The aim of this study was to examine whether CAG/GGN repeats are significant modulators of serum concentrations of total and free testosterone(T)as well as of luteinizing hormone(LH)in elderly men.Sixty-nine 60-to 80-...The aim of this study was to examine whether CAG/GGN repeats are significant modulators of serum concentrations of total and free testosterone(T)as well as of luteinizing hormone(LH)in elderly men.Sixty-nine 60-to 80-year-old men with subnormal T levels(≤11.0 nmol L^(-1))and 104 men with normal T levels taking part in a nested case-control study were used for these analyses.Sex hormones were measured and free T was calculated.The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent direct sequencing.There were no differences in the CAG and GGN repeat lengths between the groups.In cross-sectional analyses of the whole cohort,total and free T were positively associated with CAG length(all P<0.05)before,but not after,waist circumference or body mass index was added to the model.CAG repeat lengths were weakly,but not independently,associated with total and free T.These findings indicate that when clinically evaluating T and LH levels in elderly men,the CAG and GGN repeat lengths do not need to be taken into consideration.展开更多
Rectal cancer accounts for one third of all colorectal cancers.The age adjusted death rates from colorectal cancer have declined over recent decades due to a combination of colorectal cancer screening,improved diagnos...Rectal cancer accounts for one third of all colorectal cancers.The age adjusted death rates from colorectal cancer have declined over recent decades due to a combination of colorectal cancer screening,improved diagnostic tests,improved standardized surgical technique,improved medical support,neoadjuvant chemotherapies and radiation treatment or combinations of these.Because of complex treatment algorithms,use of multidisciplinary teams in the management of rectal cancer patients has also been popularized.Medical gastroenterologists performing colonoscopies are frequently the first health care provider to raise the suspicion of a rectal cancer.Although the diagnosis depends on histological confirmation,the endoscopic presentation is almost diagnostic in many cases.In order to meet the patient's immediate needs for information,it is important that the endoscopist has knowledge about the investigations and treatment options that will be required for their patient.The aim of this paper is to describe the modern preoperative investigations and operative procedures commonly offered to rectal cancer patients taking into account perspectives of three colorectal surgeons,practicing in the USA,Europe and Asia.展开更多
Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation ...Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation and motility.The MAPK pathways can be divided into conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.The first group converts a signal into a cellular response through a relay of three consecutive phosphorylation events exerted by MAPK kinase kinases,MAPK kinase,and MAPK.Atypical MAPK pathways are not organized into this three-tiered cascade.MAPK that belongs to both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways can phosphorylate both non-protein kinase substrates and other protein kinases.The latter are referred to as MAPK-activated protein kinases.This review focuses on one such MAPK-activated protein kinase,MAPK-activated protein kinase 5(MK5)or p38-regulated/activated protein kinase(PRAK).This protein is highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom and seems to be the target of both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.Recent findings on the regulation of the activity and subcellular localization,bona fide interaction partners and physiological roles of MK5/PRAK are discussed.展开更多
The Chinese Zhongshan Station in Antarctica and the stations in Svalbard (Auroral station at Longyearbyen and NP station at Ny lesund) are closely magnetic conjugate. All of them are equipped similar measurement inst...The Chinese Zhongshan Station in Antarctica and the stations in Svalbard (Auroral station at Longyearbyen and NP station at Ny lesund) are closely magnetic conjugate. All of them are equipped similar measurement instruments dealing with upper atmospheric physics. Therefore, there is a good reason to conduct a cooperative research program between China and Norway to do the inter hemispheric comparisons of geospace environment in the polar regions. It will make significant contribution to further understanding of the coupled magnetosphere ionsphere system. The scientific aims of the cooperative project are: to experimentally verify the modeled complicated conjugate relationship between Zhongshan Station in the Antarctic and Svalbard in the Arctic. To derive knowledge from the conjugate characteristics of auroral formations, ionospheric features and space plasma waves in the polar regions, which in turn will lead to better understanding of the solar wind magnetosphere ionosphere coupling processes. The proposed research contents, research methods and experimental techniques are discussed, and the manners of the cooperative research are suggested in the paper.展开更多
AIM: To study the criteria for self-reported dietary fructose intolerance(DFI) and to evaluate subjective global assessment(SGA) as outcome measure.METHODS: Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) patients were randomized in an...AIM: To study the criteria for self-reported dietary fructose intolerance(DFI) and to evaluate subjective global assessment(SGA) as outcome measure.METHODS: Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) patients were randomized in an open study design with a 2 wk run-in on a habitual IBS diet, followed by 12 wk with/without additional fructose-reduced diet(FRD). Daily registrations of stool frequency and consistency, and symptoms on a visual analog scale(VAS) were performed during the first 4 wk. SGA was used for weekly registrations during the whole study period. Provocation with high-fructose diet was done at the end of the registration period. Fructose breath tests(FBTs) were performed. A total of 182 subjects performed the study according to the protocol(88 FRD, 94 controls).RESULTS:We propose a new clinically feasible diagnostic standard for self-reported fructose intolerance.The instrument is based on VAS registrations of symptom relief on FRD combined with symptom aggravation upon provocation with fructose-rich diet.Using these criteria 43of 77 patients(56%)in the present cohort of IBS patients had self-reported DFI.To improve the concept for clinical evaluation,we translated the SGA scale instrument to Norwegian and validated it in the context of the IBS diet regimen.The validation procedures showed a sensitivity,specificity andκvalue for SGA detecting the self-reported DFI group by FRD response within the IBS patients of 0.79,0.75 and 0.53,respectively.Addition of the provocation test yielded values of 0.84,0.76 and 0.61,respectively.The corresponding validation results for FBT were 0.57,0.34 and-0.13,respectively.CONCLUSION:FRD improves symptoms in a subgroup of IBS patients.A diet trial followed by a provocation test evaluated by SGA can identify most responders to FRD.展开更多
Aim: To investigate the level of postprandial triglycerides (TG)s in elderly men with subnormal testosterone level (≤ 11.0 nmol/L) compared to men with normal testosterone level (〉 11.0 nmol/L). Methods: Thi...Aim: To investigate the level of postprandial triglycerides (TG)s in elderly men with subnormal testosterone level (≤ 11.0 nmol/L) compared to men with normal testosterone level (〉 11.0 nmol/L). Methods: Thirthy-seven men with subnormal and 41 men with normal testosterone aged 60-80 years underwent an oral fat load and TG levels were measured fasting and 2, 4, 6 and 8 h afterwards. Results: Men with subnormal testosterone had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (P 〈 0.001) than men with normal testosterone. They had significantly higher area under curve (AUC, P = 0.037), incremental area under curve (AUCi, P = 0.035) and TG response (TGR, P = 0.014) for serum-TG and significantly higher AUC (P = 0.023), AUCi (P = 0.023) and TGR (P = 0.014) for chylomicron-TG compared to men with normal testosterone level. Adjusting for waist circumference erased the significant differences between the groups in postprandial triglyceridemia. Conclusion: Men with subnormal testosterone have increased postprandial TG levels indicating an impaired metabolism of postprandial TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), which may add to an unfavourable lipid profile and promote development of atherosclerosis.展开更多
A low-grade metamorphic ultramafic rock at the Kval ya Island, North Norway, shows Ni content up to 5 600 ppm, and an average content of 2 500 ppm Ni. Olivine is absent from the rock, and Ni is principally bonded in p...A low-grade metamorphic ultramafic rock at the Kval ya Island, North Norway, shows Ni content up to 5 600 ppm, and an average content of 2 500 ppm Ni. Olivine is absent from the rock, and Ni is principally bonded in pentlandite, violarite and millerite. The rock might be considered as a low-grade ore, with 0.2wt%– 0.56wt% Ni. Other metals that might be of economic interest to extract from the rock include Co (from pentlandite and violarite), and Cr and Fe (from magnetite).展开更多
AIM:To identify novel substrates for the mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 5(MK5).METHODS:Yeast two-hybrid screening with MK5 as bait was used to identify novel possible interaction partners.Th...AIM:To identify novel substrates for the mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 5(MK5).METHODS:Yeast two-hybrid screening with MK5 as bait was used to identify novel possible interaction partners.The binding of putative partner was further examined by glutathione S-transferase(GST) pull-down,co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET) analysis.In vitro kinase and peptide array assays were used to map MK5 phosphoacceptor sites on the new partner.Confocal microscopy was performed to study the subcellular localization of MK5 and its partners.RESULTS:Septin 8 was identified as a novel interaction partner for MK5 by yeast two-hybrid screening.This interaction was confirmed by GST pull-down,coimmunoprecipitation and FRET analysis.Septin 5,which can form a complex with septin 8,did not interact with MK5.Serine residues 242 and 271 on septin 8 were identified as in vitro MK5 phosphorylation sites.MK5 and septin 8 co-localized in the perinuclear area and in cell protrusions.Moreover,both proteins co-localized with vesicle marker synaptophysin.展开更多
In this paper, the growth rate, ponderomotive force and the exciting condition for parametric instability are derived by considering the loss reaction using a new method. On the basis of the hydrodynamic equations, we...In this paper, the growth rate, ponderomotive force and the exciting condition for parametric instability are derived by considering the loss reaction using a new method. On the basis of the hydrodynamic equations, we take the production and loss reactions in plasma into account to derive the coupling equations for the electron plasma oscillation and ion acoustic oscillation, and obtain the growth rate for the parametric instability, the ponderomotive force and the exciting condition. The result shows that (a) the production reaction has no effect on the parametric instability, and the effect of loss reaction on the parametric instability is a damping one, (b) the more intensive the external field or pump is, the larger the growth rate is, (c) there exist two modes of the ponderomotive force, i.e. the high frequency mode and the low frequency mode, and (d) when ponderomotive force counteracts the damping force, the oscillations become non-damping and non-driving. The ratio of the electron plasma oscillation to ion acoustic oscillation is independent of the loss reaction and the external field.展开更多
Reliability and maintainability of mining industry is more in focus than ever, and the mining systems are becoming more complex and the equipment more expensive to repair or modify. Unplanned failures can result in si...Reliability and maintainability of mining industry is more in focus than ever, and the mining systems are becoming more complex and the equipment more expensive to repair or modify. Unplanned failures can result in significant costs, especially when the machinery is hard to repair or spare parts are far away. This paper presents a case study describing a reliability and maintainability analysis of the main conveyor system of the Svea Coal Mine located in Svalbard, Norway. The conveyor system includes several separate conveyors. In this study, the main six conveyors of the whole system were selected for the analysis. The failure and repair data of the conveyors were collected for the whole year of 2010 using maintenance and daily reports. The date was analyzed and the result shows that the availability of six conveyers is 96.44%for one year of operation. However, reliability of these conveyers needs to be improved in order to reduce the number of failures.展开更多
基金the Swedish Research Council(Grant Nos.521-2004-6072 and K2005-72X-14545-03A)the Swedish Cancer Society(Grant Nos.4857-B05-03XCC,070482 and 070139)the Gunnar Nilsson Cancer Fund and the Center for Research in the Elderly in Tromsø,Norway.
文摘The aim of this study was to examine whether CAG/GGN repeats are significant modulators of serum concentrations of total and free testosterone(T)as well as of luteinizing hormone(LH)in elderly men.Sixty-nine 60-to 80-year-old men with subnormal T levels(≤11.0 nmol L^(-1))and 104 men with normal T levels taking part in a nested case-control study were used for these analyses.Sex hormones were measured and free T was calculated.The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent direct sequencing.There were no differences in the CAG and GGN repeat lengths between the groups.In cross-sectional analyses of the whole cohort,total and free T were positively associated with CAG length(all P<0.05)before,but not after,waist circumference or body mass index was added to the model.CAG repeat lengths were weakly,but not independently,associated with total and free T.These findings indicate that when clinically evaluating T and LH levels in elderly men,the CAG and GGN repeat lengths do not need to be taken into consideration.
文摘Rectal cancer accounts for one third of all colorectal cancers.The age adjusted death rates from colorectal cancer have declined over recent decades due to a combination of colorectal cancer screening,improved diagnostic tests,improved standardized surgical technique,improved medical support,neoadjuvant chemotherapies and radiation treatment or combinations of these.Because of complex treatment algorithms,use of multidisciplinary teams in the management of rectal cancer patients has also been popularized.Medical gastroenterologists performing colonoscopies are frequently the first health care provider to raise the suspicion of a rectal cancer.Although the diagnosis depends on histological confirmation,the endoscopic presentation is almost diagnostic in many cases.In order to meet the patient's immediate needs for information,it is important that the endoscopist has knowledge about the investigations and treatment options that will be required for their patient.The aim of this paper is to describe the modern preoperative investigations and operative procedures commonly offered to rectal cancer patients taking into account perspectives of three colorectal surgeons,practicing in the USA,Europe and Asia.
文摘Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation and motility.The MAPK pathways can be divided into conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.The first group converts a signal into a cellular response through a relay of three consecutive phosphorylation events exerted by MAPK kinase kinases,MAPK kinase,and MAPK.Atypical MAPK pathways are not organized into this three-tiered cascade.MAPK that belongs to both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways can phosphorylate both non-protein kinase substrates and other protein kinases.The latter are referred to as MAPK-activated protein kinases.This review focuses on one such MAPK-activated protein kinase,MAPK-activated protein kinase 5(MK5)or p38-regulated/activated protein kinase(PRAK).This protein is highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom and seems to be the target of both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.Recent findings on the regulation of the activity and subcellular localization,bona fide interaction partners and physiological roles of MK5/PRAK are discussed.
文摘The Chinese Zhongshan Station in Antarctica and the stations in Svalbard (Auroral station at Longyearbyen and NP station at Ny lesund) are closely magnetic conjugate. All of them are equipped similar measurement instruments dealing with upper atmospheric physics. Therefore, there is a good reason to conduct a cooperative research program between China and Norway to do the inter hemispheric comparisons of geospace environment in the polar regions. It will make significant contribution to further understanding of the coupled magnetosphere ionsphere system. The scientific aims of the cooperative project are: to experimentally verify the modeled complicated conjugate relationship between Zhongshan Station in the Antarctic and Svalbard in the Arctic. To derive knowledge from the conjugate characteristics of auroral formations, ionospheric features and space plasma waves in the polar regions, which in turn will lead to better understanding of the solar wind magnetosphere ionosphere coupling processes. The proposed research contents, research methods and experimental techniques are discussed, and the manners of the cooperative research are suggested in the paper.
基金Supported by Northern Norway Regional Health Authority(Helse Nord RHF)Gastro Fund,University Hospital North Norwayand Helgeland Hospitals Research Committee
文摘AIM: To study the criteria for self-reported dietary fructose intolerance(DFI) and to evaluate subjective global assessment(SGA) as outcome measure.METHODS: Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) patients were randomized in an open study design with a 2 wk run-in on a habitual IBS diet, followed by 12 wk with/without additional fructose-reduced diet(FRD). Daily registrations of stool frequency and consistency, and symptoms on a visual analog scale(VAS) were performed during the first 4 wk. SGA was used for weekly registrations during the whole study period. Provocation with high-fructose diet was done at the end of the registration period. Fructose breath tests(FBTs) were performed. A total of 182 subjects performed the study according to the protocol(88 FRD, 94 controls).RESULTS:We propose a new clinically feasible diagnostic standard for self-reported fructose intolerance.The instrument is based on VAS registrations of symptom relief on FRD combined with symptom aggravation upon provocation with fructose-rich diet.Using these criteria 43of 77 patients(56%)in the present cohort of IBS patients had self-reported DFI.To improve the concept for clinical evaluation,we translated the SGA scale instrument to Norwegian and validated it in the context of the IBS diet regimen.The validation procedures showed a sensitivity,specificity andκvalue for SGA detecting the self-reported DFI group by FRD response within the IBS patients of 0.79,0.75 and 0.53,respectively.Addition of the provocation test yielded values of 0.84,0.76 and 0.61,respectively.The corresponding validation results for FBT were 0.57,0.34 and-0.13,respectively.CONCLUSION:FRD improves symptoms in a subgroup of IBS patients.A diet trial followed by a provocation test evaluated by SGA can identify most responders to FRD.
文摘Aim: To investigate the level of postprandial triglycerides (TG)s in elderly men with subnormal testosterone level (≤ 11.0 nmol/L) compared to men with normal testosterone level (〉 11.0 nmol/L). Methods: Thirthy-seven men with subnormal and 41 men with normal testosterone aged 60-80 years underwent an oral fat load and TG levels were measured fasting and 2, 4, 6 and 8 h afterwards. Results: Men with subnormal testosterone had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (P 〈 0.001) than men with normal testosterone. They had significantly higher area under curve (AUC, P = 0.037), incremental area under curve (AUCi, P = 0.035) and TG response (TGR, P = 0.014) for serum-TG and significantly higher AUC (P = 0.023), AUCi (P = 0.023) and TGR (P = 0.014) for chylomicron-TG compared to men with normal testosterone level. Adjusting for waist circumference erased the significant differences between the groups in postprandial triglyceridemia. Conclusion: Men with subnormal testosterone have increased postprandial TG levels indicating an impaired metabolism of postprandial TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), which may add to an unfavourable lipid profile and promote development of atherosclerosis.
文摘A low-grade metamorphic ultramafic rock at the Kval ya Island, North Norway, shows Ni content up to 5 600 ppm, and an average content of 2 500 ppm Ni. Olivine is absent from the rock, and Ni is principally bonded in pentlandite, violarite and millerite. The rock might be considered as a low-grade ore, with 0.2wt%– 0.56wt% Ni. Other metals that might be of economic interest to extract from the rock include Co (from pentlandite and violarite), and Cr and Fe (from magnetite).
基金Supported by Grants from the Norwegian Cancer Society(A5313) to Shiryaev A
文摘AIM:To identify novel substrates for the mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 5(MK5).METHODS:Yeast two-hybrid screening with MK5 as bait was used to identify novel possible interaction partners.The binding of putative partner was further examined by glutathione S-transferase(GST) pull-down,co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET) analysis.In vitro kinase and peptide array assays were used to map MK5 phosphoacceptor sites on the new partner.Confocal microscopy was performed to study the subcellular localization of MK5 and its partners.RESULTS:Septin 8 was identified as a novel interaction partner for MK5 by yeast two-hybrid screening.This interaction was confirmed by GST pull-down,coimmunoprecipitation and FRET analysis.Septin 5,which can form a complex with septin 8,did not interact with MK5.Serine residues 242 and 271 on septin 8 were identified as in vitro MK5 phosphorylation sites.MK5 and septin 8 co-localized in the perinuclear area and in cell protrusions.Moreover,both proteins co-localized with vesicle marker synaptophysin.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 40310223), and the Fund of the National Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Environment (Grant No 9140C080401060C0805).
文摘In this paper, the growth rate, ponderomotive force and the exciting condition for parametric instability are derived by considering the loss reaction using a new method. On the basis of the hydrodynamic equations, we take the production and loss reactions in plasma into account to derive the coupling equations for the electron plasma oscillation and ion acoustic oscillation, and obtain the growth rate for the parametric instability, the ponderomotive force and the exciting condition. The result shows that (a) the production reaction has no effect on the parametric instability, and the effect of loss reaction on the parametric instability is a damping one, (b) the more intensive the external field or pump is, the larger the growth rate is, (c) there exist two modes of the ponderomotive force, i.e. the high frequency mode and the low frequency mode, and (d) when ponderomotive force counteracts the damping force, the oscillations become non-damping and non-driving. The ratio of the electron plasma oscillation to ion acoustic oscillation is independent of the loss reaction and the external field.
文摘Reliability and maintainability of mining industry is more in focus than ever, and the mining systems are becoming more complex and the equipment more expensive to repair or modify. Unplanned failures can result in significant costs, especially when the machinery is hard to repair or spare parts are far away. This paper presents a case study describing a reliability and maintainability analysis of the main conveyor system of the Svea Coal Mine located in Svalbard, Norway. The conveyor system includes several separate conveyors. In this study, the main six conveyors of the whole system were selected for the analysis. The failure and repair data of the conveyors were collected for the whole year of 2010 using maintenance and daily reports. The date was analyzed and the result shows that the availability of six conveyers is 96.44%for one year of operation. However, reliability of these conveyers needs to be improved in order to reduce the number of failures.