Bats are currently killed in large numbers at wind turbines worldwide, but the ultimate reason why this happens remains poorly understood. One hypothesis is that bats visit wind turbines to feed on insects exposed at the turbine towers. We used single molecule next generation DNA sequencing to identify stomach contents of 18 bats of four species (Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nyctalus noctula, Eptesicus

Objective. To study longterm work disability and possible predictors in newly diagnosed patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS). Methods. Because we wanted to include only patients with full work availability potential, eligible patients were aged 18-62 years. Fifty-one patients (mean age 46 yrs, range 18-61 yrs, 50 women) diagnosed with pSS between January 2001 and December 2012 were include

This paper describes the methods used in the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 Survey (ICBPM4) which examines time intervals and routes to cancer diagnosis in 10 jurisdictions. We present the study design with defining and measuring time intervals, identifying patients with cancer, questionnaire development, data management and analyses. Design and setting: Recruitment of part

Background: The gut microbiota plays an important role in the development of obesity and obesity-associated impairments such as low-grade inflammation. Lingonberries have been shown to prevent diet-induced obesity and low-grade inflammation. However, it is not known whether the effect of lingonberry supplementation is related to modifications of the gut microbiota. The aim of the present study was

Background: Environmental lead exposure is a possible causative factor for increased blood pressure and hypertension, but large studies at low-level exposure are scarce, and results inconsistent. Objective: We aimed to examine the effects of environmental exposure to lead in a large population-based sample. Methods: We assessed associations between blood lead and systolic/diastolic blood pressure

Metformin lowers diabetic blood glucose primarily by reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis and increasing peripheral glucose uptake. However, possible effects by metformin on beta-cell function are incompletely understood. We speculated that metformin might positively influence insulin secretion through impacting the beta-cell nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-NO system, a negative modulator of glucose-stimu

BACKGROUND: A mutation found in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene of a breast tumor could be either germline or somatically acquired. The prevalence of somatic BRCA1/2 mutations and the ratio between somatic and germline BRCA1/2 mutations in unselected breast cancer patients are currently unclear.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Paired normal and tumor DNA was analyzed for BRCA1/2 mutations by massively parallel seque

In facultative partial migrants some individuals in a population are migratory and others are resident and individuals decide each year anew which strategy to choose. While the proportion of birds migrating is in part determined by environmental conditions and competitive abilities, the timing of individual departure and behaviours on route are little understood. Individuals encounter different en

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) are related to the metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). SIK2 is abundant in adipose tissue. The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of SIKs in relation to human obesity and insulin resistance, and to evaluate whether changes in the expression of SIKs might play a causal role in the development of disturbed glucose

The drafters of the 1990 Dublin Convention knowingly and willfully disregarded divergences among Member States' protection systems. Like a boomerang, the fallacy of this approach has now reappeared in cases where asylum seekers have challenged transfers under the Convention, tasking judges to tackle a problem which its drafters avoided. The core issue of this article is whether and when such diver

Denna avhandling studerar den moraliska konfliktlinje som genomsyrade den frihetstida politiken åren kring 1740 och som strukturerade politiken enligt en särskilt moralpolitisk logik. Logiken hade sin grund i dels samhällsordningens absoluta och normativt oföränderliga karaktär, dels ett antal djupa förmoderna erfarenheter av och förväntningar på människan som oförmögen att hantera sin fördärvade

Background Electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of embolic stroke, but is generally considered safe if performed within 48 h after onset. Our objective was to investigate if thromboembolism and bleeding in association with cardioversion of atrial fibrillation differed between patients with and without oral anticoagulation. Methods Retrospective study

Introduction: Assay discrepancy in factor VIII activity between the one-stage and the chromogenic assays has been described in approximately one third of patients with non-severe haemophilia A. Whether assay discrepancy may also occur in patients with haemophilia B remains unknown. Aim: This study compared the results from the one-stage and the chromogenic assays in patients with haemophilia B. Me

Background and aims Diet and smoking expose the general population to cadmium (Cd), which is a toxic metal that accumulates in the arterial wall. In experimental studies, Cd causes reductions in proliferation of smooth muscle cells and cellular synthesis of procollagen. The aim of this study was to examine whether blood Cd levels, a valid measure of Cd exposure, are associated with increased risk