A mutant lacking the ability to express the surface-exposed lipoprotein protein D was constructed by linker insertion and deletion mutagenesis of a cloned DNA insert containing the protein D structural gene from a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strain (NTHi). An isogenic NTHi mutant was isolated after transformation of genetically competent bacteria. The transformant was unreactive to a protei

The HCl inner-valence photoelectron band at 26 eV binding energy has been recorded at high resolution. Discrete peaks arising from at least two separate vibrational progressions are superimposed on the broad continuum. Fano profiles are visible in one of the progressions. This indicates interference between superimposed electronic states, where weak avoided crossing allows two adiabatic states to

Conventionally, maximum capacities for energy assimilation are presented as daily averages. However, maximum daily energy intake is determined by the maximum metabolizable energy intake rate and the time available for assimilation of food energy Thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) in migratory disposition were given limited food rations for 3 d to reduce their energy stores. Subsequently, grou

By using bootstrap technique we investigate the properties of the Breusch [Breusch, T.S., 1978. Testing for autocorrelation in dynamic linear models. Australian Economic Papers 17, 334-355]-Godfrey [Godfrey, L.G., 1978. Testing for higher order serial correlation in regression equations when the regressors include lagged dependent variables. Econometrica 46, 1303-1310] autocorrelation tests in dyn

1. It has recently been suggested that not only nutrients but also presence of a competitor can influence competitive ability in plants, for example, by strategic changes in allocation to roots (a 'tragedy of the commons' effect). Such strategic changes might occur also in pollen, because this has potential to increase siring success during pollen competition in the pistil. 2. I tested the new hyp

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over multi-center study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by traumatic or postsurgical peripheral nerve injury, using doses tip to 2400 mg/day. The study comprised a run-in period of two weeks, two treatment periods of five weeks separated by a three weeks' washout period.

Catalysts of the nominal composition Sb0.9V0.9-xTixOy, 0.0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.9, were prepared and characterized with X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-Raman spectra, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray microanalysis. The catalysts were used for the ammoxidation of propane to give

We investigated intracapsular pressure and elasticity of the hip joint capsule in osteoarthritis. HOOS hip score, sonography of the hip joint, and radiographic assessment of osteoarthritis were performed in 31 patients before total hip arthroplasty. The intracapsular hydrostatic pressure was measured perioperatively, and 0.9% saline solution was then injected in the hip joint, 1 mL at a time with

Within the paradigm of population dynamics a central task is to identify environmental factors affecting population change and to estimate the strength of these effects. We here investigate the impact of observation errors in measurements of population densities on estimates of environmental effects. Adding observation errors may change the autocorrelation of a population time series with potentia

We study holomorphic harmonic morphisms from Kahler manifolds to almost Hermitian manifolds. When the codomain is also Kahler we get restrictions on such maps in the case of constant holomorphic curvature. We also prove a Bochner-type formula for holomorphic harmonic morphisms which, under certain curvature conditions of the domain, gives insight to the structure of the vertical distribution. We t

Emotional aspects in interaction have been an area of growing interest in recent decades.The aims of this research were to investigate the role of emotions in interactions between individuals receiving physiotherapy and their therapists providing PT services to them in psychiatric care. The study was a qualitative case study with cross-case analysis according to Shephard et al (1993) and Merriam (

OBJECTIVE: To study the sexual behaviour of women harbouring Mycoplasma hominis in the vagina. SETTING: Two family planning clinics and a youth clinic for contraceptive advice. METHODS: The vaginal flora of 996 women were investigated microbiologically, including culturing for M. hominis from the posterior vaginal fornix. Cultures and tests were also made to diagnose genital Chlamydia trachomatis

PURPOSE: This study was designed to characterize rectal sensations by visualizing the internal and external anal sphincter and intra-anal transport of bolus during elicited rectal sensations. METHODS: The anal canal was visualized with real-time transperineal ultrasonography in 13 healthy female volunteers. Rectal sensations were elicited by injecting water into the rectum. The ultrasound images w

The monoclonal gammopathies are a group of disorders associated with monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells. The characterization of specific entities is an area of difficulty in clinical practice. The International Myeloma Working Group has reviewed the criteria for diagnosis and classification with the aim of producing simple, easily used definitions based on routinely available investigations

Cytogenetic biomarkers are by far the most frequently used endpoints in human population studies. Their sensitivity for measuring exposure to genotoxic agents and their role as early predictors of cancer risk have contributed to this success. In this article, we present an overview of the last 25 years of population studies with cytogenetic biomarkers, describing the evolution of this research and

It has been suggested that during the past five decades human sperm counts have declined and the incidence of testicular cancer, hypospadias and cryptorchidism has increased. Furthermore, geographical differences, with respect to these markers of male reproductive function, have been reported. According to a recent hypothesis, all these abnormalities of the male genital system do have a common cau

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) mediate cell attachment and stress transfer through extracellular domains. Here we forcibly unfold the Ig domains of a prototypical Ig superfamily CAM that contains intradomain disulfide bonds. The Ig domains of all such CAMs have conformations homologous to cadherin extracellular domains, titin Ig-type domains, and fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domains. Atomic force

Morphogenesis of the Drosophila melanogaster embryo is associated with a dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton that is mediated by small GTPases of the Rho family. Often, Rho1 controls different aspects of cytoskeletal function in parallel, requiring a complex level of regulation. We show that the guanine triphosphate (GTP) exchange factor DRhoGEF2 is apically localized in epithelial ce

Many pathogenic yeast species are asexual and therefore not involved in intra- or interspecies mating. However, high-frequency transfer of plasmid DNA was observed when pathogenic and food-borne yeasts were grown together. This property could play a crucial role in the spread of virulence and drug resistance factors among yeasts.

Background: Ghrelin derives from endocrine cells (A-like cells) in the stomach (mainly the oxyntic mucosa). Its concentration in the circulation increases during fasting and decreases upon re-feeding. This has fostered the notion that the absence of food in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract stimulates the secretion of ghrelin. The purpose of the present study was to determine the concentration