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BACKGROUND: Cathelicidins are a group of antibiotic peptides with broad antimicrobial activity. They are considered to be an essential part of the innate immune system. The only known human cathelicidin is the human cationic antimicrobial protein (hCAP-18), from which the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is released. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we purified hCAP-18 from seminal plasma and

INTRODUCTION: Sperm chromatin integrity assessment has been suggested as a fertility predictor. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the results of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the outcome of IVF, ICSI and intrauterine insemination (IUI). METHODS: A total of 306 consecutive couples undergoing assisted reproduction were included. IUI was performed in 131, IVF

AIM: To assess the lifetime cumulative incidence of portal venous thrombosis (PVT) in the general population. METHODS: Between 1970 and 1982, 23 796 autopsies, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in the Malmo city population, were performed, using a standardised protocol including examination of the portal vein. PVT patients were characterised and the PVT prevalence at autopsy, an expressio

Objective: To clarify the relationship between symptoms, clinical signs and physiological abnormalities that were motivating the initiation of home mechanical ventilation in patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases. Methods: From The Swedish Home Mechanical Ventilation Register we identified 352 patients with neuromuscular diseases and we looked at circumstances ( acute vs elective) and clin

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a strong independent cardiovascular risk factor, consists of the unique apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] covalently linked to a low-density lipoprotein particle. Apo(a) contains a widely differing number of the plasminogen-like kringle IV, a size polymorphism that is codominantly inherited. In addition to powerful genetic control, renal failure is known to influence the plasma Lp

The study set out to explore whether an index of atrial electrical electrophysiology can be used to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) relapse, and if the predictive properties differ as a result of arrhythmia duration. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study comprised 175 consecutive patients with persistent AF (median duration 94 days, range 2 to 1044) referred for cardioversion. Twenty-nine patients had a

Laurdan (6-lauroyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene) fluorescence spectroscopy has been applied to probe the physical status of the thylakoid membrane upon conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. So far, only phospholipid-dominated membranes have been studied by this method and hereby we report the first use of laurdan in mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol-dominated membrane systems. The generalised

The screen-printed four-electrode system was used as the amperometric transducer for determination of phenols and pesticides using immobilised tyrosinase. peroxidase. acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Acetylthiocholine chloride was chosen as substrate for cholinesterases to measure inhibition by pesticides, hydrogen peroxide served as co-substrate for peroxidase to measure phenols. T

This prospective observational data collection study assessed the cost and quality of life related to hip, vertebral and wrist fracture 1 year after the fracture, based on a patient sample consisting of 635 male and female patients surviving a year after fracture. Data regarding resource use and quality of life related to fractures was collected by questionnaires at baseline, 4 months and 12 month

The authors performed a retrospective study of 50 patients with endoscopically diagnosed duodenitis who had undergone double-contrast upper gastrointestinal (GI) examinations. Duodenitis was diagnosed on the original radiographic reports in six of 37 patients (16%) with mild-to-moderate duodenitis, five of 13 patients (38%) with severe duodenitis, and 11 of 50 patients (22%) with all grades of duo

This multicenter study describes the development of a chemoradiation protocol for the treatment of non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Eighty patients were treated with three courses of chemotherapy (cisplatinum and 5-fluorouracil) with concomitant radiotherapy (40 Gy) during the last two courses of chemotherapy. Esophagectomy was performed, when feasible. If no operation was

Background and aim of the study: The study aim was to analyze the relationship between patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and in-hospital complications and mortality after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: AVR was performed in 1,819 patients between January 1996 and July 2006. Follow up investigations were performed after a mean of 4.3 years (range: 0 days to 10.6 years). Univariate and mult

Four kitchens, each with a different work load, were used to evaluate the microbiological risk of utilizing blasting granules in a new type of warewash machine. The granules, plastic pellets 3.5 - 3.5 mm, are recirculated together with the dishwater in the machine, and when the dishwater is expelled, the granules remain in the machine until the next day. Samples of soiled dishwater and tap water w

Overwash, the flow of water and sediment over the crest of a beach, contributes to flooding and the deposition of sand landward of the beach crest. Washover, the sand deposited by overwash, contributes to the sediment budget and migration of barrier islands. The ability to predict the occurrence, location, and thickness of overwash deposits is important for coastal residents, coastal town planners