People vary genetically in their susceptibility to the effects of environmental risk factors for many diseases. Genetic variation also underlies the extent to which people respond appropriately to clinical therapies. Defining the basis to the interactions between the genome and the environment may help elucidate the biologic basis to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, as well as help target prevent

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and risk factors for vertebral fractures (VF) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the relation between VF, measures of disease activity, and bone mineral density (BMD) in different measurement sites. METHODS: Patients with AS (modified New York criteria) underwent examination, answered questionnaires, and gave blood samples. Lateral spine radiographs were scor

Histopathologic classification of cancer in the lung is important for choice of treatment. Cytokeratin 5 (CK5), p63, and p40 are commonly used immunohistochemical markers for squamous cell carcinoma, and napsin A (NAPA) and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) are markers for adenocarcinoma of the lung. The aim of the present study was to evaluate these 5 markers and to compare different commerc

To study the cortical reorganization after long time exposure to hand-held vibrating tools, we investigated 10 dental technicians with sensory neuropathy after long time exposure to vibrating tools and 10 controls for cortical changes using functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T. The activated volumes corresponding to individual fingers in the hand area of S1 were significantly larger in the

To provide practical guidelines for the cytopathologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM). Cytopathologists involved in the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) and the International Academy of Cytology (IAC), who have an interest in the field contributed to this update. Reference material includes peer-reviewed publications and textbooks. This article is the result of discussion

Background: Ischemic injury to the pancreas occurs in various clinical conditions. A method for online monitoring of pathophysiological events in pancreatic parenchyma is missing. Aims: To assess the timing of microdialysis (MD) technique response on temporary changes in pancreatic perfusion, and to evaluate the relationship between MD data and systemic markers of anaerobic metabolism and inflamma

In order to evaluate the previously published association between maternal use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) and persistent pulmonary hypertension in the neonate (PPHN), we used data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register for the years 1997-2005. Infants were identified from discharge diagnoses, and maternal exposure to drugs from interviews performed in early pregnancy and f

The effect of pH on the kinetics of the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of H2O2 catalysed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been studied at –50 mV vs. AgjAgCl on HRP-modified Au electrodes placed in a wall-jet flow-through electrochemical cell. Native HRP (nHRP) and a nonglycosylated recombinant form containing a six-histidine tag at the C-terminus, CHisrHRP, produced by genetic engineering of non

The immune response to factor VIII and the development of inhibitory antibodies is a complex multi-factorial process involving a variety of immune regulatory genes and cells, several of which have the potential to determine risk. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved will increase the likelihood of development of new therapeutic options for patients with hemophilia. This review summari

Quality systems are being adopted by the Swedish building industry to an increasing degree. The present paper examines two categories of specialist contractors — electrical contractors, and plumbing, heating and ventilation contractors — and the introduction of quality systems in these environments. The companies were assessed in terms of the ISO 9001 standard and the Crosby Quality Management Mat

Syrian water resources face economic and physical water scarcity. This together with a large population and development increase and the climate change may lead to increasing risks for international controversies and disputes in the coming decades. According to FAO, the available water resource per capita AWPC is going to be half by 2025. Depending on its seven water basins, this paper analyses wa

The influential role of Wnt5a in tumor progression underscores the requirement for developing molecules that can target Wnt5a-mediated cellular responses. In the aggressive skin cancer, melanoma, elevated Wnt5a expression promotes cell motility and drives metastasis. Two approaches can be used to counteract these effects: inhibition of Wnt5a expression or direct blockade of Wnt5a signaling. We hav

We have established long-term cultures of postnatal retinal cells on arrays of gallium phosphide nanowires of different geometries. Rod and cone photoreceptors, ganglion cells and bipolar cells survived on the substrates for at least 18 days in vitro. Glial cells were also observed, but these did not overgrow the neuronal population. On nanowires, neurons extended numerous long and branched neurit

Hippocampal neurogenesis is potentially implicated in etiology of depression and as the final common mechanism underlying antidepressant treatments. However, decreased neurogenesis has not been demonstrated in depressed patients and, in animals, reduced cytogenesis was shown in healthy rats exposed to stressors, but, so far, not in models of depression. Here we report that the number of BrdU posit

A shared neuropathological feature of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy is the development of intracellular aggregates of α-synuclein that gradually engage increasing parts of the nervous system. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these neurodegenerative disorders, however, are unknown. Several studies have highlighted similarities between c