For the first time, we have identified Ne  absorption lines in far-UV spectra of the hottest known (Teff ∼150 000 K) hydrogendeficient (pre-) white dwarfs of spectral type PG1159. They are of photospheric origin and can be matched by synthetic non-LTE line profiles. We also show that a number of UV and optical emission lines in these stars can be explained as being photospheric Ne  feat...

Human natural killer (NK) cells are considered professional cytotoxic cells that are integrated into the effector branch of innate immunity during antiviral and antitumoral responses. The purpose of this study was to examine the peripheral distribution and expression of NK cell activation receptors from the fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 30 breast cancer patients prior to any form ...

Plasma macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels were measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using horse and rabbit polyvalent antibodies raised against human M-CSF purified from urine (hM-CSF). Plasma M-CSF levels in nonpregnant female controls were 364 +/- 69 U/mL (mean +/- SD, n = 20). Pregnancy results in significant elevation of circulating M-CSF levels (541 +/- 164 U/mL,...

Elevated levels of endogenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) appear to be a marker for preclinical atherosclerosis. At present, however, data describing potential relations between plasma t-PA level and established lipid risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis are sparse. To explore these potential relations, we measured plasma levels of t-PA antigen (t-PA:ag) in 633 apparently heal...

Abstract Introduction Due to misalignment between circadian timing and the work/rest schedule, cognitive performance during night shift-work is often poor. This study tested a circadian-informed lighting strategy designed improve on-shift through alerting effects, faster adjustment schedule promoting more sleep off-shift, compared standard lighting. Methods A randomised controlled, within-subje...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Optic neuropathy (ON), a serious complication of Graves ophthalmopathy, is often subclinical and masked by symptoms of orbitopathy. We examined herein bony and soft-tissue CT features associated with ON, including an angular assessment of orbital apex capacity, and their usefulness in the risk prediction of ON. MATERIALS AND METHODS The CT scans of 41 patients with Grav...

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are associated with susceptibility to different immune and nonimmune mediated diseases. We had reported that the drug adverse reaction, clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CA), is associated with different HLA types and HSP70 variants in Ashkenazi Jewish and non-Jewish patients, suggesting that a gene within the MHC region is associated with CA...

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with weight gain at 1 year from initiation of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). METHODS A retrospective review assessed weight change among 118 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer treated with ADT for at least 6 months. Outcome associations were tested using 2-tailed t tests and linear regression. RESULTS Men in our cohort had significant weight...

For the first time, we have identified photospheric emission lines in the far-UV spectrum of a white dwarf. They were discovered in the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer spectrum of the hot (Teff ≈ 200 000 K) DO white dwarf KPD 0005+5106 and they stem from extremely highly ionized calcium (Ca X λλ 1137, 1159 Å). Their photospheric origin is confirmed by non-LTE line-formation calculations....