1. It has been suggested that the vasoconstrictor response to neuropeptide Y (NPY) is located in the microvessels and that it increases with reduced vessel diameter. The aim of the present study was to analyse quantitatively, on the cat gastrocnemius muscle preparation in vivo, the effects of NPY on total regional vascular resistance (RT) and its distribution to large-bore arterial resistance vess

CASCADE is a full hadron level Monte Carlo event generator for ep, gammap and p (p) over bar processes, which uses the CCFM evolution equation for the initial state cascade in a backward evolution approach supplemented with off-shell matrix elements for die hard scattering. A detailed program description is given, with emphasis on parameters the user wants to change and common block variables whic

Objective. To evaluate the Cockcroft - Gault (CG) equation, using various body weight expressions, and the Sawyer equation in predicting glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using an enzymatic and zero-calibrated Jaffe plasma-creatinine assay, and to derive a new robust equation in adults. Material and methods. The CG weight measures included total, ideal and adjusted body weight (ABW; lowest of total

This report summarises the first phase of the project “Economic optimization of the industrial fire protection”. Results from the initial phase, along with suggestions for further research are presented.

The use of energetic ion beams for the analysis of materials has been developed throughout the last four decades and has now evolved into a mature and powerful analytical set of tools applicable in great variety of fields. This paper summarises this development with a special emphasis on the use of nuclear microprobes. The main techniques used for ion beam analysis will be described, suitable appl

In a search for inhibitors of the inducible tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promoter activity and synthesis, a new chlorinated cyclopentenone was isolated from fermentations of the ascomycete Mollisia melaleuca. The structure was determined by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. The compound blocked the inducible human TNF-alpha promoter activity and synthesis with IC50-values of 2.

Background: COMP (Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is a matrix protein, which is currently studied as a potential serum marker for cartilage processes in osteoarthritis (OA). The influence of physical exercise on serum COMP is not fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to monitor serum levels of COMP during a randomised controlled trial of physical exercise vs. standardised r

It has been suggested that bone mineral density (BMD) measurements should be made at multiple sites, and that the lowest T-score should be taken for the purpose of diagnosing osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to examine the use of BMD measurements at the femoral neck and lumbar spine alone and in combination for fracture prediction. We studied 19,071 individuals (68% women) from six prospect

An excess mortality is well described after vertebral fracture. Deaths are in part related to co-morbidity, but could also be due to the fracture event itself, either directly or indirectly. The aim of this study was to examine the quantum and pattern of mortality following vertebral fracture. We identified 16,051 men and women aged 50 years or more with a vertebral fracture that required hospital

The achievement of a sustainable society is ultimately an educational enterprise. E-learning has a role to play in this endeavour, as it permits global access to environmental education, independent of time and place,once the courses are available on the Internet. Besides reaching new target groups not able to attend higher education on campus, e-learning may potentially be a more resource efficie

A positive and innovative organizational climate is of great importance in order to manage and adapt to change. Such a climate seldom evolves in organizations closely governed by rules and regulations. Because of ongoing organizational and technical changes within the Swedish Air Navigation Services Provider, a study concerning the organizational climate for changes and innovations was conducted t

Two novel human papillomaviruses (HPVs), HPV93 and HPV96, with genomes of 7450 and 7438 bp, respectively, are described. The Ll open reading frame of HPV93 showed highest identity to HPV24 (79%) and that of HPV96 had highest identity to HPV92 (71 %). Real-time PCR for HPV92, 93 and 96 on stripped biopsies from tumours and healthy skin from 269 immunocompetent patients found HPV DNA in 2.6 % of tum

Experimental studies have revealed that both downstream and upstream pointing V-shaped ribs result in more heat transfer enhancement than transverse straight ribs in ducts. However, based on the available experimental results, contradiction exists whether the upstream or the downstream pointing V-shaped ribs orientation is superior for better enhancement in heat transfer. Further investigations ar

Objective. To compare leisure activities and associated factors in a group with recent onset RA and matched community-derived controls, to examine whether leisure activities are altered during the early years of disease and to seek predictors. Methods. One hundred and forty-seven consecutive persons with early RA were followed for 0.9-5.9 yr. One hundred and forty-four RA patients were compared cr

The objectives of this thesis are to study time-dependent fracture behaviour in concrete. The thesis consists of an experimental study, constitutive modelling and numerical analysis.