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Bronchodilatory substances such as the phosphodisterase inhibitor (PDE-I) theophylline stimulate mucociliary activity. With the introduction of selective PDE-Is it has become possible to study the functional importance of each phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE) concerning the regulation of the ciliary beat. The effects of rolipram (inhibiting a cAMP specific PDE (PDE4), milrinone (inhibiting a cGMP in

AIMS: The anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmatic autoantibody-associated vasculitides (AASV) are diseases of relapsing-remitting inflammation. Here we explore the cytokine profile in different phases of disease, looking for pathogenic clues of possible prognostic value. Results: Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly elevated in plasma. Patients in the stable phase who subsequently develop

We investigated element accumulation in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices. Fungal spores and mycelium growing in monoxenic cultures were analyzed. The elemental composition was quantified using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) in combination with scanning transmission ion microscopy. In the spores, Ca and Fe were mainly associated with the spore wall; while P and K showed

We used ultrasonic imaging to monitor short-term changes in the pectoral muscle size of captive red knots Calidris canutus. Pectoral muscle thickness changed rapidly and consistently in parallel with body mass changes caused by flight, fasting and fuelling. Four knots flew repeatedly for 10 h periods in a wind tunnel. Over this period, pectoral muscle thickness decreased in parallel with the decre

The resonant Auger spectrum from the decay of F 1s-excited CF4 is measured. Several lines exhibit a nondispersive kinetic energy as the exciting photon energy is tuned through the resonance region. The F 1s(-1) atomiclike Auger line is split into two components due to the emission of Auger electrons by a fragment in motion, when electron emission is observed along the polarization vector of the li

Human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence is the major cause of cervical cancer, but most HPV infections will not persist and risk factors for HPV persistence are not well known. Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis infection seems to also be associated with cervical cancer. We investigated whether C. trachomatis infection is a risk factor for HPV persistence. In a cohort of 12,527 women participating in a pop

The phase behavior of lecithin and water mixtures with addition of the hydrocarbon 1,8-cineole (C10H18O) was investigated using light microscopy and H-2 NMR at atmospheric pressure and with a surplus of supercritical carbon dioxide (15 MPa) between 35 and 80degreesC. The lecithin-water (LW) mixtures consisted of 10 and 20wt.% water in lecithin to which 5, 10, and 20wt.% cineole and supercritical c

BACKGROUND: It has previously been shown that propofol in clinically relevant concentrations induces a calcium-dependent conformational change in the cytoskeleton. The aim of this study was to further clarify the effect of propofol on the actin cytoskeleton and to determine if this conformational change is mediated by the interaction between the GABA(A)-receptor and propofol. METHODS: Primary cult

Background Contact sensitisation has been identified as a factor associated with poor prognosis for patients with hand eczema. Objectives To study implications of contact sensitisation with respect to severity, quality of life (QoL) and subdiagnosis of hand eczema. Methods The study was performed as a multi-centre, cross-sectional study from 10 European clinics. All patients were patch tested, and

The strain distribution along wood adhesive bonds was studied using a contact-free measurement system based on a white-light digital image correlation (DIC) technique. Two different specimen geometries and three different adhesives were investigated. The specimen geometries were according to the standards EN302-1 and ASTM D905. The adhesives tested were a phenolic resorcinol (PRF), a one-component

Background Cervical cancer and its obligate precursors, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN2/3), and adenocarcinona in situ (AIS), are caused by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). In this combined analysis of four clinical trials we assessed the effect of prophylactic HPV vaccination on these diseases. Methods 20 583 women aged 16-26 years were randomised to receive quadrival

The Sugar Experiments In 1942, 99.99 percent of the Swedish population had dental caries. Public Dental Health Care system, which had only been established in 1938, was struggling to cope with the task of providing care to all. The solution proposed by the Swedish Government was research. This thesis examines a medical experiment on the interface between medical science, public health policy, men

Linear pentadecamer and cyclic hexamer peptide phage libraries were used to isolate phage clones with binding affinity toward lactoferrins purified from human and bovine milk. Phage clones with high specificity toward lactoferrin were selected with different binding strengths depending on the sequence of the peptide displayed by the phage. Phages coated to a microtiterplate were able to capture la

Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) but genetic factors are of importance, since only a subset of smokers develops the disease. Sex differences have been suggested both in disease prevalence and response to environmental exposures. Furthermore, it has been shown that acquisition of 'addiction' to smoking is partly genetically mediated. Disease cases and

OBJECTIVE: Based on the hypothesis that blood flow in the inflamed joint is inadequate to maintain aerobic glycolysis, we sought to estimate the correlation between blood flow, glucose metabolism, and cellular proliferation rate in the arthritic joint. METHODS: Experiments were performed on rats with antigen induced arthritis (AIA). Regional blood flows (RBF) were measured with the microsphere tec

The Mediterranean peninsulas constitute important areas for endemism and intraspecific variation, and are likely places for cryptic biodiversity. We assessed the phylogeographic pattern of field voles ( Microtus agrestis) in southern and central Europe by sequence analysis of a 385-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in 74 specimens from 44 localities. The majority of samples consis

Swirling lean premixed flames are of practical relevance due to their potential for low nitric oxide (NOx) emissions. Unfortunately, these flames have various drawbacks. One critical attribute is the possibility for flashback of the reacting flow into the nozzle. Advanced numerical simulations should be able in the future to predict the transition from stable flames to flashback. For a better unde

Lignocellulose is a potential substrate for ethanol production. However, high cellulose conversion requires high enzyme loading, which makes the process less economically feasible. Addition of surfactants to enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose increases the conversion of cellulose into soluble sugars. The mechanism is not known for the increase of lignocellulose hydrolysis by surfactant additio