Filetype
Pathogenic bacteria have developed complex and diverse virulence mechanisms that weaken or disable the host immune defense system. IdeS (IgG-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes) is a secreted cysteine endopeptidase from the human pathogen S. pyogenes with an extraordinarily high degree of substrate specificity, catalyzing a single proteolytic cleavage at the lower hinge of human IgG. This p
The Drosophila melanogaster deoxyribonucleoside kinase (Dm-dNK) double mutant N45D/N64D was identified during a previous directed evolution study. This mutant enzyme had a decreased activity towards the natural substrates and decreased feedback inhibition with dTTP, whereas the activity with 3'-modified nucleoside analogs like 3'-azidothymidine (AZT) was nearly unchanged. Here, we identify the mut
Bilayer-forming lipids were shown to be ineffective in sustaining the enzymatic activity of violaxanthin de-epoxidase. On the other hand, non-bilayer-forming lipids, regard-less of their different chemical character, ensured high activity of violaxanthin de-epoxidase, resulting in conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. Our data indicates that the presence of lipids forming reversed hexagonal st
Background: Increased fucosylation of serum,glycoproteins has previously been reported in patients with liver disease. We analyzed alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) fucosylation in serum samples from patients investigated for suspected liver disease to evaluate its value as a biochemical marker for liver cirrhosis. Methods: We used a novel lectin immunoassay adapted to the AutoDELFIA system to anal
New therapies, based on gene transfer and protein delivery, require a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of macromolecular membrane transport. We have studied cellular uptake of macromolecular polyanions, i.e. DNA and glycosaminoglycans, and a polybasic HIV-Tat derived peptide (GRKKRRQRRRPPQC), using fluorescence assisted cell sorting and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The Tat peptide
The influence of transverse relaxation on the resonance soliton (2 pi hyperbolic-secant pulse) in solids is considered. It is shown that memory effects can be considered in terms of generalized non-Markovian optical Bloch equations. The equations of self-induced transparency with a memory function are presented. Explicit forms for the first-order effects of this relaxation on the frequency shift a
We report the first measurements of z -dependent coherent optical transition radiation (COTR) due to electron-beam microbunching at high gains (>10(4) ) including saturation of a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser (FEL). In these experiments the fundamental wavelength was near 530 nm, and the COTR spectra exhibit the transition from simple spectra to complex spectra (5% spectr
ObjectiveTo investigate if caesarean section (CS) increases the risk for childhood asthma and gastroenteritis with reference made to children born with vaginal delivery (VD). MethodsRetrospective study of data from linked Swedish medical service registers - Medical Birth Registry (MBR) and Hospital Discharge Registry (HDR). Data were obtained from women without any background/perinatal morbidity
This chapter presents a case study from a global company developing a new generation of programmable controllers to replace several existing products. The system needs to incorporate support for a large number of I/O systems, network types, and communication protocols. To leverage its global development resources and the competency of different development centers, the company decided to adopt a c
Development of artificial neural network (ANN) models using real plant data for the prediction of fresh steam properties from a brown coal-fired boiler of a Slovenian power plant is reported. Input parameters for this prediction were selected from a large number of available parameters. Initial selection was made on a basis of expert knowledge and previous experience. However, the final set of inp
Recent advances in the synthesis of biomimetic asym. dinuclear transition metal complexes are reviewed. Emphasis is put on description of asym. model complexes for the active sites of the enzymes purple acid phosphatase, zinc phosphotriesterase, urease, Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase, tyrosinase, and catechol oxidase.
High-repetition-rate laser-induced fluorescence measurements of fuel and OH concentrations in internal combustion engines are demonstrated. Series of as many as eight fluorescence images, with a temporal resolution ranging from 10 mus to 1 ms, are acquired within one engine cycle. A multiple-laser system in combination with a multiple-CCD camera is used for cycle-resolved imaging in spark-ignition
Recent developments in European energy policy reveal an increasing interest in implementing the so-called ‘Tradable White Certificate’ (TWC) schemes to improve energy efficiency. Based on three evaluation criteria (cost-effectiveness, environmental effectiveness and distributional equity) this paper analyses the implications of implementing a European-wide TWC scheme targeting the household and co
The A rabidopsis thaliana protein kinase AtPDK1 was identified as a homologue of the mammalian 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), which is involved in a number of physiological processes including cell growth and proliferation. We now show that AtPDK1 expressed in E. coli as a recombinant protein, undergoes autophosphorylation at several sites. Using mass spectrometry, three pho
This paper develops a theoretical model of the family as producer of health- and social capital. There are both direct and indirect returns on the production and accumulation of health- and social capital. Direct returns (the consumption motives) result since health and social capital both enhance individual welfare per se. Indirect returns (the investment motives) result since health capital incr
The burden of disease/cost-effectiveness analysis (BoD/CE) was introduced as a method for detailed planning and budgeting in 13 districts of Uganda. This endeavor can be seen as a “natural experiment”, attempting to pursue policy implementation by means of a heavy focus on rationalistic/technical arguments as a main supportive factor. However, modern theory of policy implementation, e.g. the new i
The procoagulant function of activated factor V (FVa) is inhibited by activated protein C (APC) through proteolytic cleavages at Arg(306), Arg(506), and Arg(679). The effect of APC is potentiated by negatively charged phospholipid membranes and the APC cofactor protein S. Protein S has been reported to selectively stimulate cleavage at Arg(306), an effect hypothesized to be related to reorientatio
Strong antioxidants, 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin and 5-hydroxy-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-benzopyranone were extracted from sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata L.) by using Soxhlet (SE), microwave-assisted (MAE) and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SFE) extractions at different extraction schemes and parameters. One-step MAE gave the most concentrated extract with 8.15% of 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin (extract y
