A neural model with N interacting neurons is considered. A firing of neuron i delays the firing times of all other neurons by the same random variable theta((i)), and in isolation the firings of the neuron occur according to a renewal process with generic interarrival time Y-(i). The stationary distribution of the N-vector of inhibitions at a firing time is computed, and involves waiting distribut

System-theoretical methods are already used for the control of computing systems, but much more can be done exploiting said methods for their design. This requires to express in control-theoretical terms desires and specifications that originate in the computer science do- main, which may not be immediate. It also requires to accept that part of the addressed system be modified, which may pose som

BACKGROUND: Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are characterised by the expansion of CAG triplet repeats in specific genes. The accumulated encoded proteins affect the transcription of numerous transcription factors. We investigated whether polyQ diseases reduce the risk of cancer development. METHODS: Data on patients with the polyQ diseases Huntington's disease (HD), spinobulbar muscular atrophy (

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review recent experiments conducted using embryonic tissue and stem cell transplants in experimental models of Parkinson's disease. We also highlight the challenges which remain to be met in order for cell therapy to become clinically effective and safe. RECENT FINDINGS: The outcome of previous clinical transplantation trials was variable in terms of motor recovery. We discus

Some primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) express low serum levels of antibodies. The constant heavy G chain (IGHG) genes, also representing Fc domains of gamma3, gamma1 and gamma2 on chromosome 14q32.3, genotyped by the alternative IgG subclass allotypes, found in four fixed IGHG haplotypes, designating four B cell variants, were identified by a competitive ELISA and double immunodiffusion. IGHG gen

The prevention of aggressive behaviours is a core priority for psychiatric clinical work, but the association between the diagnostic concepts used in psychiatry and aggression remains largely unknown. Outpatients referred for psychiatric evaluations of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders (n=178) and perpetrators of violent crimes referred to pre-trial forensic psychiatric investigations (n=

AIM: To describe spontaneously reported cases of torsades de pointes (TdP) in Sweden and to investigate if this adverse drug reaction (ADR) was labelled in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) for the drugs implicated. METHODS: Reported cases of TdP 1991-2006 were identified and evaluated with regard to drug use and other possible risk factor. RESULTS: Among a total of 61 788 ADRs, 88 case

Physical limitations of antennas above infinite perfect electric conductor (PEC) ground planes are determined using the stored electromagnetic energy. Stored energies are computed with the method of moments (MoM) and the image theory. Convex optimization is used to derive the G/Q ratio and Q-factor for a reference geometry and the results are compared for different antenna types.

OBJECTIVES: This study attempts to construct valid indices for mechanical exposure of the shoulder-neck region with relation to the development of shoulder-neck pain in a 1-year perspective study of a general population. METHODS: A comprehensive questionnaire was presented to 14 556 subjects aged 45 or 65 years and repeated after 12 months. Twenty-four questions concerning positions, movements, an

Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) as a novel therapy for type 2 diabetes is based on prevention of the inactivation process of bioactive peptides, the most important in the context of treatment of diabetes of which is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Most clinical experience with DPP-4 inhibition is based on vildagliptin (GalvusR, Novartis) and sitagliptin (JanuviaR, Merck). These compo

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if treatment response predicts continuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We investigated if treatment response and/or achieving a certain activity state at 6 weeks or 3 months predicts continuation of treatment in an observational cohort of 1789 anti-TNF-naive patients with established RA disease from s

Snowmelt induced runoff from river basins is usually successfully simulated using a simple degree-day approach and conceptual rainfall-runoff models. Fluctuations within the day can not be described by such crude approaches. In the present paper, it is investigated which degree of sophistication is required in snow models and runoff models to resolve the basin runoff from basins of different chara

In experimental settings, antidepressant treatment as well as a stimulating environment has a positive influence on cognition and hippocampal plasticity. One putative mediator of this process is Neuronal Pentraxin 2 (NP2, Narp), known to mediate clustering of glutamatergic AMPA receptors at synapses, and demonstrated to play a role in activity-dependent synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. This

In order to perform service life predictions of rain exposed wood structures, the moisture and temperature conditions in the structure need to be known as well as which degradation that occurs under those exposure conditions. The microclimate (the moisture conditions at the surface) is the boundary condition for moisture transport into the wood and depends on the detail design; joints between two

Background. Knowledge of sensitization and elicitation thresholds and the time-dose relationship for elicitation of contact dermatitis is important in order to provide safe products for consumers. Objective. Since previous studies performed with eugenol had showed negative results in a repeat open application study (ROAT) study, we wanted to perform a ROAT with higher concentration (maximum allowe

OBJECTIVE: : The aim of this study is to determine Swedish parents' willingness to pay (WTP) for coeliac disease (CD) screening of their child. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: : CD screening was undertaken involving 10,041 12-year-old children, with 7567 (75%) agreeing to participate. Blood samples from the children were analysed for CD serological markers. Parents received a questionnaire including a scen

PDGF and TNF-alpha are both known to play important roles in inflammation, albeit frequently by opposing actions. Typically, TNF-alpha can attenuate PDGF beta-receptor signaling. Pretreatment of mouse 3T3 L1 fibroblasts with TNF-alpha greatly diminished their proliferative response to PDGF. However, TNF-alpha affected neither the binding of PDGF-BB to cell surface receptors nor the total amount of

The possibilities of using laser-induced fluorescence for tissue diagnostics are discussed. The tissue types investigated are malignant tumors and atherosclerotic lesions. Studies with natural autofluorescence as well as with fluorescent tumor markers are included in this paper. Fluorescence emission and decay data are presented for some tissue chromophores contributing to tissue autofluorescence.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to (1) optimize the radiation doses of computed tomography (CT) of paranasal sinuses, (2) compare the radiation doses of different CT protocols with that of plain radiography, and (3) evaluate the reliability of low-dose CT in the detection of pathology and characterization of the detected pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A head phantom was examined with different scan pa

We performed an international proficiency study of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 serology. A common methodology for serology based on virus-like particle (VLP) ELISA was used by 10 laboratories in 6 continents. The laboratories used the same VLP reference reagent, which was selected as the most stable, sensitive and specific VLP preparation out of VLPs donated from 5 different sources. A blin