OBJECTIVE: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is accompanied by impaired peripheral blood flow and endothelial dysfunction with decreased release of nitric oxide (NO). Strong evidence supports the existence of another vasodilatory substance, endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF), which has not previously been studied in CHF. METHOD: CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation resultin

Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of methacrylate backbones carrying approximately 48 wt.% of ethylene oxide [(EO)(9) or (EO)(23)] side chains as ionophilic groups and fluorocarbon or hydrocarbon side chains as ionophobic groups were prepared. Solid polymer electrolytes based on the copolymers and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) were characterized by DSC and the impedance

Maternal hormones can have substantial phenotypic effects in the progeny of many vertebrates. It has been proposed that mothers adaptively adjust hormone levels experienced by particular young to optimize their reproductive output. In birds, systematic variation in egg hormone levels has been related to different female reproductive strategies. Because in many bird species prospects of the offspri

To describe lifetime mental disorders among perpetrators of severe inter-personal crimes and to identify the problem domains most closely associated with aggression and a history of repeated violent criminality, we used structured interviews, clinical assessments, analyses of intellectual functioning, medical and social files, and collateral interviews in 100 consecutive subjects of pretrial foren

Background. The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is established as a bridge to heart transplantation. Methods. All Swedish patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation, treated with LVAD since 1993 were retrospectively collected into a database and analyzed in regards to risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Results. Fifty-nine patients (46 men) with a median age of 49

Somatostatin (SST) is a peptide hormone active in the regulation of the endocrine system via different somatostatin receptors subtypes. It inhibits the release of multiple secondary peptide hormones, affecting neurotransmission and cell proliferation. SST has a high therapeutic potential in the treatment of disease, such as acromegali, acute pancreatitis and gastroenteropathic endocrine tumors. Ho

Distraction osteogenesis is used both for leg lengthening and for bone transportation in the treatment of fractures and nonunions. The main problem with this method is that the time until full recovery may be up to a year, partly because of the time needed for the new formed bone to consolidate and become strong enough for weight bearing. We have studied whether intermittent parathyroid hormone (P

Fragrance allergy and hand eczema are both common among dermatological patients. Fragrance mix (FM) and its constituents have a recognized relevance to exposure to fine fragrances and cosmetic products. Based on extensive chemical analysis and database search, a new selection of fragrances was established, including 14 known fragrance allergens present in products to which hand exposure would occu

Human cystatin D is a novel member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors present in saliva and tears. Two alleles of the cystatin D gene (CST5), encoding protein variants with either Cys or Arg as residue 26 in their 122-residue polypeptide chains, are present in the population. Expression of the two alleles was investigated by immunochemical analyses of the secreted cystat

We consider the conditions necessary for the development of an inverted population among the energy levels of free atoms in a medium exposed to radiation in spectral non- equilibrium. In particular, we focus on monochromatic radiation occurring as a result of an accidental wavelength coincidence between a pumping emission line and a pumped absorption line in two different elements. We examine espe

The rat femoral artery was used as a free graft and was studied after 2, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. The patency of the grafts was 100% (2 days, n = 6), 78% (7 days, n = 9), 63% (14 days, n = 8), 33% (30 days, n = 12), and 18% (60 days, n = 11). Histology showed an intimal thickening after 14 days and the media, which in the controls consisted of eight to ten layers of myocytes, was reduced to six to

The recent years have witnessed considerable developments in the interpretation of the three-dimensional structures of plant polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the context of their functional specificity. A plethora of new structures of catalytic, carbohydrate-binding and protein-scaffolding modules involved in (hemi)cellulose catabolism has emerged in harness with sophisticated biochemical analy

Water-soluble hemicelluloses were extracted from milled aspen wood (Populus tremula) employing microwave oven treatment at 180oC for 10 min. The final pH of this extract was 3.5. From this extract oligo- and polysaccharides were isolated and subsequently fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography. The structures of the saccharides in three of the fractions obtained were determined by 1H and 13C

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a potentially attractive operating mode for stationary natural gas engines. Increasing demand for efficient, clean burning engines for electrical power generation provides an opportunity to utilize HCCI combustion if several inherent difficulties can be overcome. Fuel composition, particularly the higher hydrocarbon content (ethane, propane, and bu

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) belongs to the thrombospondin family and is a homopentamer primarily expressed in cartilage. Mutations in the COMP gene result in the autosomal dominant chondrodysplasias pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and some types of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), which are characterized by mild to severe short-limb dwarfism and early-onset osteoarthritis. We have

River-dominated coastal areas are typically sites of active biogeochemical cycling, with productivity enhanced by terrestrial inputs of nutrients and organic matter. To examine the spatial variability and relationship between river discharge, phytoplankton, and organic carbon distributions, we analyzed surface water and sediment from the Louisiana shelf adjacent to the Mississippi River. Samples w

Virtual Network Operators lease bandwidth from different data carriers to offer well managed Virtual Private Networks. By using proprietary algorithms and leased resource diversity they can offer Quality of Service, at competitive prices, which is difficult to attain from traditional data network operators. Since maximizing the profit is a key objective for virtual network operators, in this paper