The etiology of SLE is multifactorial with an important genetic impact. Several genes involved in control of autoimmunity and inflammation appear to be important. Hereditary complement deficiency states are associated with increased risk of SLE, but contribute only marginally to the incidence of SLE in the population. However, these conditions have contributed considerably to the knowledge of path

OBJECTIVES: A combination of surgical and medical approaches may address both the underlying pathophysiological processes and the most threatening symptoms in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). CASE: A primigravida with monochorionic twin pregnancy was referred with signs of TTTS at 16 weeks. One twin was severely hydropic with normal amniotic fluid, the co-twin had anhydramnios. Laser treatme

Magnetic compass orientation in birds has been shown to be light dependent. Results from behavioural studies indicate that magnetoreception capabilities are disrupted under light of peak wavelengths longer than 565 nm, and shifts in orientation have been observed at higher light intensities (43-44x1015 quanta s-1 m-2). To investigate further the function of the avian magnetic compass with respect

Marine-lacustrine isolation contacts from seven basins in the Nanortalik area, South Greenland have been analysed and dated. The basins were isolated from the sea as a consequence of isostatic rebound following deglaciation. The isolation contacts were identified with litho- and biostratigraphical analyses, especially sedimentary changes, grey scale analyses and analyses of macroscopical remains o

Objective: The therapies available today for multiple sclerosis (MS) reduce but do not fully control disease activity. The objective of this article is to review the definitions of and treatments for suboptimally controlled MS and highlight the challenges faced by clinicians to increase awareness of recognizing and managing patients with suboptimally controlled MS. Methods: Published literature de

Conventional lipomas harbor karyotypic changes that could be subdivided into four, usually mutually exclusive, categories: rearrangement, in particular through translocations, of chromosome bands 12q13-15, resulting in deregulation of the HMGA2 gene, loss of material from or rearrangement of chromosome 13, supernumerary ring or giant marker chromosomes, and aberrations of chromosome band 6p21. In

To investigate a possible time trend in serum concentrations of persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), representative samples of the young (median age 18 years) Swedish male population were investigated in the years 2000 and 2004. Due to their low age, these men were assumed not to have reached steady state of body burdens of POPs, why their serum concentrations were considered to represent

A portfolio assessment system has been introduced into a biomedical science programme to promote both continuous learning and deep approaches to learning. Attention has been focused on creating harmony between the assessment system and the PBL curriculum of the programme. Biomedicine and laboratory work are central in the curriculum. The portfolio included evidence of laboratory work, personal ref

The calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate two-compound product Dovobet (R)/Daivobet (R)/Taclonex (R)(LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark) has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of psoriasis for up to 8 weeks. As psoriasis is a chronic disease, long-term treatment may be required, so there is a need to investigate the safety of its use over a longer period of time. To investigate

Intranasal immunization of mice with Rib, a cell surface protein of group B streptococcus (GBS), conjugated to or simply coadministered with the recombinant cholera toxin B subunit, induces systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) and local IgA antibody responses and confers protection against lethal GBS infection. These findings have implications for the development of a human GBS vaccine.

Axillary dermatitis is a common problem, particularly in individuals with contact allergy to fragrances. Many individuals suspect their deodorant to be the causal product of their fragrance allergy. It has been shown that deodorants containing cinnamic aldehyde (cinnamal) can elicit axillary dermatitis in patients sensitized to this substance. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate t

Models of several types of iron-sulfur clusters (e.g., Fe4S4(SCH3)42-/3-/4-) have been studied with the density functional B3LYP method and medium-sized basis sets. In a vacuum, the inner-sphere reorganization energies are 40, 76, 40, 62, 43, and 42 kJ/mol for the rubredoxin, [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin, Rieske, [4Fe-4S] ferredoxin, high-potential iron protein, and desulfoferrodoxin models, respectively.

Mycorrhizal symbioses -- the union of roots and soil fungi -- are universal in terrestrial ecosystems and may have been fundamental to land colonization by plants1,2. Boreal, temperate, and montane forests all depend upon ectomycorrhizae1. Identification of the primary factors that regulate symbiotic development and metabolic activity will therefore open the door to understanding the role of 2 ect

The intestinal epithelial barrier, which is regulated by the actin cytoskeleton, exhibits permeability changes during inflammation. Here we show that activation of the CysLT(1) receptor by the inflammatory mediator leukotriene D-4 (LTD4) causes a rapid increase in stress-fibre formation in intestinal epithelial cells. This effect was mimicked by cytotoxic necrotising factor-1 (CNF-1)-induced activ

Since the first report by Simpson (1957) of the association between premature birth and maternal smoking, the research on the consequences of maternal smoking during pregnancy on perinatal outcome has been intense. Even if some of the findings have been contradictory, it is now evident that maternal smoking is associated with pre-term birth and low birth weight, low birth weight for gestational ag

Inflammation is a key pathology in asthma. In the central airways local inflammation leads to irreversible remodeling and airway dysfunction. Complex inflammatory changes also occur in the nose, sinuses, and small airways. In particular, rhinitis and asthma are linked by a common pathogenic process with common inflammatory cells, mediators, and cytokines. Cross-communication between the airways an