Optimal prevention of hereditary cancer is central and requires initiation of surveillance programmes and/or prophylactic measures at a safe age. Anticipation, expressed as an earlier age at onset in successive generations, has been demonstrated in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). We specifically addressed anticipation in phenotypic HNPCC families without disease-predisposing mis

Interstadial and non-glacial stadial sediments collected in boreholes from Sokli in northeastern Finland have been dated by optically stimulated luminescence on quartz and feldspar grains. The quartz OSL ages follow stratigraphic order, with one exception, and support the litho-and bio-stratigraphical correlation with the NW European mainland climate-stratigraphy and the marine oxygen-isotope stag

Candida albicans is the most prevalent yeast pathogen in humans, and recently it has become increasingly resistant to the current antifungal agents. In this study we investigated C. albicans dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH, EC 1.3.99.11), which catalyzes the fourth step of de novo pyrimidine synthesis, as a new target for controlling infection. We propose that the enzyme is a member of the DHO

The actinomycete Corynebacterium glutamicum grows as rod-shaped cells by zonal peptidoglycan synthesis at the cell poles. In this bacterium, experimental depletion of the polar DivIVACG protein resulted in the inhibition of polar growth; consequently, these cells exhibited a coccoid morphology. This result demonstrated that DivIVA is required for cell elongation and the acquisition of a rod shape.

We present a minimalistic and °exible single-beam instrumen- tation based for sensitive tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TD- LAS) and its use in structural analysis of highly scattering pharmaceu- tical solids. By utilising a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) for sensing of molecular oxygen dispersed in tablets, we address structural properties such as porosity. Experiment

Aims/hypothesis Increased NEFA production and concentrations may underlie insulin resistance. We examined systemic and adipose tissue NEFA metabolism in insulin-resistant overweight men (BM1 25-35 kg/m(2)). Methods In a cohort study we examined NEFA concentrations in men in the upper quartile of fasting insulin (n = 124) and in men with fasting insulin below the median (n 159). In a metabolic stud

OBJECTIVE AND STUDY DESIGN: We report for the first time an inhibitory effect on cell division and germ tube formation by Candida albicans and strains of other Candida species by putrescine and cadaverine. RESULTS: Both bacterial amines showed a dose-dependent inhibition of germ tube formation by C albicans, as well as budding (inhibition of cell division) of strains of other Candida species (ie,

An east-west gradient in cardiovascular mortality has been reported from the region of mid-Sweden. Postal questionnaire studies found that the risk factor distributions among middle-aged men were similar in areas with striking differences in cardiovascular mortality. In this study, 120 randomly selected 50-year-old men in two high mortality communities in the west and 120 men from two low mortalit

In a 7-week-old infant who experienced sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a novel missense mutation was identified in KCNH2, causing a lysine-to-glutamic acid amino acid substitution at position 101 (K101E). KCNH2 codes for the HERG ion channel and mutations in the gene are associated with congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS), and in the family of this case of SIDS, the mutation was associated wit

In 1958, two years after the Dartmouth conference, where the term artificial intelligence was coined, Herbert Simon and Allen Newell asserted the existence of "machines that think, that learn and create". They were further prophesying that the machines' capacity would increase and be oil par with the human mind. Now, 50 years later, computers perform many more tasks than one could imagine in the 1

The aim of this paper is to highlight a potentially very fruitful link between micro-entrepreneurs and international capital markets. It discusses the role structured finance and credit derivatives could play in extending finance to micro-entrepreneurs on a much larger scale than today's mainly non-commercial microfinance industry. The mechanisms of so-called collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)

We report laboratory measurements of oscillator strengths for 44 transitions in the Mn T spectrum covering the wavelength range 209-2780 nm. Nine energy level lifetimes have been measured using time resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The lifetimes have been combined with branching fractions measured by Fourier transform spectroscopy to obtain absolute oscillator strengths. In total, 24 of

In asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), bacteria colonize the urinary tract without provoking symptoms. Here, we compared the virulence properties of a collection of ABU Escherichia coli strains to cystitis and pyelonephritis strains. Specific urinary tract infection (UTI)-associated virulence genes, hemagglutination characteristics, siderophore production, hemolysis, biofilm formation, and the ability

Young individuals, taking the locational choices made by their altruistic parents as given, decide whether or not to acquire skills. The use of location-specific word-of-mouth communication in the transmission of information about (skilled) job opportunities implies that the local social environment partly determines an individual's expected returns to education. Stratified equilibria, when they e

The chromosomal organization of amplified chromosome 12 sequences was studied with fluorescence in situ hybridization in six mesenchymal tumors: two osteosarcomas, one lipoma, two liposarcomas, and one fibrosarcoma. All except the fibrosarcoma contained ring and/or giant marker chromosomes. Amplification of chromosome 12 sequences, demonstrated with whole-chromosome paint in all cases, was confine

We have investigated the relaxant effects of propofol on smooth muscle tension in human omental arteries and veins to determine if endothelium-related mechanisms are involved. Isolated vessel segments were precontracted with endothelin-1 and propofol was added cumulatively (10(-7)-10(-4) mol litre-1). In both artery and vein segments, propofol induced relaxation, which was not dependent on an inta

Aim: This study aimed to investigate levels of Homocysteine (tHcy) and folate in a population-based sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. In particular, the study explored modifiable determinants such as treatment for diabetes, life style, glucose control and kidney function. Patients and methods: In a community-based surveillance of patients with type 2 diabetes, 196 men and 191 women were con