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

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Nuclear shell model calculations based on a modified harmonic-oscillator potential result in amazingly stable triaxial nuclear shapes. Major gaps in the single-particle energy spectra at proton number 71 and neutron number 94 combine constructively at low and intermediate rotational frequencies. At high frequencies, gaps at proton number 72 and neutron number 97 combine in an equally favourable wa

Background: Strategies to prevent children from developing allergy have been elaborated on the basis of state-of-the-art reviews of the scientific literature regarding pets and allergies, building dampness and health, and building ventilation and health. A similar multidisciplinary review of infant feeding mode in relation to allergy has not been published previously. Here, the objective is to rev

Recent marsupials include about 280 species divided into 18 families and seven orders. Approximately 200 species live in Australia/New Guinea. The remaining species inhabit South America with some of these secondarily ranging into North America. In this study, we examine marsupial relationships and estimate their divergences times using complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes. The sampling, which incl

This paper is about the recent discussions (known as Denkmalpflegediskussion) on the general organization of heritage management in Germany. The main issue discussed was whether heritage management should be further denationalized (’entstaatlicht’) and made the responsibility of individual citizens in order to serve better both the monuments and the people. A number of fundamental criticisms were

A bolaform surfactant, 1,12-diascorbyl dodecanedioate (BOLA12), with ascorbic acid units as the polar headgroups was synthesized for the first time. Once dispersed in water above 0.5% w/w, BOLA12 forms hollow nanotubes as revealed by cryo-TEM experiments. These nanostructures transform into clear micellar solutions on heating. X-ray diffraction and SAXS experiments were performed both on the pure

This thesis deals with students' constructions of mathematical knowledge in the case of fractions from a radical constructivist perspective. Fractions are the first more abstracted mathematics met by students. Even if they have a rich experience of sharing and partitioning things in their everyday life dealing with fractions often give rise to difficulties in school. The thesis consists of two p

Coronary artery diseases (CAD) are main causes of morbidity and hospitalisation in western countries and CAD patients are at considerable risk of suffering further cardiac events. The development and evaluation of secondary prevention programmes therefore an important task. This thesis includes investigations on CAD patients admitted to a secondary prevention programme at Malmö University Hospital

We have monitored L-type Ca2+ channel activity, local cytoplasmic Ca2+ transients, the distribution of insulin-containing secretory granules and exocytosis in individual mouse pancreatic B-cells. Subsequent to the opening of the Ca2+ channels, exocytosis is initiated with a latency < 100 ms. The entry of Ca2+ that precedes exocytosis is unevenly distributed over the cell and is concentrated to the

The UV-absorbing capacity (measured as A(310) cm(-2) and A(365) cm(-2) or AUVR cm(-2)) of the shade leaves of four representative evergreen sclerophylls of the Mediterranean region (Quercus coccifera, Q. ilex, Arbutus andrachne and A. unedo) was considerably lower than the corresponding one of sun leaves of the same species. However, fibre optic microprobe measurements showed that adaxial as well

Effects of FK506 [5.0 mg/kg body weight (BW), subcutaneous, daily] on nerve regeneration and presence of macrophages in lesioned rat sciatic nerves were studied. Models of autologous nerve graft or a nerve crush lesion were used and regeneration was evaluated by immunocytochemistry (also used to detect ED1/ED2 macrophages) and sensory pinch reflex test, respectively. Treatment with FK506 did not i

An integrated process for purifying a 6.1 kilo base pair (kbp) plasmid from a clarified Escherichia coli cell lysate based on an ultra/diafiltration step combined with polymer/polymer aqueous two-phase system and a new type of chromatography is described. The process starts with a volume reduction (ultrafiltration) and buffer exchange (diafiltration) of the clarified lysate using a hollow fibre me

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CCPD) is a disease primarily caused by cigarette smoking, which in turn has been shown to affect the susceptibility to and progression of airway infections. The question addressed in this study was how components from cigarette smoke could affect the defence mechanisms of T-cells and epithelial cells, and thereby contribute to the development of the COPD path

We have studied the dynamics of water molecules in six crystal structures of four human cytochromes P450, 2A6, 2C8, 2C9, and 3A4, with molecular dynamics simulations. In the crystal structures, only a few water molecules are seen and the reported sizes of the active-site cavity vary a lot. In the simulations, the cavities are completely filled with water molecules, although with similar to 20% low