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Resting energy expenditure (REE) was investigated in 8 children with propionic and methylmalonic acidaemias because a lowered REE has been reported in the literature. We observed a marginally elevated REE and think that adequate caloric intake and the use of a synthetic amino acid mixture are responsible for this.
The presence or absence of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) at the centre of Milky Way globular clusters (GCs) is still an open question. This is due to either observational restrictions or limitations in the dynamical modelling method; in this work, we explore the latter. Using a sample of high-end Monte Carlo simulations of GCs, with and without a central IMBH, we study the limitations of s
The vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein S binds with high affinity to C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a regulator of complement. Despite the physiological importance of the complex, we have only a patchy view of the C4BP-binding site in protein S. Based on phage display experiments, protein S residues 447-460 were suggested to form part of the binding site. Several experimental approaches were n
During the last years, the importance of antibacterial peptides has attracted considerable attention. We report here that peptides derived from the fifth domain of beta-2 glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI), a human heparin binding plasma protein, have antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Streptococcus pyogenes, an important human pathogen that can survive and grow in
Neisseria meningitidis is a causative agent of meningitis. Despite vaccination programs, it still causes a large number of deaths in young children. Early diagnosis followed by passive immunization with human monoclonal antibodies could be an approach to effective therapy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal, healthy blood donors and from vaccinated individuals were immunized in vitro, using
The utility of the GHOST(3) cell assay has been evaluated for testing coreceptor use of primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates. GHOST(3) cells were derived from the human osteosarcoma cell line, HOS, and have been engineered to stably express CD4 and one or another of the chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, CXCR4, Bonzo, or the orphan receptor BOB. The Indicator cell line carries
Basic electrochemistry of glassy carbon paste electrodes (GCPEs) modified with Meldola Blue adsorbed on crystalline a-titanium phosphate (MB-a-TP) electrodes and their ability to catalyze the NADH oxidation have been investigated. Various ratios of glassy carbon (Sigradur K) to MB-alpha-TP, were used to obtain GCPEs. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurements, performed
By using absorption and fluorescence (steady-state and time-resolved) techniques the interaction between a poly(acrylic acid) PAA, randomly grafted with pyrene (Py) units (PAAMePy55) and a triblock copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) (EO20PO68EO20, P123) was investigated. From the fluorescence data it is shown that upon addition of P123 a decrease of the (pyrene-pyrene, Py-
In recent years, Skylarks Alauda arvensis have undergone dramatic population declines in many European countries. Evidence exists for deteriorating conditions during the breeding season, but little is known about the situation during the rest of the annual cycle. Here we use two approaches to test if the Dutch breeding population of Skylarks consists of resident and/or migratory individuals. First
The association between a randomly pyrene labeled PAA polymer (PAAMePy55) and a PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer (P123) in aqueous solutions of different NaCl concentrations and pHs has been studied by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy at 40 °C. At acidic pH values, in the low P123/PAAMePy55 molar ratio regime (i.e., at low P123 concentrations), the r
Context: Inflammation and adipogenesis are two parallel processes with increased activity in severe Graves' ophthalmopathy. Objective: The aim of this work was to define target genes for therapeutic intervention in adipogenesis and inflammation in Graves' ophthalmopathy. Design: Orbital tissue was obtained from patients with ophthalmopathy in acute or chronic phase undergoing orbital surgery to st
Dendritic cells (DCs) comprise heterogeneous populations of cells, which act as central orchestrators of the immune response. Applicability of primary DCs is restricted due to their scarcity and therefore DC models are commonly employed in DC-based immunotherapy strategies and in vitro tests assessing DC function. However, the interrelationship between the individual in vitro DC models and their r
The aim of this study was to determine the risk and burden of vertebral fractures judged as those coming to clinical attention and as morphometric fractures. Incidence and utility loss were computed from data from Malmo, Sweden. Clinical fractures accounted for 23% of all vertebral deformities in women and for 42% in men. The average 10-year fracture probability for morphometric fractures increase
The aim of this study was to determine the threshold of fracture probability at which interventions become cost-effective. We modeled the effects of a treatment costing $500/year, given for 5 years, that decreased the risk of all osteoporotic fractures by 35%, followed by a waning of effect for 5 years. Sensitivity analyses included a range of effectiveness (10%-50%) and a range of intervention co
