NKG2D ligands are cell surface proteins that activate NKG2D, a receptor used by natural killer (NK) cells to detect virus-infected and transformed cells. When tumor cells express high levels of NKG2D ligands, they are rejected by the immune system. Thus, reagents that increase NKG2D ligand expression on tumor cells can ...

Post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and phobia manifest in ways that are consistent with an uncontrollable state of fear. Their development involves heredity, previous sensitizing experiences, association of aversive events with previous neutral stimuli, and inability to inhibit or extinguish fear after it is chronic and disabling. We highlight recent ...

The most common cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been documented in specific domains, including new learning and memory, working memory, and information processing speed. However, little attempt has been made to increase our understanding of their relationship to one another. While recent studies have shown that processing speed ...

γδ-T cells play an indispensable role in host defense against different viruses, including influenza A virus. However, whether these cells have cytotoxic activity against influenza virus-infected lung alveolar epithelial cells and subsequently contribute to virus clearance remains unknown. Using influenza virus-infected A549 cells, human lung alveolar epithelial cells, we investigated ...

An enzyme's active site is essential to normal protein activity such that any disruptions at this site may lead to dysfunction and disease. Non-synonymous single nucleotide variations (nsSNVs), which alter the amino acid sequence, are one type of disruption that can alter the active site. When this occurs, it is ...

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of omalizumab in non-atopic asthma. Methods. Using data from a multicenter registry of severe asthma, we evaluated and compared the clinical outcome of 29 omalizumab-treated severe non-atopic asthmatics with 266 omalizumab-treated severe allergic asthmatics. Effectiveness was assessed by considering severe exacerbations, pulmonary function, the Global ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Evidence has been assembled to suggest synonymous codon usage bias (SCUB) has close relationship with intron. However, the relationship (if any) between SCUB and intron number as well as exon position is at present rather unclear. RESULTS: To explore this relationship, the sequences of a set of genes ...

In this paper, ZnO nanorod-nanosheet hierarchical structures were fabricated using a facile method on zinc foil and used as flexible photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Compared to nanorods (NRs) obtained by the dissolution-precipitation method, the nanorod-nanosheet (NR-NS) hierarchical structures obtained by a second-step homogeneous precipitation improved the performance of ...

A simple and sensitive HPLC coupled with photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) method was developed for simultaneous determination of seven lignans in Justicia procumbens using relative response factors (RRFs). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Shiseido Capcell Pak C(18) column (250 × 4.6 mm id, 5 μm), a gradient elution of ...

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is frequently upregulated in various types of human cancer; however, its role in cancer angiogenesis remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate the role of miR-155 in angiogenesis through targeting von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Ectopic expression of miR-155 induced whereas knockdown of miR-155 inhibited human umbilical ...

Abstract Multiple myeloma is a common hematological malignancy that urgently requires new approaches to treatment since the disease is not curable using current chemotherapeutic regimens. The aim of this study was to determine whether human and mouse multiple myeloma cells are killed by the pleurocidin-like cationic antimicrobial peptides NRC-03 and ...

Cadmium (Cd) is a reproductive toxicant that induces germ cell apoptosis in the testes. Previous studies have demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in Cd-induced germ cell apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, on Cd-induced ER stress ...

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Cyclic recruitment-derecruitment and overdistension contribute to ventilator induced lung injury. Tidal volume (Vt) may influence both, cyclic recruitment-derecruitment and overdistension. The goal of this study was to determine if decreasing Vt from 6 to 4 ml/kg reduces cyclic recruitment-derecruitment and hyperinflation, and if it is possible to avoid ...

Intestinal amino acid (AA) transport is critical for the supply of AA to other tissues. Few studies regarding AA intestinal transport systems during the period from postnatal intense development of piglets until weaning are available. In the present study, we measured the intestinal expression of b0,+AT according to developmental stage ...

Abstract Objective. Lithium is an activator of β-catenin signaling and β-catenin plays an important role in regulating bone formation and remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lithium on bone repair in tooth extraction sockets in rats. Material and methods. Twenty male Wistar rats were ...

Male New Zealand Obese (NZO) mice progress through pathophysiological stages similar to humans developing obesity-associated type 2 diabetes (T2D). The current challenge is to establish quantitative proteomics from small plasma sample amounts. We established an analytical workflow that facilitates a reproducible depletion of high-abundance proteins, has high throughput applicability, and ...

Inertial microfluidics has been attracting considerable interest in recent years due to immensely promising applications in cell biology. Despite the intense attention, the primary focus has been on development of inertial microfluidic devices with less emphasis paid to elucidation of the inertial focusing mechanics. The incomplete understanding, and sometimes confusing ...

o-Imino-p-R'-benzosemiquinone anion radical (L(R')(IS)˙(-)) complexes of oxidovanadium(iv) of type [(L(1)(R-))(VO(2+))(L(R')(IS)˙(-))] (R = H, R' = H, ; R = H, R' = -CMe(3), ; R = -CMe(3), R' = H, and R = -CMe(3), R' = -CMe(3), ) incorporating the redox-innocent tridentate NNO-donor L(1)(R-) ligands (L(1)(R)H = 2,4-di-R-6-{(2-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazono)methyl}phenol) were isolated ...

Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is a tumor suppressor that is dysregulated in a majority of human cancers. Rb functions to inhibit cell cycle progression in part by directly disabling the E2F family of cell cycle-promoting transcription factors. Because the de novo synthesis of multiple glutamine-derived anabolic precursors is required for cell ...

This study aimed to provide the first detailed survey of Irish psychologists' supervision practices as well as to identify what is related to satisfaction with supervisory support and to confidence in providing supervision. An online survey was distributed nationwide to Irish psychologists. Participants were mostly clinical and counselling psychologists. Three-quarters ...

We report the development of a method to analyze receptor and β-arrestin2 mobilization between Class A and B GPCRs via time-resolved fluorescent microscopy coupled with semiautomated high-content multiparametric analysis. Using transiently expressed, tagged β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) or parathyroid hormone receptor type 1 (PTH1R), we quantified trafficking of the receptors along ...

The ethyl acetate fraction (EE-DS) from Dianthus superbus was found to possess the cytotoxic activity against cancer cells in previous study. To investigate cytotoxic constituents, the bioassay-guided isolation of compounds from EE-DS was performed. Two dianthramides (1 and 2), three flavonoids (3-5), two coumarins (6 and 7) and three other ...

OBJECTIVES: To find the prevalence of complaints in people having tattoos, with emphasis on chronic complaints, photosensitivity and photodynamic events. METHODS: Individuals sunbathing from June to September 2011 at the beaches of Denmark were invited to participate as they are prone to report tattoos and sun habits reliably. Sun-related and ...

Oral chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a serious complication of alloSCT. Scales and instruments to measure oral cGVHD activity and severity have not been prospectively validated. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of oral cGVHD and determine the measures most sensitive to change. Patients enrolled in the ...

AIM: Hypothermia induced by cold exposure at birth is prevented in sheep by the rapid onset of non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Changes in adipose tissue composition in early life are therefore essential for survival but also influence adiposity in later life and were thus examined in detail ...

The collaborative London based non-governmental organization network ELRHA (Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance) supports partnerships between higher education institutions and humanitarian organizations worldwide with the objective to enhance the professionalization of the humanitarian sector. While coordination and control of the humanitarian sector has plagued the response to every ...

BACKGROUND: Despite progress in surgery and anaesthesia techniques, anxiety remains an important problem that imposes tremendous barriers to postoperative recovery for surgery patients. AIMS: In this study, we investigated the effects of preoperative nursing visits on anxiety and postoperative complications in candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients ...

Introduction: Type I interferons (IFNs) comprise a group of at least 13 structurally related subtypes of IFN-α with similar, but not identical, biological activities. Each subtype displays a unique activity profile; only IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b subtypes together with natural IFN-α preparations are currently used in the clinical practice, so that ...

Surface chemical reactivity is imaged by combining electrochemical activation of a surface transformation process with spatio-temporal ellipsometric microscopy. An imaging ellipsometric microscope is built, allowing ellipsometric images of surfaces with a lateral resolution of ~1 µm and a thickness sensitivity of ~0.1 nm in air and 0.4 nm in a ...

B lymphocytes are pleiotropic cells belonging to the adaptive arm of the immune system. Although B cells were classically regarded for their capacity to produce antibodies, in the recent years, several other functions were attributed to these cells. B cells can uptake, process and present antigens as well as produce ...

Synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) has been suggested to be a useful biomaterial for the regeneration of hard tissues, including bone. However, it remains unknown whether OCP induces dentine formation by dental pulp. We investigated biomineralization of dental pulp exposed to synthetic OCP in vitro and in vivo. When dental pulp ...

Electronic and magnetic properties of graphene-ferromagnet interfaces are investigated using first-principles electronic structure methods in which a single layer graphene is adsorbed on Ni(111) and Co(111) surfaces. Due to the symmetry matching and orbital overlap, the hybridization between graphene pπ and Ni (or Co) d(z(2)) states is very strong. This ...

It is here proposed that the evanescent network derived from malleable or supple synapses is the substrate for long-lasting memory. The subjective sense of memory permanence is not derived, as suggested by Bain and others, from the stabilization of synaptic structure which gives rise to consolidated distributed networks. This generally ...

Phenotypic variation in genetically identical malaria parasites is an emerging topic. Although antigenic variation is only part of a more global parasite strategy to create adaptation through epigenetically controlled transcriptional variability, it is the central mechanism enabling immune evasion and promoting pathogenesis. The var gene family is the best-studied example ...

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia (HIT) has increasingly been reported in children as an indication for use of new alternative anticoagulant drugs (NAADs). OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the literature regarding: a) the incidence and prevalence of seroconversion and HIT and b) the clinical/laboratory findings and management of HIT in children. DESIGN/METHODS: MEDLINE and ...

Abstract Context: Astilbin is considered to be a new and promising immunosuppressant for immune related diseases, but limited in clinical application due to its poor water solubility, difficult oral absorption and low bioavailability. Objective: The present work studied the effect of PVP and surfactant combined carrier on its capability to ...

Loeys-Dietz is a multisystem congenital syndrome that comprises craniofacial and cutaneous abnormalities as well as structural cardiac defects. One of its key pathological features is an aggressive widespread vasculopathy that can manifest as aortic or cerebral aneurysms, which is prone to dissection and rupture. We report a case of a ...

Abstract Objective. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an at-home and two in-office (chemically activated and KTP laser-activated) bleaching methods on the microleakage of composite resin restorations bonded with etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems. Materials and methods. Class V cavity preparations were performed on ...

Caudal-related homeobox 1 (CDX1), an intestinal-specific transcription factor, has been reported to have vital roles in gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM). Although IM is a high-risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), the specific role of CDX1 in GC is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of CDX1 and ...

Cranial ultrasonography including colour Doppler can detect neonatal carotid flow problems at an early stage, even before symptoms occur. Different pathogeneses can be identified. The condition is more frequent than previously reported. If the circle of Willis is fully developed, this can prevent brain injury even in case of total ...

Aim: To present a rare case of lingual thyroid detected using a hybrid of single photon emission computed tomography and standard computed tomography in a young woman with hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: A 29-year-old woman was screened for autoimmune thyroid disorders in early pregnancy, and found to have subclinical hypothyroidism. ...

BACKGROUND: The cost effectiveness of various treatment strategies for bulimia nervosa (BN) is unknown. AIMS: To examine the cost effectiveness of stepped care treatment for BN. METHOD: Randomized trial conducted at four clinical centers with intensive measurement of direct medical costs and repeated measurement of subject quality of life and ...

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a major gastric bacterial pathogen, presumed to have established itself in the human stomach approximately 100,000 years ago. Helicobacter pylori co-evolved with its host, and human migrations shaped the expansion and the diversity of strains around the world. Here, we investigated the population structure and the genomic ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bone resorption induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1 β) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) is synergistically potentiated by kinins, partially due to enhanced kinin receptor expression. Inflammation induced bone resorption can be impaired by IL-4 and IL-13. The aim was to investigate if expression of B(1) and B(2) kinin ...

8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a sensitive biomarker for DNA oxidative damage. However, its determination in human urine is confounded by trace level and complex matrix. In this study, a new configuration of on-line solid phase microextraction coupled to high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection was established with molecularly imprinted monolithic column as ...

Abstract Objective. Nitric Oxide (NO) is one of the most powerful antibacterial compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the association between salivary NO, dental caries and cariogenic bacteria. Materials and methods. The salivary NO concentration of 257 Korean children was analyzed by the Griess colorimetric reaction method. ...

Abstract Background. Few data are available on dental patient safety (PS), as most PS studies have focused on other activities in health care. Objective. To detect types and causes of dental PS incidents (PSIs), including adverse events (AEs) and near misses (NMs), in Finnish dental care. Material and methods. Altogether ...

From Armor Plating to Photocatalysis: Two photocatalysts based on boron carbides, B(4.3) C and B(13) C(2) , are reported. The more stable and efficient B(4.3) C exhibits H(2) evolution rates of about two orders of magnitude higher than graphitic C(3) N(4) , and without the need for noble metal cocatalysts. ...

PURPOSE: Despite globalization of drug approvals, there is a disparity in drug safety regulations among the USA, Europe, and Japan. We sought to determine differences in safety information on drug labels among the three regions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with quantitative survey of safety information on labels of ...

Although N-glycosylation was first reported in archaea almost 40 years ago, detailed insights into this process have become possible only recently, with the availability of complete genome sequences for almost 200 archaeal species and the development of appropriate molecular tools. As a result of these advances, recent efforts have not ...