AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cellular and whole body energy homeostasis. In adipose tissue, activation of AMPK has been demonstrated in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. However, the upstream kinase that activates AMPK in adipocytes remains elusive. Previous studies have identified LKB1 as a major AMPK kinase in muscle, liver and oth

Background/Aims: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are non-linear pattern recognition techniques, which can be used as a tool in medical decision-making. The aim of this study was to construct and validate an ANN model for early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Patients treated for AP from 2002 to 2005 (n = 139) and from 2007 to 2009 (n = 69) were analyzed to develop

An infinite summation method is used to obtain the intrinsic photoemission spectrum of a conduction electron in the sudden limit. It is predicted that an electron at the bottom of the conduction band should have an asymmetry index comparable to that of a core electron and that the strengths of its plasmon satellites should be similar to those of a core electron. The width of their plasmon satellit

Neutrophil-mediated lung damage is an insidious feature in septic patients, although the adhesive mechanisms behind pulmonary recruitment of neutrophils in polymicrobial sepsis remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to define the role of lymphocyte function-antigen 1 (LFA-1) and membrane-activated complex 1 (Mac-1) in septic lung injury. Pulmonary edema, bronchoalveolar infiltration of n

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment of puberty has been reported to correlate well with staging by a physician. No previous study has evaluated the use of an orchidometer to assess testicular size in boys. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 44 girls and 56 boys, 10-16 years old, with assessed Tanner staging. The boys also used an orchidometer. The correlation with a professional's staging was analyzed usi

Objective: To test the hypotheses that the empirical consideration of objective person-environment fit in the home environment is a stronger predictor of indoor falls among older adults than the assessment of environmental barriers only, and that perceived aspects of home play a role as predictors for falls.Design: Survey study with data collection at home visits, followed up by self-reports about

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult rat subventricular zone (SVZ) generate new striatal neurons during several months after ischemic stroke. Whether the microglial response associated with ischemic injury extends into SVZ and influences neuroblast production is unknown. Here, we demonstrate increased numbers of activated microglia in ipsilateral SVZ concomitant with neuroblast migration into the

Objective: The present study evaluates the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on left ventricular remodelling following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic insufficiency. Methods: In this study, 230 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they exhibited PPM. Postoperative left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function w

Voiding is mediated by muscarinic receptors in urinary bladder smooth muscle cells. Lipid rafts and caveolae are cholesterol enriched membrane domains that modulate the activity of G protein-coupled receptors and second messenger systems. Conflicting findings regarding sensitivity of muscarinic signalling to cholesterol desorption, which perturbs lipid rafts and caveolae, have been reported, and n

OBJECTIVE: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with autoantibody-coated engulfed necrotic cell material (NC) are frequently seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated the roles of complement, different antihistone antibodies (anti-H ab), and oxidative burst in the phagocytosis of NC by PMN, as well as association to disease activity and clinical phenotype in SLE. METHODS: ELISA an

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was designed to assess endovascular intervention for central venous cannulation in patients with vascular occlusion after previous catheterization. Methods: Patients referred for endovascular management of central venous occlusion during a 42-month period were identified from a regional endovascular database, providing prospective information on techniques and clini

The highly malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, is difficult to totally resect without aid due to its infiltrative way of growing and its morphological similarities to surrounding functioning brain under direct vision in the operating field. The need for an inexpensive and robust real-time visualizing system for resection guiding in neurosurgery has been formulated by research groups al

Hemoglobin released from damaged erythrocytes is a major pro-oxidant, generator of free radicals and inflammatory mediator. Huntington's disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both neurological and systemic abnormalities, in which oxidative stress has been suggested as a possible pathogenic mechanism. In the present work we have investigated levels of hemoglobin and ma

Although several studies have reported on the anti-tumoural properties exerted by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR) inhibitors (statins), the in vivo expression of HMG-CoAR in human cancer has been considerably less investigated. In our study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of HMG-CoAR in 511 incident breast cancers within the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study in

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Dissecting the genetics of complex polygenic diseases in which environmental factors interact with genetic variants in the predisposition to the disease has not been a trivial task and success has been limited. The purpose of this review is to provide insights into recent advances in genetics of type 2 diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past year, together the consortia of severa

In the process of obtaining a driver's license, a healthy 28year old man presented increased levels of disialo-transferrin (TF) (approx. 20%, ref. value

PURPOSE: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene amplification or protein overexpression (HER2 positivity) defines a clinically challenging subgroup of patients with breast cancer (BC) with variable prognosis and response to therapy. We aimed to investigate the heterogeneous biologic appearance and clinical behavior of HER2-positive tumors using molecular profiling. PATIENTS AND METHO

Background: Linalool is a common fragrance terpene that, in pure form, is not allergenic or is a very weak allergen. However, linalool autoxidizes on air exposure, and the oxidation products can cause contact allergy. In a Swedish study, oxidized linalool 6.0% in petrolatum (pet.) gave 5% positive patch test reactions in 2500 dermatitis patients. Objectives: To investigate whether oxidized linal