Many case-control studies have suggested that higher consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower risk or pancreatic cancer, whereas cohort studies do not support such an association. We examined the associations of the consumption of. fruits and vegetables and their main subgroups with pancreatic cancer risk within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

One hindlimb of a rat was subjected to tourniquet compression (150, 200 and 300 mmHg; 2 h). After 6 days a 10 mm sciatic or tibial nerve graft from the compressed limb was sutured to bridge a 3-4 mm gap in the sciatic nerve of the non-compressed limb. The distances of regenerating sensory axons were measured 6 days post surgery (tibial grafts, 8 days). Compression at 200 and 300 mmHg led to signif

Conspicuous heritable polymorphisms are useful to address the question if morph frequencies are stable or whether they fluctuate between generations. Ecological geneticists have studied colour polymorphisms in the past, but there are few long-term studies of genetic dynamics across multiple generations. We studied morph-frequency dynamics and female fecundity in the trimorphic blue-tailed damselfl

The efficacy and safety of high-dose intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin G (IVIG) as adjunctive therapy in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The trial was prematurely terminated because of slow patient recruitment, and results were obtained from 21 enrolled patients (10 IVIG recipients and 11 placebo r

We have previously identified a locus on mouse chromosome 15 (eae2) that regulates susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in a cross between the susceptible strain B10.RIII and the resistant strain RIIIS/J. In an effort to verify the protective effect from having two RIIIS/J alleles at eae2, the resistant locus was bred into the susceptible strain in homozygous form. However,

The influence of external vibrations on the frictional force has been studied, using different frequencies, amplitudes, loads and materials. The results show that it is possible to affect the frictional force between two surfaces in contact through vibration. The frictional force can be weakened chiefly through a separation of the surfaces or strengthened by welding phenomena in the contact surfa

The alpha 2B adrenergic receptor (A2AB) is a heptahelical G protein-coupled receptor for catecholamines. We compared the almost complete coding region (about 1,175 bp) of the A2AB gene from 48 mammalian species, including eight newly determined sequences, representing all the 18 eutherian and two marsupial orders. Comparison of the encoded proteins reveals that residues thought to be involved in a

Process parameter optimization for the supercritical CO2 extraction of rye bran to obtain alkylresorcinols (AR) was studied by carrying out a two-level fractional design experiment. Four parameters, temperature, CO2 flow rate, cosolvent percentage, and extraction time, presumed to influence the extraction process, were analyzed. A tentative fractionation of the crude extract was also carried out a

Commercial aircrafts need a high degree of fire protection for passenger safety. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), may be used for this purpose. Because PBDEs readily absorb to dust particles, aircraft crew and passengers may receive significant PBDEs exposure via inhalation. The aims of this work were to assess whether PBDEs could be found in ai

Although sexual reproduction appears to be rare in many clonal plant species, the majority of clonal species show similar levels of genetic variation to non-clonal plant species. Aegopodium podagraria is a noxious garden weed and has become a successful invader in many natural habitats. Earlier studies have demonstrated population differentiation in life-history traits between different A. podagra

Chicken breast muscle is usually considered to be a relatively homogeneous white muscle and has therefore been widely used for studies of muscle proteins. In a previous study, however, we have found different M-region structures in different fibres from this muscle. Because of this result, we have now carried out a combined histochemical and ultrastructural survey of this muscle. In particular, we

In this paper, we introduce a first order accurate resonance model based on a second order Pade approximation of the reflection coefficient of a narrowband antenna. The resonance model is characterized by its Q factor, given by the frequency derivative of the reflection coefficient. The Bode-Fano matching theory is used to determine the bandwidth of the resonance model and it is shown that it also

Calcium plays a central role in maintaining vascular tone. Recent studies indicate that there are continuous relationships between systemic calcium metabolism and BP, as over the whole range of normal and raised BPs there is an inverse correlation between plasma ionised calcium concentration and BP. Twenty-two subjects with normal or moderately elevated BP participated in the present study, undert

This study investigated how the outdoor environments at nursing homes for older persons were experienced and used to gain knowledge with implications for design. Focus group methodology was used to explore staff's view of how the residents experienced and used the outdoors. Two main themes and ten sub-themes were the result when the focus group interviews were analyzed. Theme one, being comfortabl

BACKGROUND: The house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is an important source of allergens, which can cause allergic conditions. The cysteine protease activity of Der p 1 may enhance the potency of this major mite allergen through cleavage of CD23 and CD25 from the surface of immune cells, IgE independent mast cell activation, increases in epithelial cell permeability and inactivatio

Blood group Duffy gene (FY) promoter in Duffy-negative individuals contains a point mutation in the GATA1 protein-binding motif, which was suggested to be responsible for erythroid suppression of FY. We developed two transgenic mouse lines with FY from both Duffy phenotypes. Transgenic mice with FY from Duffy-positive phenotype expressed Duffy protein both in red blood cells (RBCs) and non-erythro

Electron-ion-ion coincidence measurements carried out at discrete resonances near the N 1s threshold in ammonia are reported. The measured coincidence spectra show clear alignment of the molecule upon resonant core-electron excitation. The coincidence data are analyzed to extract information about the molecule in the excited state by simulating the alignment and the dissociation processes. Dynamic

Tendon injuries can occur in athletes and workers whose tasks involve repetitive, high-force hand activities, but the early pathophysiologic processes of tendinopathy are not well known. The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effects of cyclical tendon loading on the densities of cells producing growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptor, vascular