Objectives: Foam sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein is a relatively new and promising treatment option for patients with axial reflux. Its usefulness may be limited by low primary occlusion rates. We present a standard technique for catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy, which facilitates foam delivery precisely to its intended site of action and potentially improves occlusion rates. Methods

BACKGROUND: Short body height is associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease; however, mechanisms are not fully explained. In this study, associations between body height and serum cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol) were investigated. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of middle-aged men from Helsingborg, Swed

Results are presented from an experimental investigation to determine internal stress states perpendicular to grain in glulam induced by moisture variations. The stresses are determined by measuring the released strains before and after cutting. Stress distributions are determined for specimens seasoned in constant humidity, specimens exposed to an artificial single climate change, specimens expos

The process of selecting the right set of requirements for a product release is dependent on how well the organisation succeeds in prioritising the requirements candidates. This paper describes two consecutive controlled experiments comparing different requirements prioritisation techniques with the objective of understanding differences in time-consumption, ease of use and accuracy. The first exp

Objective. To compare implant survival rates after total hip arthroplasty with Exeter matte or polished steins and to determine the relationship of synovitis/joint effusion to signs of implant loosening and stein type. Material and methods. The first part of the study included retrospective revision rate analysis of 118 primary hip replacements performed during 1991-1995. Two different designs of

Sputum samples from 25 patients with bronchiectasis were assayed enzymatically for myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and cathepsin B, and immunologically for cystatin A, cystatin B, cystatin C, cystatin S and kininogen. High myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase levels were found in those sputum samples that were assessed visually to be purulent. These samples were also found to contain high

The gas-phase high-resolution infrared spectrum of isothiazole in the range 600-1500 cm(-1) has been recorded, and revised band centres obtained for a number of vibrations. An analysis of the nu(11)(A') band at 818 cm(-1) and the nu(16)(A") band at 727cm(-1) has been performed, using the Watson Hamiltonian, A-reduction, IIIr representation. These were combined with previous microwave spectral data

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive lymphoid malignancy for which better treatment strategies are needed. To identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets, a signature consisting of MCL-associated genes was selected based on a comprehensive gene expression analysis of malignant and normal B cells. The corresponding protein epitope signature tags were identified and used to raise mo

Nuclear microscopy is a technique based on a focused beam of accelerated particles that has the ability of imaging the morphology of the tissue in vivo and of producing the correspondent elemental maps, whether in major, minor, or trace concentrations. These characteristics constitute a strong advantage in studying the morphology of human skin, its elemental distributions and the permeation mechan

Large eddy simulations (LES) of the flow in stirred tanks were performed. One of the advantages with LES is that it can provide details of the flow field that cannot be obtained with so-called Reynolds averaged equations and the corresponding models. Simulations were done on both single and multi-impeller systems. Both Rushton and curved-blade radial impellers were studied in both a fixed and a ro

Several risk factors for severe non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus have been proposed without explaining the rapid progression of retinopathy in some patients. Since GAD65 autoantibodies (GAD65Abs) are detected against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which is mainly expressed in islets and nervous tissue in type 1 diabetic patients, the aim of the presen

Background: The human chromosome 21 has been shown to contain the gene for the subunit of the S100B protein. The present case-control study was aimed at investigating whether overproduction of S100B protein is detectable in the amniotic fluid of foetuses with trisomy-21. Methods: Measurements of S 10013 in amniotic fluid samples from 14 pregnant women with trisomy-21 foetuses were compared with th

The effects of an increase in UV-B radiation on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated at four levels of applied nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha−1 of N) under Mediterranean field conditions. The experiment simulated a 20% stratospheric ozone depletion over Portugal. Enhanced UV-B and N deficiency decreased yield and total biomass production by 22–49%. High UV-B dose reduced

In this study,a silicon micro immobilised enzyme reactor (mu IMER) has been applied for hydrolysis of maltoheptaose as a model maltodextrin and starch using immobilised otamylase (from Aspergillus oryzae) and glycoamylase (from Aspergillus niger). The influence of several parameters was investigated such as immobilisation chemistry, buffer constituents, pH, temperature, flow rate and substrate con

Background: Health effects and health care seeking were investigated among women in rural Vietnam exposed to physical and/or sexual violence from their partner in the past year. The study was conducted within the framework of the demographic surveillance site in Bavi District, Ha Tay Province in northern Vietnam. Methods: Face-to-face interviews based on a questionnaire developed by the WHO for us

n mechanically ventilated patients, sedatives and analgesics are commonly used to ensure comfort, but there is no documented knowledge about the impact of depth of sedation on patients' perception of discomfort. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between stressful experiences and intensive care sedation, including the depth of sedation. During 18 months, 313 intu