X-ray scattering in full-field digital mammography

Effects of x-ray scattering on full-field digital mammography are analyzed with the scattering model of Seibert and Boone [Med. Phys. 15, 567-575 (1988)]. A new method is introduced for the estimation of model parameters from measurements. It is shown that with breasts thinner than a certain threshold, removing the anti-scatter grid leads to an improved contrast-to-noise ratio with a smaller patient dose. A fast approximate algorithm is presented for determining the scattered field in a gridless digital mammogram.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor C is required for sprouting of the first lymphatic vessels from embryonic veins

Lymphatic vessels are essential for immune surveillance, tissue fluid homeostasis and fat absorption. Defects in lymphatic vessel formation or function cause lymphedema. Here we show that the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is required for the initial steps in lymphatic development. In Vegfc-/- mice, endothelial cells commit to the lymphatic lineage but do not sprout to form lymph vessels. Sprouting was rescued by VEGF-C and VEGF-D but not by VEGF, indicating VEGF receptor 3 specificity. The lack of lymphatic vessels resulted in prenatal death due to fluid accumulation in tissues, and Vegfc+/- mice developed cutaneous lymphatic hypoplasia and lymphedema. Our results indicate that VEGF-C is the paracrine factor essential for lymphangiogenesis, and show that both Vegfc alleles are required for normal lymphatic development.     

A Follow-up Study of Immunoglobulin Levels and Autobodies in an Unselected Pregnant Population

PROBLEM: To obtain a systematic view of changes in the levels of immunoglobulins (Igs), other serum proteins, and autoantibodies during pregnancy and postpartum. METHOD: A series of 220 women were followed throughout pregnancy and four to six months postpartum. RESULTS: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration clearly decreased toward term. The concentrations of IgM and IgA decreased only slightly. In most instances autoantibody levels paralleled changes in the corresponding immunoglobulin class levels. In few cases, however, there were clear deviations from this. With respect to IgG class autoantibodies, the highest autoantibody levels were found in the postpartum specimen. IgM class autoantbody levels remained almost constant throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The intrapregnancy decrease of IgG is mainly due to hemodilution, but when the effect of hemodilution is taken into account, total amounts of IgM and IgA are increased. The results suggests that compared to IgG the regulatory mechanisms of IgM and IgA are altered during pregnancy.     

The relationship between job-related burnout and depressive disorders--results from the Finnish Health 2000 Study

BACKGROUND: Depression and burnout are common health problems in working populations today. They appear to be interrelated, and the need for their differential diagnosis has been highlighted in many reviews. We analysed the overlap of job-related burnout and depressive disorders, i.e., major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and minor depressive disorder. METHODS: We used the population-based 'Health 2000 Study' in Finland. Our nationally representative sample comprised 3276 employees aged 30-64 years. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. Diagnoses of depressive disorders were based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: Burnout and depressive disorders were clearly related. The risk of depressive disorders, especially major depressive disorder (12-month prevalence), was greater when burnout was severe. Half of the participants with severe burnout had some depressive disorder. Those with a current major depressive episode suffered from serious burnout more often than those who had suffered a major depressive episode earlier. LIMITATIONS: This study was cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: The concepts of burnout and depression complement each other and cover partly overlapping phenomena. Depressive disorders are related to job-related burnout, particularly when it is severe. A current major depressive episode is likely to be associated with the experience of burnout. When encountering working patients, it is recommended to assess both the occurrence of burnout and of depressive disorders.     

Hevein-specific recombinant IgE antibodies from human single-chain antibody phage display libraries

IgE antibodies distinctively recognising allergenic epitopes would be ideal reagents in immunodiagnostics to detect and quantify allergens, as well as for the development of allergy diagnostics and therapeutics. We have isolated recombinant human IgE antibodies specific for the major latex allergen, hevein, from antibody phage display libraries using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-hevein fusion as a selection antigen. Human IgE phage display libraries were constructed by combining the IgE heavy chain genes to kappa and lambda light-chain genes which were isolated from lymphocytes of a latex allergic patient. The screening of antibody libraries resulted in the enrichment of two hevein-binding scFvs designated as 1A4 and 1C2. Both antibodies showed specific binding to the hevein that could be inhibited by both the recombinant GFP-hevein and native hevein isolated from latex examination gloves. The scFvs were prone to aggregate and, thus, for further characterisation, they were converted to Fab fragments with human IgG1 or IgE isotype. Similar hevein-binding properties of the 1A4 and 1C2 Fab fragments and human IgE serum pool, conventionally used in the detection of latex allergens, demonstrate the potential utility of these recombinant antibodies for the analysis of latex allergen.     

Health state utilities associated with treatment process for oral and injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes

Quality of Life Research - Previous research suggests that treatment process can have an influence on patient preference and health state utilities. This study examined preferences and estimated...