The aim of this study was to investigate if periodontal parameters and elastase in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are different in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficient (AATD) subjects compared to subjects with normal AAT level. Thirty subjects were included, 20 of whom with severe AATD, phenotype PiZZ. Ten AATD subjects suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, group 1) and 10 were asym

Hollow fiber supported liquid membrane sampling and speciation of lead(II) from aqueous solution using a selective carrier (Kelex 100) is studied. An optimization of different variables affecting permeation performance (chemical conditions of the sampling module - pH, concentration and nature of the acceptor phase, extractant concentration; membrane impregnation form; sampling time; and hollow fib

OBJECTIVE-FTO is the most important polygene identified for obesity. We aimed to investigate whether a variant in FTO affects type 2 diabetes risk entirely through its effect on BMI and how FTO) influences BMI across adult life span. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-Through regression models, we assessed the relationship between the FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms rs9939609, type 2 diabetes, and BM

Nuclei with a central region of low nucleonic density, "bubble" nuclei, are studied. In particular, the possibility of bubbles in deformed nuclei is discussed, concentrating on experimentally accessible light nuclei. Utilizing the relativistic mean field (RMF) model we find favorable candidates in the prolately deformed Ne-24 nucleus and the mirror nuclei Si-32 and Ar-32 with oblate shapes.

Features below the first conductance plateau in ballistic quantum point contacts (QPCs) are often ascribed to electron interaction and spin effects within the single mode limit. In QPCs with a highly asymmetric geometry, we observe sharp resonance peaks when the point contacts are gated to the single mode regime, and surprisingly, under certain gating conditions, a complete destruction of the 2e(2

Reduction of packaging waste has been a European target for more than 40 years. However, packaging is indispensable for protecting what it carries. In this study, an analysis of the European regulations on packaging and of their resulting effect on recycling performance was performed by means of a literature survey and the national results published in the European Database, Eurostat. Based on the

Several phenomena in physics and chemistry (such as phase-transitions, chemical reactions and structural changes in biomolecules) are driven on timescales in the fs range. To probe these phenomena short photon pulses of sufficiently short wavelength to directly probe the structure are necessary. The MAX IV proposal includes a short-pulse facility (SPF) which will be able to give these pulses. In t

The CXCR1 receptor and chemokine CXCL8 (IL-8) support neutrophil-dependent clearance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli from the urinary tract. CXCR1 is reduced in children prone to pyelonephritis, and heterozygous hCXCR1 polymorphisms are more common in this patient group than in healthy individuals, strongly suggesting a disease association. Since murine CXCR2 (mCXCR2) is functionally similar to

In trying to understand any aspect surrounding the success and failure of information systems (IS) practice, concepts of organizational analysis become increasingly important. Many issues arise and must be dealt with when an information system is to be developed and implemented. In order to avoid information system failures, information system analysts should adopt an approach that exploits the in

We have used several techniques to characterize Cu-SSZ-13 before and after exposure to reaction conditions relevant for NO reduction by NH3-SCR to address the increase in NH3-SCR activity observed as a function of time on stream. Specifically, we focus on characterizing copper species in samples prepared with solid state ion exchange (SSIE) having varying Cu loadings from 0.7 to 5.2 wt %. X-ray di

Aim. - To explore the association between baseline levels of insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), a marker of insulin sensitivity, and the development of type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a specifically defined middle-aged population. Methods. - This cross-sectional population-based screening study was conducted in 1989-1990 and included baseline data for 66

The nanocrystalline ZnO:Fe semiconductor oxides were successfully synthesized via the sol-gel calcination method. Structural, optical and electrical properties of the investigated samples were characterized by various techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-vis absorption and electrical transport measurements. The optical band gap for undoped ZnO (3.19 eV) decreases (2.75 eV) with inc

Nests are structures built to support and protect eggs and/or offspring from predators, parasites, and adverse weather conditions. Nests are mainly constructed prior to egg laying, meaning that parent birds must make decisions about nest site choice and nest building behavior before the start of egg-laying. Parent birds should be selected to choose nest sites and to build optimally sized nests, ye

Introduction Given the safety issues of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and the robustness of guidelines, making treatment choices in daily clinical practice is increasingly difficult. This study aimed systematically to analyse the opinions of a multidisciplinary European expert panel on the appropriateness of different NSAID, with or without the use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI),

Through an agreement with EEE producers, Swedish municipalities are responsible for collection of hazardous waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). In most Swedish municipalities, collection of these waste fractions is concentrated to waste recycling centres where households can source-separate and deposit hazardous waste and WEEE free of charge. However, the centres are often

Building on a framework introduced by Chaney and Ossa (2013), we construct a task-based model of the firm’s choice of occupational inputs to examine how that choice varies with greater global engagement. We depart from Chaney and Ossa by assuming that more complex tasks are more costly to complete. Within the structure of our model, firms skew employment toward occupations engaged in more complex