297 research outputs found
How simple can a model of an empty viral capsid be? Charge distributions in viral capsids
We investigate and quantify salient features of the charge distributions on
viral capsids. Our analysis combines the experimentally determined capsid
geometry with simple models for ionization of amino acids, thus yielding the
detailed description of spatial distribution for positive and negative charge
across the capsid wall. The obtained data is processed in order to extract the
mean radii of distributions, surface charge densities and dipole moment
densities. The results are evaluated and examined in light of previously
proposed models of capsid charge distributions, which are shown to have to some
extent limited value when applied to real viruses.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures; accepted for publication in Journal of
Biological Physic
Coexistence of competing stage-structured populations
This paper analyzes the stability of a coexistence equilibrium point of a model for competition between two stage-structured populations. In this model, for each population, competition for resources may affect any one of the following population parameters: reproduction, juvenile survival, maturation rate, or adult survival. The results show that the competitive strength of a population is affected by (1) the ratio of the population parameter influenced by competition under no resource limitation (maximum compensatory capacity) over the same parameter under a resource limitation due to competition (equilibrium rate) and (2) the ratio of interspecific competition over intraspecific competition; this ratio was previously shown to depend on resource-use overlap. The former ratio, which we define as fitness, can be equalized by adjusting organisms' life history strategies, thereby promoting coexistence. We conclude that in addition to niche differentiation among populations, the life history strategies of organisms play an important role in coexistence
The Molecular Clockwork of the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta
This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication
The Role of Bile in the Regulation of Exocrine Pancreatic Secretion
As early as 1926 Mellanby (1) was able to show that introduction of bile into the duodenum of anesthetized cats produces a copious flow of pancreatic juice. In conscious dogs, Ivy & Lueth (2) reported, bile is only a weak stimulant of pancreatic secretion. Diversion of bile from the duodenum, however, did not influence pancreatic volume secretion stimulated by a meal (3,4). Moreover, Thomas & Crider (5) observed that bile not only failed to stimulate the secretion of pancreatic juice but also abolished the pancreatic response to intraduodenally administered peptone or soap
Lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in relation to morphological changes as assessed by computed tomography in patients with cystic fibrosis
Background
Due to large-scale destruction, changes in membrane diffusion (Dm) may occur in cystic fibrosis (CF), in correspondence to alterations observed by computed tomography (CT). Dm can be easily quantified via the diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO), as opposed to the conventional diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). We thus studied the relationship between DLNO as well as DLCO and a CF-specific CT score in patients with stable CF.
Methods
Simultaneous single-breath determinations of DLNO and DLCO were performed in 21 CF patients (mean ± SD age 35 ± 9 y, FEV1 66 ± 28%pred). Patients also underwent spirometry and bodyplethysmography. CT scans were evaluated via the Brody score and rank correlations (rS) with z-scores of functional measures were computed.
Results
CT scores correlated best with DLNO (rS = -0.83; p < 0.001). Scores were also related to the volume-specific NO transfer coefficient (KNO; rS = -0.63; p < 0.01) and to DLCO (rS = -0.79; p < 0.001) but not KCO. Z-scores for DLNO were significantly lower than for DLCO (p < 0.001). Correlations with spirometric (e.g., FEV1, IVC) or bodyplethysmographic (e.g., SRaw, RV/TLC) indices were weaker than for DLNO or DLCO but most of them were also significant (p < 0.05 each).
Conclusion
In this cross sectional study in patients with CF, DLNO and DLCO reflected CT-morphological alterations of the lung better than other measures. Thus the combined diffusing capacity for NO and CO may play a future role for the non-invasive, functional assessment of structural alterations of the lung in CF
Improving compliance to colorectal cancer screening using blood and stool based tests in patients refusing screening colonoscopy in Germany
Background Despite strong recommendations for colorectal cancer (CRC)
screening, participation rates are low. Understanding factors that affect
screening choices is essential to developing future screening strategies.
Therefore, this study assessed patient willingness to use non-invasive stool
or blood based screening tests after refusing colonoscopy. Methods
Participants were recruited during regular consultations. Demographic, health,
psychological and socioeconomic factors were recorded. All subjects were
advised to undergo screening by colonoscopy. Subjects who refused colonoscopy
were offered a choice of non-invasive tests. Subjects who selected stool
testing received a collection kit and instructions; subjects who selected
plasma testing had a blood draw during the office visit. Stool samples were
tested with the Hb/Hp Complex Elisa test, and blood samples were tested with
the Epi proColon® 2.0 test. Patients who were positive for either were advised
to have a diagnostic colonoscopy. Results 63 of 172 subjects were compliant to
screening colonoscopy (37%). 106 of the 109 subjects who refused colonoscopy
accepted an alternative non-invasive method (97%). 90 selected the Septin9
blood test (83%), 16 selected a stool test (15%) and 3 refused any test (3%).
Reasons for blood test preference included convenience of an office draw,
overall convenience and less time consuming procedure. Conclusions 97% of
subjects refusing colonoscopy accepted a non-invasive screening test of which
83% chose the Septin9 blood test. The observation that participation can be
increased by offering non-invasive tests, and that a blood test is the
preferred option should be validated in a prospective trial in the screening
setting
On the relevance of technical variation due to building pools in microarray experiments
Measurement of the Bottom-Strange Meson Mixing Phase in the Full CDF Data Set
We report a measurement of the bottom-strange meson mixing phase \beta_s
using the time evolution of B0_s -> J/\psi (->\mu+\mu-) \phi (-> K+ K-) decays
in which the quark-flavor content of the bottom-strange meson is identified at
production. This measurement uses the full data set of proton-antiproton
collisions at sqrt(s)= 1.96 TeV collected by the Collider Detector experiment
at the Fermilab Tevatron, corresponding to 9.6 fb-1 of integrated luminosity.
We report confidence regions in the two-dimensional space of \beta_s and the
B0_s decay-width difference \Delta\Gamma_s, and measure \beta_s in [-\pi/2,
-1.51] U [-0.06, 0.30] U [1.26, \pi/2] at the 68% confidence level, in
agreement with the standard model expectation. Assuming the standard model
value of \beta_s, we also determine \Delta\Gamma_s = 0.068 +- 0.026 (stat) +-
0.009 (syst) ps-1 and the mean B0_s lifetime, \tau_s = 1.528 +- 0.019 (stat) +-
0.009 (syst) ps, which are consistent and competitive with determinations by
other experiments.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Phys. Rev. Lett 109, 171802 (2012
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