It is currently accepted that Hot-Bottom-Burning (HBB) in intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars prevents the formation of C stars. Nevertheless, we present in this paper the results of some detailed evolutionary calculations which show that even with HBB we obtain C stars at the highest luminosities reached on the AGB. This is due to mass-loss reducing the envelope mass so that ...

BACKGROUND Additional instruments have become available since instruments for DNA melting analysis of PCR products for genotyping and mutation scanning were compared. We assessed the performance of these new instruments for genotyping and scanning for mutations. METHODS A 110-bp fragment of the beta-globin gene including the sickle cell anemia locus (HBB c. 20A>T) was amplified by PCR in the ...

Mutations in the HBB gene are responsible for several serious hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia. Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. Due to its prevalence, diverse strategies have been developed for a better understanding of its molecular mechanisms. In silico analysis has been increasingly used to investigate the genotype-ph...

BACKGROUND The Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) program teaches basic newborn resuscitation techniques to birth attendants in low-resource settings. Previous studies have demonstrated a decrease in mortality following training, mostly in large hospitals. However, low-volume clinics in rural regions with no physician immediately available likely experience a greater relative burden of newborn mortal...

BACKGROUND Making the correct choice between transcription elongation and transcription termination is essential to the function of RNA polymerase II, and fundamental to gene expression. This choice can be influenced by factors modifying the transcription complex, factors modifying chromatin, or signals mediated by the template or transcript. To aid in the study of transcription elongation and ...

House mice (genus Mus) harbor extensive allelic variation at two tandemly duplicated genes that encode the β-chain subunits of adult hemoglobin (Hb). Alternative haplotypes differ in the level of sequence divergence between the two β-globin gene duplicates: the Hbb(d) and Hbb(p) haplotypes harbor two structurally distinct β-globin genes, whereas the Hbb(s) haplotype harbors two β-globin duplica...

In the task 4.3 we investigated on the possibility of realizing haptic display to mimic haptic sensations by using ‘new’ technologies such as smart materials. In the previous D4.6 we preliminarily investigated on rheological properties of some controllable fluids and we explored the possibility of implementing haptic interfaces by using Magneto-Rheological Fluids (MRFs). Unlike kinaesthetic dis...

BACKGROUND Prevention of adverse perinatal outcome using the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) neonatal resuscitation algorithm can reduce perinatal mortality in low income settings. Mercy Ships is a non-governmental organisation providing free healthcare education in sub-Saharan Africa and in an attempt to reach more rural areas of Madagascar with our neonatal resuscitation training we designed a n...

Globins contain one or more cavities that control or affect such functions as ligand movement and ligand binding. Here we report that the extended globin family [cytoglobin (Cygb); neuroglobin (Ngb); myoglobin (Mb); hemoglobin (Hb) subunits Hba(α); and Hbb(β)] contain either a transmembrane (TM) helix or pore-lining region as well as internal cavities. Protein motif/domain analyses indicate tha...

BACKGROUND Hemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited diseases worldwide. Various methods for genotyping of hemoglobin, beta (HBB) gene mutations have been reported, but there is need for a high sample-throughput, cost-effective method for simultaneous screening of several mutations. We report a method that combines the high detectability and dynamic range of chemiluminescence with the hi...