Search results

Previously, we have shown that short-term administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) results in reduced concentrations of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, including lipoprotein(a), and reduced activities of hepatic lipase. These effects were observed in steroid-treated patients suffering from iatrogenic ACTH deficiency and in healthy individuals. The direct nature of the influe

Background and aims: Several studies report a high prevalence of memory complaints in the elderly, non-demented population. Since the pathogenesis and diversity of memory impairment in healthy people is still an unresolved issue, we designed our study to ascertain the occurrence of brain abnormalities in Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) by measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Meth

Background: Improved diagnostics in suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are considered to be needed. To help clarify the current situation and the improvement potential, judged risk in the emergency department (ED) and outcome were analyzed among patients with suspected ACS at a university hospital. Methods: 157 consecutive patients with symptoms of ACS were included at the ED during 10 days.

The aim of this study was to elicit reference data representative of normal findings at transvaginal gray-scale and Doppler ultrasound examination of the uterus and ovaries in postmenopausal women. A total of 144 asymptomatic postmenopausal women with normal findings at clinical gynecological examination were included in the study. They underwent transvaginal sonography including Doppler measureme

It is widely accepted that the bioavaiiability, toxicity, and mobility of trace metals are highly dependent on complexation reactions with functional groups in natural organic matter (NOM). In this study, the coordination chemistry of Cd in NOM was investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Soil organic matter (SOM) from different types of organic soils and dissolved or

Objective: To compare the performance of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and simple disease activity index (SDAI) response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis at the individual level in an observational cohort. Methods: 184 outpatients were followed using a structured protocol. For each patient, the responses according to ACR 20% and 50%, EULAR

PURPOSE: To describe complications and visual outcome of photocoagulation for clinically significant macular oedema. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluation of macular oedema and complications of photocoagulation in 194 eyes, defined as subretinal fibrosis, atrophic creep of the pigment epithelium and subretinal neovascularization was based on stereo fundus photo grading. The study included 25 patients w

We have recently proposed a statistical AV node model defined by a set of parameters characterizing the arrival rate of atrial impulses, the probability of an impulse passing through the fast or the slow pathway, the refractory periods of the pathways, and the prolongation of refractory periods. All parameters are estimated from the RR interval series using maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, exce

Transposition of intestinal segments is frequently used for bladder reconstruction. Following transposition, bowel segments continue to produce mucus and a correlation between excessive mucus production and complications such as urinary tract infection or catheter blockage has been observed for a long time. However, no information is currently available on the change of mucin expression and glycos

The aspartic protease cathepsin D, a poor prognostic indicator of breast cancer, is abundantly secreted as procathepsin D by human breast cancer cells and self-activates at low pH in vitro, giving rise to catalytically active cathepsin D. Due to a lower extracellular pH in tumor microenvironments compared to normal tissues, cathepsin D may cleave pathophysiological substrates contributing to cance

Objective: To evaluate if remission induced by low-dose prednisolone during the first 2 years of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the BARFOT glucocorticoid (GC) study had a sustained effect on radiological damage for a total of 4 years. Methods: A total of 150 of 211 eligible patients with RA who had been randomised to the 7.5 mg prednisolone group ( P) or no prednisolone group (NoP) in addition to th

Human carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1), that is one of the enzymes responsible for the reduced efficiency of treatments by the antineoplastic agents anthracyclines, was functionally expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CBR1 was purified and kinetically characterised using daunorubicin as substrate. CBR1-catalysed reduction of daunorubicin followed an apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K-M = 85.2

Objective To document the frequency and causes of maternal mortality and severe (near-miss) morbidity in metropolitan La Paz, Bolivia. Design Facility-based cross-sectional study. Setting Four maternity hospitals in La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia, where free maternal health care is provided through a government-subsidised programme. Population All maternal deaths and women with near-miss morbidity. M