Background: The risk for coronary events may rise during acute infection. Perturbation in coronary endothelial function emerges as one important link. We investigated whether simvastatin could protect the coronary arterial function from the adverse effects of acute infection in swine. Methods: Coronary endothelium-dependent and -independent vasomotor responses were assessed by Doppler velocimetry

This study deals with the interplay between the interfacial structure of lipid liquid crystalline (1c) substrates and the lipolysis rate. Thermomyces (formerly Humicola) lanuginosa lipase (TLL) was added to lamellar (L-alpha), reversed bicontinuous cubic (C), and reversed hexagonal (H-II)1c phases, based on monoolein (MO), MO-sodium oleate (NaO), MO-oleic acid (OA), and MO-diolein (DO) with water.

Background: Use of a standardized meal stimulation test has been recommended for the early diagnosis of pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumours (PETs) in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). The diagnostic value of this test was re-evaluated. Methods: In a prospective, controlled trial 58 standardized meal stimulation tests (563 kcal) were performed in 12 patients with MEN 1 an

The relationship between the Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes), the Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the piscine Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes), and how the Tetrapoda (four-limbed terrestrial vertebrates) are related to these has been a contentious issue for more than a century. A general consensus about the relationship of these vertebrate clades has gradually emerged among morpholo

The fermentation kinetics for separate as well as simultaneous glucose and xylose fermentation with recombinant ethanologenic Escherichia coli KO11 are presented. Glucose and xylose were consumed simultaneously and exhibited mutual inhibition. The glucose exhibited 15 times stronger inhibition in xylose fermentation than vice versa. The fermentation of condensate from steam-pretreated willow (Sali

We investigate a class of random graph ensembles based on the Feynman graphs of multidimensional integrals, representing statistical-mechanical partition functions. We show that the resulting ensembles of random graphs strongly resemble those defined in random graphs with hidden color, generalizing the known relation of the Feynman graphs of simple one-dimensional integrals to random graphs with a

We analyzed 37 primary invasive carcinomas for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations by screening the entire coding regions of both genes. Seven predicted truncating mutations (four in BRCA1 and three in BRCA2) and one novel BRCA1 missense variant (S1542C) were identified (8/37, 22%). Two of the BRCA1 mutations were somatic changes, whereas the remaining three BRCA1 changes and all mutations of BRCA2 were fou

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is still one of the severe diseases, that cause the development of multiple organ dysfunction with a high mortality. Effective therapies for AP are still limited, mainly due to unclear mechanisms by which A-P initiates both pancreatic and extrapancreatic organ injury. Methods: Protease inhibitors (aprotinin, pefabloc, trypsin inhibitor) and PKC inhibitors (polym

PURPOSE: To compare perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy (V-P scan) in the study of perfusion abnormalities in pulmonary embolism (PE) and to compare the PE results to the findings previously reported for pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in terms of perfusion abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR i

The expression of inducible and constitutive heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase was studied in normal and cultured peripheral ganglia from adult rats, using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Dramatic changes were induced by one to two days' culturing of dorsal root ganglia, nodose ganglia, otic ganglia, sphenopalatine ganglia and superior cervical ganglia. An up-regulation of ind

Progesterone (P-4) regulates many aspects of physiological functions via two nuclear P-4 receptors (PR), PRA and PRB, which are members of a structurally related nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that includes glucocorticoid receptors (Gk). The regulation and cellular distribution of PR protein isoforms have been extensively studied in reproductive tissues, but this is not the case in the lung.

BACKGROUND: The outcome and prognostic factors after revascularization of acute thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are poorly documented. METHODS: Sixty patients with acute thromboembolic occlusion of the SMA had revascularization procedures at 21 hospitals from 1987 to 1998. They were registered prospectively in the Swedish Vascular Registry. Patient files were analy

Choroid plexus from rat, guinea-pig, rabbit and pig was investigated by light-microscopic immunohistochemistry and by radioimmunoassay for the presence of neuropeptides. A moderately dense supply of nerve fibers containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), respectively, was found around blood vessels and in close relation to the secretory epithelium in both pig and

The authors evaluated physiologic, psychologic and metabolic effects of a nine-week in-hospital training program on 14 men with severe disabling angina pectoris. The exercise program consisted of intensive interval training on an ergometer bicycle for two 30 min sessions daily. The physical performance increased by about 40% (p less than 0.001). Plasma insulin levels were reduced and glucose toler

Acid hydrolysis of lignocellulose to hydrolysates intended for production of fuel ethanol results in the formation of byproducts in addition to fermentable sugars. Some of the byproducts, such as phenolic compounds and furan aldehydes, are inhibitory to the fermenting microorganism. Detoxification of the hydrolysates may be necessary for production of ethanol at a satisfactory rate and yield. The

The purpose of the present study was (1) to investigate the association between insomnia and alexithymia, as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and its subscales, and (2) to test if the TAS20 and its subscales show the same correlational pattern with anxiety, depression and perfectionism in insomnia patients as has previously been found in non-clinical samples. A consecutive series