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The São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor, endemic to the island of São Tomé (Gulf of Guinea), is one of the least known birds in the world. Formerly considered to be an aberrant weaver (Ploceidae), it is currently placed in a monotypic genus within the true finches (Fringillidae). Phylogenetic inference based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequences confidently identifies N. concolor as an Old World
Even though hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate, they primarily reside in quiescence. Despite the immense importance of this quiescent state, its maintenance and regulation is still incompletely understood. Schlafen2 (Slfn2) is a cytoplasmic protein known to be involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, quiescence, interferon resp
Fatal intoxications with opioids are known to be associated with an increased lung weight, as well as with brain and pulmonary edema and urinary retention. However, there is evidence to suggest that fatal intoxications with non-opioid substances are also associated with increased lung weight; however, the latter aspect has not been comprehensively analyzed. To determine to what extent opioid and n
Galectin-3-dependent clusters or lattices are formed at the surface as well as in distinct organelles of eukaryotic cells. Incorporation into membrane proximal networks can fix glycoproteins within subcellular domains or sort them into distinct transport pathways. In the present paper we analysed the effect of acidification on the sugar binding and self-oligomerization of galectin-3. Using a fluor
Background: The technical skills of a surgeon influence surgical outcome. Testing technical aptitude at point of recruitment of surgical residents is only conducted in a few countries. This study investigated the impact of visuospatial ability (VSA), background factors, and manual dexterity on performance in two different laparoscopic surgical simulators amongst applicants and 1st year surgical re
The rate of sciatic nerve regeneration and the effect of ganglioside treatment thereon were studied in the streptozotocin-diabetic rat. Two experimental protocols were used. In the first, sciatic nerves were crushed at 3 weeks of diabetes and treatment with purified bovine brain gangliosides (10 mg/kg/day ip) was begun the day before crush. In the second, nerves were crushed at 5 weeks of diabetes
Increasing age is associated with a poor prognosis following traumatic brain injury (TBI). CNS axons may recover poorly following TBI due to expression of myelin-derived inhibitors to axonal outgrowth such as Nogo-A. To study the role of Nogo-A/B in the pathophysiological response of the elderly to TBI, 1-year-old mice deficient in Nogo-A/B (Nogo-A/B homozygous(-/-) mice), Nogo-A/B heterozygous(-/
To understand how the specialisation patterns of cities differ among scientific fields, we study patterns of knowledge production in Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Organic Chemistry in the period 1996-2012. Using keywords from journal publications, we find systematic differences across scientific fields, but remarkable similarities across cities within each field. Biotechnology sh
In assessing the performance of academic research, there is a growing interest in combining excellence with impact criteria. A frequently encountered belief is that impact should be understood in terms of new firms and patents. Others argue that academic R&D generates impacts that greatly exceed such commercialization efforts by academic researchers. The tension between these two beliefs revea
During vasculitis, activation of the kinin system induces inflammation, whereby the kinin B1-receptor is expressed and activated after ligand binding. Additionally, activated blood cells release microvesicles into the circulation. Here we determined whether leukocyte-derived microvesicles bear B1-kinin receptors during vasculitis, and if microvesicles transfer functional B1-receptors to recipient
Axonal damage, a core feature of neurological diseases, induces a retrograde reaction in neurons and surrounding glia. We determined transcriptional profiles of this reaction using Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays. Gene expression was examined in spinal cord tissue prior to injury and following ventral root avulsion in two inbred rat strains, where the degree of neurodegeneration differs. Stringe
Ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced (UF-DCE) MRI is a new approach to capture kinetic information in the very early post-contrast period with high temporal resolution while keeping reasonable spatial resolution. The detailed timing and shape of the upslope in the time-intensity curve are analyzed. New kinetic parameters obtained from UF-DCE MRI are useful in differentiating malignant from benign l
In atmospheric aerosol particles, the chemical surface composition governs both heterogenous chemical reactions with gas-phase species and the ability to act as nuclei for cloud droplets. The pH in aerosol particles is expected to affect these properties, but it is very challenging to measure the pH in individual droplets, precluding the investigation of its influence on the particle's surface com
Objective: To evaluate the long-term benefits of constraint-induced movement therapy in chronic stroke.Design: A four-year follow-up after constraint-induced group therapy assessing arm and hand function and self-reported daily hand use.Subjects: Fourteen post-stroke individuals (six women and eight men; mean age 59.6 +/- 12.7 years, range 23-75 years) with mild to moderate impairments of hand fun
