OBJECTIVES We sought to test the hypothesis that autoantibodies (Abs) produced against sarcolemmal Na-K-ATPase play a role in the development of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and cardiac sudden death in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). BACKGROUND Autoimmunity is one of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of DCM as well as virus infection and genetic predisposition. METHODS One hundred ...

A widely used immunoglobulin M (IgM) detection assay for the diagnosis of neonatal congenital syphilis is the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test used with fractionated serum (FTA-ABS 19S IgM test). Reading the results of the FTA-ABS test is more cumbersome than reading those of the FTA-ABS double staining (FTA-ABS-DS) test, a confirmatory test for specific IgG. To verify that the F...

INTRODUCTION Hearing protection devices are one of the primary noise reduction tools in developing countries. This study is intended to produce and apply acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/clay nanocomposites to fabricate a laboratory single cup earmuffs and then compare it with double cup and single cup pure ABS earmuffs in terms of noise attenuation performance and comfort. In addition, th...

Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a standardized mixture of five plants, has been used historically as a haemostatic agent but its mechanism of action remains unknown. This study investigated the in vitro effects of ABS on haemostatic parameters. When added to plasma or serum, ABS induced the very rapid formation of a protein network and erythrocyte aggregation. The levels of coagulation factors II...

Vol. 16 No. 9–10 154 Draper G, Turrell G & Oldenburg B. Health inequalities in Australia Mortality. Canberra, Queensland University of Technology and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Health Inequalities Monitoring Series No. 1. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 55. Canberra: AIHW; 2004. Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sy...