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Pathogenic bacteria have developed complex and diverse virulence mechanisms that weaken or disable the host immune defense system. IdeS (IgG-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes) is a secreted cysteine endopeptidase from the human pathogen S. pyogenes with an extraordinarily high degree of substrate specificity, catalyzing a single proteolytic cleavage at the lower hinge of human IgG. This p
The Drosophila melanogaster deoxyribonucleoside kinase (Dm-dNK) double mutant N45D/N64D was identified during a previous directed evolution study. This mutant enzyme had a decreased activity towards the natural substrates and decreased feedback inhibition with dTTP, whereas the activity with 3'-modified nucleoside analogs like 3'-azidothymidine (AZT) was nearly unchanged. Here, we identify the mut
Bilayer-forming lipids were shown to be ineffective in sustaining the enzymatic activity of violaxanthin de-epoxidase. On the other hand, non-bilayer-forming lipids, regard-less of their different chemical character, ensured high activity of violaxanthin de-epoxidase, resulting in conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. Our data indicates that the presence of lipids forming reversed hexagonal st
Background: Increased fucosylation of serum,glycoproteins has previously been reported in patients with liver disease. We analyzed alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) fucosylation in serum samples from patients investigated for suspected liver disease to evaluate its value as a biochemical marker for liver cirrhosis. Methods: We used a novel lectin immunoassay adapted to the AutoDELFIA system to anal
New therapies, based on gene transfer and protein delivery, require a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of macromolecular membrane transport. We have studied cellular uptake of macromolecular polyanions, i.e. DNA and glycosaminoglycans, and a polybasic HIV-Tat derived peptide (GRKKRRQRRRPPQC), using fluorescence assisted cell sorting and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The Tat peptide
The influence of transverse relaxation on the resonance soliton (2 pi hyperbolic-secant pulse) in solids is considered. It is shown that memory effects can be considered in terms of generalized non-Markovian optical Bloch equations. The equations of self-induced transparency with a memory function are presented. Explicit forms for the first-order effects of this relaxation on the frequency shift a
An amperometric immunoanalysis system based on monoclonal antibodies immobilized on Sepharose beads and packed into a micro-immunocolumn was developed for the quantification of microcystin-LR. Microcystin-LR (MCLR) was used as a reference microcystin variant. Inside the immunocolumn, free microcystins and microcystin-horseradish peroxidase (tracer) were sequentially captured by the immobilized ant
Biocompatible nanoparticles possessing fluorescent properties offer attractive possibilities for multifunctional bioimaging and/or drug and gene delivery applications. Many of the limitations with current imaging systems center on the properties of the optical probes in relation to equipment technical capabilities. Here we introduce a novel high aspect ratio and highly crystalline europium-doped c
Background Peer review is important to the scientific process. However, the present system has been criticised and accused of bias, lack of transparency, failure to detect significant breakthrough and error. At the British Journal of Surgery (BJS), after surveying authors' and reviewers' opinions on peer review, we piloted an open online forum with the aim of improving the peer review process. Met
S100 protein is a marker for brain damage easily analysed in blood. The serum level immediatly after termination of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is increased and associated to age and the duration of perfusion. A prolonged residual concentration indicates cellular brain damage. The objective of this study was to ascertain if the prognosis of individual patients, with stroke following ECC, coul
We consider designing demodulators for linear vector channels that use reduced-size trellis descriptions for the received signal. We assume an iterative receiver and use interference cancellation (IC) with soft-information provided by an outer decoder to mitigate the signal part that is not covered by a reduced-size trellis description. In order to reach a trellis description, a linear filter is a
The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) is an international study aiming to investigate associations between dietary and other environmental factors and the risk of developing islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-h recall and repeated 3-day food records and analyzed using country-specific food composition databases (FCDBs) in Finlan
β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 7 (β4GalT7) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. Natural and synthetic xylosides can be used to both inhibit and prime GAG synthesis by acting as inhibitors or substrates for β4GalT7. In this report, we exploit hydroxylated oxanes as deoxygenated xyloside analogs to clarify the minimum protein-ligand interactions required for galactosyl
Neurological disorders are among the main clinical problems affecting preterm children and often result in the development of communication and learning disabilities later in life. Several factors are of importance for brain development, however the role of immunoglobulins (passive immunity transfer) has not yet been investigated. Piglets are born agammaglobulinemic, as a result of the lack of tra
A number of studies have analysed how multinational enterprises (MNEs) develop appropriate strategies for managing the institutionally different contexts of various markets. However, we still know rather little about how MNEs manage different institutional pressures when they operate in emerging markets. These markets have a higher level of uncertainty as their values and structures undergo change
