Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes megasyndromes of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor alterations in the GI tract of T. cruzi-infected mice, and to assess the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of intestinal dilation. Brazil strain-infected C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice exhibited dilatation of the intestines by 30 days post-infection.

The structure of spherical brushes formed by symmetric diblock polyampholytes end-grafted onto small spherical particles in aqueous solution is examined within the framework of the so-called primitive model using Monte Carlo simulations. The properties of the two blocks are identical except for the sign of their charges. Three different chain flexibilities corresponding to flexible, semiflexible,

Data from the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor, in combination with new mapping techniques, has the potential to improve regional research on tropical forest resources and land use dynamics. In this study, a supervised regression tree model was used to map fractions of (1) mature forest, (2) secondary forest, and (3) non-forest, using multi-temporal MODIS 250-m data as

The decline of deciduous woodland populations of Anemone hepatica L. in southern Sweden is documented and possible causes are discussed. The study was based on (1) re-investigations of 6.25 km(2) grid-squares first studied in 19381970, (2) distribution of A. hepatica in woodland sites with well-known soil chemical properties and (3) a detailed study over 12 consecutive years into the relationships

Renal transplant patients have a high prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures. The aim of the study was to investigate whether dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is of value to predict fractures. In 1995-2007, 238 renal transplant patients underwent 670 DXA investigations. Osteopenia (46.0%), osteoporosis (13.9%) and absolute bone mineral density (BMD) (median 0.9, range 0.4-2.0 g

The use of high dynamic range (HDR) textures in real-time graphics applications can increase realism and provide a more vivid experience. However, the increased bandwidth and storage requirements for uncompressed HDR data can become a major bottleneck. Hence, several recent algorithms for HDR texture compression have been proposed. In this paper, we discuss several practical issues one has to co

Aim: To assess the 2-year efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin (50 mg once daily) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and mild hyperglycaemia. Methods: This was a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comprising a 52-week core study with a 4-week, active treatment-free washout followed by a 52-week extension study with another washout period conducted in 131 drug

Aims. To investigate the effects of selective beta(2)- and selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor (AR) agonists on prostaglandin (PG) E-2-induced bladder hyperactivity in conscious free-moving rats. Methods. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized for implantation of bladder, intravenous, and intra-arterial catheters. The effects of a beta(3)-AR agonist (CL316,243) on cystometric and cardiovascular p

In birds and mammals with sexual size dimorphism (SSD), the larger sex is typically more sensitive to adverse environmental conditions, such as food shortage, during ontogeny. However, some recent studies of altricial birds have found that the larger sex is less sensitive, apparently because large size renders an advantage in sibling competition. Still, this effect is not an inevitable outcome of

During mammalian aging, cellular proteins become increasingly damaged: for example, by carbonylation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The means to ensure that offspring are born without such damage are unknown. Unexpectedly, we found that undifferentiated mouse ES cells contain high levels of both carbonyls and AGEs. The damaged proteins, identified as chaperones and protei

Background/aim: Oxytocin (OT) has a wide range of effects throughout the body. However, the role of OT on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has to be settled. So far, the few studies performed reveal no conclusive results. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of Of and OT-receptor mRNA in the human GI tract. Material and methods: Full-thickness biopsies from all segments of the GI tra

Sedation in critically ill patients is a complex issue and at the same time an important concept for ensuring patient comfort. The aim of this study was to review the current practice of sedation for patients on mechanical ventilation in Swedish intensive care units (ICUs). Questionnaires were sent by post to head nurses in 89 ICUs with mechanically ventilated patients. By August 2000, 87 (98%) qu

Background: Recent studies on the pathophysiology of heart failure indicate the role of neurohormones and immune and inflammatory processes as potential mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and clinical course of chronic heart failure (CHF). Aim: To analyse the relationship between concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) a

In several countries, increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue in young adults has been suspected during the last decades. Some reports indicate a lower survival rate for young patients compared to older patients. In other reports, there has not been any considerable difference in survival when comparing young adults to older patients, whereas some authors have shown bett

An enrichment technique was used to isolate 11 di-, tri-, and tetra microsatellites for the parasitic fly Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae). These loci were polymerase chain reaction amplified in singleplexes or two-plexes for P. downsi. The loci showed low to moderate polymorphism, exhibited between three and four alleles, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.05 to 0.86. These new markers

Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is a neuropeptide expressed in brain regions thought to regulate anxiety levels, depression, addiction and energy homeostasis. Individuals with a CART mutation display increased anxiety and depression. Severe anxiety is a core phenomenon of suicidality. We therefore studied levels of CART in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 98 patients with diffe

Digital elevation models (DEMs) can be captured and analysed by various methods. Elevation capturing with RTK-GPS and airborne laser scanning is presented and evaluated in terms of height accuracy of raw data and interpolated DEMs for study sites in Sweden and Germany. Applications for precision agriculture are based on the connection of land surface and the movement of water in the landscape. Thr

In mature seeds of Brassica napus three major and three minor myrosinase isoenzymes were identified earlier. These myrosinases are known to be encoded by at least two different families of myrosinase genes, denoted MA and MB. In the work described in this paper the presence of different myrosinase isoenzymes in embryos, seedlings, and vegetative mature tissues of B. napus was studied and related t