Combining anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects in a single drug may be beneficial in treating COVID-19. We hypothesized that the TLR7 agonist imiquimod (imq) may exert these actions in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), which are targets in SARS-CoV-2 mediated lung injury. Methods: Using primary HBECs from asthmatic donors (N=18), we explored actions of imq related to airway viral resis

Granitic rocks constitute a global raw material key asset for aggregate production. Their technical performance is, however, highly variable and knowledge on the aggregate functionality of granites in different geological settings is incomplete. This study investigates systematic variations in resistance to fragmentation (Los Angeles value) and wear (Micro-Deval value) for granitic rocks along a 1

Small Cajal body-specific RNAs (scaRNAs) guide post-transcriptional modification of spliceosomal RNA and, while commonly altered in cancer, have poorly defined roles in tumorigenesis. Here, we uncover that SCARNA15 directs alternative splicing (AS) and stress adaptation in cancer cells. Specifically, we find that SCARNA15 guides critical pseudouridylation (Ψ) of U2 spliceosomal RNA to fine-tune AS

We study a model for frustrated tunneling ionization using ultrashort laser pulses. The model is based on the strong field approximation and it employs the saddle point approximation to predict quasiclassical trajectories that are captured on Rydberg states. We present a classification of the saddle-point solutions and explore their behavior as functions of angular momentum of the final state, as

Studies on Security Force Assistance (SFA) have hitherto been dominated by different iterations of the principal-agent perspective to explain relations between provider and recipient. Yet, while such frameworks aptly illustrate these dynamics from a macro perspective, they are inadequate when analysing the complexity of practices on the ground. To mitigate this short-coming, the present article us

Background: Differences in biomarkers reflective of pathobiology and prognosis between ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are incompletely understood and may offer insights for tailoring of treatment. Methods: This registry-based study included 538 STEMI and 544 NSTEMI patients admitted 2008–2014. Blood samples were collected day 1–3 afte

Migraine is ranked as the second highest cause of disability worldwide and the first among women aged 15–49 years. Overall, the incidence of migraine is threefold higher among women than men, though the frequency and severity of attacks varies during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period and menopause. Reproductive hormones are clearly a key influence in the susceptibility

In this study, we revisit the factor analytical (FA) approach for (near unit root) dynamic panel data models, whose asymptotic distribution has been shown to be normal and well centered at zero without the need for valid instruments or correction for bias. It is therefore very appealing. The question is: Does the appeal of FA, which so far has only been documented for fixed effects panels, extends

Comparing results obtained in Virtual Reality to those obtained in physical experiments is key for validation of Virtual Reality as a research method in the field of Human Behavior in Fire. A series of experiments based on similar evacuation scenarios in a high-rise building with evacuation elevators was conducted. The experiments consisted of a physical experiment in a building, and two Virtual R

After more than 80 years from the seminal work of Weizsäcker and the liquid drop model of the atomic nucleus, deviations from experiments of mass models (~MeV) are orders of magnitude larger than experimental errors (~keV). Predicting the mass of atomic nuclei with precision is extremely challenging. This is due to the nontrivial many-body interplay of protons and neutrons in nuclei, and the compl

A generalized transition matrix (GTM) model combined with discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is proposed to analyze the scattering problems of open-ended cavities. A virtual reference surface is put to seal the opening of an open cavity and can separate it into an exterior region and an interior region. By mapping the scattering properties of the internal components onto the reference surface, the

Immunotherapy in cancer takes advantage of the exquisite specificity, potency, and flexibility of the immune system to eliminate alien tumor cells. It involves strategies to activate the entire immune defense, by unlocking mechanisms developed by tumor cells to escape from surrounding immune cells, as well as engineered antibody and cellular therapies. What is important to note is that these are t

Background and Purpose: The EFFECTS (Efficacy of Fluoxetine - a Randomised Controlled Trial in Stroke) recently reported that 20 mg fluoxetine once daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome but reduced depression and increased fractures and hyponatremia at 6 months. The purpose of this predefined secondary analysis was to identify if any effects of fluoxetine were ma

Tracking the tricuspid valve (TV) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) long-axis cine images has the potential to aid in the evaluation of right ventricular dysfunction, which is common in congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. However, this annotation task remains difficult and time-demanding as the TV moves rapidly and is barely distinguishable from the myocardium. This study presen

Background: Coronary physiology is a routine diagnostic tool when assessing whether coronary revascularization is indicated. The iFR-SWEDEHEART trial demonstrated similar clinical outcomes when using instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) or fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide revascularization. The objective of this analysis was to assess a cost-minimization analysis of iFR-guided compared with F

The protein-lipid complex alpha1-oleate, derived from HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells), is identified as a molecular entity with significant therapeutic potential. Structural characterization of the complex and results of a successful placebo-controlled clinical trial are presented.

DLK1 is a maternally imprinted, paternally expressed gene coding for the transmembrane protein Delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1), a non-canonical NOTCH ligand with well-described roles during development, and tumor-supportive functions in several aggressive cancer forms. Here, we review the many functions of DLK1 as a regulator of stem cell pools and tissue differentiation in tissues such as brain, mu