We previously showed that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increases 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F-2 alpha, a marker for cyclooxygenase-mediated lipid peroxidation and thus an indicator of cyclooxygenase-mediated inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CLA on other indicators of inflammation in human subjects, including C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha

Species of Haemoproteus (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae), avian haemosporidians, have traditionally been described based on morphology of their gametocytes and on limited experimental information on their vertebrate host specificity. We investigated to what extent the morphological species are represented by monophyletic groups based on DNA sequence data using 2 different fragment lengths of the cyt

We study deterministic algorithms for the gossiping problem in ad hoc radio networks under the assumption that each combined message contains at most b(n) single messages or bits of auxiliary information, where b is an integer function and n is the number of nodes in the network. We term such a restricted gossiping problem b(n) -gossiping. We show that rootn-gossiping in an ad hoc radio network on

Eighty-five evaluable superficial recurrent malignant tumours, mainly adenocarcinomas (78 per cent), in 38 patients were treated with either combined local hyperthermia (41-45 degrees C for four sessions) and low dose radiotherapy (30.0 Gy) or the same low dose radiotherapy alone. The treatment was given for two weeks. Hyperthermia was induced externally with 2450 MHz or 915 MHz microwaves. Totall

The Department of Urology in Lund, Sweden, has a long association with innovations in reconstructive urology. The authors from that department describe their experience over a long period with orthotopic bladder substitution and continent cutaneous urinary diversion. They conclude that continent urinary tract reconstruction is associated with a high incidence of early and late complications. They

Heart failure occurs in 2 - 3% of the adult population in the developed world. With decompensation of cardiac function, haemodynamic stability can be achieved by using intravenous vasodilators, diuretics and inotropes. Unlike traditional inotropes, Ca2+, sensitisers enhance cardiac function without significantly increasing cardiac oxygen consumption, promoting arrhythmia or impairing lusitropy. Th

Review of Deborah Jermyn & Sean Redmond (eds.), The Cinema of Kathryn Bigelow: Hollywood Transgressor-

Chicken breast muscle is usually considered to be a relatively homogeneous white muscle and has therefore been widely used for studies of muscle proteins. In a previous study, however, we have found different M-region structures in different fibres from this muscle. Because of this result, we have now carried out a combined histochemical and ultrastructural survey of this muscle. In particular, we

The food intake rate of foragers may be reduced as a result of interference, which may be asymmetric among individuals and occur as a result of intimidation, direct aggression or filtering. It is important to distinguish among these types of interference, because each can have different consequences for individuals, foraging groups and populations. We demonstrate the application of the functional

Objective and design: Heparin has been shown to improve survival of surgical skin flaps. However, it is not known whether the protective effect of heparin is related to it's anticoagulative or anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: Surgical flaps were raised in the dorsal skin of Sprague-Dawley rats. Neutrophil recruitment was determined by measuring the tissue content of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cl

A new Coccidia species is reported from the natural population of Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in northern Germany. Sporulated oocysts were found in faeces from 6 of 8 sampled adults. The spherical oocysts of the new Isopora species have a brownish, smooth, bi-layered wall. Average size of sporulated oocysts was 19.4 x 19.3 mu m (17.5-22.8 mu m x 17.5-22.8 mu m) with a shape index (length/

All techniques needed for proteomic analyses of plant plasma membranes are described in detail, from isolation of plasma membranes to protein identification by mass spectrometry (MS). Plasma membranes are isolated by aqueous two-phase partitioning yielding vesicles with a cytoplasmic side-in orientation and a purity of about 95%. These vesicles are turned inside-out by treatment with Brij 58, whic

If images are undersampled during electronic recording and reproduction, regular patterns in the image may form interference patterns-aliases-with the mosaic of picture elements (pixels). Aliasing distorts visual information and is a serious technical problem. In a variety of animal eyes, images are also undersampled such that aliasing may occur. Nature's measures to reduce aliasing include (i) mo

We present a rate equation model for the TGF-beta pathway in endothelial cells together with novel measurements. This pathway plays a prominent role in inter- and intracellular communication and subversion can lead to cancer, fibrosis vascular disorders, and immune diseases. The model successfully describes the kinetics of experimental data and also correctly predicts the behavior in experiments w

Graptolites are uncommon in the Lower Visby Formation. Specimens derived from conodont residues are predominantly members of the long ranging genus Retiolites, with single specimens recorded of Paraplectograptus and Monograptus priodon. Only one graptolite, a specimen of Cyrtograptus bohemicus, has been recovered from the Upper Visby Formation. This is the only biostratigraphically important speci

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis, probably exerting its effects through endothelial function. Homocysteine levels are lowered by folate supplementation, and such treatment improves endothelial function. However, whether folate supplementation decreases vascular risk and improves survival is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial fu

High fat diets and obesity pose serious health problems, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Impaired cognitive function is also associated with high fat intake. In this study, we show that just 4 weeks of feeding a diet rich in fat ad libitum decreased hippocampal neurogenesis in male, but not female, rats. There was no obesity, but male rats fed a diet rich in fat exhibited elev

Recent investigations have shown neuropeptide Y (NPY) to be present in the rabbit maxillary sinus, and NPY is known to be released upon sympathetic nerve stimulation. To study, in vivo, the effect on mucociliary activity and blood flow, NPY 1-36 and some of its analogues were injected intra-arterially. The effects of the Y1/Y2 agonist NPY 1-36 was compared with the ones of the Y2 agonist NPY 16-36