Macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) are distributed throughout the body and play important roles in pathogen detection and tissue homeostasis. In tissues, resident macrophages exhibit distinct phenotypes and activities, yet the transcriptional pathways that specify tissue-specific macrophages are largely unknown. We investigated the functions and origins of two peritoneal macrophage population...

Heterotrophic activities on sinking particulate matter (SPM) play an important role in SPM fluxes in the ocean. To demonstrate regional differences in heterotrophic activities on SPM, we measured heterotrophic bacterial production (HBP) in seawater (HBP(SW)) and SPM (HBP(SPM)) as well as potential extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) in SPM on a transect along 155°E in the western North Pacific ...

BACKGROUND Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the FAS and FASLG may alter the transcriptional activity of these genes. We therefore investigated the association between the FAS and FASLG polymorphisms and risk for second primary malignancy (SPM) after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS We used log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard mo...

Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) incubated with synaptosomal plasma membranes (SPM) of dog brain is incorporated into SPM in proportion to its concentration in the incubation medium. Low PtdSer concentrations progressively activated the SPM-associated (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase and acetylcholinesterase. Increasing the PtdSer concentration above that which maximally stimulated the enzyme activities...

IgE was measured by ELISA in tubes and in microtiter plates, the results being compared with PRIST data. The recommended readings of the tube contents in a spectrophotometer (SPM) were compared with results using a multi-channel photometer (MCP). Geometric mean values (International Units) and standard deviations of 44 normal sera examined by the 3 different methods were: PRIST 16.2 +/- 4.0; SP...

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a fairly rare condition, caused by increased intrathoracic pressure, leading to free air in the mediastinal structures. Underlying lung conditions are associated with increased incidence of SPM, including asthma, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, bullous lung, and radiation therapy for lung cancer. It is often preceded by Valsalva maneuvers, vomiting, ...

The quality of processes in Software Product Management (SPM) has a high impact on the success of a software product, as it improves product quality and prevents release delays. To improve the SPM practice, we propose the maturity matrix for SPM, a focus area oriented maturity model concentrating on the SPM functions Requirements Management, Product Roadmapping, Release Planning and Requirement...

Background. The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical characteristics of SPM in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer and to determine the long-term prognosis in patients with double malignancies. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 2,864 patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer and a mean age of 44.0 ± 14.4 years. Of these, 200 (7.0%) were diagnosed ...