BACKGROUND: The standardized test used for evaluating the effect of warfarin is the prothrombin time (PT) which is measured and expressed in international normalized ratio (INR). Regular control of treatment intensity is required since inappropriate dosage increases the risk for complications. Portable point-of-care analytical instruments for measurement of capillary whole blood PT have been avail

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Change in bone mineral density (BMD) in the hand, as evaluated by digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) of the II-IV metacarpal bones, has been suggested to predict future joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study's objective was to investigate if DXR-BMD loss early in the disease predicts development of joint damage in RA patients followed for up to 20 years. METH

The transcription factor T-cell factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) confers type 2 diabetes risk mainly through impaired insulin secretion, perturbed incretin effect and reduced beta-cell survival. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism through which TCF7L2 influences beta-cell survival. TCF7L2 target genes in INS-1 cells were identified using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation. Validation

Inhibitory CD33-related Siglec receptors regulate immune cell activation upon engaging ubiquitous sialic acids (Sias) on host cell surface glycans. Through molecular mimicry, Sia-expressing pathogen group B Streptococcus binds inhibitory human Siglec-9 (hSiglec-9) to blunt neutrophil activation and promote bacterial survival. We unexpectedly discovered that hSiglec-9 also specifically binds high m

The role of chemotherapy (CHX) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has been expanding. Although combination chemotherapy regimens regularly produce significantly high response rates, meta-analyses show little benefit regarding final outcome. One way to improve induction CHX is to improve drug combinations and schedules for CHX. Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active drugs i

ObjectivesTo assess the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis in biofilms.MethodsE. faecalis isolates were from infections of prosthetic hip and knee joints. Minimal biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs) for ampicillin, vancomycin, linezolid, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin, alone and in combinations, were determined. E. faecalis biofilms in microtitre plate wells or on bea

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is diagnosed with imaging techniques such as ventilation/perfusion (V/P) lung scintigraphy or multidetector computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries (MDCT). Lung scintigraphy can be performed with planar (V/P PLANAR) and tomographic (V/P SPECT) techniques. V/P SPECT has higher sensitivity and specificity than V/P PLANAR. As nephrotoxic contrast media are no

Water exchange through the cell membranes is an important feature of cells and tissues. The rate of exchange is determined by factors such as membrane lipid composition and organization, as well as the type and activity of aquaporins. A method for noninvasively estimating the rate of water exchange would be useful for characterizing pathological conditions, e.g., tumors, multiple sclerosis, and is

BACKGROUND: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) contracts the wound and alters the microvascular blood flow in the wound edge, which may be crucial in promoting wound healing. The aim of the present study was to examine these biological effects in the wound edge using different types of wound fillers. METHODS: Wounds were created on the backs of pigs and filled with green foam, black foam or g

Neurons in the hippocampus exhibit subpopulations of dendritic spines that contain endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER in spines is important for synaptic activity and its associated Ca(2+) signaling. The dynamic distribution of ER to spines is regulated by diacylglycerol and partly mediated by protein kinase C, metalloproteinases and γ-secretase. In this study, we explored whether pharmacological acti

This paper presents a theoretical model of stability and coordination of posture and locomotion, together with algorithms for continuous-time quadratic optimization of motion control. Explicit solutions to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for optimal control of rigid-body motion are obtained by solving an algebraic matrix equation. The stability is investigated with Lyapunov function theory and it is

The rd1 mouse serves as a model for inherited photoreceptor degeneration: retinitis pigmentosa. Microarray techniques were employed to compare the transcriptomes of rd1 and congenic wild-type retinas at postnatal day 11, when degenerative processes have started but most photoreceptors are still present. Of the several genes that were differentially expressed, focus was put on those associated with

Preterm birth carries a risk for impaired developmental outcome. We have previously described an association between increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines during the first 72 postnatal hours and cerebral damage as detected by ultrasound in a cohort of 74 very preterm infants. Sixty-seven of 71 surviving children with a mean (SD) GA of 27.1 (2.0) weeks were examined at 2 years corrected ag

Poor mental health is common among migrants. This has been explained by migration-related and socio-economic factors. Weak social capital has also been related to poor mental health. Few studies have explored factors that protect mental health of migrants in the post-migration phase. Such knowledge could be useful for health promotion purposes. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse associations b

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are historically the most thoroughly characterized type of adult stem cell, and the hematopoietic system has served as a principal model structure of stem-cell biology for several decades. However, paradoxically, although HSCs can be defined by function and even purified to near-homogeneity, the intricate molecular machinery and the signaling mechanisms regulating f

Objective Establishing the cause of Cushing's syndrome can be a considerable challenge, in particular in ectopic ACTH syndrome, and often requires a combination of biochemical tests and imaging procedures. Subject A 27-year-old man presented with signs of Cushing's syndrome. P-ACTH levels were 3 times above the ULN and free urinary cortisol in the order of 1900 nmol/24 h. The work-up showed remark

We present a comprehensive and clinically applicable fMRI test-including both a verbal and a visuospatial task-for assessment of hemispheric specific memory in the medial temporal lobe (MTL). fMRI data was collected from 15 healthy right-handed volunteers. Whole-brain activation was analyzed as well as activation in two regions of interest: the MTL and the anterior speech area. Laterality indices

The interaction of an atom with a very strong and high-frequency laser is investigated in the context of electron wave-packet stabilization and localization. We employ an exact numerical solution of the Schrodinger equation in two space dimensions, which allows for an arbitrary laser ellipticity. Substantially different degrees of stabilization and electron localization patterns are found for vari

Previous work on intact thylakoid membranes showed that transient formation of a zeaxanthin radical cation was correlated with regulation of photosynthetic light-harvesting via energy-dependent quenching. A molecular mechanism for such quenching was proposed to involve charge transfer within a chlorophyll-zeaxanthin heterodimer. Using near infrared (880 - 1100 nm) transient absorption spectroscopy