A quantitative analysis of metastatic bone involvement can be an important prognostic indicator of survival or a tool in monitoring treatment response in patients with cancer The purpose of this study was to develop a completely automated decision support system for whole-body bone scans using image analysis and artificial neural networks. The study population consisted of 795 whole-body bone scan

Photosynthesis is performed by a multitude of organisms, but in P nearly all cases, it is variations on a common theme: absorption of light followed by energy transfer to a reaction center where charge separation takes place, This initial form of chemical energy is stabilized by the biosynthesis of carbohydrates. To produce these energy-rich products, a substrate is needed that feeds in reductive

Reaction of Mn(II) with phenoxyalkanoic acids and di-2-pyridyl ketone oxime (Hpko) leads to neutral tetranuclear complexes of the general formula Mn-4(O)(pko)(4)(phenoxyalkanoato)(4) (phenoxyalkanoic acids: H-mcpa = 2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxy-acetic acid, H-2,4,5-T = 2,4.5-trichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid or H3,4-D = 3,4-dichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid). The compounds were synthesized by adding di2-pyrid

The microcirculation plays a vital part for fluid-, gas- and solute-exchange, and changes in permeability during trauma or sepsis, that are in part necessary for the natural healing process, may also cause hypovolemia and edema formation, leading to disturbances in microvascular exchange. This thesis discusses changes is microvascular flow, permeability and plasma volume (PV) loss after experiment

Male ornaments may advertise genetic benefits to females choosing mates. These benefits may come in the form of genes for resistance to parasites and disease. Thus, females that prefer more ornamented males as mates may receive genes for enhanced immune system function for their offspring. The common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is the only species to date in which a male plumage ornament (si

Rare-earth ions in dielectric crystals are interesting candidates for storing quantum states of photons. A limiting factor on the optical density and thus the conversion efficiency is the distortion introduced in the crystal by doping elements of one type into a crystal matrix of another type. Here we investigate the system Pr3+:La-2(WO4)(3), where the similarity of the ionic radii of Pr and La mi

The variable regions of allergen-specific IgE, the isotype mediating allergic responses, are poorly defined to date. In this study we define the character of human antibody binding sites recognizing Phl p 2, a major allergen from timothy grass pollen. Independently raised specificities developed by phage display technology tended to have common sequence motifs (idiotypes), such as IGHV4-31 germlin

Objectives The aim of this study was to confirm the influence of TNFSF4 polymorphisms on systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility and phenotypic features. Methods A total of 8 European populations of Caucasian ancestry were included, comprising 3014 patients with SSc and 3125 healthy controls. Four genetic variants of TNFSF4 gene promoter (rs1234314, rs844644, rs844648 and rs12039904) were selected

Antibody microarrays enable extensive protein expression profiling, and provide a valuable complement to DNA microarray-based gene expression profiling. In this study, we used DotScan™ antibody microarrays that contain antibodies against 82 different cell surface antigens, to determine phenotypic protein expression profiles for human B cell sub-populations. We then demonstrated that the B cell pro

Background. An important outcome from the debate on whether wellness equals happiness, is the need of research focusing on how psychological well-being might influence humans' ability to adapt to the changing environment and live in harmony. To get a detailed picture of the influence of positive and negative affect, the current study employed the affective profiles model in which individuals are c

Objective . Salivary cortisol is widely used in occupational health research. However, many ordinary daily activities can influence the concentrations of cortisol and the interpretation of field studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lifestyle factors on salivary cortisol in everyday settings. Material and methods . Healthy employees participated in one or more sub-stu

Humans have more than doubled the amount of reactive nitrogen (Nr) added to the biosphere, yet most of what is known about its accumulation and ecological effects is derived from studies of heavily populated regions. Nitrogen (N) stable isotope ratios (N-15:N-14) in dated sediments from 25 remote Northern Hemisphere lakes show a coherent signal of an isotopically distinct source of N to ecosystems

In clinical trials new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have proved to be as effective as warfarin for thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these drugs in clinical practise.