this. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in blood cells is an emerging systemic index of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. The present study assessed mtDNAcn in male combat-exposed veterans with PTSD compared to those without PTSD as well as its correlation with clinical scales.

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Moraxella catarrhalis infection of the lower airways is associated with chronic colonization and inflammation during stable disease and acute exacerbations. Chronic smoke exposure induces chronic inflammation and impairs mucociliary clearance, thus contributing to bacterial colonization of the lower airways in COPD patients. The human-

Universities are playing an increasingly central role in advancing sustainability at the local, regional and national scale through cross-sector collaborations. Accompanying the launch of Future Earth, interest is mounting in the co-design and co-production of knowledge and solutions for advancing global sustainability, particularly in urban areas. Place-based university partnerships appear as par

In diverse and productive habitats, predaceous arthropods are expected to frequently encounter dangerous conspecifics and heterospecifics. This should make quick and accurate discriminations between species and sexes adaptive. By simultaneously sampling both visual cues and pheromones, and by utilizing stringent species- and sex-specific visual recognition templates, an individual should be able t

Double hydroxides of Ba(II) and Fe(III) were prepared by the co-precipitation method. Co-precipitation was facilitated by applying highly alkaline, carbonate free NaOH solutions with varying base concentrations (2-20 M). The substances, thus obtained, were characterised by thermal methods. XRD spectra of samples treated at various temperatures, Mossbauer and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. It was

AIMS: Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is considered a non-invasive index of atrial remodelling. Low AFR has been associated with favourable outcome of interventions in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AFR has never been studied in unselected patients with short duration of AF, prone to regain sinus rhythm (SR) spontaneously. The aim of the study was to assess if AFR can p