Several microbial pathogens have been reported to interact with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix. Here we demonstrate that M protein, a major surface-expressed virulence factor of the human bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes, mediates binding to various forms of GAGs. Hence, S. pyogenes strains expressing a large number of different types of M prot

Background: Optimal therapeutic management of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) lacks precise guidelines. Patients and methods: The clinico-pathological features of 38 HIV-negative patients with IVL were reviewed to define efficacy of chemotherapy in these malignancies. Clinical characteristics of 22 patients treated with chemotherapy and of 16 untreated patients were compared in order to understand be

[abstract missing]

The complexes formed by the reaction of [Ti(OiPr)(4)] and bicyclo-octanediols (BODOLs) 1 and 2 (1:1) are useful as chiral catalysts in asymmetric reductions and were investigated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and computational methods. A consistent picture emerged of head-to-tail dimers being kept together via a Ti-O-Ti-O mu-oxo bridge similar to the Ti-tartrates but different from the corresponding Ti-

Three approaches for modelling evacuation in the event of fire were studied based on existing computer programs. The programs included in the study were ERM, EVACNET4, STEPS, buildingEXODUS and SIMULEX. However, only some aspects of buildingEXODUS were examined. The three approaches, called network models (ERM and EVACNET4), gridmodels (STEPS and buildingEXOUDUS) and particle models (SIMULEX) diff

We investigate the two-particle spin entanglement in magnetic nanoclusters described by the periodic Anderson model. An entanglement phase diagram is obtained, providing an important perspective on a central property of magnetic nanoclusters, namely, the temperature-dependent competition between local Kondo screening and nonlocal Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida spin ordering. We find that multipart

A measurement of inclusive jet cross-sections in deep-inelastic ep scattering at HERA is presented based on data with an integrated luminosity of 21.1 pb(-1). The measurement is performed for photon virtualities Q(2) between 5 and 100 GeV2, differentially in Q(2), in the jet transverse energy E-T, in E-T(2)/Q(2) and in the pseudorapidity eta(lab). With the renormalization scale mu(R) = E-T, pertur

An exhaustive and simple method for dispersion flattening in double-clad single-mode fibers is presented. The idea is to generate all such fibers with a certain cutoff wavelength and then find, by one-dimensional minimization and direct inspection, fibers yielding minimum dispersion. As examples, the root mean square chromatic dispersion over the wavelength range (1.25, 1.60 mum) is minimized for

Orientation cage experiments were performed on Capri in Italy, with a diurnal passerine migrant (Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis), and a nocturnal passerine migrant (Garden Warbler Sylvia borin), to study the use of magnetic compass information during autumn passage migration. The experiments were performed outdoors at sunset in: (1) the local geomagnetic field under natural clear skies, (2) a shifted

The LINC transmitter is an architecture that provides linear amplification using nonlinear but power efficient amplifiers. One crucial signal processing function of LINC is the signal component separator (SCS) which forms two constant-amplitude phase-modulated signals from the source signal. This paper presents an analog SCS chip implemented in a 0.35 mum CMOS process using a novel design based on

Backgrounds and Objectives Fresh frozen human plasma is an important raw material in the production of coagulation factor concentrates used in patients with haemorrhagic disorders. The aim of the study was to determine how the handling of plasma influences the recovery of coagulation factor VIII activity (FVIII:C), i.e. the influence of time between donation and freezing, of the freezing time and

In this study, the effects of cation-binding agents used alone and/or in combination with enzymes on solubilisation of municipal sludge and structure changes were investigated. Formic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, EDTA, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), Zeolite A, sodium fluoride, sodium thiosulphate or sodium silicate were added to both biological and digested sludges. Citric acid ( 50 mmol/l)

In an investigation by the Swedish Cancer Society, the present status, critical issues and future aspects and potentials were described by an expert group for each of nine major areas of radiation therapy research. The present report deals with the potential of proton and light ion beams in radiotherapy.

The paper discusses the pros and cons of inductive research methods. It is argued that, despite the profusion of good arguments against this scientific strategy, it is frequently employed, for example in psychology. A case probe taken from the realm of cognitive psychology is used as an illustration.

We currently are witnessing a serious attrition of physicians specializing in hemophilia treatment in Europe and the United States while most physicians who complete training in hematology-oncology choose oncology practice as their career. Nevertheless, recent therapeutic developments, including advances in prophylaxis and inhibitor management, have renewed the demand for experts in hemophilia and