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Activation of Th1 lymphocytes, IFN-gamma production and macrophage activation are crucial in defense against Mycobacteria. In developing countries, Th2 activation and IL-4 production have been associated in vitro with tuberculosis and with poor clinical outcome after treatment. Serological markers of Th1 [soluble lymphocyte activation gene (LAG)-3] and Th2 (IgE, soluble CD30, and CCL22/macrophage-
In early stages of various pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema and fibrosis, the change in X-ray attenuation is not detectable with absorption-based radiography. To monitor the morphological changes that the alveoli network undergoes in the progression of these diseases, we propose using the dark-field signal, which is related to small-angle scattering in the sample. Combined with the absorption
Genetic variants have been associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. In this study, we tested whether or not a composite of these variants could ascertain the risk of both incident and recurrent coronary heart disease events and identify those individuals who derive greater clinical benefit from statin therapy.
Nontransient hypoxia is strongly associated with malignant lesions, resulting in aggressive behavior and resistance to treatment. We present an analysis of mRNA and protein expression changes in neuroblastoma cell lines occurring upon the transition from normoxia to hypoxia. The correlation between mRNA and protein level changes was poor, although some known hypoxia-driven genes and proteins corre
Wireless sensor networks are emerging as an important area for communications. They enable a wealth of new applications including surveillance, building control, factory automation, and in-vehicle sensing. The sensor nodes have to operate under severe constraints on energy consumption and form factor, and provide the ability for precise self-location of the nodes. These requirements can be fulfill
Primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by focal lymphocytic infiltrates in the lachrymal and salivary glands and autoantibodies against the SSA/Ro and SSB/La antigens. Experimental studies have shown an activation of NF-B in primary SS. NF-B activation results in inflammation and autoimmunity and is regulated by inhibitory and activating protein
Environmental factors interact with the genome throughout life to determine gene expression and, consequently, tissue function and disease risk. One such factor that is known to play an important role in determining long-term metabolic health is diet during critical periods of development. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression has been implicated in mediating these programming effects of early
In 2012 and 2014 the γ-ray tracking spectrometer AGATA was operated at the SIS/FRS facility at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. The performance of the array is discussed, outlining some important aspects of the offline data processing and analysis. Relying on the data obtained from measurements with standard γ-ray sources, a first estimate of the photopeak efficiency and peak-to-total (P/T) is presented
We present a structural analysis of halo star clusters in M31 based on deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) imaging. The clusters in our sample span a range in galactocentric projected distance from 13 to 100 kpc and thus reside in rather remote environments. Ten of the clusters are classical globulars, whilst four are from the Huxor et al. population of extended, ol
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been described as a fundamental innate immune defence mechanism. They consist of a nuclear DNA backbone associated with different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which are able to engulf and kill pathogens. The AMP LL-37, a member of the cathelicidin family, is highly present in NETs. However, the function of LL-37 within NETs is still unknown because it lo
The aim of this paper is to present the software development techniques used to build the EIS Patterns development framework, which is a testbed for a series of techniques that aim at giving more flexibility to EIS in general. Some of these techniques are customizations or extensions of practices created by the agile software development movement, while others represent new proposals. This paper a
Antibodies can neutralize the infectious properties of human cytomegalovirus (CMV). In vivo, the major neutralization determinants are located on glycoprotein B (gB). Recombinant human antibodies, that carry different constant regions (IgG1, IgG3 and the synthetic variant IgG3mA) against two of these epitopes were investigated for their ability to recruit the complement cascade for destruction of
Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) that potentially needs surgical treatment in a general population. Methods: A health-status questionnaire was mailed to a random general population sample of 3,000 subjects (ages, 25-74 y). The responders who reported numbness and/or tingling in the median nerve distribution in the hands were asked to attend a clinical eval
Helicobacter pylori can transform, in vivo as well as in vitro, from dividing spiral-shaped forms into nonculturable coccoids, with intermediate forms called U forms. The importance of nonculturable coccoid forms of H. pylori in disease transmission and antibiotic treatment failures is unclear. Metabolic activities of actively growing as well as nonculturable H. pylori were investigated by compari
Background: Rich in different kind of potent cells, embryos are used in modern regenerative medicine and research. Neurobiologists today are pushing the boundaries for what can be done with embryos existing in the transitory margins of medicine. Therefore, there is a growing need to develop conceptual frameworks for interpreting the trans‐ formative cultural, biological and technical processes inv
The last decades have seen a renewed interest in the study of argumentation in archaeology, particularly in response to the overproduction of weak and unreliable interpretations and explanations. Concurrently, recent appeals for scientific transparency and efficiency in the management of archaeological information in digital form have stressed the necessity of explicitly showing the processes foll
Background Early access to diagnosis is crucial for effective management of any disease including tuberculosis (TB). We investigated the barriers and opportunities to maximise uptake and utilisation of molecular diagnostics in routine healthcare settings. Methods Using the implementation of WHO approved TB diagnostics, Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin (MTB/RIF) and Line Probe Assay (LPA
