BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to validate the use of whole-blood samples in the determination of circulating forms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). METHODS: Blood samples of hospitalized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients were collected and processed to generate whole-blood and serum samples. Three different rapid two-site immunoassays were developed to measur

We show that the difference in the infrared vibrational spectrum of C-H stretch modes arising from the methyl group of two surface intermediates, methylthiolate and methoxy, originates from the difference in the methyl deformation modes frequencies of the two intermediates. Importantly, while the vibrational fingerprint of the two methyl groups are not transferable between the intermediates, the F

The Euro50 is a proposed 50m extremely large telescope for optical and infrared wavelengths. To study and predict the performance of the complete telescope system, an integrated model combining the structural model of the telescope, optics models, the control systems and the adaptive optics has been established. Wind and atmospheric disturbances are also included in the model. The model is written

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to determine whether deficiency of the major serine protease inhibitors (alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) or alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT)) is associated with increased risk for chronic hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV) infection. METHODS: We studied 709 adults with chronic liver disease who had undergone liver biopsy during the 14-year period 1978-92. Anti-HCV testing

One interpretation of the model considered in this paper is a single-echelon inventory system consisting of a number of local warehouses, which normally replenish from an outside supplier. In case of a stockout at a warehouse an emergency lateral transshipment from another warehouse may be possible. However, such transshipments are only allowed in one direction, i.e., the flow structure is unidire

Serum concentrations of CB-153 and pp'-DDE were assessed for 354 men and women from the Swedish Fishermen's Families Cohort, and were found to correlate very well (Pearson's r = 0.72). In this particular cohort the main source of exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds are consumption of contaminated fatty fish. High correlations between total PCB/CB-153 and p,p'-DDE have also been found i

The substrates required for glycolysis change markedly at successive stages of spermatogenesis suggesting a considerable plasticity in the expression of glycolytic enzymes. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes, LDH-A and LDH-B, are expressed in premeiotic, meiotic cells, and early spermatids, both in avian and mammalian spermatogenesis. Highly polyadenylated forms, particularly of LDH-A, were de

Background The methyl ester form of fumaric acid named dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an effective mould-growth inhibitor. Its irritating and sensitizing properties were demonstrated in animal models. Recently, DMF has been identified as responsible for furniture contact dermatitis in Europe. Objective To describe the clinical manifestations, patch test results, shoe chemical analysis, and source of e

Laminins are widely distributed extracellular matrix proteins. Certain laminin isoforms are predominant in vascular basement membranes and may be critical in maintaining the stability of the mature vessel. On the other hand, formation of new vessels during angiogenesis requires degradation of the basement membrane, exposing the endothelial cells to other laminin isoforms in the surrounding extrace

A study combining information from infrared spectroscopy and adsorption experiments was carried out to investigate phthalate, trimellitate, and pyromellitate complexes at the goethite (alpha-FeOOH)/water interface. Infrared spectra showed evidence for inner-sphere complexes below pH 6 and outer-sphere complexes in the pH range 3 to 9. Normalized infrared peak areas were used as a semi-quantitative

The anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) occur via both cholesterol-dependent and cholesterol-independent mechanisms. The present study used aortic and cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) from rat to investigate whether atorvastatin and mevastatin affect basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced SMC proliferation and th

We measured the serum levels of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and of the menaquinones, MK-7 and MK-8, in a group of 51 women with a mean age of 81 years who were studied within a few hours after a hip fracture. A group of 38 healthy age-matched women randomly chosen from the same population served as controls. Patients with hip fracture had a marked reduction in serum vitamin K1 (336 +/- 302 versus 5

Background: According to a few case reports, kissing can induce symptoms due to food allergy. Objective: We wanted to investigate the occurrence of kiss-induced allergic symptoms and other social inconveniences among patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity. Methods: A questionnaire was answered by 1139 patients (1-84 years old, mean age 29 years, 393 males and 746 females) who considered