BACKGROUND: CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) are capable of inducing high amounts of type I IFNs with many immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, type-I IFNs have been proposed to play a key role in mediating effects of CpG-ODN. The precise role of IFN-beta in the immunomodulatory effects of CpG-ODN is not known. OBJECTIVE: Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of IFN-beta in the anti-allergi

Soil microorganisms, the central drivers of terrestrial Antarctic ecosystems, are being confronted with increasing temperatures as parts of the continent experience considerable warming. Here we determined short-term temperature dependencies of Antarctic soil bacterial community growth rates, using the leucine incorporation technique, in order to predict future changes in temperature sensitivity o

In the golden egg bug (Phyllomorpha laciniata Vill. Heteroptera: Coreidae) females lay eggs on the backs of conspecifics, often on courting males. Although the bugs do not provide care to the eggs, this decreases the risk of egg predation. As an effect males carry many eggs which are not their own. The male and female interests are in conflict; females need to find an oviposition site, and male fi

We describe the synthesis and antibacterial properties of a novel antimicrobial peptidyl derivative, (2S)-2-(Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-arginyl-leucylamido-1-[(E)-cinnamoylamido]-3-methylbutane, structurally based upon the inhibitory centre of the human cysteine protease inhibitor, cystatin C. The derivative, here called Cystapep 1, displayed antibacterial activity against several clinically importa

Background: Moderately displaced two-fragment fractures of the radial head have been treated predominantly nonoperatively. Recently, however, open reduction and internal fixation has gradually gained interest, without clear evidence that initial nonoperative treatment leads to an unfavorable outcome. As a consequence, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome after the

Molecular mimicry of chemokine ligands has been described for several pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii produces a protein, cyclophilin-18 (C-18), which binds to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-receptor CCR5 and inhibits fusion and infection of T cells and macrophages by R5 viruses but not by X4 viruses. We recently identified structural determinants of C-18 required for anti-HIV activity (Ya

We have studied the formation of different types of cell matrix adhesions in cells that bind to fibronectin via either alpha5beta1 or alphavbeta3. In both cases, cell adhesion to fibronectin leads to a rapid decrease in RhoA activity. However, alpha5beta1 but not alphavbeta3 supports high levels of RhoA activity at later stages of cell spreading, which are associated with a translocation of focal

BACKGROUND: It is important to clarify the biological function of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone in periodontal ligament cells, as these hormones may affect periodontal health. We have previously shown that human periodontal ligament cells express estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) but not ERalpha, whereas human breast cancer cells (MCF7) express both ERalpha and ERbeta. Data on pr

The smaller the features on the stamp the more important are the interactions between stamp and polymer layer. A stamp rich in small structures will effectively show a surface area enlargement, which generally leads to adhesion of the polymer to the stamp. This makes a subsequent imprint impossible without troublesome and time-consuming cleaning. The anti-adhesion properties of Si- or SiO2-based s

OBJECTIVE: To describe the rate of perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). DESIGN: Follow-up study of newborn children of mothers with chronic HCV infection. SETTING: A university hospital in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen women with chronic HCV infection and their 21 newly born children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of HCV RNA in serum by the polymerase chain reaction and detection

In this paper we elaborate on our novel concept and methodology for generating tailored communication protocols specific to an application’s requirements and the operating environment for a mobile node roaming among different access networks within the global Internet. Since the scheme that we present employs a universal technique, it can be also deployed in small-scale independent networks such a

In order to study the early cellular response in the fluid phase found close to implants in soft tissues, an experimental method using a hollow implant was developed. The fluid present in an interior chamber communicating with the exterior of the implant was analysed. Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNGs) were predominant during the study (1-9 days). In titanium implants a slight increase in cell

Biosurfactants have been suggested as a method to control harmful algal blooms (HABs), but warrant further and more in-depth investigation. Here we have investigated the algicidal effect of a biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa on five diverse marine and freshwater HAB species that have not been tested previously. These include Alexandrium minutum (Dinophycaee), Karenia

It has traditionally been believed that only the human collagenases (matrix metalloproteinase-1, -8, and -13) are capable of initiating the degradation of collagens. Here, we show that human trypsin-2 is also capable of cleaving the triple helix of human cartilage collagen type II. We purified human trypsin-2 and tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor by affinity chromatography whereas collagen type I

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mechanism behind the uremic hyperhomocysteinemia has not been elucidated. Possibly, dialyzable uremic toxins play a role, e.g. as enzyme inhibitors. If so, the conditions for enzymatic removal would be expected to improve after dialysis. Therefore, we studied the postdialytic pattern of the plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration. METHODS: We collected blood samples fro

The quantification of species along environmental gradients has long been the subject of study regarding natural plant communities and, more recently, ecosystems disturbed by anthropogenic emissions of eutrophying and acidifying substances. We studied 527 sites in southern Swedish deciduous forests divided into two regions, with mean nitrogen depositions of 17 and 9 kg ha(-1) y(-1). The higher dep

Frequency Measures in AF. Introduction: Frequency analysis of fibrillation (FAF) and time-frequency analysis (TFA) were developed recently in order to quantify atrial electrical remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF) from the surface ECG. This article describes the experience with these two different frequency analysis techniques in consecutive AF patients and discusses possible applications in AF