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Human postural dynamics was investigated in twelve normal subjects by means of a force platform recording body sway induced by bipolar transmastoid galvanic stimulation of the vestibular nerve and labyrinth. We modeled the stabilizing forces actuated by the feet as resulting from complex muscular activity subject to feedback of body velocity and position. Time series analysis demonstrated that a t

Infestation of skin by the parasitic itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei afflicts 300 million people worldwide and there is a need for novel and efficient therapies. We have previously identified a multigene family of serine proteases comprising multiple catalytically inactive members (scabies mite-inactivated protease paralogs (SMIPPs)), which are secreted into the gut of S. scabiei. SMIPPs are located i

Clinical trials involving intrastriatal transplants of human embryonic mesencephalic tissue have provided proof-of-principle that nigral dopamine (DA) neurons can survive and functionally integrate into the host neural circuitry. However, the degree of graft-induced symptomatic relief differs significantly between the patients. This variability has led to investigations aimed at identifying factor

China's transition from planned to market economy is at present one of the topics most discussed among researchers. According to almost any version of mainstream property rights theory, the rapid privatization or what has been described as the "East European model" basically represents the correct approach to transformation, while the gradual transition, or the "Chinese model", should represent a

We have recently generated 5'lambda5-huTAC mice, which express the human CD25 (huTAC) gene under the control of the 5'-flanking region of the mouse lambda5-gene. The huTAC-transgene was expressed in pre-B cells but neither in mature B cells nor in T cells of these mice. In this report we demonstrate that the transgene is also transiently expressed by adult CD25+ CD3-CD4-CD8- (triple negative, TN)

Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in t

Lymphatic vessels (LVs) play critical roles in the maintenance of fluid homeostasis and in pathological conditions, including cancer metastasis. Although mutations in ALK1, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor family, have been linked to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a human vascular disease, the roles of activin receptor-like kin

To resist infections, robust defense mechanisms of the airways are essential. Retinoic acid promotes differentiation and maintains the phenotypic characteristics of bronchial epithelium. In addition, it induces the expression of the antibacterial growth factor midkine (MK). In the present study, we explored the expression and antibacterial activity of MK in an airway context. MK was detected in br

InAs/HfO2 nanowire capacitors using capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements are investigated in the range of 10 kHz to 10 MHz. The capacitors are based on vertical nanowire arrays that are coated with an 8 nm-thick HfO2 layer by atomic layer deposition. CV characteristics are measured at temperatures in the range between -140 and 40 degrees C and the CV characteristics for nanowires with different S

The majority of women diagnosed with lymph node-negative breast cancer are unnecessarily treated with damaging chemotherapeutics following surgical resection. This highlights the importance of understanding and more accurately predicting patient prognosis. Here, we define the transcriptional networks regulating well-established prognostic gene expression signatures. We find that the same set of tr

Background Compared with placebo, prophylactic treatment with bisphosphonates reduces risk of skeletal events in patients with multiple myeloma. However, because of toxicity associated with long-term bisphosphonate treatment, establishing the lowest effective dose is important. This study compared the effect of two doses of pamidronate on health-related quality of life and skeletal morbidity in pa

The intestinal microbiota is important for tolerance induction through mucosal immunological responses. The composition of the gut microbiota of an infant is affected by environmental factors like diet, disease and antibiotic treatment. However, already in utero these environmental factors can affect the immunological development of the fetus and influence the future gut microbiota of the infant.

Aims Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a common and debilitating cardiovascular disorder, is characterized by an exaggerated heart rate increase during orthostasis and a wide spectrum of adrenergic-related symptoms. To determine the aetiology of POTS, we examined a possible pathophysiological role for autoantibodies against α1-adrenergic (α1AR) and β1/2-adrenergic receptors (β1/2AR). Methods a

We present a comprehensive investigation of the charge-transfer (CT) effect in weakly interacting organic semiconductor mixtures. The donor-acceptor pair diindenoperylene (DIP) and N,N′-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-1,7-dicyanoperylene-3,4/9,10-bis(dicarboxyimide) (PDIR-CN2) has been chosen as a model system. A wide range of experimental methods was used in order to characterize the structural, optical, elect

Decreased cerebellar volume is associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very preterm infants and may be a principal component in neurodevelopmental impairment. Cerebellar deposition of blood products from the subarachnoid space has been suggested as a causal mechanism in cerebellar underdevelopment following IVH. Using the preterm rabbit pup IVH model, we evaluated the effects of IVH i

For full activation of naïve adaptive lymphocytes in skin-draining lymph nodes (LNs), presentation of peptide:MHC complexes by LN-resident and skin-derived dendritic cells (DCs) that encountered antigens (Ags) is an absolute prerequisite. To get to the nearest draining LN upon intradermal immunization, DCs need to migrate from the infection site to the afferent lymphatics, which can only be reache

In a learning situation, feedback is of great importance in order to help a student to correct a possible misconception. However, previous research shows that many students tend to avoid feedback regarding failures, including critical constructive feedback (CCF) that is intended to support and guide them. This is especially true for lower-achieving students, who might perceive feedback as an ego-t

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin H (SEH) belongs to the staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) family of superantigens (SAgs). SEH has structural similarities to other SE; however, its biological properties are less well characterized. SEH binds with high affinity to human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and exhibits strong mitogenic activity in human T cells, although it was found to be

Identification of antigens that elicit protective immunity is essential for effective vaccine development. We investigated the related surface proteins of group B Streptococcus, Rib and alpha, as potential vaccine candidates. Paradoxically, nonimmunodominant regions proved to be of particular interest as vaccine components. Mouse antibodies elicited by Rib and alpha were directed almost exclusivel