Deficiency of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) has been reported to impact susceptibility to severe nfections and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, MBL gene polymorphisms were analysed in 143 SLE patients and the frequency of severe infections and organ damage according to SLICC/ACR Damage Index regarding cerebrovascular accidents, angina pectoris, coronary by-pass s

Pulmonaria officinalis is an understorey spring geophyte, which starts its vegetative period before full foliation of the tree storey. During its early growth phase it is exposed to full solar radiation, therefore the enhanced UV-B radiation could present a threat to this species. An outdoor experiment in which potted plants were exposed to below ambient, ambient, and above ambient (corresponding

Aim: The aim of this paper was to review the literature on the clinical importance of monitoring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair. Method: The literature was searched for abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) or intra-abdominal pressure and aortic aneurysm. Original articles were studied. Personal experiences were reported. Results: The Consensus

Software development is a complex area and extensive practice and reflection is required in order to obtain a good understanding of the different tasks involved in going from idea to deliverable software. To help in providing this understanding, we have developed a team programming course based on extreme programming and a coaching course. We discuss how these courses affect the curriculum, the de

Epidemiologic studies suggest that a high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract. We studied data from 345,904 subjects of the prospective European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) recruited in seven European countries, who had completed a dietary questionnaire in 1992-1998. During 2,182,560 person years of obser

Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Consistent evidence underlines the utility of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing in the management of women with equivocal cervical cytological abnormalities, but not in case of low-grade lesions. We performed a meta-analysis including studies where the high-risk probe of the Hybrid Capture-II is used to triage these two cytological categories

Eighty-eight subjects with adolescent-onset psychotic disorders (mean age+/-standard deviation 15.7+/-1.5 years), mainly schizophrenia and affective disorders, were followed up 10.6+/-3.6 years later, rediagnosed (DSM-IV) and assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, abuse of drugs including nicotine, the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile and occurrence of suicide or suicide attempts

Rationale: Budesonide/formoterol and tiotropium are commonly used maintenance treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Combining these medications may provide additional benefits. Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of budesonide/formoterol added to tiotropium in patients eligible for inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta(2)-agonist combination therapy.

Complex traits, including inflammatory rheumatic diseases, have important genetic features, but most of the responsible genes have not been conclusively identified. Genetic analysis of inbred animal models and comparative genetics - the comparison of genes between different species - might help to identify the crucial genes and to investigate more directly the biology involved. Genome-wide linkage

To assess the level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Bosnian war refugees, a consecutive cohort of 206 Bosnian refugees, arriving in Sweden in 1993, was screened for PTSD using a modified version of the self-report instrument PTSS-10. A comparison group of 387 visitors to seven Swedish health centers was recruited. Prevalence of possible PTSD, using two estimates, was 18 to 3

Lipid freezing in dilute sonicated vesicular dispersions was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and H-1 NMR. For charged, anionic, or cationic lipids, approximately half of the lipids remain in a fluid state when cooled 20 degrees C below the main chain melting temperature. With a zwitterionic phospholipid, on the other hand, essentially no supercooling of the liquid state was o

In this study a homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction based on the Ph-dependent phase-separation process was investigated using a ternary solvent system (water-acetic acid-chloroform) for the preconcentration of Cu2+ ions. 8-Hydroxy quinoline was used as the chelating agent prior to its extraction. Flame atomic absorption spectro photometry using acetylene-air flame was used for the quantitation of

Background: The Lundby Study is a prospective, longitudinal study on a total population consisting of 3563 subjects during 50 years. This study compares first incidence rates of depression and cumulative probabilities for developing a depression over the two time periods 1947-1972 and 1972-1997. Method: The Lundby Study started in 1947. Follow-ups were carried out in 1957 and in 1972. In 1997 the

We have investigated calcium-induced secretion in human neutrophils, using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Mobilization of subcellular granules to the cell membrane was followed as the change in membrane capacitance (Delta C-m). Both the magnitude and the kinetics of the response differed between low and high concentrations of Ca2+. A sustained secretion following a short lag phase was induced

The most prominent of the two major global delta C-13 excursions in the Ordovician, the Hirnantian delta C-13 excursion (HICE), which is previously recorded from the uppermost Ordovician in a few sections in Nevada, Quebec, Arctic Canada, Baltoscandia, Scotland and China, is documented for the first time from the North American Midcontinent. Samples through the Girardeau Limestone and Leemon Forma

This study investigated the profile of long-term blood pressure (BP)-lowering medication in a population-based cohort, and whether treatment effects on BP control or risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) differed between the types or patterns of BP-lowering regimes. In treated hypertensive patients, only 11.3% had a BP < 140/90 mm Hg. Inadequate drug combination and underestimation of global risk s

Familial defective apolipoprotein B100 (FDB) is a genetic disorder in which low density lipoproteins (LDL) bind defectively to the LDL receptor, resulting in hypercholesterolemia and premature atherosclerosis. FDB is caused by a mutation (R3500Q) that changes the conformation of apolipoprotein (apo) B100 near the receptor-binding site. We previously showed that arginine, not simply a positive char