BACKGROUND Elevated blood endotoxin levels are frequently reported in the dialysis population and are strongly linked with inflammation, a major predictor of mortality. Virtually all studies have employed the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay to detect endotoxin. However this assay is not endotoxin-specific and can be activated by (1→3)-β-glucan (BG), a component of fungal cell walls leadin...

Acidification is acknowledged as the cause for extinction or catch reductions in numerous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) populations in Norway. In freshwater, labile (cationic/inorganic) forms of Al (LAl) accumulate in fish gills, where high concentrations result in mortality due to respiratory and ionoregulatory dysfunction. At lower concentrations, Al may still have population effects by in...

Unregulated cellular uptake of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in the arterial intima leads to the formation of foam cells in atherosclerosis. Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) plays a crucial role in both lipoprotein lipid catabolism and excess lipid accumulation as it is the primary enzyme that hydrolyzes cholesteryl esters derived from both low density lipoprotein (LDL) and modified forms...

Hybrid particles are of great significance in terms of their adjustable optical, electronic, magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties. As a novel technique, laser ablation in liquids (LAL) is famous for its precursor-free, "clean" synthesis of hybrid particles with various materials. Till now, almost all the LAL-generated particles originate from the nucleation-growth mechanism. Seed-growth ...

There are two methods available for the analysis of (1-3)-D-glucan: the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay (LAL) and the inhibition Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and specificity of these two methods in detecting eight alpha and beta-glucan standards, and their sensitivity for the analysis of (1-3)D-glucan content of common indoor fungal species and indo...

Testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) are involved in intraspecific aggressive behavior. Both steroids exert their effects on behaviour via the hypothalamus and the amygdala (Am) of the central nervous system (CNS). In these brain areas T is converted to E2, by the enzyme aromatase. Both the levels of brain aromatase activity (AA) and the effects of T and E2 on aggressive behavior in adulthood de...

PURPOSE To determine whether residual myopia could be corrected postoperatively using the light-adjustable lens (LAL) technology in patients undergoing cataract surgery and LAL implantation. DESIGN A prospective clinical study was conducted at Codet Vision Institute in Tijuana, Mexico. The LALs were implanted that would purposely result in myopic errors of up to -1.5 D (diopter). The LAL was ...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize key clinical manifestations of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL D) in children and adults. METHODS Investigators reviewed medical records of LAL D patients ages ≥5 years, extracted historical data, and obtained prospective laboratory and imaging data on living patients to develop a longitudinal dataset. RESULTS A total of 49 patients ...

Functional peptides are expected to be beneficial compounds that improve our quality of life. To address the growing need for functional peptides, we have examined peptide synthesis by using microbial enzymes. l-Amino acid ligase (Lal) catalyzes the condensation of unprotected amino acids in an ATP-dependent manner and is applicable to fermentative production. Hence, Lal is a promising enzyme t...

OBJECTIVE To develop a simple, reproducible validation test protocol for classification of air-loss support systems. DESIGN Simultaneous experimental measurement of moisture loss and temperature reduction at the air-loss support surface-human body equivalent interface from a sweating human skin analogue. SETTING A hospital department of physical medicine and rehabilitation. OTHER PARTICIP...