A method for measuring attenuation coefficients in single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is described and evaluated, together with a method for attenuation correction using these measured attenuation coefficients. Build-up, caused by scattered photons, is corrected for by a simple substitution in the algorithms. Transmission studies are performed with a 99mTc- or 57Co flood source, and emissio

In this study stool samples from dyspeptic patients and healthy subjects were used for detection of specific Helicobacter pylori antigens and DNA by immunoenzymatic test (PPHpSA) and semi-nested PCR (ureA-PCR), respectively. The H. pylori status was estimated by invasive endoscopy-based rapid urease test and histology or noninvasive urea breath test (UBT), and by serology (ELISA, Western blot). Th

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which parents follow advice from child health nurses about child accident prevention. The study was performed in one of the 10 districts in the city of Malmo, Sweden. Parents to 90, 10-month old children in southern Sweden participated. These parents completed a questionnaire that prompted responses related to parents' background and socio-eco

Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive leukemia is characterized by the BCR/ABL1 fusion protein that affects a wide range of signal transduction pathways. The knowledge about its downstream target genes is, however, still quite limited. To identify novel BCR/ABL1-regulated genes we used global gene expression profiling of several Ph-positive and Ph-negative cell lines treated with imatinib. Followi

Administration of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to mice induces profound activation, cytokine production and cytotoxic activity of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but subsequently activated cells are deleted or become anergic. This study demonstrates that administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) can prevent sea-induced hyporesponsiveness in CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Repeated injections wi

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a plasma glycoprotein involved in regulation of the complement system. C4BP consists of seven alpha-chains and one unique beta-chain, all constructed of repeating complement control protein (CCP) modules. The beta-chain, made up of three CCPs, binds tightly to vitamin K-dependent protein S, a cofactor to anticoagulant activated protein C. When bound to C4BP, protein S

Human aquaporin 5 (HsAQP5)facilitates the transport of water across plasma membranes and has been identified within cells of the stomach, duodenum, pancreas, airways, lungs, salivary glands, sweat glands, eyes, lacrimal glands, and the inner ear. AQP5, like AQP2, is subject to posttranslational regulation by phosphorylation, at which point it is trafficked between intracellular storage compartment

Superimposed electrical stimulation techniques can be used to detect central activation failure (CAF), defined as incomplete central nervous system recruitment, suboptimal activation of motor units, or both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate superimposed electrical stimulation techniques to be used to detect CAF during isometric knee extension. We performed three sets of experiments and co

Testicular development is an androgen-dependent process, and fetal exposure to antiandrogens disrupts male sexual differentiation. A variety of testicular disorders may result from impaired development of fetal Leydig and Sertoli cells. We hypothesized that antiandrogenic exposure during fetal development interferes with desert hedgehog (Dhh) signaling in the testis and results in impaired Leydig

The lack of human resources is one of the main bottlenecks to achieving the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health. A coherent national policy, recognized across government, needs to be in place to overcome this especially in countries severely affected by HIV/AIDS. Such a policy should cover selection of pre-service students, the qualifications of trainers and training sites, s

Abstract in French L’effet de la courbure interfaciale sur le point de congélation de liquides retenus dans des capillaires permet, en principe, de déterminer une distribution du diamètre des pores, d’après la courbe point de congélation/volume congelé. On procède à un examen des bases théoriques et l’on montre qu’il existe une similitude formelle avec les méthodes par condensation capillaire qui By utilising the effect of interfacial curvature on the freezing-point of liquids confined in capillaries, it is in principle possible to determine a pore-size distribution, from the curve of freezing-point against volume frozen. The method is formally similar to capillary condensation methods based on the Kelvin equation. Suitable experimental techniques are described. A comparison with the resul

The evolution of reproductive isolation in the presence of gene flow is supported by theoretical models but rarely by data. Empirical support might be gained from studies of parallel hybrid zones between interbreeding taxa. We analysed gene flow over two hybrid zones separating ecotypes of Littorina saxatilis to test the expectation that neutral genetic markers will show site-specific differences

This work is concerned with the adsorption of o-phthalate (1,2-benzenedicarboxylate) at the water-metal (hydr)oxide interface. Previously published infrared spectroscopic, potentiometric, and adsorption data characterizing the boehmite (gamma-AlOOH) system are compared with new data collected for o-phthalate adsorption on aged gamma-Al2O3 and goethite (alpha-FeOOH). The study focuses on identifyin

Objective To characterise the performance of beta -cell during a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Design Fifty-six subjects were studied. A minimal analogic model of beta -cell secretion during the OGTT was applied to all OGTTs (see below). The amount of insulin secreted over 120' in response to oral glucose (OGTT-ISR; Insulin Units 120'(-1) m(-2) BSA) and an index of beta -cell secret

It has been suggested that a number of molecules associated with inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We measured the levels of alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of 141 patients wit

Objectives: To investigate if the detection of celiac disease (CD) in children was improved by using alternative conjugates for assessment of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) autoantibodies. Methods: Serum samples from 108 biopsy confirmed CD children and 42 control subjects were investigated for the presence of autoantibodies with tTG coated microplates using protein A (PA), protein G (PG), anti-IgG

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high in Eastern Europe. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori in symptomatic Lithuanian children and to identify the infection by clinicopathological and serological analyses. One hundred sixteen symptomatic children (age 8-16) with gastritis and duodenal ulcer were included. Biopsies were histologically assessed according to