Genetic susceptibility to PBC can, at least in part, be ascribed to the major histocompatibility complex. The relevance of immunogenetic markers for the clinical presentation and course, however, is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of HLA class II genes to susceptibility, clinical presentation and course of disease in PBC patients. HLA genotyping for HLA-DRB

The glandular kallikrein family is composed of structurally related serine proteases. Studies show that the mouse family encompasses at least 14 highly conserved functional genes, but of these only the tissue kallikarein has a human ortholog. In man, the tissue kallikrein display high sequence similarity with prostate specific antigen and human glandular kallikrein 2, suggesting that they evolved

Autoignition in SI engines is an abnormal combustion mode and may lead to engine knock in SI engines. Knock may cause damage and it is a source of noise in engines. It limits the compression ratio of the engine and a low compression ratio means low fuel conversion efficiency of the engine. In this paper a multi zone model based on an existing two zone model Hajireza et al., [1 and 12] and Stenlaas

Batch processes are becoming more and more important in the chemical process industry, where they are used in the manufacture of specialty materials, which often are highly profitable. Some examples where batch processes are important are the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and semiconductors. The focus of this thesis is exception handling and fault detection in batch control. In the

We present numerical simulations that reproduce the salient features of the amazingly strong [Fe ii andFe ii emission spectra in the B and D Weigelt blobs of Carinae. For our studies we have used spectraobtained during the 1998 epoch observations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The spectrum of the Band D Weigelt blobs dominates in [Fe ii and Fe ii emission lines. The same observations show

Tissue transplantation is more common than organ transplantation. Legislative changes in 1996 transformed tissue banking and conditions for tissue transplantation in Sweden. After an initial decrease in donated tissue, heart valves are now available in sufficient numbers, but there is sometimes a shortage of valves the right size for pediatric cardiac surgery. Since the new transplantation legisla

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