Aim: Interaction with the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA(A)R) complex is recognized as an important component of the mechanism of many anaesthetic agents, including propofol. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of propofol on GABA(A)R, to determine whether exposure of neurones to propofol influences the localization of GABA(A)R within the cell and to look for cytoskeletal

In this paper we use coding theory to give simple explanations of some recent results on universal hashing. We first apply our approach to give a precise and elegant analysis of the Wegman-Carter construction for authentication codes. Using Reed-Solomon codes and the well known concept of concatenated codes we can then give some new constructions, which require much less key size than previously k

Phosphorylation of oestrogen receptor alpha at serine 305 (ERalphaS305-P) induces tamoxifen resistance in experimental studies, but does not influence response to other endocrine agents, such as fulvestrant. We evaluated ERalphaS305-P using immunohistochemistry in 377 breast carcinomas from premenopausal participants of a randomized trial (n = 248) and patients with advanced disease (n = 129). Amo

Capsule: Savi’s Warblers preferred sites dominated by high and dense Juncus and Rubus with thick litter, and avoided pure reeds; predation was higher in sites with less litter. Aim: To describe nest-site selection and identify which habitat and nest features influence predation risk. Methods: Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics measured at nest-sites and random points, and betwee

In the recently completed and formally ratified new series and stage classification of the Ordovician System, the base of the Middle Ordovician Series coincides with the base of the global Dapingian Stage. In the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of this stage, which is located at Huanghuachang in southern China, the base of the Dapingian Stage is defined its the level of first appearance

Background: Many patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are not managed adequately, and we often fail to reach treatment targets. Aim: To investigate if knowledge of risk factors for CHD, measured by a questionnaire, would show any relation to advice to compliance to lifestyle changes to attain treatment goals and adherence to drug therapy. Method: Men and women

A new member of the human cystatin superfamily, called cystatin E, has been found by expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing in amniotic cell and fetal skin epithelial cell cDNA libraries. The sequence of a full-length amniotic cell cDNA clone contained an open reading frame encoding a putative 28-residue signal peptide and a mature protein of 121 amino acids, including four cysteine residues and

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether factor V Leiden and the prothrombin 20210A gene mutation are risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in different etiologic groups of osteonecrosis in adults and whether patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head have a higher frequency of thromboembolic events compared with the general population. We investigated

Detailed quantitative analysis of the vulnerability of different hippocampal and striatal neurons to global forebrain ischemia has not previously been performed. Here we have studied the survival of immunocytochemically identified neurons using an unbiased stereological method in rats subjected to global forebrain ischemia for 30 min and sacrificed 48 h, 1 week or 4 weeks thereafter. Within the hi

BACKGROUND: Knee buckling is common in persons with advanced knee osteoarthritis and after orthopedic procedures. Its prevalence in the community is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of knee buckling in the community, its associated risk factors, and its relation to functional limitation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, population-based study. SETTING: The Framingham Osteoarthritis Study. PAR

Objectives: Resistance to antifungals often relates to efflux pumps exporting drugs; several modulators may block them, reverting resistance. Verapamil, beta-oestradiol and progesterone, known efflux pump inhibitors of human neoplastic cells, and ibuprofen were tested as potential modulators of resistance of Candida spp. Methods: Forty-two clinical isolates of Candida (38 fluconazole-resistant), t

In this study, sample preparation of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), a minor metabolite and biomarker of benzene, by means of Supported Liquid Membrane (SLM) extraction has been investigated. The sample extract was automatically transferred on-line to an ion exchange chromatographic column and the analytes were detected using a photodiode array detector. Automation of the system was acc

In this study we describe the morphological and genetic analysis of the Drosophila mutant gurtelchen (gurt). gurt was identified by screening an EMS collection for novel mutations affecting visceral mesoderm development and was named after the distinct belt shaped visceral phenotype. Interestingly, determination of visceral cell identities and subsequent visceral myoblast fusion is not affected in

The induction of apoptosis in neutrophils is an essential event in the resolution of an inflammatory process. We found recently that the reduction of the activity of the neutrophil survival factor p38 MAPK and dephosphorylation and thus activation of caspases must occur to initiate such cell death in these leukocytes. Here, we report a previously undetected early and transient activation of protei

Previous studies using echocardiography in healthy subjects have reported conflicting data regarding the percentage of the stroke volume ( SV) of the left ventricle ( LV) resulting from longitudinal and radial function, respectively. Therefore, the aim was to quantify the percentage of SV explained by longitudinal atrioventricular plane displacement ( AVPD) in controls, athletes, and patients with

Thanks to features as non-intrusiveness combined with high spatial and temporal resolution, various laser diagnostic techniques have during the last decades become of utmost importance for characterization of combustion related phenomena. In the following presentation some further development of the techniques will be highlighted aiming at a) surface temperatures using Thermographic Phosphors, TP

A rising global population and demand for protein-rich diets are increasing pressure to maximize agricultural productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO2] is altering global temperature and precipitation patterns, which challenges agricultural productivity. While rising [CO2] provides a unique opportunity to increase the productivity of C-3 crops, average yield stimulation observed to date is well below