BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors are essential regulators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in both embryos and adults. One of the factors with a still unknown physiological function is VEGF-B, which is expressed in many tissues, including the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice carrying a targeted deletion in the VEGF-B gene were developed. In VEGF-B(-/-)

Regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve through acellular muscle and nerve autografts was evaluated 6-28 days postoperatively by the sensory pinch test, immunocytochemical staining for neurofilaments, and light and electron microscopy. Data points generated by the pinch test were plotted against postoperative time periods and by the use of regression analysis the initial delay period for muscle graf

We report an observation of substantial deviations in the photoelectron angular distribution for photoionization of atoms in free Xe clusters compared to the case of photoionization of free atoms. The cross section, however, seems not to vary between the cluster and free atoms. This observation was made in the vicinity of the Xe 4d Cooper minimum, where the atomic angular distribution is known to

Background— Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is increasingly used as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Its use relies on its ability to predict future clinical cardiovascular end points. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data to examine this association. Methods and Results— Using a prespecified search strategy, we identified 8 relevant studies and compared study des

1. The perforated patch whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was applied to superficial cells in intact pancreatic islets. Immunostaining in combination with confocal microscopy revealed that the superficial cells consisted of 35 % insulin-secreting B-cells and 65 % non-B-cells (A- and D-cells). 2. Two types of cell, with distinct electrophysiological properties, could be function

We have developed a computational method that combines extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) refinements with the integrated quantum mechanical and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method. This method allows us to obtain a structure of a metal site inside a protein that is compatible with both EXAFS data and QM calculations (i.e., that is chemically reasonable). Thereby, the QM/MM calculatio

Decreases in stratospheric ozone caused by chlorofluorocarbons released into the atmosphere lead to an increase in harmful ultraviolet (UV) light received at Earths surface. But UV and ozone also vary naturally as a result of changes in solar activity. In their Perspective, Rozema et al. chart recent efforts to elucidate the relation among the solar UV spectrum, ozone concentrations, and harmful s

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of adipose tissue removal by liposuction on factors associated with increased risk of cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease within the coagulation and fibrinolytic system and glucose metabolism. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Liposuction was performed in 53 patients with Dercum's disease. The levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) and plasminoge

Purpose: To characterise the nature and degree of ocular disorders and cerebral morphological and functional abnormalities in a population-based group of visually impaired full-term pre-school children. Methods: Forty-five children who were born at full-term between 1989 and 1995 in Varmland, Sweden, were reported as being visually impaired. An ophthalmological examination was performed and clinic

Caloplaca asserigena is shown to be the correct name for what has been called C. assigena. A description is provided, and it is reported to have a unique anthraquinone not previously known within Teloschistaceae. A recent find from thin twigs of Helianthemum oelandicum on the Swedish island of Öland in the Baltic is reported and its ecology is summarized.

An electric field oscillating at a frequency similar to 1 Hz is found to induce strong modulation of the fluorescence intensity of single poly[2-methoxy,5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) molecules (M-W similar to 10(6)) embedded in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. The MEH-PPV polymer chains are carefully isolated from the electrodes to avoid effects of injection. In a

A prospective study of posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis was conducted in Malmo, Sweden, in 1984-1985, in which donors were alanine aminotransferase (ALT) screened but not ALT selected. Among 741 patients studied at 0, 6, and 12 weeks after transfusion, 13 developed non-A, non-B hepatitis, and these were further followed up. Stored sera from the 13 hepatitis patients and their 123 donors were

Hypersecretion of glucagon contributes to the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis in diabetes. To clarify the underlying mechanism, glucose-regulated glucagon secretion was studied in mouse pancreatic islets and clonal hamster In-R1-G9 glucagon-releasing cells. Apart from the well-known inhibition of secretion with maximal effect around 7 mmol/l glucose, we discovered that mouse islets showed par

A dosimetry system based on radioluminescence (RL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from carbon doped aluminium oxide (Al2O3:C) crystals was developed for in vivo absorbed dose measurements in mammography. A small cylindrical crystal of Al2O3:C (diameter 0.48 mm and length 2 mm) was coupled to the end of a 1 mm diameter optical fibre cable. Owing to their small size and characteristic s

Lake Vattern in southern Sweden is a large oligotrophic lake with high surface to catchment area ratio (ca. 0.4) and a water residence time of 60 years. The lake combines sensitivity to atmospheric POP-pollution with general susceptibility for effects of POPs and slow concentration decline. Time series, from the 1960s until 1996, of PCBs and DDT in fish and data on TCDD in sediment of L. Vattern a

Background: Despite the lack of randomized trials supporting the laparoscopic approach, laparoscopic antireflux surgery has gained widespread acceptance during the last decade. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term symptomatic and objective outcome after laparoscopic and open 360 degrees fundoplication in a prospective randomized clinical trial. Methods: Sixty patients with GERD were