Since Nanodiscs contain isolated proteins or small complexes, the

Since Nanodiscs contain isolated proteins or small complexes, the SMPL is an ideal platform for interactomics studies and pull-down assays of membrane proteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the protein population before and after formation of the Nanodisc library indicates that a large percentage of the proteins are incorporated into the library. Proteomic identification of several prominent

bands demonstrates the successful incorporation of outer and inner membrane proteins into the Nanodisc library.”
“Background Few reports exist on the use of biologics for treating patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, especially for non-reimbursed patients. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adalimumab in non-reimbursed patients PARP activity with mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Methods Fifty one patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow) in a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan between 2007 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical effectiveness of adalimumab was assessed using Subjects Global assessment

(SGA) and Physicians Global Assessment (PGA), and the reasons for discontinuation were evaluated. Results After 12 weeks of adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneously buy SU5402 eow without a loading dose) treatment, 66% and 74% of patients had SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement (greater than 50% improvement compared with baseline psoriasis), respectively, with 60% and 53% of patients achieving SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement after 24 weeks. Ten (71%) of 14 previous non-responders to etanercept achieved a SGA or PGA score of at least marked improvement after adalimumab treatment. Adalimumab was

generally well tolerated, but four patients (7.8%) discontinued adalimumab due to adverse events. The mean time required for resumption of systemic anti-psoriatic therapy was 6 months (range, 112 months). Apart from financial limitations, the most common reasons for discontinuation AZD1480 solubility dmso were primary (23.5%) and secondary (13.7%) lack of efficacy. Conclusion In non-reimbursed mild-to-moderate psoriasis patients, SGA and PGA remained high for adalimumab. Effectiveness and remission duration were key factors affecting patients willingness to pay for prolonged adalimumab treatment.”
“Background: Cellulose, which is the most abundant renewable biomass on earth, is a potential bio-resource of alternative energy. The hydrolysis of plant polysaccharides is catalyzed by microbial cellulases, including endo-beta-1,4-glucanases, cellobiohydrolases, cellodextrinases, and beta-glucosidases. Converting cellobiose by beta-glucosidases is the key factor for reducing cellobiose inhibition and enhancing the efficiency of cellulolytic enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production.

If the infestation extent, dispersal capacity, seed bank longevit

If the infestation extent, dispersal capacity, seed bank longevity and economic discount rate are specified, the general results presented here can be used to assess whether containment can outperform eradication, and under what conditions it would provide a valid fallback to a breached eradication programme. Weed management plans must apply a consistent definition of containment and provide sufficient implementation detail to assess its feasibility. If the infestation extent, dispersal capacity, seed bank longevity and economic discount rate are specified, the general results presented here can CT99021 be used to assess whether containment can outperform eradication, and under what conditions it

would provide a valid fallback to a breached eradication programme.”
“Vasonatrin peptide (VNP), a novel manmade natriuretic peptide, is known as a cardiovascular

active substance. However, its neuroeffects are largely unknown. Here, cultured dopaminergic neurons from ventral mesencephalon of mouse were exposed to N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), and the effects of VNP on the neurotoxicity of MPP+ were investigated. As a result, MPP+ caused injuries in the dopaminergic neurons. VNP significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of MPP+ by increasing axon number and length of dopaminergic neurons, and by enhancing the cell viability. Also, the MPP+-induced depolymerization of beta-Tubulin III was attenuated by the treatment of VNP. In addition, VNP significantly increased the intracellular levels of cGMP. These effects of

VNP were mimicked by 8-br-cGMP (a cell-permeable Bindarit cost analog of cGMP), whereas inhibited by HS-142-1 (the antagonist of the particulate guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptors), or KT-5823 (a cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor). Taken together, VNP attenuates the neurotoxicity of MPP+ via guanylyl cyclase-coupled NPR/cGMP/PKG pathway, indicating that VNP might be a new effective reagent in the treatment of neuron degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Objectives This study sought to test the hypothesis that colchicine treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can lead to a decrease in in-stent restenosis (ISR).\n\nBackground ISR rates are particularly high in certain patient Torin 2 subsets, including diabetic patients, especially when a bare-metal stent (BMS) is used. Pharmacological interventions to decrease ISR could be of clinical relevance.\n\nMethods Diabetic patients with contraindication to a drug-eluting stent, undergoing PCI with a BMS, were randomized to receive colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily or placebo for 6 months. Restenosis and neointima formation were studied with angiography and intravascular ultrasound 6 months after the index PCI.\n\nResults A total of 196 patients (63.6 +/- 7.0 years of age, 128 male) were available for analysis.

Using continuous color mapping scheme both spatial (organ shape a

Using continuous color mapping scheme both spatial (organ shape and location) and temporal (time-course/kinetics) data was cast onto an abstract, layered, 2D visual representation of the human anatomy and physiology. This approach is aligned with the compartment-level of detail afforded by Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling of chemical disposition. In this tutorial we provide several illustrative examples of how PAVA may

be applied: (1) visualization of multiple organ/tissue simulated dosimetry of a previously published oral exposure route ethanol PBPK model, (2) visualization of PAD such as organ-specific disease time-lines or JQ-EZ-05 molecular weight (3) tissue-specific mRNA expression-level profiles (e.g. phase I/II metabolic enzymes and nuclear receptors) to draw much needed molecular biological conclusions at organ-level resolution conducive to model development. Furthermore, discussion is raised on how graphical

representations of PBPK models, and the use of PAVA more generally to visualize PAD, can be of benefit. We believe this novel platform-independent tool for visualizing PAD on physiologically-relevant representations of human anatomy will become a valuable visual analytic addition to the tool-kits of modern exposure scientists, computational biologists, toxicologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists and pathologists JPH203 order alike in visually translating, representing and mining complex PAD relationships

required to understand systems biology or manage chemical risk.”
“According to currently existing treatment guidelines, when a single antidepressant medication is not working, the common Bafilomycin A1 next step treatment is to switch to another class of antidepressants or to add another one to the first therapeutic agent. With regard to this issue, combination therapy has been suggested to provide unexpected synergy for patients, resulting in more remission compared with switching strategies, although some debates are still ongoing. Recently, Rush and colleagues have investigated whether two antidepressant combination treatments should produce a higher remission rate in first-step acute-phase (12 weeks) and long-term (7 months) treatment compared with monotherpay. They failed to find any superiority of combination treatment over monotherapy in terms of efficacy and safety. The remission and response rates and most secondary outcomes were not different among treatment groups at 12 weeks and 7 months, while the mean number of worsening adverse events was higher for combination treatment (5.7) than for monotherapy (4.7) at 12 weeks. This article will discuss the clinical and further research implications in the context of the potential limitations and significance of this recent study.

DesignPost hoc analysis of isoflavonoid exposure (mean 2

\n\nDesign\n\nPost hoc analysis of isoflavonoid exposure (mean 2.7years) during the randomized,

placebo-controlled, double-blind Women’s Isoflavone Soy Health trial.\n\nSetting\n\nGeneral community.\n\nParticipants\n\nHealthy postmenopausal women (N= 350).\n\nIntervention\n\nTwenty-five grams of isoflavone-rich soy protein (91mg of aglycone weight isoflavones: 52mg genistein, 36mg daidzein, 3mg glycitein) buy Blebbistatin or milk protein-matched placebo provided daily.\n\nMeasurements\n\nOvernight urine excretion, fasting plasma levels of isoflavonoids, and cognitive function measured at baseline and endpoint.\n\nResults\n\nThree hundred women (age: mean 61, range 45-92) completed both cognitive assessments and did not use hormone replacement therapy during the trial. Mean on-trial change from baseline in urine excretion of isoflavonoids was not significantly associated with change in a composite score of global cognition (P=.39). Secondary analyses indicated that change in urine excretion of isoflavonoids was inversely associated with change in a factor score representing general intelligence (P=.02) but not with factor scores representing verbal or visual episodic memory. AR-13324 datasheet Mean differences

in this general intelligence factor score between women in the lowest and highest quartiles of isoflavonoid change were equivalent to an approximate 4.4-year age-associated decline. Analyses based on plasma isoflavonoid levels yielded similar but attenuated results.\n\nConclusion\n\nIn healthy postmenopausal women, long-term changes in isoflavonoids are not associated with global cognition, A-769662 supporting clinical trial results, although greater isoflavonoid exposure from dietary supplements is associated with decrements in general intelligence but not memory; this finding requires confirmation in future studies.”
“Crude extracts from Inula aucherana, Fumaria officinalis, Crocus sativus, Vicum album, Tribulus terestris, Polygonatum multiflorum, Alkanna tinctoria and Taraxacum officinale were screened for their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial

properties. Total phenolic content of extracts from these plants were also determined. beta-carotene bleaching assay and Folin-Ciocalteu reagent were used to determine total antioxidant activity and total phenols of plant extracts. Antimicrobial activity was determined by using disk diffusion assay. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content varied among plants used and Viscum album and Crocus sativus had the highest antioxidant (82.23%) and total phenolic content (42.29 mgGAE/g DW), respectively. The methanol extracts from Vicum album and Alkanna tinctoria showed antimicrobial activity against 9 out of 32 microorganisms, however extract from Inula aucherana showed antimicrobial activity against 15 out of 32 microorganisms. The results provided evidence that the studied plant might indeed be potential sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Within 4 weeks, 50% had complete response and an additional 10% h

Within 4 weeks, 50% had complete response and an additional 10% had partial response. Two of the 6 patients were able to discontinue budesonide. One patient discontinued SIRM owing to headaches.\n\nConclusion: SIRM seems to be a safe and efficacious treatment option in patients with RCD. Larger, controlled trials of this agent are warranted.”
“Aim: To assess the regional Vulnerability to ischemic damage and perfusion/metabolism mismatch of reperfused brain following restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest.\n\nMethod: We used positron emission tomography (PET) to map cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO(2)). LY3023414 cost cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen extraction fraction

(OEF) in brain of young pigs at intervals after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. After obtaining baseline PET recordings, ventricular fibrillation of 10 min duration was induced, followed by mechanical closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in conjunction with i.v. administration of 0.4 U/kg of vasopressin. After CPR, external defibrillatory shocks were applied to achieve restoration of spontaneous Circulation (ROSC). MI-503 price CBF and CMRO(2) were mapped and voxelwise maps of OEF were calculated at times of 60,

180, and 300 min after ROSC.\n\nResults: There was hypoperfusion throughout the telencephalon at 60 min, with a return towards baseline values at 300min. In contrast, there was progressively selleck compound increasing CBF in cerebellum throughout the observation period. The Magnitude of CMRO(2) decreased globally after ROSC, especially in cerebral cortex.

The magnitude of OEF in cerebral cortex was 60% at baseline, tended to increase at 60 min after ROSC, and declined to 50% thereafter, thus Suggesting transition to all ischemic state.\n\nConclusion: The cortical regions tended most vulnerable to the ischemic insult with an oligaemic pattern and a low CMRO(2) whereas the cerebellum instead showed a pattern Of luxury perfusion. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man [OMIM] 305600) is a rare X-linked dominant congenital disorder involving defects of mesodermal- and ectodermal-derived structures. It is associated with mutations in the PORCN gene, a regulator of Wnt signaling proteins. The phenotype is highly variable, although all describe characteristic skin findings as a primary diagnostic feature. To date there are few case reports of focal dermal hypoplasia associated with central nervous system abnormalities. We report the second case of focal dermal hypoplasia associated with myelomenigocele, Arnold-Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus and the first in a male. Genetic testing identified a novel mosaic three base pair deletion within the PORCN gene (c.853_855delACG).

The study of the growing number of human diseases associated with

The study of the growing number of human diseases associated with toxic repeat-containing transcripts provides PLX4032 important insight into the understanding of the complex pathways of RNA toxicity. This review describes some of the recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind DM and other RNA-dominant disorders.”
“Results: Our method performs well in terms of both micro- and macro-averaged performance, achieving micro-F(1) of 0.76 and macro-F(1) of 0.36 on the publicly available DECA corpus. Re-curation of the DECA corpus was performed,

with our method achieving 0.88 micro-F(1) and 0.51 macro-F(1). Our method improves over standard classification techniques [such as support vector machines (SVMs)] in a number of ways: flexibility, interpretability and its resistance to the effects of class bias in the training data. Good performance is achieved without the need for computationally expensive parse tree generation or ‘bag of words classification’.”
“Objectives: To assess the prevalence of genital abnormalities among neonates in two public maternityschools.\n\nMethods: Case-control, cross-sectional

descriptive study. Genital morphology of 2,916 neonates was assessed using a clinical protocol between 04/19/2010 and 04/18/2011. Control group included neonates without birth defects, born at the same maternity unit and in the same day in which a case was identified. Fisher and KruskalWallis tests were used for statistics.\n\nResults: The study identified 29 (1:100) neonates C188-9 with genital abnormalities. Most of them were examined within 3 days of life and presented only one genital defect. Morphological abnormalities comprised: genital ambiguity (1/29), fusion of labia majora (1/29), micropenis (2/29), enlarged clitoris (6/29), hypospadia (9/29), and combined defects (4/29). Only one case reported the genital abnormality in the statement of live birth correctly. Prematurity occurred in 13/29 cases and was the only

variable statistically associated with genital defects. Eight cases agreed on the complementary PXD101 cost investigation of the genital defect, among which three were diagnosed with disorder of sex development.\n\nConclusions: There is a high prevalence of genital abnormalities in the maternity units included in the present study and most cases are under-diagnosed and under-reported. Our results reinforce the importance of a careful examination of genital morphology in neonatal period towards the recognition of minor defects that can be clinical features of a disorder of sex development. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(0:489-95.”
“Misotermes mindeni Disney and Neoh is a solitary endoparasitoid of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), exclusively parasitizing the head of major soldiers.

Method: Data for this study were derived from the 2001-2002 N

\n\nMethod: Data for this study were derived from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 43,093), which included US adults aged 18 years and older. This study focused on the sub-sample of adults with DSM-IV-diagnosed bipolar I disorder (n = 1,548). The past-year prevalence

of 11 GMCs was examined. Associations between GMCs, bipolar I disorder, and disability measures (12-Itern Short-Form Health Survey) were tested using multivariate regression analyses.\n\nResults: Approximately 32.4% Pexidartinib of adults with bipolar I disorder had I or more GMCs. In the general population, diagnosis with bipolar I disorder was a significant risk factor for 7 of 11 GMCs in adjusted analyses. Among adults with see more bipolar I disorder, those with 1 or more GMCs evidenced significantly greater disability across all disability measures compared to those without a GMC. Individual GMCs were significantly

associated with physical, mental, and psychosocial disability in adjusted analyses and predicted specific patterns of disability.\n\nConclusions: GMCs were found disproportionately among persons with bipolar I disorder and associated with significant impairments in health and psychosocial functioning. Health care providers should screen for and treat GMCs in service populations including persons with bipolar disorder, given the heightened rates of morbidity, mortality, and disability that attend untreated GMCs in this client group. integrated and collaborative PXD101 treatment approaches could significantly improve overall functioning and quality

of life for persons with this treatable disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 2009;70(10):1407-1415 (C) Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.”
“Hf-Ni alloys are studied as a gate electrode for metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. The Hf-Ni solid-state amorphization couple encompasses several metallurgical phenomena which are investigated at the nanoscale and are correlated with the macroscopic electrical properties of devices. The dependence of the Fermi level position on the alloy composition is studied both on SiO2 and on HfO2. In order to isolate the effects of interfacial and dielectric charges and dipoles, the dependence of the vacuum work-function values on the composition is also studied. The Fermi level positions of the alloys do not depend linearly on the average composition of the alloys and are strongly affected by Hf enrichment at the HfNix/dielectric interface and the HfNix surface. We note a constant shift of 0.4 eV in the Fermi level position on HfO2 compared to SiO2. In addition, characterization of the composition, structure, and morphology reveals Kirkendall voids formation when the bottom layer consists of Ni, and an oxygen-scavenging effect when the bottom layer is Hf. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://0-dx.doi.org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1063/1.

(C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS “
“The ultrasonica

(C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.”
“The ultrasonication process (UE) was employed to efficiently extract relatively hard fruits of A. melanocarpa (Aronia) by comparing the results from conventional extractions: hot water (WE), 70% ethanol extractions (EE). 104.5 mg ml(-1) of the highest total polyphenol content was observed from the UE process as well as high amounts of two anthocyanins in A. melanocarpa such as cyanidin and dephinidin which should result in the best PARP inhibitor antioxidant activities as 70.93 % in DPPH free radical scavenging ability. Approximately

70% inhibition of melanin synthesis was also observed in adding the extracts from the UE which was also highest inhibition. It was also found that the whitening activities of the extract from the UE seemed to be better than those of each of components like cyanidin and dephinidin which implies

that the extract might be effective in maintaining its biological activities rather than using each of single components, possibly due to synergistic effects of the bioactive substances in the extracts. It was also first shown Apoptosis inhibitor that the whitening activities of the extract from the UE process were possibly associated with strong antioxidant activities of A. melanocarpa.”
“Objective: Prior research supports the hypothesis that cancer survivors who help others face treatment experience a range of psychosocial and health-related benefits as a result of peer helping. This study investigates an expressive helping (EH) intervention designed to harness those benefits by targeting survivorship click here problems among cancer survivors treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant. EH includes two components: (a) emotionally

expressive writing (EW; writing one’s deepest thoughts and feelings about the transplant experience in a series of brief, structured writing sessions) followed by (b) peer helping (PH; helping other people prepare for transplant by sharing one’s own transplant experiences along with advice and encouragement through a written narrative). Method: EH was compared with neutral writing (NW), EW (without PH), and PH (without EW) in a 4-arm randomized controlled trial in which survivors completed baseline measures, 4 structured writing exercises (with instructions depending on randomization), and postintervention measures including validated measures of general psychological distress, physical symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Results: Among survivors with moderate-severe survivorship problems, EH reduced distress (compared with NW and PH; ps smaller than .05) and improved physical symptoms (compared with NW, PH, and EW; ps smaller than .002) and HRQOL (compared with NW; p = .02). Conclusions: Peer helping through writing benefits transplant survivors with moderate-severe survivorship problems, but only if they have first completed expressive writing.

05) The percentages of subjects infected with HIV-1C and recombi

05). The percentages of subjects infected with HIV-1C and recombinant subtypes did not change significantly. Over this 8-year period, Cl-amidine the overall viral population in this region evolved toward the less virulent HIV-1A strain, most likely as a consequence of the faster disease progression and lower transmissibility of HIV-1D.”
“Cutaneous drug reactions are the most common type of adverse drug reaction. These reactions, ranging from simple pruritic eruptions to potentially life-threatening events, are a significant cause of iatrogenic morbidity and mortality. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening cutaneous drug reaction.

Although progress has been made in the management of SJS through early detection, prompt hospitalization, and immediate cessation of offending agents, the prevalence of permanent disabilities associated with SJS remains unchanged. Nevertheless, despite being a problem that is global in scope, government and health care agencies worldwide have yet to find

a consensus on either diagnostic criteria or therapy for this disorder. Here, we provide the internist and emergency room physician with a brief review the SJS literature and summarize the latest recommended interventions with the hope of improving early recognition of this disease buy GDC-0068 and prevention of permanent sequelae and mortality that frequently complicate SJS.”
“This work reports the effect of stiffness and conformation of chain-like polymers on wrapping behaviors around single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). As a model of chain-like polymers, three kinds of poly(dialkylsilane) (PSi)s with random-coiled, flexible, and semiflexible main chains were employed. Complexes of PSi and SWNT were prepared using mechanochemical

high-speed vibration milling (HSVM). Stiffness-dependent polymer wrapping behaviors were investigated using combinational analyses with a differential scanning calorimeter, transmission electron microscopy, Angiogenesis inhibitor and atomic force microscopy, Furthermore, the conformational behaviors of the PSi’s wrapped onto SWNTs were characterized spectroscopically with ordinary UV spectroscopy. Random-coiled and flexible PSi’s were successfully wrapped onto small bundles of SWNTs, in which their conformations were changed to fit the surface curvatures of the SWNTs. However, semiflexible PSi could not form a complex with SWNTs, and its conformation remained unchanged even after the same HSVM process. Knowledge gained from this study may lead to a new approach to molecular design of chain-like polymers for efficient wrapping materials for SWNTs.”
“AIM: To evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals.


“Since GABA(A)-mediated intracortical inhibition has been


“Since GABA(A)-mediated intracortical inhibition has been shown to underlie plastic changes throughout the lifespan from development to aging, here, the aging motor system was used as a model to analyze the interdependence of plastic alterations within the inhibitory motorcortical network and level of behavioral performance. Double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (dpTMS) was used to examine inhibition by means of short-interval intracortical learn more inhibition (SICI) of the contralateral primary motor cortex in a sample of 64 healthy right-handed human subjects covering a wide range of the adult lifespan (age range 20-88 years,

mean 47.6 +/- 20.7, 34 female). SICI was evaluated during resting state and in an event-related condition during movement preparation in a visually triggered simple reaction time task. In a subgroup (N = 23), manual motor performance was tested with tasks of graded dexterous demand.\n\nWeak resting-state inhibition was associated with an overall lower manual motor performance. Better event-related modulation of inhibition correlated with

better performance in more demanding tasks, in which fast alternating activation of cortical representations are necessary. Declining resting-state inhibition was associated with weakened event-related modulation of inhibition. Therefore, reduced resting-state inhibition might lead to a subsequent loss of modulatory capacity, possibly reflecting malfunctioning precision in GABA(A)ergic neurotransmission; the consequence is an inevitable decline in motor function.”
“The selleck compound non-spore-forming gram-positive bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis mc(2) 155, related to M. tuberculosis, Adavosertib was revealed to be capable of forming different types of dormant forms (DFs) during the life cycle of its cultures. The relationship between the intraspecies diversity of DFs and the cultivation conditions of the mycobacterium was established. The DFs possessed the following common properties: (i) maintenance of viability for a long period of time (5 months), (ii) resistance to deleterious factors such as heat treatment, and (iii) morphological

and ultrastructural peculiarities that distinguish DFs from vegetative cells. The diversity of M. smegmatis DFs manifested itself in differences in terms of structural organization, conditions required for growth renewal, and capacity to produce antibiotic-resistant variants upon germination on selective media. Well-differentiated cystlike dormant cells (CDCs) were formed in the cultures grown in synthetic SR1 medium with fivefold-decreased nitrogen content. The structural organization of CDCs differed from that of other DF types mainly in the presence of club-shaped cells, thickened lamellar cell walls, coarse cytoplasm texture, and large electron-transparent triacylglyceride inclusion bodies. It was possible to use mycobacterial CDCs as a source of PCR-competent DNA.