The [NiFe]-hydrogenase of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 works bidirectionally with a bias to H2 production.

Protein film electrochemistry (PFE) was utilized to characterize the catalytic activity and oxidative inactivation of a bidirectional [NiFe]-hydrogenase (HoxEFUYH) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. PFE provides precise control of the redox potential of the adsorbed enzyme so that its activity can be monitored under changing experimental conditions as current.

Macrocyclic fragrance materials--a screening-level environmental assessment using chemical categorization.

A screening-level aquatic environmental risk assessment for macrocyclic fragrance materials using a "group approach" is presented using data for 30 macrocyclic fragrance ingredients. In this group approach, conservative estimates of environmental exposure and ecotoxicological effects thresholds for compounds within two subgroups (15 macrocyclic ketones and 15 macrocyclic lactones/lactides) were used to estimate the aquatic ecological risk potential for these subgroups. It is reasonable to separate these fragrance materials into the two subgroups based on the likely metabolic pathway required for biodegradation and on expected different ecotoxicological modes of action.

Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts.

Design: A multicentre, open, two arm randomised controlled trial.

Setting: University podiatry school clinics, NHS podiatry clinics, and primary care in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Secondary product glucosyltransferase and putative glucosyltransferase expression during Citrus paradisi (c.v. Duncan) growth and development.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that have significant roles in plant defense and human nutrition. Glucosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the transfer of sugars from high energy sugar donors to other substrates. Several different secondary product GTs exist in the tissues of grapefruit making it a model plant for studying their structure and function.

Changes in prepregnancy body mass index between pregnancies and risk of gestational and type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: We investigated whether changes in interpregnancy body mass index (BMI) influence the risk of gestational and type 2 diabetes among a cohort of women with two consecutive live, singleton births of 20-44 weeks gestation (n = 232,272).

Methods: Logistic regression models were used to examine the risk for development of gestational or type 2 diabetes during the second pregnancy. Mothers with normal weight for both pregnancies (normal-normal) served as the referent group.

Signalling pathways involved in the cooperative effects of ovine and murine GDF9+BMP15-stimulated thymidine uptake by rat granulosa cells.

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-secreted factors known to be involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells during follicular growth. The aims of this study were to determine the signalling pathways used by recombinant forms of murine and ovine GDF9 and BMP15 in combination (GDF9+BMP15) and the molecular complexes formed by combinations of these factors. Differences in the molecular forms of combinations of murine and ovine GDF9+BMP15 were observed by western blot analysis.

VCSEL end-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with adjustable pulse energy.

A compact, passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser utilizing a Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber, is end-pumped by the focused emission from an 804 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. By changing the VCSEL operating current, we demonstrated 2x adjustability in the laser output pulse energy, from 9 mJ to 18 mJ. This energy variation was attributed to changes in the angular distribution of VCSEL emission with drive current, resulting in a change in the pump intensity distribution generated by a pump-light-focusing lens.

Perception-based visualization of manifold-valued medical images using distance-preserving dimensionality reduction.

A method for visualizing manifold-valued medical image data is proposed. The method operates on images in which each pixel is assumed to be sampled from an underlying manifold. For example, each pixel may contain a high dimensional vector, such as the time activity curve (TAC) in a dynamic positron emission tomography (dPET) or a dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (dSPECT) image, or the positive semi-definite tensor in a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance image (DTMRI).

Adipocyte expression of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor involves gene regulation by PPARγ and histone acetylation.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone that exerts insulinotropic and growth and survival effects on pancreatic β-cells. Additionally, there is increasing evidence supporting an important role for GIP in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism. In the current study we examined the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of GIP receptor (GIPR) expression in 3T3-L1 cells.

Fixation of mandible fractures: a simplified method.

Introduction: Many mandible fractures can be treated effectively with closed methods. The authors describe a simple method, with the use of commercial cable ties, to obtain maxillary-mandibular fixation (MMF). This technique can be effectively employed to treat certain mandible fractures.

Pleiotropic actions of the incretin hormones.

The insulin secretory response to a meal results largely from glucose stimulation of the pancreatic islets and both direct and indirect (autonomic) glucose-dependent stimulation by incretin hormones released from the gastrointestinal tract. Two incretins, Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), have so far been identified. Localization of the cognate G protein-coupled receptors for GIP and GLP-1 revealed that they are present in numerous tissues in addition to the endocrine pancreas, including the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, central nervous and autonomic nervous systems (ANSs), adipose tissue, and bone.

Parents of children with cancer: which factors explain differences in health-related quality of life.

Research with parents of children with cancer has identified factors related to their adjustment and coping, but it is not fully understood why some parents do well and others do not. Guided by a stress process model, we examined the interrelationships among a comprehensive set of factors to identify the most important determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in parents of children in active treatment for cancer. A cross-sectional survey of 411 parents (80% response rate) of children receiving cancer treatment in Canada was conducted between November 2004 and February 2007.

An unusual case of generalized severe gingival enlargement during pregnancy.

Increased hormone levels that are present during puberty and pregnancy are associated with localized or generalized gingival enlargement. This article reviews the gingival alterations that can occur during pregnancy and describes a case of generalized severe gingival enlargement associated with pregnancy and its management. A 36-year-old woman had severe bilateral gingival enlargement of short duration.

The purple line as a measure of labour progress: a longitudinal study.

Background: Vaginal examination (VE) and assessment of the cervix is currently considered to be the gold standard for assessment of labour progress. It is however inherently imprecise with studies indicating an overall accuracy for determining the diameter of the cervix at between 48-56%. Furthermore, VEs can be unpleasant, intrusive and embarrassing for women, and are associated with the risk of introducing infection.

GIP increases human adipocyte LPL expression through CREB and TORC2-mediated trans-activation of the LPL gene.

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is a gastrointestinal hormone that regulates pancreatic islet function. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests an important physiological role for GIP in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism. In previous studies on the lipogenic effects of GIP, it was shown to increase adipocyte lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in both differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and human adipocytes through a pathway involving activation of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt.

Examination of disease-based selection, demographic history and population structure in European Y-chromosome haplogroup I.

We attempted to refine the understanding of an association of Y-chromosomal haplogroup I (hg-I) with enhanced AIDS progression that had been previously reported. First, we compared the progression phenotype between hg-I and its phylogenetically closest haplogroup J. Then, we took a candidate gene approach resequencing DDX3Y, a crucial autoimmunity gene, in hg-I and other common European Y-chromosome haplogroups looking for functional variants.

Review paper: basic concepts to novel therapies: a review of the diabetic foot.

Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic. Peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease are complications of diabetes mellitus and the primary causative factors for foot ulceration. Foot ulceration is the leading cause of hospitalization in people with diabetes mellitus.

Quality indicators for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe--IMAGE.

Background: The marked increase of type 2 diabetes necessitates active development and implementation of efficient prevention programs. A European level action has been taken by launching the IMAGE project to unify and improve the various prevention management concepts, which currently exist within the EU. This report describes the background and the methods used in the development of the IMAGE project quality indicators for diabetes primary prevention programs.

Take action to prevent diabetes--the IMAGE toolkit for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe.

When we ask people what they value most, health is usually top of the list. While effective care is available for many chronic diseases, the fact remains that for the patient, the tax payer and the whole of society: prevention is better than cure. Diabetes and its complications are a serious threat to the survival and well-being of an increasing number of people.

A European evidence-based guideline for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Background: The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and associated co-morbidities are rising worldwide.

Aims: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing T2DM.

Methods: A European multidisciplinary consortium systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening and interventions for T2DM prevention using SIGN criteria.

Sitagliptin (MK0431) inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV decreases nonobese diabetic mouse CD4+ T-cell migration through incretin-dependent and -independent pathways.

Objective: Treatment of NOD mice with the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor sitagliptin preserved islet transplants through a pathway involving modulation of splenic CD4(+) T-cell migration. In the current study, effects of sitagliptin on migration of additional subsets of CD4(+) T-cells were examined and underlying molecular mechanisms were further defined.

Research Design And Methods: Effects of sitagliptin on migration of NOD mouse splenic, thymic, and lymph node CD4(+) T-cells were determined.

A GIP receptor agonist exhibits beta-cell anti-apoptotic actions in rat models of diabetes resulting in improved beta-cell function and glycemic control.

Aims: The gastrointestinal hormone GIP promotes pancreatic islet function and exerts pro-survival actions on cultured beta-cells. However, GIP also promotes lipogenesis, thus potentially restricting its therapeutic use. The current studies evaluated the effects of a truncated GIP analog, D-Ala(2)-GIP(1-30) (D-GIP(1-30)), on glucose homeostasis and beta-cell mass in rat models of diabetes.

Understanding wound bed preparation and wound debridement.

Wound bed assessment and optimum local wound care are essential to facilitate the wound healing process. The presence of devitalized tissue, for instance necrotic tissue or slough, is common in hard-to-heal wounds and acts as a barrier to healing. There are several debridement options available to the practitioner with the choice of wound debridement technique being made following a holistic assessment of the patient and the wound.