Global oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2 ) were quantified in a test-retest study. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) data, required for CMRO2 estimation, were obtained using dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI). OEF and CMRO2 were quantified using two separate data sets, that is, conventional high-resolution (HR) gradient echo (GRE) phase maps as well a

Macroporous scaffolds composed of chitosan and using oxidized dextran as a crosslinker are produced through cryogelation. Introducing gelatin as a third component into the structure results in the formation of mesopores in the pore walls, which are not seen if gelatin is excluded. The mesoporous structure is explained by the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between chitosan and gelatin befor

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of 4 gait performance tests in individuals with late effects of polio. DESIGN: An intrarater (between occasions) test-retest reliability study. SETTINGS: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty men and women (mean age 63 +/- 6.4 years) with clinically and electrophysiologically verified late effects of polio. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Polymeric nanoparticles is an established and efficient means to achieve controlled release of drugs. Incorporation of minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, into biodegradable nanoparticles may therefore provide an efficient means to combat foreign body reactions to implanted electrodes in the brain. However, minocycline is commonly associated with poor

People vary genetically in their susceptibility to the effects of environmental risk factors for many diseases. Genetic variation also underlies the extent to which people respond appropriately to clinical therapies. Defining the basis to the interactions between the genome and the environment may help elucidate the biologic basis to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, as well as help target prevent

We have established long-term cultures of postnatal retinal cells on arrays of gallium phosphide nanowires of different geometries. Rod and cone photoreceptors, ganglion cells and bipolar cells survived on the substrates for at least 18 days in vitro. Glial cells were also observed, but these did not overgrow the neuronal population. On nanowires, neurons extended numerous long and branched neurit

We present results of numerical experiments that are the one-dimensional analog of positron-hydrogen scattering. The obtained wave functions are exact, within model restrictions.

Thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) induces contraction in different smooth muscle types via its receptor (TXA(2) receptor). However, any motoric role of TXA(2) in prostate smooth muscle tone has not been studied to date. Here, we investigated whether TXA(2) induces contraction of human prostate tissue. After ethical approval, prostate tissue was obtained from 47 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. E

Although diffusion MRI has shown promise for the characterization of breast cancer, it has low specificity to malignant subtypes. Higher specificity might be achieved if the effects of cell morphology and molecular exchange across cell membranes could be disentangled. The quantification of exchange might thus allow the differentiation of different types of breast cancer cells. Based on differences

Purpose – This paper presents a questionnaire study of brand-specific perceptions of automotive design using subjective rating methods. The purpose of the paper is to explore the multiple modalities of the visual product experience of automobile design as perceived by the general public. Furthermore, the experiences were analysed using a framework for visual product experience (VPE). Design/method

Close to 50 genetic loci have been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but they explain only 15% of the heritability. In an attempt to identify additional T2D genes, we analyzed global gene expression in human islets from 63 donors. Using 48 genes located near T2D risk variants, we identified gene coexpression and protein-protein interaction networks that were strongly associated with islet ins

The purpose of the present study was to test the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the Quality in Psychiatric Care - Outpatient (QPC-OP) instrument, in order to determine whether the model of QPC that is applicable to the inpatient clinic is also applicable to the outpatient clinic, and to briefly describe the patients' perceptions of quality of psychiatric outpatient care. A sample of

Islet hormone secretion is regulated by a variety of factors, and many of these signal through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). A novel islet GPCR is GPR54, which couples to the Gq isoform of G proteins, which in turn signal through the phospholipase C pathway. Ligands for GPR54 are kisspeptins, which are peptides encoded in the KISS1 gene and also expressed in islet beta-cells. The KISS1 gene

OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease in diabetes. Recently, we reported that high glucose activates the Ca(2+)/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in arteries ex vivo. Here, we sought to determine whether hyperglycemia activates NFAT in vivo and whether this leads to vascular complications. METHODS AND RES

The gradient of five dansylated amino acids in a capillary-based separation system commonly used in capillary liquid chromatography (LC) or capillary electrochromatography (CEC) was followed and examined in detail using a detection method based on laser-induced fluorescence imaging. The detection system consisted of an XeCl excimer laser and an image-intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

OBJECTIVE: Children who undergo surgery for complex congenital cardiac disease are reported to be at increased thrombotic risk. Our aim was to evaluate long-term changes in the haemostatic system after surgery, to compare markers of activated coagulation in children having surgery with those in a healthy control population, and to relate them to adverse clinical outcome.Patients and methodsWe stud

Histopathology Analysis of sentinel node biopsy - a single-institution experience supporting the use of serial sectioning and immunohistochemistry for detection of micrometastases by comparing four different histopathological laboratory protocols Aims: Detecting micrometastases (>0.2 and ≤2 mm/>200 cells) and isolated tumour cells (ITCs; ≤0.2 mm/