A polymer density functional theory is evaluated in terms of its ability to predict interactions between large surfaces in a polymer fluid. Comparisons are made with results from simulations in an expanded isotension ensemble. The variation of the net surface-surface interaction with adsorption strength is examined. Cases where the monomers interact via a pure hard sphere potential are investigate

Twenty-eight cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were identified in children in a pediatric oncology ward during 2 nosocomial outbreaks. HCV infection spontaneously cleared in 6 patients (21%). Eleven patients with persistent HCV viremia who had malignant diseases in remission after treatment were given a 48-week course of combined therapy with interferon-alpha (5x106 U 3 times weekly) and

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of meniscal damage on the development of frequent knee pain, aching, or stiffness in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study is a prospective study of 3,026 individuals 50 years of age or older who have or are at high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated knees at baseline and at 15 months. Case knees (n =

The identification of the BTK(Bruton's tyrosine kinase) gene defective in human immunoglobulin deficiency X-Iinked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) and characterisation of BTK exon-intron boundaries has now allowed the analysis of mutations and polymorphisms at the level of genomic DNA, Using Southern blot analysis and the polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) assay

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of studying selected literature on dentists' decisions to remove asymptomatic, impacted lower third molars. A pre-test-post-test control group design was used. Given 36 patient cases, two groups of 16 general dental practitioners each were asked to assess the need for removal of asymptomatic impacted lower third molars. The cases were classified by th

The platelet-derived growth factors are implicated in development of fibrotic reactions and disease in several organs. We have overexpressed platelet-derived growth factor-C in the heart using the alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter and created a transgenic mouse that exhibits cardiac fibrosis followed by hypertrophy with sex-dependent phenotypes. The transgenic mice developed several pathological c

The study includes partitioning of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems consisting of the polymer dextran and the non-ionic surfactant C12E5 (pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether). In this system a micelle-enriched phase is in equilibrium with a polymer-enriched phase. Charges can be introduced into the micelles by the addition of charged surfactants. The charge of the mixed micelles is easi

A prospective randomized double-blind trial was performed comparing conventional low-dose heparin with a low molecular weight heparin fragment for thromboprophylaxis in elective general abdominal surgical patients. The first dose of the heparin fragment was given the evening before surgery, and further doses were given thereafter every evening. There were 1002 analysable patients, 826 having recei

Reaction of the new polydentate ligand 2,6-bis{3-[N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]propoxy}benzoic acid (LH) with Fe(ClO4)3 followed by addition of chloroacetic acid leads to the formation of the tetranuclear complex [{Fe2OL(ClCH2- CO2)2}2](ClO4)4, the crystal structure of which reveals that it consists of two FeII2(µ-O)(µ-RCO2)2 cores that are linked via the two L ligands in a helical structure, with

Total hip replacement (THR) is a common and costly procedure. The number of THR is expected to increase over the coming years. Two pathways of postoperative treatment were compared in a randomized study. Fifty patients from two hospitals were randomized into a study group (SG) of 27 patients receiving preoperative and postoperative education programs, as well as home visits from an outpatient team

In an attempt to define clinically relevant models of akinesia and dyskinesia in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, we have examined the effects of drugs with high (L-DOPA) vs. low (bromocriptine) dyskinesiogenic potential in Parkinson's disease on three types of motor performance, namely: (i) abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) (ii) rotational behaviour, and (iii) spontaneous forelimb us

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in young animals the dynamics of calvarial bone healing when exposing a bone defect to continuous forces for up to 13 weeks. Six-week-old rabbits after a sagittal suture strip craniectomy were randomized for either of the following protocols: (1) no spring was applied (n = 7); (2) a titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) lower-force spring was inserted across

Background Cell and animal experiments have shown that beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) may be involved in myelination. Objective Here, we assess the association of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) BACE1 activity with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods BACE1 activity and levels of secreted amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid-beta (A beta) isoforms were analyzed in CSF from 100 patients with

We study the relationship between convergence in capacities of plurisubharmonic functions and the convergence of the corresponding complex Monge-Ampère measures. We find one type of convergence of complex Monge-Ampère measures which is essentially equivalent to convergence in the capacity C n of functions. We also prove that weak convergence of complex Monge-Ampère measures is equivalent to conver

To investigate the long-term effects of habitual physical activity on changes in musculoskeletal health, functional performance, and fracture risk in elderly men and women. Ten-year prospective population-based study. Malmo-Sjobo Prospective Study, Sweden. Participants were 152 men and 206 women aged 50, 60, 70, and 80 who were followed for 10 years. Distal radius bone mineral density (BMD) (singl

Voles of the genus Microtus represent one of the most speciose mammalian genera in the Holarctic. We established a molecular phylogeny for Microtus to resolve contentious issues of systematic relationships and evolutionary history in this genus. A total of 81 specimens representing ten Microtus species endemic to Europe as well as eight Eurasian, six Asian and one Holarctic species were sequenced