Search results for " Biochemistry"
showing 10 items of 5648 documents
The determination of haemoglobin as cyanhaemiglobin or as alkaline haematin D-575. Comparison of method-related errors.
1989
In order to compare the accuracy of haemoglobin (Hb) determination methods, the commonly used cyanhaemiglobin (HiCN) method and the recently developed alkaline haematin D-575 (AHD) method (R. Zander, W. Lang & H. U. Wolf (1984) Clin. Chim. Acta 136, 83-93; H. U. Wolf, W. Lang & R. Zander (1984) Clin. Chim. Acta 136, 95-104) were tested with respect to method-related errors such as plasma, cell, and Hb errors. Both methods yield a series of more or less significant errors which generally lead to an overestimation of the Hb concentration in the order of 1%. However, in all three cases of plasma errors, i.e. normal plasma error, plasma error in lipaemic blood, and plasma error in bilirubinaemi…
Inclusive fitness and sexual conflict: How population structure can modulate the battle of the sexes
2014
Competition over reproductive opportunities among members of one sex often harms the opposite sex, creating a conflict of interest between individual males and females. Recently, this battle of the sexes has become a paradigm in the study of intersexual coevolution. Here, we review recent theoretical and empirical advances suggesting that – as in any scenario of intraspecific competition – selfishness (competitiveness) can be influenced by the genetic relatedness of competitors. When competitors are positively related (e.g. siblings), an individual may refrain from harming its competitor(s) and their mate(s) because this can improve the focal individual's inclusive fitness. These findings r…
Why are defensive toxins so variable? An evolutionary perspective
2012
Defensive toxins are widely used by animals, plants and micro-organisms to deter natural enemies. An important characteristic of such defences is diversity both in the quantity of toxins and the profile of specific defensive chemicals present. Here we evaluate evolutionary and ecological explanations for the persistence of toxin diversity within prey populations, drawing together a range of explanations from the literature, and adding new hypotheses. We consider toxin diversity in three ways: (1) the absence of toxicity in a proportion of individuals in an otherwise toxic prey population (automimicry); (2) broad variation in quantities of toxin within individuals in the same population; (3)…
Isolation and characterization of 12 microsatellite loci for population studies of Sulawesi tarsiers (Tarsius spp.)
2007
This study reports the development and characterization of the first 12 microsatellite markers for tarsiers. Nine loci were isolated from Dian's tarsier, Tarsius dianae and three from the Philippine tarsier, Tarsius syrichta. The 12 markers were used to screen 40 individuals of Dian's tarsier and 40 individuals of the Lariang tarsier, Tarsius lariang for allelic diversity. This suite of highly polymorphic microsatellites provides the first chance to genetically study parentage patterns in tarsiers.
Function and Fiber-Type Specific Distribution of Hsp60 and αB-Crystallin in Skeletal Muscles: Role of Physical Exercise
2021
Simple Summary Skeletal muscle represents about 40% of the body mass in humans and it is a copious and plastic tissue, rich in proteins that are subject to continuous rearrangements. Physical exercise is considered a physiological stressor for different organs, in particular for skeletal muscle, and it is a factor able to stimulate the cellular remodeling processes related to the phenomenon of adaptation. All cells respond to various stress conditions by up-regulating the expression and/or activation of a group of proteins called heat shock proteins (HSPs). Although their expression is induced by several stimuli, they are commonly recognized as HSPs due to the first experiments showing thei…
About the Influences of Some Major Biotic Drivers on the Population Dynamics in Host-parasite Systems: Interpretative Lessons from an Extended Nichol…
2020
Population dynamics within host-parasite systems in insects is governed by a series of factors, both endogenous and exogenous. Among them, five factors may be considered as major drivers: the respective inherent rates of increase of the host and of the parasite, the level of resource available to the host, the respective immigration rates of the host and of the parasite. While only the first two (the inherent rates of increase of host and parasite) are considered in the original Nicholson and Bailey model, an extended version of the model includes also the other three parameters, thus providing a broader (although still schematic) approach to the host-parasite population dynamics. A brief a…
Amateur doping: a survey on Sicilian population
2019
In the last years, amateur doping phenomenon has caused many victims. In order to know the diffusion of this phenomenon, we conducted an online survey thanks to Google forms. We also converted on paper the same questionnaire and we administered it in many gyms in Palermo and Trapani (Sicily, Italy). The examined sample consists of 976 people aged between 14 and 65 (47.3% of them are women and 52.7% are men). We asked them if they had ever taken substances to improve their athletic performances: 25.8% of them answered affirmatively and declared to take protein, amino acids, but also Ephedrine, Caffeine, Aspirin on a regular basis (34.6%). They bought these substances in sporting stores (32.2…

 Donor Exposures in Recipients of Pooled Platelet Concentrates: a Case-Study in Arithmetic, Logic, "Expert Opinion", and the "Peer Review" Proc…
2013
Advocacy for single-donor (rather than pooled) platelets has been based on the absolute increase in the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) from pooled (rather than single-donor) platelets in the population of platelet transfusion recipients. A recent study published in a prestigious medical journal advocated for pooled (rather than single-donor) platelets based on the relative increase in the risk of TTIs from pooled (rather than single-donor) platelets in patients transfused with any blood component. If this policy recommendation for use of pooled (rather than single-donor) platelets were followed in the US, there would be an annual increase in the risk of TTIs by 15-20 reci…
SAT0390 Microrna Expression Profile in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Pilot Matched Case Control Study
2013
Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain and tenderness. Diagnosis is mainly based on exclusion of other resembling diseases since validated biological tests are still lacking. Identification of disease-related markers will enable clinicians to effectively diagnose FM, follow the progress of the disease, monitor the effects of therapeutic approaches and probably develop preventive programs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are pieces of 18-25 nucleotides capable of regulating gene expression. Changes in their expression levels have been linked to environmental responses as well as to pathological processes. Their recent association to some other chronic di…
OP0042 BLOCKING OF CD103+ TISSUE RESIDENT MEMORY T CELLS (TRM) AS A THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY IN SJOGREN’S SYNDROME
2021
Background:Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM), are a recently identified T cells population featuring tissue localization and expression of markers of tissue homing, CD69 and CD103. Recently, the expansion of CD8+ TRMs and their involvement in the sialadenitis was described in a murine model of SS. However, CD4+ and CD8+ TRM’s functional relevance in pSS is still not fully understood, and the TRM therapeutic targeting unexplored.Objectives:The study aimed to address the role of CD4+ and CD8+ TRMs in the pathogenesis of pSS and to explore the therapeutic targeting of the tissue residency marker of TRM CD103.Methods:An animal model of experimental (ESS) obtained by immunization of female C5…