The properties of the arterial vasculature depend to a large extent on the activities of smooth muscle cells, which, in turn, are determined by their extracellular environment. During pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, this interaction is altered. In close proximity to medial smooth muscle cells are basement membrane components, such as different isoforms of laminin. These proteins

OBJECTIVE: This 30-week extension trial was a continuation of the first double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to study memantine in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). The objective was to evaluate the presence of recurrence of symptoms upon drug withdrawal. Furthermore, the aim was to explore washout dynamics in order to inform clinical practice. METHO

Context and Objective:Total muscle triglyceride (MT) content has been associated with insulin resistance. We investigated the predictors and impact of MT on relevant metabolic parameters including peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance in elderly twins.Design and Participants:Seventy-four elderly same-sex twins underwent hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps preceded by an iv glucose tolerance tes

The paper describes measurements performed in three district heating (DH) substations in semidetached houses. In all these houses more than 40 % of the domestic hot water (DHW) tappings turned out to be shorter than 10 s. The fraction of total energy used to heat this water varied between 2.4 % and 10.2 %, indicating a large influence of households' daily habits. For 60-78 % of tappings, the total

OBJECTIVE: To examine the endometrial expression pattern of messenger RNA (mRNA) for selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and gynecology of the Palacky University Medical School and University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic, Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, University

Objective: The aim of the present study was to map out what kind of psychotropic drugs are prescribed for elderly residents in assisted-living homes and how they relate to age, sex, form of living, psychiatric diagnosis, care needs and mental health status, and to identify factors of importance for their use; and to study the indication for treatment and the evaluation of the effects of treatment.

Traditional measures for improved traffic safety need to be complemented by modern technologies in the struggle to reduce the consequences of traffic accidents all over the world. This thesis introduces the Loyal Speed Adaptation (LSA) function based on recent developments in the area of Intelligent Transport Sys-tems to support the vehicle drivers in not using inappropriate or excessive speeds, w

AIM: The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of using a structured nursing intervention programme in hypertension care. BACKGROUND: Counselling on lifestyle changes to address hypertension helps patients reduce risk factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, overweight, dyslipidemia, negative stress and physical inactivity. DESIGN: The study was performed as a pre-test-post-tes

This report is about the co-operation between the police and the social services in the specific situation when the social services apply for assistance for taking children and drug-abusers in to involuntary care immediately. The police have an authority to use violence that social workers do not have. Therefore social workers need the police to accomplish this task. The report aims to reach adeep

To assess the stability of polyomavirus antibodies in serial samples over time and the incidence and age-specific prevalence of polyomavirus infections, we established enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) using purified yeast-expressed virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the VP1 major capsid proteins of JC virus (JCV) and the AS and SB strains of BK virus (BKV). A random subsample of 150 Finnish women wh

The middle part of the Cretaceous represents a time of high diversity and rapid rates of dental evolution in lamniform sharks. Several species had a very wide spatial distribution with recorded occurrences in both hemispheres. We have examined isolated teeth of Cretoxyrhina and Cardabiodon from eastern Russia, Mangyshlak in Kazakhstan, and the Western Interior of the USA. The material indicates th

Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), such aspolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and its major metabolite 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p' -DDE) have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in recent epidemiological studies. We have analysed 2,2',4,4',5,5' -hexachlorobiphenyl (C

Objective: Rate of non-attendance following invitation for breast cancer screening is related to several socioeconomic conditions. To what extent this reflects differences with regard to individual and environmental circumstances, respectively, has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of individual socioeconomic and area-level determinants on variation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cutaneous field stimulation of C fibers for the treatment of itchy skin and its effect on peripheral nerve fibers as shown in skin biopsy specimens. DESIGN: We conducted an open-label uncontrolled study of 19 patients with itching. Each patient applied a flexible plate containing electrodes to the itchy area for 20 minutes at a time once daily for 5 weeks to

Interactions between patients and physiotherapists have been studied by various researchers. Some results indicate that physiotherapists have an awareness of underlying emotions, but often respond only on an intellectual level. It seems that verbally expressed emotions may be important for interaction between physiotherapists and patients during treatment. Aim The aim of this study was to investi