Search results

OBJECTIVE: Copy number variation of the C4 complement components, C4A and C4B, has been associated with systemic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. We asked if C4 copy number variation is connected to the autoimmune repertoire in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) or myositis.METHODS: Using targeted DNA sequencing, we determined the copy number and genetic variants

A feasible implementation of a novel X-ray detector for highly energetic X-ray photons with a large solid angle coverage, optimal for the detection of Compton X-ray scattered photons, is described. The device consists of a 20 cm-thick sensitive volume filled with xenon at atmospheric pressure. When the Compton-scattered photons interact with the xenon, the released photoelectrons create clouds of

Background: Herbivores modify the structure and function of tundra ecosystems. Understanding their impacts is necessary to assess the responses of these ecosystems to ongoing environmental changes. However, the effects of herbivores on plants and ecosystem structure and function vary across the Arctic. Strong spatial variation in herbivore effects implies that the results of individual studies on

Background: Factor H regulates the alternative pathway of complement. The protein has three heparin-binding sites, is synthesized primarily in the liver and copurifies from platelets with thrombospondin-1. Factor H mutations at the C-terminus are associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition in which platelets are consumed. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate if f

Aim: The study aim was to evaluate the RSR 3 Screen ICA™ and 2 Screen ICA™ for detection of islet cell autoimmunity in healthy Swedish subjects and patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: 3 Screen is designed for combined detection of autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), to the islet antigen IA-2 (IA-2A) and to zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A), while 2 Screen detec

Objectives The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most commonly used measures for screening, diagnosing and monitoring of depression. So far, four studies have examined some of the psychometric properties of Persian version of PHQ-9 in physical and psychiatric patients; however, some aspects of its psychometrics have not yet been adequately evaluated in the student population. Th

We introduce a new family of continuous distributions and study the mathematical properties of the new family. Some useful characterizations based on the ratio of two truncated moments and hazard function are also presented. We estimate the model parameters by the maximum likelihood method and assess its performance based on biases and mean squared errors in a simulation study framework.

In this paper, a flexible modified extended exponential power life testing (MEEPLT) distribution is proposed. The MEEPLT distribution has increasing, decreasing and bathtub hazard rate function. The MEEPLT density is arc, left skewed, right-skewed and symmetrical shaped. The MEEPLT distribution is developed on the basis of the generalized Pearson differential equation. Some structural and mathemat

Industrial control systems (ICSs) are a significant part of industry and they play an important role in monitoring and controlling industrial processes. Traditionally, ICSs have been isolated from the Internet, and thereby secured from various Internet-based security threats. In recent years, since the cloud can provide huge advantages regarding storage and computing resources, industry has been m

Wild chimpanzee populations in West Africa (Pan troglodytes verus) have dramatically decreased as a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities and infectious diseases. Little information is currently available on the epidemiology, pathogenic significance, and zoonotic potential of protist species in wild chimpanzees. This study investigates the occurrence and genetic diversity of intestinal an

A platoon comprises a string of consecutive highly automated vehicles traveling together. Platooning allows for increased road utilization and reduced fuel consumption due to short inter-vehicular distances. Safety in terms of guaranteeing no rear-end collisions is of utmost importance for platooning systems to be deployed in practice. We compare how safely emergency braking can be handled by emer

Adolescence can be a stressful period in life. The period contains challenges associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood (body changes, changes in interpersonal relationships, and identity changes). The aim was to investigate experiences of stress among adolescents in addition to stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus group interviews (n = 8) were conducted with girls (n =

Introduction: MR facilities must implement and maintain adequate screening and safety procedures to ensure safety during MR examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate a multi-step MR safety screening process used at a 7T facility regarding incidence of different types of safety risks detected during the safety procedure. Methods: Subjects scheduled for an MR examination and having entered

Superficial CD34-positive fibroblastic tumor (SCD34FT) is a recently recognized soft tissue tumor that is considered to be of borderline malignancy. The pathogenesis of this tumor remains incompletely understood, but it has been suggested that SCD34FT overlaps with tumors showing fusions involving the PRDM10 gene. Previous analyses of PRDM10-rearranged tumors have demonstrated that they have a dis

This research aims to investigate nonionic hyperbranched polyesters (HBPs) derived from indole and lignin resources as new nontoxic antimicrobial coatings. Three nonionic HBPs with zero to two methoxy ether substituents on each benzene ring in the polymer backbones were synthesized by melt-polycondensation of three corresponding AB2 monomers. The molecular structures and thermal properties of the

Ligand selectivity among the highly conserved galectins has been an ever-challenging objective. For galectin-8, a protein prevalent in both pathology and tissue distribution, we report phthalazinone-galactals that show excellent selectivity for the galectin-8N-terminal domain. A dissection of structure–activity relationships of the phthalazinone and an extensive molecular dynamics meta-analysis ac