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This study focused on the activation/differentiation of human microglial cells and astrocytes, which is a prerequisite for HIV1 replication. In vitro, IFNγ induced a differentiation-like morphological change in embryonic microglia and astrocytes, in both primary and in purified culture. This effect was enhanced by TNFα which in itself had no effect. IFNγ did not increase the low level of endogenous TNFα, which is not secreted by embryonic cells, but stimulated the expression of TNFαR1, although to a relatively low extent. IFNγ facilitated TNFα response through an increase in TNFαR1 expression, but probably also through interaction with different intracellular signal transduction pathways.

Homograft aortic valves were treated and stored in different ways and then tested for elastic qualities. It appears from the findings that the most satisfactory long-term storage technique is to flash-freeze the valves in the presence of dimethyl sulphoxide immediately after dissection.