BACKGROUND Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity is a sensitive but non-specific marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recently, four GGT fractions (big-, medium-, small-, free-GGT) were described in humans. AIM We aimed to investigate whether a specific GGT fraction pattern is associated with NAFLD. METHODS Gamma-glutamyltransferase fractions were determined in pati...

The MAXIMUM CUT problem (MAX-CUT) is one of the simplest graph partitioning problems to conceptualize, and yet it is one of the most difficult combinatorial optimization problems to solve. The objective of MAX-CUT is to partition the set of vertices of a graph into two subsets, such that the sum of the weights of the edges having one endpoint in each of the subsets is maximum. This problem is k...

We model the mass distribution of long gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies given recent results suggesting that GRBs occur in low metallicity environments. By utilizing measurements of the redshift evolution of the mass-metallicity (M-Z) relationship for galaxies, along with a sharp host metallicity cut-off suggested by Modjaz and collaborators, we estimate an upper limit on the stellar mass of...

The energy spectrum of cosmic rays appears to extend unattenuated beyond 5 · 10 eV although photoproduction of pions by collisions of the primary protons with the universal 2.7◦ K microwave background should have cut off the cosmic ray energy spectrum. The assumption that the highest energy particles of cosmic rays are protons is a most natural one and is also in accord with the observed featur...

Furan, a possible carcinogen, is commonly induced by thermal processing in a wide variety of foods. The possible formation of furan from fresh-cut fruits and vegetables due to irradiation was studied. Nineteen fresh-cut fruits and vegetables were irradiated by 5 kGy gamma rays at 4 degrees C. Furan was analyzed from the irradiated samples using a number of preparation methods. The results showe...

We have retrospectively analysed 439 peritrochanteric hip fractures treated in our institution using the Gamma nail, with attention focused on complications. Intraoperative complications were observed in 15 patients (3.4%), consisting mainly of fractures (1.8%). Out of 323 fractures (73.6%) followed until radiographic bone healing (mean follow-up of 10 months), 261 (80.8%) healed without a prob...

Intramembranous charge movement was measured in frog cut twitch fibers mounted in a double Vaseline-gap chamber with a TEA.Cl solution at 13-14 degrees C in the central pool. When a fiber was depolarized from a holding potential of -90 mV to a potential near -60 mV, the current from intramembranous charge movement was outward in direction and had an early, rapid component and a late, more slowl...

BACKGROUND The most common mechanical failure in the internal fixation of trochanteric hip fractures is the cut-out of the sliding screw through the femoral head. Several factors that influence this complication have been suggested, but there is no consensus as to the relative importance of each factor. The purpose of this study was to analyse the cut-out complication with respect to the follow...

We consider the order parameter $u=\left<{\rm Tr}\phi^2\right>$ as function of running coupling constant $\tau \in \mathbb{H}$ asymptotically free $\mathcal{N}=2$ QCD with gauge group $SU(2)$ and $N_f\leq 3$ massive hypermultiplets. If domain for $\tau$ is restricted to an appropriate fundamental $\mathcal{F}_{N_f}$, $u$ one-to-one. demonstrate that these domains consist six or less images ${\r...

A balanced probe circuit is used to generate high B(1) magnetic field for sensitivity enhancement of multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) experiment applied to low-gamma quadrupolar nuclei. Electrical balancing of the sample coil can cut the peak voltage by a half, therefore improving the power handling when generating a two-fold higher B(1) field. Experimental results, illustrated her...