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

Interrogative Belief Revision Based on Epistemic Strategies

This paper describes a measurement of the W boson transverse momentum distribution using ATLAS pp collision data from the 2010 run of the LHC at root s = 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 31 pb(-1). Events form both W -> e nu and W -> mu nu are used, and the transverse momentum of the W candidates is measured through the energy deposition in the calorimeter from the recoil

Accurate characterization of the errors in the global astrometric solution for Gaia is essential for making optimal use of the catalogue data. We investigate the structure of the covariance between the estimated astrometric parameters by studying the properties of the astrometric least squares solution. We find that astrometric errors can be separated in a star and an attitude part, due to the est

Banks hold capital to guard against unexpected surges in losses and long freezes in financial markets. The minimum level of capital is set by banking regulators as a function of the banks’ own estimates of their risk exposures. As a result, a great challenge for both banks and regulators is to validate internal risk models. We show that a large fraction of US and international banks uses contamina

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder, and one of the most frequently encountered, but one for which there is as yet no treatment. Laminin-111 protein therapy was recently shown to be a promising approach to prevent muscle disease in the mdx mouse model of DMD. The present study demonstrated that transgenic expression of laminin α1 chain in mdx animals, resulting in

During the past 40 years brain tissue grafting techniques have been used both to study fundamental neurobiological questions and to treat neurological diseases. Motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are largely due to degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurones. Because the nigrostriatal pathology is relatively focused anatomically, Parkinson's disease is considered the ideal candidate for brain re

Posterior corrective surgery using "all pedicle screw construct" carries risk of neurovascular complications. The study aims were to assess the screw placement in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using CT with low-radiation dose, and to evaluate the clinical outcome in patients with misplaced pedicle screws. CTs of 49 consecutive patients (873 screws, 79% thoracic) were retrospectivel

We present new major and trace element data, as well as Sm–Nd isotope compositions for Archaean supracrustal rocks and a gabbro-anorthosite complex from the island of Storø in Godthåbsfjord, southern West Greenland. We also provide new U–Pb isotope data for zircon extracted from these rocks. The Storø rocks have experienced amphibolite facies metamorphism, and the entire sequence forms an east-dip

OBJECTIVE: To compare robot-assisted laparoscopy and laparotomy for radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in terms of hospital costs. METHODS: Consecutive women undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy as a sole procedure between January 2001 and February 2012 were included. We compared OR times, hospital stay, procedure specific costs, blood transfusions and cost for r