We present an experimental study of the performance of Distributed Read-Out Imaging Devices (DROIDs), based on two Ta/Al-based superconducting tunnel junctions (STJs) placed on either side of a Ta ...absorber strip. We focus our discussion on the prospects of building large-format photon-counting imaging spectrometers for applications at optical, UV, and soft X-ray energies. Tunnel-limited spectroscopic resolutions have already been demonstrated for optical photons. With a 20 x 100 sq micron absorber, we have measured an intrinsic energy resolution of 2 eV FWHM for 500 eV photons. This demonstrates that at soft X-ray energies, resolutions close to the tunnel limit are also feasible for this type of detectors. A detailed analysis of pulse shapes with numerical models allows us to assess the main parameters that determine the performance of these detectors. Extrapolation of these models indicates that it is possible to extend the length of the absorber to 1.5 mm, without a serious degradation of the detector's performance. (Author)
OBJECTIVE: Leptin, secreted from adipose tissue, regulates food intake, energy expenditure, and immune function. It is unknown whether leptin predicts mortality in patients with chronic kidney ...disease stage 5 on hemodialysis therapy. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We performed a prospective cohort study of 71 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 in an outpatient hemodialysis center. Subjects were recruited in June 1998 and followed for 83 months. Survival was compared by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: After 83 months of follow-up, 48 patients (68%) had died. Serum leptin concentrations at study entry were lower among all deceased patients compared with those patients who survived (5.2 ± 9.0 μg/L; n = 48; vs. 7.7 ± 7.8 μg/L; n = 23; p = 0.005). Baseline serum leptin concentrations were significantly lower in patients who died from cardiovascular diseases (4.7 ± 9.4 μg/L, n = 32) or infections (4.0 ± 2.7 μg/L; n = 10; each p < 0.05), but not cancer (9.4 ± 7.9 μg/L; n = 6), than in survivors (7.7 ± 7.8 μg/L; n = 23; p = 0.003). The relative risk for mortality in patients with serum leptin concentrations below the median (<2.6 μg/L) compared with patients above the median was 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 3.79; p = 0.04). Survival was shorter in patients with leptin concentrations below the median compared with those whose leptin concentrations were above the median (all-cause mortality, χ² = 5.05; p = 0.02). DISCUSSION: Low serum leptin concentration is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on hemodialysis therapy.
Two unspecific peroxygenases (UPO, EC 1.11.2.1) from the basidiomycetous fungi Marasmius rotula and Marasmius wettsteinii oxidized steroids with hydroxyacetyl and hydroxyl functionalities at C17 - ...such as cortisone, Reichstein's substance S and prednisone - via stepwise oxygenation and final fission of the side chain. The sequential oxidation started with the hydroxylation of the terminal carbon (C21) leading to a stable geminal alcohol (e.g. cortisone 21-gem-diol) and proceeded via a second oxygenation resulting in the corresponding α-ketocarboxylic acid (e.g. cortisone 21-oic acid). The latter decomposed under formation of adrenosterone (4-androstene-3,11,17-trione) as well as formic acid and carbonic acid (that is in equilibrium with carbon dioxide); fission products comprising two carbon atoms such as glycolic acid or glyoxylic acid were not detected. Protein models based on the crystal structure data of MroUPO (Marasmius rotula unspecific peroxygenase) revealed that the bulky cortisone molecule suitably fits into the enzyme's access channel, which enables the heme iron to come in close contact to the carbons (C21, C20) of the steroidal side chain. ICP-MS analysis of purified MroUPO confirmed the presence of magnesium supposedly stabilizing the porphyrin ring system.
Two unspecific peroxygenases (UPO, EC 1.11.2.1) from the basidiomycetous fungi Marasmius rotula and Marasmius wettsteinii oxidized steroids with hydroxyacetyl and hydroxyl functionalities at C17 - ...such as cortisone, Reichstein's substance S and prednisone - via stepwise oxygenation and final fission of the side chain. The sequential oxidation started with the hydroxylation of the terminal carbon (C21) leading to a stable geminal alcohol (e.g. cortisone 21-gem-diol) and proceeded via a second oxygenation resulting in the corresponding α-ketocarboxylic acid (e.g. cortisone 21-oic acid). The latter decomposed under formation of adrenosterone (4-androstene-3,11,17-trione) as well as formic acid and carbonic acid (that is in equilibrium with carbon dioxide); fission products comprising two carbon atoms such as glycolic acid or glyoxylic acid were not detected. Protein models based on the crystal structure data of MroUPO (Marasmius rotula unspecific peroxygenase) revealed that the bulky cortisone molecule suitably fits into the enzyme's access channel, which enables the heme iron to come in close contact to the carbons (C21, C20) of the steroidal side chain. ICP-MS analysis of purified MroUPO confirmed the presence of magnesium supposedly stabilizing the porphyrin ring system.
Green urine following exposure to flupirtine Maier, Alexandra; Liu, Ying; Scholze, Alexandra ...
American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation,
11/2010, Letnik:
56, Številka:
5
Report
30 autopsy cases of gliomas (5 fusiform glioblastomas, 5 multiform glioblastomas, 5 fibrillary astrocytomas, 5 protoplasmic astrocytomas, 5 oligodendrogliomas, 5 spongioblastomas) were studied by ...means of morphometry. 7 parameters (volume and area parameters of tumor vessels and of tumor cell nuclei, mitoses) were tested for the ascertainament of useful quantitative criteria for the objective differentiation of the gliomas. 210 statistical comparisons were carried out. Significant differences were observed in 32 of them. It could be demonstrated that the parameters of the tumor cell nuclei are most useful in the differentiation of the gliomas. Significant differences do not exist between fusiform glioblastoma--multiform glioblastoma, fusiform glioblastoma--oligodendroglioma, fibrillary and protoplasmic astrocytoma--spongioblastoma.
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