A functional and well-balanced immune response is required to resist most infections. Slight dysfunctions in innate immunity can turn the 'friendly' host defense into an unpleasant foe and give rise to disease. Beneficial and destructive forces of innate immunity have been discovered in the urinary tract and mechanisms by which they influence the severity of urinary tract infections (UTIs) have be

This study was performed to compare the diagnostic quality of Gadofosveset-enhanced magnetic resonance venography with Gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography venography for the deep veins of the lower extremities in patients with iliocaval venous pathology.

Background: Recent studies show that FVIIa binds to endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) on vascular endothelium; however, the importance of this interaction in hemostasis or pathophysiology is unknown. Objective, The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of FVIIa interaction with EPCR on the endothelium in mediating FVIIa transport from the circulation to extravascular tissues

The present study tests the theoretical claim that Eurosceptics contribute to the Europeanization of national public spheres. Although advocating a renationalization of European politics, Eurosceptic parties can engender public media debates of transnational or European relevance. Through a comparative research design of two national cases (Sweden and Denmark), we examine the public discourse on t

The optogenetic approach to gain control over neuronal excitability both in vitro and in vivo has emerged as a fascinating scientific tool to explore neuronal networks, but it also opens possibilities for developing novel treatment strategies for neurologic conditions. We have explored whether such an optogenetic approach using the light-driven halorhodopsin chloride pump from Natronomonas pharaon

PURPOSEWe developed three absolute risk models for second primary thyroid cancer to assist with long-term clinical monitoring of childhood cancer survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODSWe used data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) and two nested case-control studies (Nordic CCSS; Late Effects Study Group). Model M1 included self-reported risk factors, model M2 added basic radiation and chem

The study inquires into how a specific piece of standardised information, namely the standard for bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is configured in the practices of lifesaving and bystander CPR-training. Standardisation is commonly thought of as leading to uniformity and order, while practices are dynamic. They evolve and change through repeated enactments. The aim of this thesis is

Abstract Body composition measurements are used to evaluate surgical treatment, such as bariatric surgery in over weight patients. Nowadays, there are many different methods to measure body composition available. However, none of them has been validated for use in patients after operation. The aim of the present study was to compare the amount of surgically removed fat with two different methods,

To describe activity in different aspects of daily life among long-term stroke survivors, and conceptualise the content of the Barthel Index (BI) and the Swedish extended and modified Frenchay Activities Index (mFAI) using the ICF framework.

This paper presents arguments for a re-analysis of the b-prefix in Gulf Arabic dialects. Similar to several other dialects, Gulf Arabic possesses a b-prefix that is inserted before the p-stem (prefix form) of the verb. However, the Gulf Arabic b-prefix differs substantially from the one encountered in other Arabic dialects. According to most previous studies, the Gulf Arabic b-prefix encodes futur

To evaluate construct validity, internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale for children with cerebral palsy.

Clinicians may record patients presenting with osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms with joint pain rather than an OA diagnosis. This may have implications for OA research studies and patient care. The objective was to assess whether older adults recorded with joint pain are similar to those with a recorded OA diagnosis.

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been in use for 30 years, and over that time its safety and efficacy in children and adults has been subject to considerable scrutiny. In 2001, a statement from the GH Research Society (GRS) concluded that 'for approved indications, GH is safe'; however, the statement highlighted a number of areas for on-going surveillance of long-term safety including;

One peculiarity of referential metonymy is that metonymic subjects and their predicates need not agree as to number. Nor need there be gender agreement between metonymic expressions and anaphoric pronouns. In this respect metonymies differ from metaphors.To account for the apparently erratic syntax in utterances containing referential metonymies, it is first suggested that these involve implicit e

The underlying mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) are not fully understood.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess aorto-iliac morphological characteristics in relation to reintervention and all-cause long-term mortality in patients undergoing standard EVAR for infrarenal AAA. METHODS: Patients treated with EVAR (Zenith(®) Stentgrafts, Cook) between May 1998 and February 2006 were prospectively enrolled in a computerized database where comorbidities and preoperative

In a recent paper, Cetinkaya and Lee (2000) model integrated inventory control and shipment scheduling in connection with vendor-managed inventory (VMI). The model is optimized by an approximate technique. This note provides a simple procedure for exact optimization, and illustrates that the errors when using the suggested approximate technique may be very large for certain types of problems. We a

The multifunctional human glycoprotein vitronectin (Vn) plays a significant role in cell migration, tissue repair and regulation of membrane attack complex (MAC) formation. It also promotes neutrophil infiltration and, thus, enhances the inflammatory process during infection. In the host, a balanced homeostasis is maintained by Vn due to neutralization of the self-reactivity of the MAC. On the oth