Cellular uptake of several viruses and polybasic macromolecules requires the expression of cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) through as yet ill-defined mechanisms. We unexpectedly found that among several cell-surface binding scFv anti-HS antibody (alphaHS) clones only one, AO4B08, efficiently translocated macromolecular cargo to intracellular vesicles through induction of HSPG endo

In the present study, we have generated a mutant strain of Streptococcus pyogenes, MC25, which lacks M protein on its surface, and we demonstrate that this strain is unable to generate a mature 28 kDa cysteine proteinase. Furthermore, we show that S. pyogenes bacteria of M1 serotype are dependent on cell wall-anchored M protein to cleave the secreted zymogen into a mature cysteine proteinase. We a

Effective diffusion coefficients (De) have been determined for lactose, glucose, galactose, and ethanol in calcium alginate gel with varying yeast cell concentration. The measurements have been performed in a diffusion cell, and the results evaluated with the quasisteady-state method. An ultrasonic meter was used for gel thickness determination with an accuracy of 1.5% and a new method for the rep

Background: L1 is an important primary rRNA-binding protein, as well as a translational repressor that binds mRNA. It was shown that L1 proteins from some bacteria and archaea are functionally interchangeable within the ribosome and in the repression of translation. The crystal structure of bacterial L1 from Thermus thermophilus (TthL1) has previously been determined. Results: We report here the

Previous studies indicate that 80-95% of grafted dopamine neurons die following implantation of embryonic ventral mesencephalic tissue into the striatum. It is believed that the majority die within the first 1-3 weeks after surgery. The aim of this study was to study when and where the implanted neurons die, using the novel fluorescent stain Fluoro-Jade. Fluoro-Jade has recently been shown to stai

Human galectins have functionally divergent roles, although most of the members of the galectin family bind weakly to the simple disaccharide lactose (Galss1-4Glc). To assess galectin-glycan interactions in more detail, we explored the binding of several important galectins (Gal-1, Gal-2, and Gal-3) on a glycan microarray containing hundreds of structurally diverse glycans. All three galectins exh

The effect of reaction parameters on lipase-mediated chemo-enzymatic epoxidation of linoleic acid was investigated. Hydrogen peroxide was found to have the most significant effect on the reaction rate and degree of epoxidation. Excess of hydrogen peroxide with respect to the amount of double bonds was necessary in order to yield total conversion within a short time period, as well as at temperatur

An economic process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose would allow utilization of cellulosic biomass for the production of easily fermentable low-cost sugars. New and more efficient fermentation processes are emerging to convert this biologic currency to a variety of commodity products with a special emphasis on fuel ethanol production. Since the cost of cellulase production currently accou

The structural stability of guanine quadruplexes depends critically on an unusual configuration of dehydrated Na+ or K+ ions, closely spaced along the central axis of the quadruplex. Crystallography and NMR spectroscopy indicate that these internal ions can be located between the G-quartet planes as well as in the thymine loops, but the precise ion coordination has been firmly established in only

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of sleep apnea (SA) on plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and health-related qualify of life (HRQL) in patients with mild to moderate stable congestive heart failure (CHF). Seventeen male patients aged 68.4 +/- 5.5 with an apnea-hypop

The copolymer of 3-(acrylamido)phenyl boronic acid and N-isopropylacrylamide (82:18. M-n = 47000 g/mol) was prepared by free radical polymerization. The copolymer showed typical thermoprecipitation behavior in aqueous solutions; its phase transition temperature (T-p) was 26.5 +/- 0.2 degrees C in 0.1 M glycine-NaOH buffer containing 0.1 M NaCl, pH 9.2. Due to specific complex formation of the pend

Geographical information systems (GIS) aim to help decision-makers to relate different types of data in a spatial context and to reach conclusions about these relationships. This research examines the potential areas that a GIS could be applied within multinational finance corporations. The results highlight the importance of combining the financial aspects of the multinational with its operationa

Macroporous materials are prepared from microgels or microbes by one-step chemical cross-linking under semifrozen conditions. This avoids the use of freeze drying of the sample because a chemically stable structure is prepared under semifrozen conditions. Cryostructuration results in a material with pore walls composed of closely packed particles.

BACKGROUND: S100beta has been suggested as a marker of brain damage after cardiac operation. The aim of this study was to characterize the early S100beta release in detail and relate it to neuropsychological outcome. METHODS: Three groups of patients were investigated. All patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation. In group A, 110 patients had samplin

The lipid and fatty acid compositions of Glomus intraradices and G. claroideum mycelia, extracted from quartz sand in a compartmentalized growth system, were analysed. The fungi were grown in association with Cucumis sativus and Trifolium subterraneum, respectively. For both fungi, the fatty acids 16:1 omega 5 and 16:0 dominated in the neutral lipid fraction, and 18:1 omega 7 made up a significant