Background. Several studies have investigated associations between the -174GC single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1800795) of the IL6 gene and phenotypes related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but presented inconsistent results. Aims. This joint analysis aimed to clarify whether IL6 -174GC was associated with glucose and circulating interleukin-6 concentrations as well as body mass index (BMI).

Extreme values of non-linear functions of multivariate Gaussian processes are of considerable interest in engineering sciences dealing with the safety of structures. One then seeks the survival probability P{(X1(t),⋯ ,Xn(t))∈ S, all t∈ [0,T]}, where X(t)=(X1(t),⋯ ,Xn(t)) is a stationary, multivariate Gaussian load process, and S is a safe region. In general, the asymptotic survival probability for

We deal with some halos generated by the divergent light from a nearby source. After discussing how the divergent light transforms some halo features, we give an outline of a method of handling the simulation of a divergent-light halo. The simulation method is then successfully tested on some well-documented halo observations. We also present a "simulation atlas" that shows halos produced by cryst

A neural interface could be used to control a limb prosthesis. Such an interface can be created by facilitating axonal regeneration through a sieve electrode and then register nerve signals intended to control the prosthesis. A key question is how to design the electrodes to ensure the best possible regeneration. Our previous studies have indicated that regeneration can be achieved using electrode

We report on the measurements of the g-factor and the exchange Interaction of electrons in a few-electron lateral quantum dot formed in an InGaAs/InP semiconductor heterostructure. The spin filling sequence of the electron states in the dot is determined by magnetotransport measurements and parallel spin filling configurations are Identified The measured g-factor (for a magnetic field applied para

Background: The rd1 mouse retina displays fast degeneration of photoreceptors resulting in a depletion of almost all rod photoreceptors by postnatal day 21 (PN21). To evaluate the role of proteinases in the pathophysiology of this animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, C3H rd1 and congenic wild-type (wt) mice retinas were analyzed. Material and Methods: The cellular localization and levels of prote

A high-resolution atmospheric CO2 reconstruction based on stomatal index data obtained from Betula and Quercus leaf fragments extracted from the Danish Hollerup lake sediment section provides a unique insight into last interglacial CO2 dynamics. According to pollen stratigraphic correlations the CO2 record covers the first c. 7400 years of the Eemian, as palaeobotanically defined in northwestern E

We hypothesized that voluntary wheel running results in increased secretion of oxytocin, a peptide involved in the stress response. An additional hypothesis was that prolonged exercise affects oxytocin levels in the heart, which is in line with the potential role of oxytocin in cardiovascular functions. Voluntary wheel running lasted 3 weeks and daily running distances increased progressively reac

This paper describes a Cassegrain optics-based chemiluminescence sensor (CS) for measurements in gas turbine combustors. The chemiluminescence sensor measures the equivalence ratio of reacting fuel and air mixtures, and can identify the flame location, in partially premixed flames. It has the potential for monitoring the degree of premixedness of reacting fuel and air in industrial gas turbine com

Objectives: To describe the patient-reported impact of urinary incontinence (UI) in treatment-seeking women in Europe. Design: PURE was a non-interventional, observational study, which aimed to describe the direct costs of treatment for European women seeking treatment for UI. A secondary Study objective was to describe the impact of UI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by UI subtype and s

Many signaling molecules are multidomain proteins that have other domains in addition to the catalytic kinase domain. Protein tyrosine kinases almost without exception contain Src homology 2 (SH2) and/or SH3 domains that can interact with other signaling proteins. Here, we studied evolution of the tyrosine kinases containing SH2 and/or SH3 and kinase domains. The three domains seem to have duplica

The strength and range of surface forces in a system consisting of charged polymers with variable intramolecular stiffness confined between two charged planar surfaces have been investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. The negatively charged surfaces are neutralized by polymers carrying charges of opposite sign. Introducing the intermediate intrinsic stiffness of the chains gives rise to a weaker,

In this work we have calculated excitation energies and photoionization cross sections of Be and Ne in the exact-exchange (EXX) approximation of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The main focus has been on the frequency dependence of the EXX kernel and on how it affects the spectrum as compared to the corresponding adiabatic approximation. We show that for some discrete excitation

The economic feasibility of preconcentrating dilute sugar solutions prior to fermentation is investigated. Two methods, evaporation and reverse osmosis, are compared. A computer program to determine the optimal preconcentration conditions for glucose solutions of 1.5–16 wt% has been developed. It was used to compute the fractional cost for labor and maintenance, preconcentration, fermentation, and

Cell replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) has so far been based on the use of primary dopaminergic (DA) neuroblasts obtained from the brain of aborted human fetuses. Clinical trials show that intrastriatal DA neuron transplants can give substantial symptomatic relief in advanced PD patients. Two recent NIH-sponsored placebo-controlled trials, however, have given disappointing results an

Previous studies on the occurrence of catecholamines and serotonin in pancreatic islets using various histochemical and chemical methods have given widely different results. We therefore performed a comparative analysis of these amines in whole pancreas and islet tissue from hamster, guinea pig, rat, and mouse by the use of high performance liquid chromatography. Whole pancreas of guinea pig, hams

Study of the reception of Ingmar Bergman's film The Silence, famous for its sexual explicitness. The film triggered some debate in Sweden but was passed by the Board of Censorship, mostly because of Bergman's international fame.