We developed a rapid thermocycling, real-time detection (also known as real-time PCR) method for the detection of Legionella species directly from clinical specimens. This method uses the LightCycler (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind.) and requires approximately 1 to 2 h to perform. Both a Legionella genus PCR assay and Legionella pneumophila species-specific PCR assay were desig...

A simple and accurate ion chromatography (IC) method with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) was proposed for the determination of cyanide ion in urine, sweat, and saliva samples. The sample pretreatment relies on alkaline digestion and application of Dionex OnGuard II H cartridge. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed good linearity in the range of 1-100 μg/L for urine, 5-100 μg/L...

This study aims to determine the changes in quantities of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in various lead concentrations. The main parts of Elodea canadensis have been subjected to lead concentrations, such as 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg L, with periods of 24, 48, 72, 120, 168 and 216 hours. Chlorophyll a and b quantities were measured in control plants and lead concentrations of 5, 1...

This narrative review summarizes beneficial and harmful vitamin D effects on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. Special attention is paid to the dose-response relationship of vitamin D with clinical outcomes. In infants and adults, the risk of musculoskeletal diseases is highest at circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations below 25 nmol/L and is low if 40-60 nmol/L are ...

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) virus infection can lead to serious complications if left untreated, but often remain undetected in primary care. Mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations (30-100 IU/l) are commonly found and could be associated with viral hepatitis; unfortunately, these findings frequently remain without follow-up. AIM To determine if and how mild ALT...

Field trials with Ficus benjamina L.were conducted at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University Azad Jiroft in 2012 growth seasons. The aim of this work is to study the effect of foliar application with gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyladenine (BA) at 0, 100 and 200 mg.L-1 on the vegetative growth and Photosynthetic pigments of Ficus benjamin...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the foliar application of zinc (15, 30 and 50 mg/L) and iron (50 and 100 mg/L) and their combination on vegetative, reproductive growth, fruit quality and yield of cucumber plants as a factorial in completely randomized block design with four replications. Results indicated that different applied treatments significantly increased vegetative ...

We tested the assumption that nifedipine blocks L-type calcium current [I(Ca(L))] at +10 mV and unmasks Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange-triggered contractions in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes. Voltage-clamp pulses elicited I(Ca(L)) at +10 mV and evoked contractions in myocytes superfused with Tyrode's solution (35 degrees C). Nifedipine blocked I(Ca(L)) with an IC(50) of 0.3 microM; this decre...

Frame, Mary D. S. Conducted signals within arteriolar networks initiated by bioactive amino acids. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 45): H1012–H1021, 1999.—Our purpose was to determine the specificity of L-arginine (L-Arg)induced conducted signals for intravs. extracellular actions of L-Arg. Diameter and red blood cell velocities were measured for arterioles [18 6 1.6 (SE) μm] in the c...