BACKGROUND: Mean left atrioventricular plane displacement is strongly related to prognosis in patients with heart failure. We aimed to examine its value for prognostication and risk stratification in patients hospitalised for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left atrioventricular plane displacement was assessed by echocardiography in 271 consecutive patients with acute myocardial

The human endometrium is a dynamic tissue, which undergoes extensive tissue remodelling during the menstrual cycle. Due to their involvement in such processes, several well-characterized matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have previously been studied in the endometrium. MMP-26 is a newly described matrilysin. We studied MMP-26 mRNA in 39 normal endometrial samples obtained across the menstrual cycle.

Smart polymers (SP) have become one important class of polymers and their applications have been increasing significantly. Last two to three decades have witnessed explosive growth in the subject. SP which are also known as stimuli-responsive soluble insoluble polymers or environmentally sensitive polymers have been used in the area of biotechnology, medicine and engineering. The present review is

The article presents an analytical model for evaluation of ion angular distribution functions (IADFs) at a radio frequency (rf)-biased surface in a high-density plasma reactor. The model couples a unified rf sheath model to an assumed ion velocity distribution function-based formulation for determining the IADF under any general rf-bias condition. Under direct-current (dc) bias conditions the IADF

The aim of this study was to evaluate the added utility of gadolinium administration in the magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of developmental delay in children less than 2 years of age. A computerized retrospective study identified all brain magnetic resonance imaging examinations using gadolinium performed at our institution from 1995-2002 for children under the age of 2 years. Review of the

We have in a population-based setting evaluated biochemical markers of bone metabolism in 328 women, aged 40-80 years, and related it to contents of bone mineral measurements and the retrospective and prospective presence of fracture. The participants were recruited from the city population files. Serum samples for analysis of osteocalcin (Oc), procollagen I carboxy-terminal extension peptide (PIC

Aims: When analyzing P-wave morphology, the vectorcardiogram(VCG) has been shown useful to identify indicators of propensity to atrial fibrillation (AF). Since VCG is rarely used in the clinical routine, we wanted to investigate if these indicators could be accurately determined in VCG derived from standard 12-lead ECG (dVCG).Methods: ECG and VCG recordings from 21 healthy subjects and 20 patients

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation in general surgery. Prosthetic reinforcement of the inguinal area with polypropylene mesh has increased dramatically in the last decade. The aim of this study was to evaluate how different types of mesh affect the spermatic cord structures. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The spermatic cord was dissected free and

Abstract Research in marketing has neglected economic scarcity in affluent societies, with a few exceptions. Many affluent states are today facing financial difficulties and a global belief in the market as self-regulating, and in de-regulation have led to a focus on consumer agency. This has also contributed to a widening gap regarding opportunities to consume in affluent societies. The purpose o

To assess whether the water availability measures commonly used in species distribution models might be misleading because they do not account for the hydrological effects of changes in vegetation structure and functioning. Europe. We compared different methods for estimating water availability in species distribution models with the soil water content predicted by a process-based ecosystem model.

This paper describes a new noninvasive ultrasonic method for estimating pulse wave velocity (PWV), an important physical parameter for characterizing the elastic properties of the arterial walls. The method utilizes a relatively new color Doppler modality for measuring tissue motion (tissue Doppler imaging or TDI). In contrast to previously proposed methods, the TDI modality offers multiple record

(GAL)-positive nerve fibers in rat cerebral vessels were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, and their origin in the trigeminal ganglia and pathway in the nasociliary nerve to the vessels was shown by retrograde tracer technique and nerve transection. Some fibres in the vertebrobasilar system appear to originate in extracranial sources. With the antiserum used only few GAL fibers could be seen i

Fluorescence polarization is one of the most commonly used homogeneous assay principles in drug discovery for screening of potential lead compounds. In this article, the fluorescence polarization technique is combined with 2-photon excitation of fluorescence. Theoretically, the use of 2-photon excitation of fluorescence increases the volumetric sensitivity and polarization contrast of fluorescence

When testing for unit roots using the Dickey-Fuller test, the presence of structural breaks can cause serious size distortions to the test. Previous research has suggested two modified tests, the weighted symmetric and the recursively mean-adjusted test, that has robust size properties even in the presence of a structural break. However, recent findings have shown that the power of the two modifie

Lipases can be used to exchange fatty acids in the sn-1 position of glycerophospholipids and phospholipase A2 is useful for the corresponding exchange reaction in the sn-2 position. In both cases, the exchange can be done in a one-step acidolysis process or in a two-step process. In the latter case, the original fatty acid in the desired position is removed by enzymatic hydrolysis or alcoholysis a

Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to compare developments in the utilisation of antihyperglycaemic drugs (AHGDs) in ten European countries. Subhect and methods Data on the yearly utilisation of insulin and oral AHGDs were collected from public registers in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain, and were expressed as defined daily doses per 1

The linear viscoelastic properties of a nonionic lamellar phase in C-orientation were studied as a function of temperature by small-amplitude oscillatory measurements in the frequency range 0.5-5 Hz. An almost solidlike elastic response was observed at all studied temperatures, from 42 to 20 degrees C. In this range, the elastic modulus was found to increase strongly with decreasing temperature. T

Studies of ornaments as indicators of individual quality have hitherto focused on males, while studies of female ornaments have been almost absent. However, females within the same species may show large variation in both outer appearance and individual quality. We experimentally examined the effect of an immune challenge on the size of white fringes in the wing feathers produced one to two months

n this article we discuss coastal erosion, efforts to deal with it and its associated problems on both a national and international basis, and difficulties in making long-range predictions of it. We emphasise the need to: assemble and share knowledge, information and experience in this area internationally; upgrade shoreline management guidelines; employ the latest methods and techniques for comba

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal pH monitoring using a wireless pH capsule has been suggested to generate less adverse symptoms resulting in improved patient acceptance compared with the catheter-based method although evidence to support this assumption is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the subjective experience of patients undergoing both techniques for esophageal pH monitoring.