The complement system plays a major role in the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of complement in SLE is complex since it may both prevent and exacerbate the disease. In this review, we explore the latest findings in complement-focused research in SLE. C1q deficiency is the strongest genetic risk factor for SLE, although such deficiency is very rare. Variou

Acrylamide is a chemical compound present in tobacco smoke and food, classified as a probable human carcinogen and a known human neurotoxin. Acrylamide is formed in foods, typically carbohydrate-rich and protein-poor plant foods, during high-temperature cooking or other thermal processing. The objectives of this study were to compare dietary estimates of acrylamide from questionnaires (DQ) and 24-

It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage are involved in lymphomagenesis. Increased copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a compensatory mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction previously has been associated with B-cell lymphomas, in particular chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, current evidence is limited and based on a relatively small number of cases. U

In this study, the ambivalent behavior of Ge intercalation is studied by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy as well as local 4-point probe transport measurements. In quantitative agreement with angle-resolved photoemission experiments, both p-and n-type doped graphene areas and their doping level were identified by local spectroscopy. The p-doped areas appear higher by 2 angst

Agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. However, systemic administration of anti-CD40 mAbs can be associated with severe side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and liver damage. With the aim to increase the immunostimulatory potency as well as to achieve a local drug retention of anti-CD40 mAbs, we linked an agonistic mAb to immune a

Neutron-rich ^{96,98}Sr isotopes have been investigated by safe Coulomb excitation of radioactive beams at the REX-ISOLDE facility. Reduced transition probabilities and spectroscopic quadrupole moments have been extracted from the differential Coulomb excitation cross sections. These results allow, for the first time, the drawing of definite conclusions about the shape coexistence of highly deform

Background: The etiology of male breast cancer is poorly understood, partly due to its relative rarity. Although tobacco and alcohol exposures are known carcinogens, their association with male breast cancer risk remains ill-defined. Methods: The Male Breast Cancer Pooling Project consortium provided 2,378 cases and 51,959 controls for analysis from 10 case-control and 10 cohort studies. Individua

Pronounced growth restriction occurs after very preterm birth. The interaction between IGF-I, nutritional intake and growth was evaluated prospectively in 64 infants with a mean (SD) GA of 25.7 (1.9) weeks. Blood sampling of IGF-I and measurements of weight, length and head circumference were performed weekly until discharge. Daily calculation of nutritional intake. Standard deviation scores (SDS)

The full Holocene development of the large (8100 km(2)) Vatnajokull ice cap in Iceland with its many outlet glaciers is poorly known. The idea of an early deglaciation, leading to a glacier-free period in mid-Holocene, followed by the Neoglaciation is still the main concept for the glacial history in the North Atlantic region, including Iceland. We have examined a continuous sediment record from t

The natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is a group of hygroscopic molecules that is naturally present in skin and protects from severe drying. Glycerol and urea are two examples of NMF components that are also used in skin care applications. In the present study, we investigate the influence of glycerol and urea on the permeability of a model drug (metronidazole, Mz) across excised pig skin membrane

Weeds constitute major constraints for farmers by reducing crop yield and quality. However, weeds are managed effectively using herbicides, but this may cause harmful effects on human health and the environment. In an experiment on weed seed predation, we tested the biological control potential of carabid beetles to combat weeds in the absence of herbicides. Seeds from three common weed species we

The paper presents numerical results for a two-scale damage model accounting for mixed-mode propagation of micro-cracks. A time-dependent propagation criterion is assumed for microcrack growth and a kinking direction criterion based on the maximum of the energy-release rate is used. The macroscopic damage evolution laws are obtained by homogenization based on asymptotic developments. A numerical p

Chronic degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) with left atrial (LA) enlargement is predictive of adverse cardiovascular events including stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and impaired survival. Mitral valve surgery (MVS) initiates left atrial reverse remodeling (LARR) characterized by LA volume reduction and improved function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LARR on clinical

In this article we present a survey of routing methods in Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks We begin with a description of routing approaches and follow the discussion with a detailed classification of routing algorithms in OBS. Afterwards, we discuss common OBS network loss models that are frequently used in routing optimization. As examples of such application, we present a linear and a non

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been suspected to adversely affect human reproductive health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between PFC exposure and male semen quality. PFCs were measured in serum from 588 partners of pregnant women from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine who provided a semen sample, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Perfluorooctane

To compare the changes in microvascular blood flow in the small intestinal wall, wound contraction and fluid evacuation, using the established V.A.C. abdominal dressing (VAC dressing) and a new abdominal dressing, the ABThera open abdomen negative pressure therapy system (ABThera dressing), in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Midline incisions were made in 12 pigs, which were subjected to t

Iron deficiency is common, especially among young women. Adding probiotics to foods could be one way to increase iron absorption. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that non-haem iron absorption from a fruit drink is improved by adding Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v). Iron absorption was studied in healthy women of reproductive age using a single-blind cross-over design in two

We attempt to provide experimental and theoretical evidence that information of chemical reaction can propagate with plasmonic waveguide along the nanowire and be detected at the remote terminal of nanowire, where the chemical reaction is the surface catalyzed reaction of DMAB produced from PATP assisted by surface plasmon polaritons.

To improve cardiovascular research, there is a growing need for arterial characterization in small animals. We developed a method, ARTIC (arterial characterization) for measuring lumen diameter, distension and intima media thickness (IMT). In this study ARTIC was used to automatically characterize the aorta of premature rabbit pups. Automatic measurements were compared with manual measurements, bo