Filetype
We have identified a new cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoform, PDE3A, and cloned its cDNA from cultured aortic myocytes. The nucleotide sequence of its coding region is similar to that of the previously cloned myocardial isoform except for the absence of the initial 300-400 nt that are present in the latter, as confirmed by reverse-transcriptase-mediated PCR, 5' rapid amplification of cDNA
Women younger than 50 have a lower age-specific incidence of CVD than men. With advancing age this difference gradually disappears. These well-established facts provide the rationale for numerous primary and a few secondary intervention studies with ERT. With increasing sophistication and longer observation periods, both case-control and cohort studies agree on a cardioprotective effect by estroge
Modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype is thought to be important in the development of the atherosclerotic lesion. Such modulation depends on growth factors and is influenced by cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Whereas smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall are contractile, dispersed cells in culture rapidly modulate to synthetic phenotype, w
This study addresses the problem of foreign policy change. While the 1990s has been characterized by remarkable changes in world affairs, political scientists have been slow to study the processes through which such changes take place. Drawing on the limited research that does exist in this field, the study presents an alternative explanatory model of foreign policy change, arguing that states ten
The experience with radioimmunotherapy in B-cell lymphomas using the rapidly internalizing antibody, anti-CD22 (LL2), is limited. In this study we investigated the efficacy and toxicity of 131I-labelled-LL2 for radioimmunotherapy in patients with B-cell lymphomas that failed one or two cytostatic regimens. Eleven patients were treated with one or repeated cycles of 131I-anti-CD22 antibody, 1330 MB
Researchers from various disciplines have been pursuing better understanding of learning and forgetting processes. A range of mathematical models, sometimes based on empirical data, has been developed to measure the effect of production breaks on the learning process. Thus far, researchers and practitioners have not resolved the issue of how learning and forgetting interacts. However, some of the
Presence–absence surveys are a commonly used method for monitoring broad-scale changes in wildlife distributions. However, the lack of power of these surveys for detecting population trends is problematic for their application in wildlife management. Options for improving power include increasing the sampling effort or arbitrarily relaxing the type I error rate. We present an alternative, whereby
Zeaxanthin, an important component in protection against overexcitation in higher plants, is formed from violaxanthin by the enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase. We have investigated factors that may control the maximal degree of conversion in the violaxanthin cycle. The conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin in isolated spinach thylakoids was followed at different temperatures and in the presence
To investigate the Ca2+-dependent plasticity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function in vascular smooth muscle, transient responses to agents releasing intracellular Ca2+ by either ryanodine (caffeine) or D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [IP3; produced in response to norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), arginine vasopressin (AVP)] receptors in rat tail arterial rings were evaluated a
Mechanical interlock obtained by penetration of bone cement into cancellous bone is critical to the success of cemented total hip replacement (THR). Although acetabular component loosening is an important mode of THR failure, the properties of acetabular cancellous bone relevant to cement penetration are not well characterized. Bone biopsies (9 mm diameter, 10 mm long) were taken from the articula
We identified volatiles from the floral headspace of Yucca filamentosa using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and analyzed floral scent composition and variation among populations pollinated by different yucca moth species. Twenty-one scent compounds were repeatedly identified and most could be categorized into two major classes: (1) homoterpenes derived from the sesquiterpene alcohol nero
Several studies have shown that alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) increases serum levels of proline and has beneficial effects on skeletal development. We studied the effect of alpha-ketoglutaric (AKG) acid calcium salt (6 g AKG and 1,68 Ca/day) or calcium alone (1.68 Ca/day) on serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and osteocalcin (OC), as well as lumbar spine bone minera
Biosynthetic nerve grafts are desired as alternative to autologous nerve grafts in peripheral nerve reconstruction. Artificial nerve conduits still have their limitations and are not widely accepted in the clinical setting. Here we report an analysis of fine-tuned chitosan tubes used to reconstruct 10 mm nerve defects in the adult rat. The chitosan tubes displayed low, medium and high degrees of a
Gas turbines are widely used for aircraft propulsion, land-base power generation, and other industrial applications like trains, marines, automobiles, etc. To satisfy the fast development of advanced gas turbines, the operating temperature must be increased to improve the thermal efficiency and output work of the gas turbine engine. However, the heat transferred to the turbine blade is substantial
The original aim of prophylactic replacement therapy was to convert the bleeding pattern of severe hemophilia to that of moderate hemophilia through regular infusions of clotting factor concentrates. However, targeting prophylaxis on minimum trough levels does not prevent all bleeding. At the group level, there is a clear association of factor levels with bleeding and outcome. But bleeding phenoty
The Hamilton and Zuk model predicts that genes for resistance to various pathogens may be continuously heritable due to selection disequilibria caused by coadaptional cycles of hosts and pathogens. The model further suggests that the expression of male secondary ornaments is condition-dependent and that only individuals with superior genetic disease resistance and vigour can fully express exaggera
The severity of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) may be related to the type of mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and to environmental and immunological factors. Since pulmonary disease is the main determinant of morbidity and mortality in CF, it is important to identify factors that can explain and predict this variation. The aim of this longitudi
