Objective. We evaluated in a proof-of-concept double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial the efficacy and safety of intra-articular sprifermin (recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18) in patients with symptomatic knee OA. Methods. Sprifermin was evaluated as intra-articular injection at 10, 30, and 100μg. Primary efficacy endpoint was change in central medial femorotibial compartment

Today, the classification systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) already incorporate cytogenetic and molecular genetic aberrations in an attempt to better reflect disease biology. However, in many MDS/AML patients no genetic aberrations have been identified yet, and even within some cytogenetically well-defined subclasses there is considerable clinical heterog

Xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases (XETs) encoded by xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases/hydrolase (XTH) genes modify the xyloglucan-cellulose framework of plant cell walls, thereby regulating their expansion and strength. To evaluate the importance of XET in wood development, we studied xyloglucan dynamics and XTH gene expression in developing wood and modified XET activity in hybrid aspen (Populus

In two complementary experiments we took an integrated approach to a set of tightly interwoven, yet rarely combined questions concerning the spontaneous interpretation of novel (unfamiliar) noun-noun compounds (NNCs) when encountered in isolation, and possible (re) interpretations of novel as well as conventional (familiar) NNCs when encountered in verbo-visual context. To enhance ecological valid

Infection commonly complicates diabetic foot ulcers and is associated with a poor outcome. In a cohort of individuals with an infected diabetic foot ulcer, we aimed to determine independent predictors of lower-extremity amputation and the predictive value for amputation of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) classification system and to develop a risk score for predicting

Objectives: To explore how quality of life (QoL) and quality of care (QoC) for people with dementia (PwD) vary across 8 European countries; to explore how QoL and QoC for PwD vary across living arrangements; and to assess the association between QoL and QoC. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Institutional long term care and home care in 8 European countries (England, Estonia, Finland, Franc

Objectives This study sought to study the second-generation everolimus-eluting stent (EES) as compared with first-generation sirolimus-eluting (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Background There are limited data available comparing clinical outcomes in this setting with EES and SES, whereas studies comparing EES with PES are not powered for low-frequency

European CH4 and N2O emissions are estimated for 2006 and 2007 using four independent inverse modelling systems, based on different global and regional Eulerian and Lagrangian transport models. This ensemble approach is designed to provide more realistic estimates of the overall uncertainties in the derived emissions, which is particularly important for verifying bottom-up emission inventories. We

Patient-specific finite element models of the implanted proximal femur can be built from pre-operative computed tomography scans and post-operative X-rays. However, estimating three-dimensional positioning from two-dimensional radiographs introduces uncertainty in the implant position. Further, accurately measuring the thin cement mantle and the degree of cement-bone interdigitation from imaging d

We discuss single diffractive gauge boson d (gamma*, W+/-, Z) production in proton-proton collisions at different (Large Hadron Collider and Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) energies within the color dipole approach. The calculations are performed for gauge bosons produced at forward rapidities. The diffractive cross section is predicted as a function of the fractional momentum and invariant mass

In this paper we report the investigation of the laser-induced breakdown and ignition behaviour of methane/air and dimethyl ether (DME)/air mixtures. Moreover, the optical emission from the induced plasma is utilized for determining the mixture composition quantitatively by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). To the best of the authors' knowledge, LIBS and laser ignition of DME h

This work focuses on the interaction of two coaxial swirling jets. High swirl burners are suitable for lean flames and produce low emissions. Computational Fluid Dynamics has been used to study the isothermal behaviour of two confined jets whose setup and operating conditions are those of the benchmark of Roback and Johnson. Numerical model is a Total Variation Diminishing and PISO is used to pres

Grafts of foetal ventral mesencephalon, used in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease, are known to contain a mix of dopamine neuronal subtypes including the A9 neurons of the substantia nigra and the A10 neurons of the ventral tegmental area. However, the relative importance of these subtypes for functional repair of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease has not been studied thorou

Environmental conditions and human activities play a significant role in structuring novel assemblages of native and non-native species. Ongoing and future climatic change may alter the performance of native and non-native species and their biotic interactions. In the northern hemisphere, expected climate changes include warmer temperatures and higher precipitation, the latter of which may increas

Objective To evaluate the influence of two ultra-low doses of oral continuous combined hormone therapy and placebo on metabolic parameters, and to assess safety endpoints and overall tolerability in healthy postmenopausal women. Design In a subpopulation of the Clinical study on Hormone dose Optimisation In Climacteric symptoms Evaluation (CHOICE) trial, lipids and parameters of glucose metabolism

Abstract in UndeterminedWe consider the regularity of measurable solutions $ \chi$ to the cohomological equation$\displaystyle \phi = \chi \circ T -\chi, $where $ (T,X,\mu)$ is a dynamical system and $ \phi \colon X\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is a $ C^k$ smooth real-valued cocycle in the setting in which $ T \colon X\rightarrow X$ is a piecewise $ C^k$ Gibbs-Markov map, an affine $ \beta$-transformati

Hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H) have become a tool for food traceability and authentication of agricultural products. The principle is that the isotopic composition of the produce is influenced by environmental and biological factors and hence exhibits a spatial differentiation of δ2H. This study investigates the variation in δ2H values of New Zealand milk, both in the bulk powder and individual fat

Case studies are largely used for investigating software engineering practices. They are characterized by their flexible nature, multiple forms of data collection, and are mostly informed by qualitative data. Synthesis of case studies is necessary to build a body of knowledge from individual cases. There are many methods for such synthesis, but they are yet not well explored in software engineerin

Background Children with poor response acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) generally have a very poor outcome. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is often recommended for these children but the benefit is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate survival for poor response AML patients treated with SCT. Material and Methods Treatment was given according to the NOPHO-AML 2004 protocol. Al