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Background: Dried blood spots (DBS) are a convenient and inexpensive method for biobanking. Although many countries have established population-based DBS biobanks from neonatal screening programs, the quality and usefulness of DNA from DBS have not been extensively assessed. Methods: We compared 4 common DNA extraction methods (Qiagen, EZNA, Chelex 100, and alkaline lysis) in a pilot study using
We examined the associations of intake of vegetables, legumes and fruit with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a population with prevalent diabetes in Europe. A cohort of 10,449 participants with self-reported diabetes within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study was followed for a mean of 9 y. Intakes of vegetables, legumes, and fruit were assessed at base
This article examines continuity, change and adaptation of blat, a Soviet-time informal economic transaction network, in today’s Ukraine and Belarus. The analysis is based on 33 in-depth interviews, and the main focus is the descriptions, justifications and explanations of on-going informal participation in contemporary forms of blat. Theories on informal institutions, path dependence and the rela
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced by the prostate gland. It occurs in several molecular forms in the blood and assays have been developed to measure free PSA and PSA in complex with alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT). Higher proportions of free PSA (PSA-F/T) in blood are found in subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as compared to cancer patients. Utilizing imm
The study explores divergent representations and cultural identity in a historically contested landscape. The first form of representations includes politically amended place marketing. It is analysed how public discourse on a city’s development and regeneration articulate inscriptions of local authorities to pursue political-economic agendas. The second form of representations is diaspora’s imagi
Background: Relapse of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is universal. Tolerance for treatment with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) is suboptimal and withdrawals due to adverse events frequent. We sought to improve tolerance for treatment to improve outcome. Methods: We used concentration-guided RBV dosing to achieve an intended 10 mu mol/L conce
Soil pH is one of the most influential variables in soil, and is a powerful factor in influencing the size, activity and community structure of the soil microbial community. It was previously shown in a century old artificial pH gradient in an arable soil (pH 4.0-8.3) that bacterial growth is positively related to pH, while fungal growth increases with decreasing pH. In an attempt to elucidate som
Although South Africa’s growth has outshone expectations for the four most recent years, spatial growth inequalities are still large at the sub-national level in South Africa. Recent theory suggests that at least part of this variation can be explained by differences in governance and institutions between locales. In this thesis, the linkage between spatial economic growth and sub-national governa
The countries of the European Union are in an ongoing phase of integration. The influences on individual states domestic structures are unquestionable and the governing prerequisites have changed significantly. Poland, a relatively new member state is in the middle of the process and so this study analyses the effects of Europeanization on polishes domestic structures. The study examines four pub-
Several sea duck species in Europe face dwindling population numbers with following increased conservation focus. Shot gun practices may put extra pressure on populations not only by direct hunting mortality but also crippling and lead poisoning from ingestion of pellets. In this study, we examined three sea duck species breeding in the Swedish Archipelago of the Baltic Sea by x-raying trapped inc
The article analyses policy contingencies and welfare conditionalityof school allowances in Swedish upper-secondaryeducation. In contrast to most countries' use of positiveincentives toward school attendance through added cashbenefitsfor targeted students, Sweden employs sanctionson a universal study allowance that in essence constitutesan age-extension of the universal child benefit. We analysere
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact leading to novel adaptations in post-graduate medical education for cardiovascular and general internal medicine. Whilst the results of initial community COVID-19 vaccination are awaited, continuation of multimodality teaching and training that incorporates telelearning will have enduring benefit to post-graduate educ
