Background: Interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a; Avonex) is effective for the treatment of relapsing MS; however, the optimal dose of IFNbeta-1a is not known. Objective: To determine whether IFNbeta-1a 60 mug IM once weekly is more effective than IFNbeta-1a 30 mug IM once weekly in reducing disability progression in relapsing MS. Methods: In a double-blind, parallel-group, dose-comparison study, 802 pa

Traffic safety work needs different methods and tools in order to choose and evsaluate traffic safety measures. The thesis contributes to this problem by presenting and visualizing a method which describes the traffic safety situation in several dimensions. The method used to describe the traffic safety problem shows the potential of a simultanous presentation and evaluation of these dimensions an

A near-threshold He-4(gamma, n) cross-section measurement has been performed at MAX-lab. Tagged photons from 23 < Ey < 42 MeV were directed toward a liquid He-4 target, and neutrons were detected by time-of-flight in two liquid-scintillator arrays. Seven-point angular distributions were measured for eight photon energies. The results are compared to experimental data measured at comparable energie

In recent years a new generation of tracking particle detectors has been developed for particle physics experiments. One such detector, the microstrip gas counter (MSGC) is similar to the multiwire proportional chamber but consists of fine strips of metal on a substrate rather than suspended wires. The main feature of this device is the sub-millimetre readout spacing. When filled with tissue-equiv

Magnetic and related properties of rocks and products from oxidation of sulphide minerals have been investigated with magnetisation measurements (rocks and oxidation products), magnetic force microscopy (rocks), scanning electron microscopy (rocks and oxidation products), transmission electron microscopy (oxidation products), Mössbauer spectroscopy (oxidation products) and powder X-ray diffraction

Objectives: Carotid stenosis is a crucial cause of ischemic stroke. Recent studies suggest that one of the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability. Design and main outcome measures: In th

To date, only 16 cytogenetically abnormal hemangiopericytomas (HP) have been reported. Despite this low number, some characteristic karyotypic features have already emerged: most HP are near-diploid and breakpoints in 12q13, 12q24, and 19q13 seem to be common, with t(12;19)(q13;q13) being a recurrent translocation. Here, we report the first case of a probably benign splenic HP with chromosomal abn

The present study is composed of a series of six independent yet related articles treating various aspects of international trade and economic growth. In Chapter two the effects of European Integration (EI) on long-run economic growth is studied. Contrary to earlier empirical results long-run effects of EI are identified. As a development Chapter three examines two potential channels linking EI to

The fast timing beta gamma gamma(t) method was applied to investigate the level lifetimes in Mg-30,Mg-31,Mg-32. Levels in Mg have been populated in beta and beta-delayed neutron emission of Na, at the ISOLDE facility. From the gamma gamma coincidences a number of new states have been identified and new level schemes were constructed for 30 31,32 Mg. The following preliminary half lives have been d

To examine the pathophysiology of the age-related rise in the plasma concentration of parathyroid hormone (PTH), we studied the relationships among plasma immunoreactive PTH (iPTH), parathyroid gland volume, parathyroid cell proliferation rate, renal function, and blood Ca2+ in male Fischer 344 rats aged 6-28 mo. Plasma iPTH increased 2.5-fold between 6 and 28 mo and correlated with parathyroid gl

HEATOX is the acronym for a European Union-funded project entitled Heat-Generated Food Toxicants: Identification, Characterization, and Risk Minimization. Acrylamide will be the main experimental focus, but identification of unknown toxicants in heated carbohydrate-rich foods will also be attempted. The project includes research on formation chemistry, food technology, analytical methods, hazard c

Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) vector has been widely employed for gene therapy. Recent progress suggests that the new serotypes of AAV showed a better performance than did AAV2 in normal tissues. Here, we evaluate the potential role of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer using rAAV vector pseudotyped with serotype I capsid proteins (rAAV1) in the t