To establish the concentrations of iodine contrast media (I-CM) iso-attenuating with 0.5M gadolinium contrast media (Gd-CM), regarded diagnostic in catheter angiography and vascular interventions in azotemic patients, at various X-ray tube potentials with correlation to skin radiation dose.

Elevated prediagnostic testosterone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations have been proposed to increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the metabolism of these hormones is altered as a consequence of liver damage and they may have clinical utility as HCC risk markers. A case-control study was nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and N

Three-dimensional (3-D) delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) helps quantify biochemical changes in articular cartilage that correlate with early-stage osteoarthritis. However, dGEMRIC analysis is performed slice by slice, limiting the potential of 3-D data to give an overall impression of cartilage biochemistry. We previously developed a computational algorithm to produce unfolde

Introduction: Acquired AmpC enzymes, classified as miscellaneous extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLM) enzymes according to a recently proposed beta-lactamase classification, are increasing according to several publications. Simple and rapid methods for detection of ESBLM are needed for appropriate infection control. A gel-based multiplex PCR method for acquired bla(AmpC) detection and subtype

A major drawback of Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests is their long test duration, which could be reduced substantially if the final gas production could be predicted at an earlier stage. For this purpose, this study evaluates 61 different algorithms for their capability to predict the final BMP and required degradation time based on data from 138 BMP tests of various substrate types. By c

The identification of genetic causes for Mendelian disorders has been based on the collection of multi-incident families, linkage analysis, and sequencing of genes in candidate intervals. This study describes the application of next-generation sequencing technologies to a Swiss kindred presenting with autosomal-dominant, late-onset Parkinson disease (PD). The family has tremor-predominant dopa-res

The ForSAFE-VEG model was used to investigate the impacts of climate change and air pollution scenarios on soil chemistry and ground vegetations composition. In particular, the model involves a ground vegetation model incorporating plant changes to ambient site conditions in terms of climate and chemistry, but the model also incorporate competition between the different plant groups. The model was

To evaluate patterns of inflammatory mediators before and after elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Understanding the mechanisms governing chemical and morphological changes induced by an ambient-pressure gas and how such changes influence the activity of heterogeneous catalysts is central to the formation of a predictive capability for structure-reactivity relationships. With techniques such as ambient-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and surface X-ray diffrac

Chemical solution deposition (CSD) offers the opportunity to fabricate very thin electrolyte films at lower temperatures than traditional powder-based methods. CSD methods have not been used much in production of protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFC) until now. In this contribution we describe thin film deposition of the two proton-conducting materials BaZr0.9Y0.1O3 (-) (delta) (BZY) and La28 - xW4 +

Accumulating data suggest that platelets not only regulate thrombosis and haemostasis but also inflammatory processes. Platelets contain numerous potent pro-inflammatory compounds, including the chemokines CCL5 and CXCL4 although their role in acute colitis remains elusive. The aim of this study was to examine the role of platelets and platelet-derived chemokines in acute colitis. Acute colitis wa

An approach for tailoring self-assembled tubular structures is described. By controlling the relative composition of a two-component surfactant mixture comprising the natural bile salt lithocholate and its bolamphiphilic derivative, it was possible to finely tune the nanotube cross-section of the mixed tubular aggregates that self-associated spontaneously in aqueous solution at pH 12. The diameter

For centuries, mushrooms have been used as food and medicine in different cultures. More recently, many bioactive compounds have been isolated from different types of mushrooms. Among these, immunomodulators have gained much interest based on the increasing growth of the immunotherapy sector. Mushroom immunomodulators are classified under four categories based on their chemical nature as: lectins,

Objective: To explore the role of MTNR1B rs10830963 and G6PC2 rs560887 variants in the pathogenesis of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in obese adolescents. Methods: A total of 346 Caucasians, 218 African-Americans, and 217 Hispanics obese children and adolescents underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 518 underwent the evaluation of insulin secretion by the oral minimal model (OMM). A

Diagnosis of acute arterial mesenteric ischemia in the early stages is now possible using modern computed tomography with intravenous contrast enhancement and imaging in the arterial and/or portal phase. Most patients have acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion, and a large proportion of these patients will develop peritonitis prior to mesenteric revascularization, and explorative laparo