In the ribozyme from the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) genomic strand RNA, a cytosine side chain is proposed to facilitate proton transfer in the transition state of the reaction and, thus, act as a general acid-base catalyst. Mutation of this active-site cytosine (C75) reduced RNA cleavage rates by as much as one million-fold, but addition of exogenous cytosine and certain nucleobase or imidazol...

BACKGROUND Ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions are difficult to diagnose by transbronchial biopsy (TBB). OBJECTIVES We attempted to diagnose solitary peripheral GGO predominant-type lesions by TBB using endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) under X-ray fluoroscopic guidance, and to evaluate several factors associated with diagnostic yield. METHODS The medical records of...

BACKGROUND The role of Wnt signalling in carcinogenesis suggests compounds targeting this pathway as potential anti-cancer drugs. Several studies report activation of Wnt signalling in biliary tract cancer (BTC) thus rendering Wnt inhibitory drugs as potential candidates for targeted therapy of this highly chemoresistant disease. METHODS In this study we analysed five compounds with suggested...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical role of bronchoscopic and nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the diagnosis of infectious and interstitial lung disease in children. BAL was performed using three 1 mL.kg-1 aliquots of normal saline, with the flexible bronchoscope (Olympus 3.6 or 4.8 mm) wedged in a segmental or subsegmental bronchus of the lobe that showed ...

We produced experimentally a new bonding material that consisted of a mixture of a base resin (4-META/MMA-TBB resin adhesive) and thermoexpandable microcapsules for safe, easy debonding. Microcapsules in the base resin would start expansion at 80 degrees C, leading to a remarkable decrease in bond strength. Stainless steel brackets were bonded to bovine permanent mandibular incisors using bondi...

In the proposed model for partial report, performance reflects the number of targets in a short-term memory buffer. The total number of items (targets, distractors, or extraneous noise) entering the buffer is independent of the number of targets and distractors in the stimulus. Entrance is determined by selective sampling according to a Luce (1959) ratio rule. The model was tested in a variety ...

Numerous halogenated organic compounds have been identified as pollutants of concern. Those with high persistence and hydrophobicity may concentrate in biota, sediments, and wastewater sludge. Nonetheless, the release to the environment of many remains largely unrecognized. Stabilized sewage sludge (biosolids) is increasingly being land-applied as a soil amendment. However, understanding the ri...