A real-space renormalization transformation is constructed for lattices of nonidentical oscillators with dynamics of the general form dvarphi_{k}/dt=omega_{k}+g summation operator_{l}f_{lk}(varphi_{l},varphi_{k}) . The transformation acts on ensembles of such lattices. Critical properties corresponding to a second-order phase transition toward macroscopic synchronization are deduced. The analysis

BACKGROUND: We have measured blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) in Swedish children, yearly since 1978. As reported previously, a substantial decrease of B-Pb was found for the period 1978-1994 (2440 children measured), as an effect of gradual reduction of lead in petrol. In another report focusing on the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2001, we noted that B-Pb seemed to stabilize at an average level c

During the past decades, the complexity of the bladder cancer genome has become evident. Early cytogenetic studies identified several patterns of chromosomal changes, particularly the frequent loss of chromosome 9. The cytogenetic approach was replaced by molecular methods, such as comparative genome hybridization (CGH) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analyses that describe genomic changes at a m

Artificial antibodies in the form of gel granules were synthesized from the monomers acrylamide and N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide by the imprinting method in the presence of Echerichia coli bacteria as template. The electrophoretic migration velocities of the gel antibodies (i) saturated with the antigen (Escherichia coli MRE-600), (ii) freed of the antigen, and (iii) resaturated with bacteria, were

Abstract Caveolae are omega-shaped membrane invaginations present in essentially all cell types in the cardiovascular system, and numerous functions have been ascribed to these structures. Caveolae formation depends on caveolins, cholesterol, and PTRF-Cavin (polymerase I and transcript release factor-Cavin). The current review summarizes and critically discusses the cardiovascular phenotypes repor

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is an extremely aggressive form of cancer and current treatment protocols are insufficient. SCLC have neuroendocrine characteristics and show phenotypical similarities to the childhood tumor neuroblastoma. As multidrug-resistant neuroblastoma cells are highly sensitive to arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in vitro and in vivo, we here studied the cytotoxic effects of As2O3

One of the largest limitations of standard molecular-mechanics force fields is the neglect of intermolecular polarization. Several attempts to cure this problem have been made, but the results have not always been fully satisfactory. In this paper, we present a quantitative study of the fundamental approximations that underlie polarization models for classical force fields. The induced charge dens

Lentiviral vectors offer many advantages within the central nervous system. They are capable of transfecting neurons and can be readily manipulated for selective expression. This chapter describes the production and use of lentiviruses to deliver GFP to the central nervous system.

Heterocyclic amines (HAs), formed when meat and fish are cooked at high temperatures, have been linked to mammary gland cancer in rats, and some epidemiological studies indicate increased breast cancer risk by consumption of well-done meat. The epidemiological evidence linking HAs per se to breast cancer is however sparse, especially from prospective studies. Moreover, high-fat diets rich in omega

OBJECTIVE: Infantile malignant osteopetrosis is a fatal disease caused by lack of functional osteoclasts. In most of patients, TCIRG1, encoding a subunit of a proton pump essential for bone resorption, is mutated. Osteopetrosis leads to bone marrow failure and blindness due to optic nerve compression. Oc/oc mice have a deletion in Tcirg1 and die around 3 to 4 weeks, but can be rescued by neonatal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests in established cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy (F-ANA) and enzyme-immunoassays detecting antinucleosomal antibodies (ANSA-EIA). METHODS: Sera from 50 patients with SLE and 65 patients with RA were analyzed regarding abnormal concentrations of F-ANA (serum dilu

Purpose: To evaluate: (i) the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction attained with a fixed treatment protocol and the untreated IOP level; (ii) the consistency of IOP reduction over time; and (iii) whether there is a threshold pretreatment IOP level below which IOP reduction might be less effective. Results are based on 128 patients with glaucoma with field defects, who were ran

One of several quality indicators that are relevant to study is patient's satisfaction with health care in the ambulance services. Regular measurements of patient satisfaction in this field have not been carried out previously and a validated method of measurement is lacking.

Polymorphisms associated with prostate cancer include those in three genes encoding major secretory products of the prostate: KLK2 (encoding kallikrein-related peptidase 2; hK2), KLK3 (encoding prostate-specific antigen; PSA), and MSMB (encoding beta-microseminoprotein). PSA and hK2, members of the kallikrein family, are elevated in sera of men with prostate cancer. In a comprehensive analysis tha

We have previously shown that porcine aortic endothelial cells expressing the Y934F platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor mutant respond to PDGF-BB in a chemotaxis assay at about 100-fold lower concentration than do wild-type PDGF beta-receptor-expressing cells (Hansen, K., Johnell, M., Siegbahn, A. , Rorsman, C., Engstrom, U., Wernstedt, C., Heldin, C.-H., and Ronnstrand, L. (1996)

INTRODUCTION Based on historical data, a decline in sperm counts during the years 1940-1990 has been suggested and aetiologically linked to a concomitant increase in the incidence of testicular cancer. This study, focusing on possible changes in sperm parameters among young Swedish men, during the past 10 years, was specifically designed in order to answer the question of whether there is a contin