Several poly (dimethylsiloxanes) (PDMS) copolymers of dimethylsiloxane (DMS) with ethylene or propylene oxide were tested as artificial carriers for the delivery of oxygen to biological systems. Copolymers with a DMS content of 33% or lower enhanced glucose oxidation by 200% in contrast to the 25% increase produced by the same concentration of perfluorodecalin. When 0.05% of the copolymer with 18%

Salivary mucins are known to play important roles in the formation of oral salivary films. The aims of the present study were to investigate the behaviour of salivary mucins at solid surfaces with different wettabilities, as well as the influence of electrolyte on the adsorption behaviour. A pure preparation of human salivary MUC5B was used together with a commercial one of bovine submaxillary muc

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance was found in some but not in all previous studies of non-diabetic first degree relatives of Type 2 diabetic patients. Small study groups, ethnic differences and/or non-optimal techniques may explain the conflicting results. AIM: To study the impact of a family history of Type 2 diabetes on insulin action in a large group of non-diabetic Europeans using the 'gold stan

The prime objective of this study is to investigate if radioluminescence (RL) from carbon-doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) crystals potentially can be used for absorbed dose-rate measurements during proton radiotherapy. The RL from two separate (2 mg) Al2O3:C crystals attached to optical-fiber cables were recorded during irradiations in water in a 175 MeV clinical proton beam. The RL response for lo

Dispersal is of prime importance for many evolutionary processes and has been studied for decades. The reproductive consequences of dispersal have proven difficult to study, simply because it is difficult to keep track of dispersing individuals. In most previous studies evaluating the fitness effects of dispersal, immigrants at a study locality have been lumped into one category and compared to ph

We report abundance excesses of 1.2 and 2.6 dex, respectively, for vanadium and bromine in the hot, peculiar star 3 Cen A. Abundances for these two odd-Z elements have not been previously reported for this star. Taken with previous work, they strengthen the case of the origin of the abundance peculiarities by diffusion.

The behaviour of a male bird towards a potential mate and her clutch may depend both on his expected paternity and on the likelihood that she will produce a replacement clutch if he commits infanticide. In this study we evaluate the choices made by replacement male European starlings Sturnus vulgaris. By removing males before and during laying, we induced other males, mainly neighbours, to mate wi

Objective: To assess the reliability of 6 gait performance tests in individuals with chronic mild to moderate post-stroke hemiparesis. Design: An intra-rater (between occasions) test-retest reliability study. Subjects: Fifty men and women (mean age 586.4 years) 6–46 months post-stroke. Methods: The Timed “Up & Go” test, the Comfortable and the Fast Gait Speed tests, the Stair Climbing ascend a

Red meat and fiber rich foods are the dietary factors most consistently related to colon carcinogenesis. Although several components in these dietary sources may contribute, the biochemical mechanism by which red meat and fiber affect colorectal carcinogenesis has not yet been established. Sphingomyelin metabolism is a novel signal transduction pathway that may have an impact on colonic tumorigene

To study the role of glutathione peroxidase for lipid oxidation in meat, chicken and duck muscle were heated to an internal temperature of 60, 70 or 80 degrees C and the meats were then stored at 8 degrees C for up to 6 days. Thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity were measured on days 0, 1, 3 and 6. In heated muscle samples, TBARS increased dur

We discuss spectra where both a primary photoelectron and a secondary decay particle are measured. We point out the striking similarity with threshold-excited emission spectra and predict resonant peaks analoguous to those found in resonant photoemission.

Compared to monolingual first language acquisition (L1) and adult second language acquisition (aL2), relatively little research has been done on child second language acquisition (cL2). This is an unsatisfactory situation from both a practical and a theoretical point of view. The present study concerns cL2 acquisition of French and poses the question whether cL2 acquisition bears closer resemblanc

Few epidemiologic studies have examined the hypothesis that circulating androgens are involved in the development of ovarian cancer. We investigated the association between prediagnostic serum levels of androgens and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and ovarian cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. One hundred

The case is presented of a child who developed rhinoconjunctivitis, angioedema and asthma by sensitization to Sapelli wood, which was used in his father's carpentry. Positive skin-prick test, high levels of specific immunoglobulin E by ELISA and a positive conjunctival challenge test suggest a type I hypersensitivity mechanism to this wood. This is the first case report of sensitization to Sapelli