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A novel immunoassay (PINC-ELISA) was designed using proteinase inhibitors of the cystatin superfamily (PINC) in the solid phase, to promote the selective capture of cysteine proteinases. The method was applied in the identification of papain-like antigens from parasitic protozoa. PINC of human origin, namely recombinant cystatin C (r-cystatin C) or low molecular weight kininogen were used in the a
When the replacement of an existing building by a new one is financially restrictive or not possible for any reason, refurbishment can be the only option. The refurbishment of a non-residential building may require a specialized study, not only because of building location, use, importance and historic significance, but also because it provides the opportunity to take measures to reduce energy con
The effect of harvest time and storage on dietary fibre content and composition was investigated in six cultivars of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata). Three cultivars were of early maturity type (SW Nordpol, Rolly and Balbro) and three of late maturity type (Predikant, Hanna and Lion). The average total dietary fibre (TDF) content was 241 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM) (CV = 13), of which
Background & objectives: Human and animal cystatins have been shown to inhibit the replication of certain viruses and bacteria, though it is not directly demonstrated that the effects are due to protease inhibitory capacity of the cystatins. We report antibacterial properties of a novel antimicrobial peptidyl derivative, (2S)-2-(N-alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-arginyl-leucylamido)-1-(E)-cinnamoyla m
Antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells and neutrophils represent essential elements of innate immunity, and include the defensin and cathelicidin family of antimicrobial polypeptides. The human cathelicidin cationic antimicrobial protein-18 is an antimicrobial peptide precursor predominantly expressed in neutrophils, and its active peptide LL-37 is released from the precursor through
Human immunodeficiency virus-2 (HIV-2) is less pathogenic than HIV-1, and the disease progression in HIV-2-infected individuals seems to be similar to that seen in HIV-1-infected long-term nonprogressors. Cell-mediated immune responses and the production of noncytotoxic CD8(+) T-cell antiviral factors (CAF) and beta-chemokines have been correlated to protection against HIV-1 and associated with as
The steam pressure control loops in the drying section of a paper machine play an important role for the quality of the moisture content control. The steam pressure loops are essential for the effective use of advanced control schemes for the moisture control. From mathematical model building and experiments on industrial paper machines it is found that the dynamics from the steam valves to the st
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, critical for B-cell development and function. Mutations that inactivate this kinase were found in families with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA). In this study the Btk gene was analyzed in 13 registered Greek patients with XLA phenotype originated from 12 unrelated families, in order to provide a definite diagnosis of the XLA. The
The distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in cervical cancers is essential for design and evaluation of HPV type-specific vaccines. To follow up on a previous report that HPV types 35 and 58 were the dominant HPV types in cervical neoplasia in Mozambique, the HPV types in a consecutive case series of 74 invasive cervical cancers in Mozambique were determined. The most common worldwide m
This paper presents techniques for improving the numerical stability of Grobner basis solvers for polynomial equations. Recently Grobner basis methods have been used succesfully to solve polynomial equations arising in global optimization e.g. three view triangulation and in many important minimal cases of structure from motion. Such methods work extremely well for problems of reasonably low degre
Change of HIV-1 coreceptor use has been connected to progression of disease in children infected with HIV-1, presumably subtype B. It has not been possible to discern whether the appearance of new viral phenotypes precedes disease development or comes as a consequence of it. We studied the evolution of coreceptor use in HIV-1 isolates from 24 vertically infected children. Their clinical, virologic
Structure-function studies are frequently practiced on the very diverse group of natural carbohydrate-binding modules in order to understand the target recognition of these proteins. We have taken a step further in the study of carbohydrate-binding modules and created variants with novel binding properties by molecular engineering of one such molecule of known 3D-structure. A combinatorial library
In this study we present the results from realistic N-body modelling of massive star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds. We have computed eight simulations with N similar to 10(5) particles; six of these were evolved for at least a Hubble time. The aim of this modelling is to examine in detail the possibility of large-scale core expansion in massive star clusters, and search for a viable dynamical
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-2-specific T lymphocyte proliferative responses were determined in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-2-exposed uninfected individuals, HIV-2-infected individuals and HIV-negative controls in Guinea-Bissau. Increased HIV-2-specific T lymphocyte proliferative responses were detected in both groups compared to HIV-negative controls (healthy HIV
BACKGROUND. Androgen deprivation is the only effective systemic therapy available for patients with prostatic carcinoma, but is associated with a gradual transition to a hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRCAP) in which ligand-independent activation of the androgen receptor has been implicated. The beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) is a well-known activator of the androgen receptor. METHO
Garlic belongs to the Allium family of plants that produce organosulfur compounds, such as allicin and diallyl disulfide (DADS), which account for their pungency and spicy aroma. Many health benefits have been ascribed to Allium extracts, including hypotensive and vasorelaxant activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. Intriguingly, allicin and DADS shar
BACKGROUND: Early age at first full-term pregnancy and increasing parity are associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. However, whether pregnancy decreases the risk of early-onset hereditary breast cancer is unknown. There is concern that pregnancy may increase breast-cancer risk in carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations. We aimed to establish whether pregnancy is a risk factor for
The CC chemokine CCL25 (TECK) is selectively expressed in the thymus and small intestine, indicating a potential role in T lymphocyte development. In the present study we examined the role of CCL25 in the generation of the small-intestinal CD8alpha alpha(+)CD3(+) intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) compartment. CCL25 mRNA expression in the murine small intestine increased at three weeks of age and co
