OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic function (DD-PSF) is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Population-based surveys studying the associations between DD-PSF and lifestyle-associated risk factors, such as leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and smoking, are scarce. Thus, the aims were to explore the associations between DD-PSF and

Environmental contaminants such as cadmium and persistent organochlorine pollutants have been proposed as risk factors of osteoporosis, and women may be at an increased risk. To assess associations between exposure to cadmium and two different POPs (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl CB-153, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene p,p'-DDE), on one hand, and bone effects, on the other, in a p

The aim was to investigate the relation between axonal outgrowth (neurofilaments) and Schwann cell activation (activating transcription factor 3) and apoptosis (caspase 3) 10 days after nerve repair with no, minor (3 mm defect) and moderate (6 mm defect) tension in rat sciatic nerve using immunohistochemistry. After repair with no tension, axons grew 11.75 mm, but repair with minor and moderate te

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the burden of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Spain, as baseline for economic evaluation of the use of biological agents. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective observational study was performed in 601 patients with AS in Spain, using a methodology developed in studies in the United Kingdom and Canada. Patients were mailed a questionnaire asking about their health-care c

INTRODUCTION: Cardiogenic shock is the main cause of death in patients hospitalized due to an acute myocardial infarction. Mild hypothermia reduces metabolism and could offer protective effects for this condition. The aim of our study was to investigate if mild therapeutic hypothermia would improve outcome and hemodynamic parameters in an ischemic cardiogenic shock pig model. METHODS: Twenty-five

To study whether a culture medium that allows undisturbed culture supports human embryo development to the blastocyst stage equivalently to a well-established sequential media.

OBJECTIVE: Decades after an acute poliomyelitis infection many persons experience new symptoms or impairments which may affect their life satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between life satisfaction and self-reported impairments in persons with late effects of polio. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-nine persons (104women and 65men) with prior p

The cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules mediates adhesive interactions that are required for the formation and maintenance of tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that N-cadherin, which is required for numerous morphogenetic processes, is expressed in the pancreatic epithelium at E9.5, but later becomes restricted to endocrine aggregates in mice. To study the role of N-cadherin during pancr

Pituitary dysfunction (PD) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been demonstrated in several studies. Given the similarities between psychological symptoms and reduced quality of life (QoL) in PD and fatigue commonly seen after SAH, we have investigated the relationship between QoL and PD after SAH.

To improve the sensitivity of antibody microarray assays, we developed ENSAM ( Europium Nanoparticles for Signal enhancement of Antibody Microarrays). ENSAM is based on two nanomaterials. The first is polystyrene nanoparticles incorporated with europium chelate (beta-diketone) and coated with streptavidin. The multiple fluorophores incorporated into each nanoparticle should increase signal obtaine

Objectives: To evaluate the treatment effect of prednisolone and/or valaciclovir in Bell's palsy patients with different baseline severity of palsy. Design: Patient data were collected from the Scandinavian Bell's Palsy Study, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial. Setting: Sixteen otorhinolaryngological centres in Sweden and one in Finland. Particip

Background: A woman's refusal or request for a cesarean section can be a problem for midwives and obstetricians working in maternity units. The objective of this study was to describe the attitudes of midwives in Sweden toward the obstetrician's decision making in relation to a woman's refusal of an emergency cesarean section and to a woman's request for a cesarean section without a medical indica