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Much is known about the geoepidemiology of defined autoimmune diseases (AD); however, there is currently limited data regarding the prevalence of autoantibodies among healthy populations of different geographical areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large profile of autoantibodies in healthy adults from distinct global regions as well as the prevalence of anti-infectious agents antibodie
BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance was found in some but not in all previous studies of non-diabetic first degree relatives of Type 2 diabetic patients. Small study groups, ethnic differences and/or non-optimal techniques may explain the conflicting results. AIM: To study the impact of a family history of Type 2 diabetes on insulin action in a large group of non-diabetic Europeans using the 'gold stan
The neutron beam at the Studsvik facility for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and the validation of the related computational model developed for the MCNP-4B Monte Carlo code are presented. Several measurements performed at the epithermal neutron port used for clinical trials have been made in order to validate the Monte Carlo computational model. The good general agreement between the MCNP c
Background Job strain (high demands and low decision latitude) and the DID genotype of an I/D polymorphism in the adrenergic alpha(2B)-receptor have been associated with hypertension, respectively. We hypothesized that the I/D polymorphism interacts with external stress, such as job strain, in the development of hypertension. Methods A sample of 3045 employed men and women from the population coho
Background: BARD1 was originally identified as a BRCA1- interacting protein but has also been described in tumour-suppressive functions independent of BRCA1. Several studies have indicated that the BARD1 gene is a potential target for germline changes predisposing to breast and ovarian cancer. The C- terminal Cys557Ser change has previously been uncovered to associate with an increased risk of bre
Background: Reduced quadriceps strength is an early finding in subjects with knee osteoarthritis, but it is not clear whether it is a cause or a consequence of knee osteoarthritis. Objective: To determine whether reduced functional performance in the lower extremity predicts the incidence or progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Design: Prospective, epidemiological, population based c
BACKGROUND: Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may interfere with reproductive function but direct evidence in humans is very limited. METHODS: Fertility was examined in four regions with contrasting blood levels of POPs. Pregnant women and their partners in Warsaw (Poland), Kharkiv (Ukraine) and Greenland were consecutively enrolled during antenatal visits. Swedish fishermen and their sp
BACKGROUND: A standardised suction technique has been used to sample plasma proteins in dermal interstitial fluid (IF) serially for 5 to 6 days from a suction-induced skin mini-erosion. Increased protein concentrations ascribed to inflammation have been shown from day 1 onward. In this study, we assessed the effect of two different extraction pressures on IF sample composition. METHODS: Total prot
The Extracting Syringe (ESy), a novel membrane-based sample preparation technique directly coupled as an autosampler to gas chromatography, has been employed for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in raw leachate water. The ESy has also been applied for extraction of OCPs from contaminated soil samples and its performance has been compared to liquid-solid extraction (LSE) and acceler
BACKGROUND: To compare women with and without a history of recurrent symptoms suggestive of a urinary tract infection but a current negative urine culture regarding symptoms and signs of a genital infection, carriership of sexually transmitted agents and vaginal flora changes, sexual behavior and genital hygiene practice. SETTINGS: Contraceptive attendees at family planning and youth clinics. MATE
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In a randomized study of hemiparetic stroke patients with a median age of 75 years, functional recovery was significantly better in those who received additional sensory stimulation (n = 38), including electrostimulation, than in control patients (n = 40) given the same physiotherapy and occupational therapy; group differences for balance, mobility, and activities of daily
Background and Objectives. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive disease. Patients with this malignancy have a median survival of 3 years. To better understand disease progression, which is characterized by increased proliferation, we analyzed the gene expression of MCL with different proliferative indices, as determined by immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67. Furthermore, primary and rel
Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of low-dose budesonide/formoterol, 80 mug/4.5 mug, bid in a single inhaler (Symbicort Turbuhaler; AstraZeneca; Lund, Sweden) compared with an increased dose of budesonide, 200 mug bid, in adult patients with mild-to-moderate asthma not fully controlled on low doses of inhaled corticosteroid alone. Methods: All patients received budesonide, 100 jig b
Study Design. The study is an observational cohort study. Objectives. To determine the incidence and the long-term outcome of thoracic or lumbar vertebral fractures in children. Summary of Background Data. The incidence of vertebral fractures in children is described as rare and the outcome as favorable. However, no studies evaluate the clinical and radiographic long-term outcome and if a fracture
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To improve the measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), we determined the extrarenal plasma clearance of the GFR markers iohexol, chromium-51-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA), and inulin using 11 anephric pigs. METHODS: After an intravenous (i.v.) bolus injection of the markers, the decay curves of their plasma concentrations were monitored for 29 h
A Saccharomyces cerevisiae screening strain was designed by combining multiple genetic modifications known to improve xylose utilization with the primary objective of enhancing xylose growth and fermentation in xylose isomerase (XI)-expressing strains. Strain TMB 3045 was obtained by expressing the XI gene from Thermus thermophilus in a strain in which the GRE3 gene coding for aldose reductase was
Purpose: To study the effect of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) on bone mineral density (BMD) in an observational longitudinal study. Methods: In 1995-97, as part of the Nord-Trondelag Health Study, Norway, 10,941 subjects aged 20yr or more, either reporting asthma diagnosis/asthma-related symptoms or randomly selected, were interviewed, underwent spirometry and had their forearm BMD assessed. Among
