Human complement regulators are important targets for pathogenic microorganisms. In one such interaction, Bordetella pertussis binds human C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a high-molecular-weight plasma protein that acts as inhibitor of the classical pathway of complement activation. At least two different B. pertussis surface components, one of which is the virulence factor filamentous hemagglutinin (

Recent advances in computational actinide chemistry are reported in this tutorial review. Muticonfigurational quantum chemical methods have been employed to study the gas phase spectroscopy of small actinide molecules. Examples of actinide compounds studied in solution are also presented. Finally the multiple bond in the diuranium molecule and other diactinide compounds is described.

The activity and density of generalist predators, such as carabid beedes, rove beedes and spiders, may increase in response to: (1) increased availability of prey from the belowground subsystem and/ or (2) enhanced complexity of aboveground vegetation. Organic farming practices support decomposer populations and enhance habitat complexity due to an increased weed density. A response by generalist

Phosphatase activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has attracted attention in three fairly distinct domains: intracellular enzymes with defined metabolic functions that have been studied in intraradical hyphae, histochemical staining of alkaline phosphatase as an indicator of fungal activity measured both intra- and extraradically, and extracellular activity related to mineralization of org

Meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) (international generic name Temoporfin) is a potent photosensitizer used for photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study the pharmacokinetics of a systemically administered novel lipid formulation of Temoporfin in a murine tumor model has been investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy measurements were performed at several time intervals following drug administ

The appearance of polyclonal antibodies inhibiting the function of exogenous factors VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX) continues to be a major challenge in the treatment of patients with congenital haemophilia. Why these inhibitors develop in 10-20% of patients with haemophilia A, and in 1-5% of patients with haemophilia B, remains largely unexplained. The antibodies, however, are characterized by several

The efficacy and safety of an advanced category recombinant antihaemophilic factor produced by a plasma- and albumin-free method (rAHF-PFM) was studied in 111 previously treated subjects with haemophilia A. The study comprised a randomized, double-blinded, crossover pharmacokinetic comparison of rAHF-PFM and RECOMBINATE rAHF (R-FVIII); prophylaxis (three to four times per week with 25-40 IU kg(-1)

This review essay draws on a recently edited handbook by Esin Orucu and David Nelken to reflect on the methodological concerns and challenges of comparative law and socio-legal research. It argues that the contextualisation of laws should be regarded as the indispensable methodological characteristic of all comparative studies of law that aspire to transcend the understanding of law as a body of r

Abstract Color Doppler Ultrasound was performed on 202 post-term pregnancies to detect the presence of a nuchal cord. A nuchal cord was diagnosed if the umbilical cord could be followed 360 degrees around the fetal neck. The results were not disclosed to the managing obstetrician, midwife, and patient. The perinatal outcome was analyzed according to Apgar score, umbilical cord artery and vein pH a

Phylogenetic relationships within the Parmeliaceae are analysed cladistically on the basis of DNA characters from partial beta-tubulin, partial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and ITS sequences. 100 taxa representing 73 of the 88 genera currently recognised are included in the analyses. Eight monophyletic groups including two or more genera were identified in the tree calculated f

Background: An audit of all patients with rectal cancer in Sweden was launched in 1995. This is the first report from the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry (SRCR). Methods: Between 1995 and 2003, 13 434 patients treated for adenocarcinoma of the rectum were registered with the SRCR; there were approximately 1500 new patients annually. Results: Approximately half had an anterior resection, a quarter a

Objective: Lactobacilli are often considered to be beneficial or non-pathogenic to man, with small numbers of human infections being reported, including septicemia and infective endocarditis. To verify the safety of Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (=strain 299v) administration, we used a well-known endocarditis animal model. Design: Experimental study using Sprague-Dawley rats. Setting: Universit

The aim of the present study was to see whether measurements of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air (ENO) either separately or in combination, could differentiate between asthmatics and healthy control subjects in a population based survey. In central Norway 8,571 adolescents participated in a large-scale epidemiological survey (Young Helseundersokelsen i Nord-Tro

A model of an industrial through-dryer for production of tissue paper was developed. The model can be used to predict the performance of a dryer section of an industrial through-drying machine consisting of one or more through-drying rolls separated by free draw sections. Roll diameters, wrap angles, machine speed, basis weight, initial paper moisture ratio, operating pressure differentials, dryin

The well known AGM framework for belief revision has recently been extended to include a model of the research agenda of the agent, i.e. a set of questions to which the agent wishes to find answers (Olsson & Westlund in Erkenntnis, 65, 165-183, 2006). The resulting model has later come to be called interrogative belief revision. While belief revision has been studied extensively from the point

Environmental enrichment (EE) alleviates sensorimotor deficits after brain infarcts but the cellular correlates are not well-known. This study aimed to test the effects of postischemic EE on neocortical cell genesis. A neocortical infarct was caused by distal ligation of the middle cerebral artery in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats, subsequently housed in standard environment or EE. Bromodeo

A methodology for innovation and analysis in a context of complex problem spaces is presented, introducing the idea of a diversity network. The methodology draws upon a framework which puts ‘complexification’ into systemic practice. Such an application helps individual participants to outline their narratives, create and agree upon categories, and use these to classify their narratives. Clusters o