A method for the determination of 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP) and 2-hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide (2-HMSI) in plasma was developed. 5-HNMP and 2-HMSI are metabolites to the widely used organic solvent N-methyl-2pyrrolidone (NMP). The 5-HNMP and 2-HMSI were purified from plasma by C8 solid phase extraction, derivatised by bistrimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamid, and analysed by gas chromato

BACKGROUND: Hippocampal decrease in size in response to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is still a subject of controversy. The aims of this study were to: (1) confirm previous hippocampus findings in PTSD patients compared to controls, using ethnically similar study groups where alcohol and drug abuse were non-existent; (2) test influence of disease duration as well as depression scores on po

The dissertation is confined to the formal work of the boards of the parent companies as recorded in the approved minutes of meetings at Alfa Laval AB, Atlas Copco AB and Kockums Mekaniska Verkstads AB and is based on the Companies Law applying in Sweden since 1848. The study covers the time from the establishment of the joint stock company up to the ordinary general meeting of 1980 (1979 in the c

It was recently shown that prostacyclin at a low dose reduces cortical cell death following brain trauma in the rat. Conceivably, prostacyclin with its vasodilatory, anti-aggregatory, anti-adhesive and permeability-reducing properties improved a compromised perfusion caused by post-traumatic vasoconstriction, microthrombosis and increased microvascular permeability. The objective of the present st

Despite the benefits of currently available preventative and therapeutic interventions, atherosclerotic vascular disease continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in much of the Western World. This emphasize,,, the need for additional preventive and therapeutic interventions exploiting new targets to compliment and augment the results of LDL lowering and other current strategies. On

The contraction of smooth muscle is influenced by the substrate MgATP and the product MgADP. The effects on force, shortening velocity and ATP-turnover, are consistent with an influence on the kinetics of cross-bridge cycling. Part of these effects are mediated via an influence on the regulation of contraction by myosin light chain phosphorylation. Results from preparations activated by thiophosph

We evaluated the durability of autologous chondrocyte transplantation grafts in 61 patients treated for isolated cartilage defects on the femoral condyle or the patella and followed up for a mean of 7.4 years (range, 5 to 11). Durability was determined by comparing the clinical status at the long-term follow-up with that found 2 years after the transplantation. After 2 years, 50 of the 61 patients

Fruit and vegetable processors, faced with the challenge of gaining and maintaining a healthy position in the competitive fruit and vegetable sector, are optimising traditional processes towards product quality. Using frozen potatoes as a case study, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of improving the texture of potatoes by modifying the processing conditions. The texture of proce

Reef biostromes and related facies from the upper part of Wenlock and from Ludlow were investigated in order to account for their formation, their palaeoecology and biology. In the Hemse Group of Ludlow age, all studied biostromes comprise a low diversity fauna where one or few species dominates. These biostromes are divided into Kuppen type biostromes, Grogarnshuvud type biostromes and Sjaustreha

A new method for characterization of atrial fibrillation in the surface ECG is presented which is based on a time-frequency distribution of the QRST-cancelled signal. With the present method, information regarding temporal variations in fibrillation frequency and waveform shape is extracted and investigated. The method is evaluated on a database including 182 recordings (obtained during resting co

1. Salmeterol is a potent, selective and long acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist. In vitro, salmeterol exerts 'reassertion' relaxation of airways smooth muscle. Reassertion relaxation refers to the capacity of salmeterol to cause repeated functional antagonism of induced contraction when airway smooth muscle is intermittently exposed to, then washed free from, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists such as

In this study we have developed and validated a novel approach of transgene regulation in the brain. By using lentiviral vectors that incorporate promoters of genes that are up-regulated during different pathological states, we were able to regulate transgene expression in accordance with the disease process. When using a glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter, efficient disease regulation in gl

In a search for inhibitors of the inducible tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promoter activity and synthesis, a new chlorinated cyclopentenone was isolated from fermentations of the ascomycete Mollisia melaleuca. The structure was determined by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. The compound blocked the inducible human TNF-alpha promoter activity and synthesis with IC50-values of 2.

An axillary brachial plexus nerve block by a transarterial approach is commonly used to achieve regional anaesthesia for hand surgery. We designed a retrospective study to evaluate efficacy and safety of the technique for acute and elective operations. Anaesthetic records of 189 of all 5520 patients (1996-2000) who had axillary brachial plexus blocks for hand surgery were reviewed, and results com

The level scheme of 87Mo was investigated with the reaction Ni-58(S-32, 2pn) at projectile energies of 110-130 MeV and the reaction Ca-40(Cr-50, 2pn) at 170 MeV. Extensive spectroscopic information was collected including gamma-gamma and neutron-gated gamma-gamma-coincidences as well as coincidences with identified 87Mo residues. Level lifetimes were studied with the RDDS and DSA methods. The angu