A range of monomeric tetra-coordinate copper (II) and zinc (II) complexes based on N,O-bidentate salicylaldimine Schiff base ligands has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. These complexes were then evaluated as initiators in ring-opening polymerization of lactides at both 70 degrees C and 110 degrees C. The effect of structural changes in the complexes on th

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a Parkinson's Disease (PD)-like alpha-synucleinopathy clinically characterized by dysautonomia, parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and pyramidal signs in any combination. We aimed to determine whether the clinical presentation of MSA as well as diagnostic and therapeutic strategies differ across Europe and Israel. In 19 European MSA Study Group centres all consecutiv

We wanted to explore the specific proprioceptive effect of cervical pain on sensorimotor control. Sensorimotor control comprises proprioceptive feedback, central integration and subsequent muscular response. Pain might be one cause of previously reported disturbances in joint kinematics, head on trunk orientation and postural control. However, the causal relationship between the impact of cervical

During the last century (1900s) industrialized forms of agriculture and human activities have caused eutrophication of Baltic Sea waters. As a consequence, the hypoxic zone in the Baltic Sea has increased, especially during the last 50 years, and has caused severe ecosystem disturbance. Climate forcing has been proposed to be responsible for the reported trends in hypoxia (< 2 mg/l O-2) both durin

The Blount staple has been widely used for treating angular deformities and leg length discrepancy (LLD) of the lower limbs. In recent years, the Eight plate has replaced the Blount staple for treating angular deformities in many centres. Although not described in the literature, it has been proposed that the Eight plate could also be used for treating LLD. We studied the effectiveness of the devi

Current research on Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis requires relevant animal models that mimic the gradual and progressive development of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration that characterizes the disease. Polymorphisms in engrailed 1 (En1), a homeobox transcription factor that is crucial for both the development and survival of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, are associated with spora

To establish the occurrence, modulation and functional significance of compound exocytosis in insulin-secreting beta cells. Exocytosis was monitored in rat beta cells by electrophysiological, biochemical and optical methods. The functional assays were complemented by three-dimensional reconstruction of confocal imaging, transmission and block face scanning electron microscopy to obtain ultrastruct

Background: Reported improvements in outcome in stroke patients treated in hospital are often attributed to advances in stroke care. However, secular trends in patient characteristics that are present already on admission to hospital may also contribute to improved outcome. Methods: Time trends for baseline data (289,854 stroke admittances) in Riks-Stroke, the Swedish national quality register for

Bacterial Protein A (PrtA) and Protein G (PrtG) are widely used for affinity purification of antibodies. An understanding of how PrtA and PrtG bind to different isotypes of immunoglobulin type G (IgG) and to their corresponding Fc fragments is essential for the development of PrtA and PrtG mimetic ligands and for the establishment of generic processes for the purification of various antibodies. In

This review aims to sum up current knowledge on the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound features suggestive of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the neonatal outcome after a trial of labor (TOL) with that after an elective cesarean section (CS) following one previous cesarean delivery, considering the indication for the first CS. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Sweden. POPULATION: Women with their first two deliveries 1992-2007 registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. METHODS: The risk of low

Clubhouses are supposed to follow the International Clubhouse Standards, but they also need to make adaptations according to national and local contexts. This article compares the implementation of peer support elements in the clubhouse model in two different social contexts: the Swedish and the Japanese welfare systems. Participatory observations and interviews with members and staff at a Swedish

Sparse sums of Lorentzians can give good approximations to functions consisting of linear combination of piecewise continuous functions. To each Lorentzian, two parameters are assigned: translation and scale. These parameters can be found by using a method for complex frequency detection in the frequency domain. This method is based on an alternating projection scheme between Hankel matrices and f

This paper analyses the credibility of author anonymity that is provided by a double-blind review process. It is argued that authors have strong incentives to disseminate information about their papers before publication. A sample from two economics journals, both using double-blind review processes, provides evidence that author-revealing information of most accepted papers is available on the In

Many biting midges of the genus CulicoidesLatreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are competent vectors of a diverse number of pathogens. The identification of their feeding behaviour and of vector-host associations is essential for understanding their transmission capacity. By applying two different nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, of which one targeted the avian cyt b gene and t

The current epidemiologic evidence suggests that men with type 2 diabetes mellitus may be at lower risk of developing prostate cancer, but little is known about its association with stage and grade of the disease. The association between self-reported diabetes mellitus at recruitment and risk of prostate cancer was examined in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

The solution behaviour of b-glucans in a gastrointestinal model was investigated in order to explore the mechanisms explaining the physiological effects of the soluble fibre. Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation was used to determine the molar mass distribution, and in-line calcofluor labelling allowed specific detection of b-glucans in complex samples. When dispersed in water, weight-averag

Background: A blunted growth hormone and prolactin response to pharmacological stress test have previously been found in depressed patients, as well as an increased cortisol response to psychosocial stress. This study investigated these hormones in response to acute exercise using an incremental bicycle test. Method: A cross-sectional comparison of cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin in depres

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate quality of life (QoL) in patients with Graves' disease treated with radioiodine or antithyroid drugs. Design and methods: The design of the study consists of an open, prospective, randomized multicenter trial between radioiodine and medical treatment. A total of 308 patients were included in the study group: 145 patients in the medical grou