A time-gated technique to enhance viewing through highly scattering media such as tissue is discussed. Experiments have been performed on tissue like plastic phantoms to determine the possibilities and limitations of the technique. The effects of the time-gate width and the localization, size, and optical properties of hidden objects have been studied. A computer model to simulate light propagatio

The single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systemis a new systemthat was adopted in the standardization of the upcoming 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE). Designing diversity-achieving schemes for the SC-FDMA system is a challenging task. The codes adopted should not affect the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) among other constraints. In this paper, we consider the design of co

This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter valve annuloplasty in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR).

The experimentally known phenomenon that originally collinear mode I cracks seem to avoid each other before coalescence is studied by investigating the stability of straight crack paths. To this end a periodic array of approximately collinear but slightly curved cracks is considered. Stress intensity factors for modes I and II are derived and the growth of originally straight cracks under mode I c

Intratumoral heterogeneity is an inherent feature of most human cancers and has profound implications for cancer therapy. As a result, there is an emergent need to explore previously unmapped mechanisms regulating distinct subpopulations of tumor cells and to understand their contribution to tumor progression and treatment response. Aberrant platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) si

Introduction: Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is well known for, for example, photo rejuvenation, where higher cut-off filters are used. The longer wavelengths penetrate deeper in the dermis leading to damage of the collagen and stimulation of new collagen formation, which lead to more soft and elastic skin. Microstomia in systemic sclerosis is the end result of excessive collagen deposition,

A homozygous mutation in the complex III chaperone BCS1L causes GRACILE syndrome (intrauterine growth restriction, aminoaciduria, cholestasis, hepatic iron overload, lactacidosis). In control and patient fibroblasts we localized BCS1L in inner mitochondrial membranes. In patient liver, kidney, and heart BCS1L and Rieske protein levels, as well as the amount and activity of complex III, were decrea

In this paper we give a unified framework for constructing harmonic morphisms from the irreducible Riemannian symmetric spaces HHn, CHn, RH2n+l, HPn, CPn and RP2n+1 of rank one. Using this we give a positive answer to the global existence problem for the non-compact hyperbolic cases.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cellular and whole body energy homeostasis. In adipose tissue, activation of AMPK has been demonstrated in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. However, the upstream kinase that activates AMPK in adipocytes remains elusive. Previous studies have identified LKB1 as a major AMPK kinase in muscle, liver and oth

Background/Aims: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are non-linear pattern recognition techniques, which can be used as a tool in medical decision-making. The aim of this study was to construct and validate an ANN model for early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Patients treated for AP from 2002 to 2005 (n = 139) and from 2007 to 2009 (n = 69) were analyzed to develop

An infinite summation method is used to obtain the intrinsic photoemission spectrum of a conduction electron in the sudden limit. It is predicted that an electron at the bottom of the conduction band should have an asymmetry index comparable to that of a core electron and that the strengths of its plasmon satellites should be similar to those of a core electron. The width of their plasmon satellit

Neutrophil-mediated lung damage is an insidious feature in septic patients, although the adhesive mechanisms behind pulmonary recruitment of neutrophils in polymicrobial sepsis remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to define the role of lymphocyte function-antigen 1 (LFA-1) and membrane-activated complex 1 (Mac-1) in septic lung injury. Pulmonary edema, bronchoalveolar infiltration of n

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment of puberty has been reported to correlate well with staging by a physician. No previous study has evaluated the use of an orchidometer to assess testicular size in boys. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 44 girls and 56 boys, 10-16 years old, with assessed Tanner staging. The boys also used an orchidometer. The correlation with a professional's staging was analyzed usi

Objective: To test the hypotheses that the empirical consideration of objective person-environment fit in the home environment is a stronger predictor of indoor falls among older adults than the assessment of environmental barriers only, and that perceived aspects of home play a role as predictors for falls.Design: Survey study with data collection at home visits, followed up by self-reports about

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult rat subventricular zone (SVZ) generate new striatal neurons during several months after ischemic stroke. Whether the microglial response associated with ischemic injury extends into SVZ and influences neuroblast production is unknown. Here, we demonstrate increased numbers of activated microglia in ipsilateral SVZ concomitant with neuroblast migration into the

Objective: The present study evaluates the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on left ventricular remodelling following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic insufficiency. Methods: In this study, 230 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they exhibited PPM. Postoperative left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function w

Voiding is mediated by muscarinic receptors in urinary bladder smooth muscle cells. Lipid rafts and caveolae are cholesterol enriched membrane domains that modulate the activity of G protein-coupled receptors and second messenger systems. Conflicting findings regarding sensitivity of muscarinic signalling to cholesterol desorption, which perturbs lipid rafts and caveolae, have been reported, and n

OBJECTIVE: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with autoantibody-coated engulfed necrotic cell material (NC) are frequently seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated the roles of complement, different antihistone antibodies (anti-H ab), and oxidative burst in the phagocytosis of NC by PMN, as well as association to disease activity and clinical phenotype in SLE. METHODS: ELISA an