Surrogacy has been a legal practice in Ukraine since 2000. Being a cheaper option (surrogacy in Ukraine costs around USD 50.000 compared to USD 100.000 in the USA), Ukraine became an even hotter spot after other popular destinations, such as India, Nepal, and Thailand, banned compensated surrogacy for foreigners. Moreover, this is not only the price tag that made Ukraine such an appealing option.

Regulation of insulin signaling by microRNAs in smooth muscle cells may contribute to diabetic vascular disease. The two smooth muscle enriched miRNAs miR-143 and miR-145 have been reported to target mediators of insulin signaling in non-smooth muscle cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the importance of this regulation in vascular smooth muscle cells, where expression of miR-143/145 is mu

Here we present a method to control the size of the openings in hexagonally organized BCP thin films of poly(styrene)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) by using surface reconstruction. The surface reconstruction is based on selective swelling of the P4VP block in ethanol, and its extraction to the surface of the film, resulting in pores upon drying. We found that the BCP pore diameter increa

Objective: The objective was to investigate associations between the General Health Questionnaire with twelve sub-items (GHQ-12) and prospective five-year suicide mortality. The two commonly used GHQ-12 cut-offs (2/3 and 3/4) were analyzed. Method: The 2008 public health survey, which was conducted in the autumn of 2008 in Scania, southern Sweden, is based on a postal questionnaire answered by 28,

Background: Autoantibodies to bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), BPI-ANCA, are often present in serum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and correlate to airway colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of the study was to investigate if BPI-ANCA IgA is also present in the airways of CF patients, and if its presence correlates with neutrophil counts, platelets, and P.

Increasing landscape complexity can mitigate negative effects of agricultural intensification on biodiversity by offering resources complementary to those provided in arable fields. In particular, grazed semi-natural grasslands and woody elements support farmland birds, but little is known about their relative effects on bird diversity and community composition. In addition, the relative importanc

Rationale & Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complicated by abnormalities that reflect disruption in filtration, tubular, and endocrine functions of the kidney. Our aim was to explore the relationship of specific laboratory result abnormalities and hypertension with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria CKD staging framework. Study Design: Cross-sectional in

Background: Following surgical repair of aortic coarctation (CoA) there is a risk for restenosis (reCoA), particularly in the first year of life. It was the aim of this study to identify reCoA risk factors by analyzing postoperative pre-discharge echocardiograms. Methods: Retrospective analysis of echocardiograms of children born operated for CoA in Sweden 2011-2017. Results: 253 children were incBackground Following surgical repair of aortic coarctation (CoA) there is a risk for restenosis (reCoA), particularly in the first year of life. It was the aim of this study to identify reCoA risk factors by analyzing postoperative pre-discharge echocardiograms. Methods Retrospective analysis of echocardiograms of children born operated for CoA in Sweden 2011-2017. Results 253 children were includ

Objective. Age is a risk factor for organ damage, adverse events, and mortality in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). However, the relationship between treatment and damage, hospitalizations, and causes of death in elderly patients is largely unknown. Methods. Consecutive patients from Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic diagnosed between 1997

While structural models of empire have recently re-emerged in the theoretical debates in the field of International Relations, a lack of attention has been paid to peripheral actors therein. This is particularly true for the analysis of the peripheries’ relations with polities outside the imperial structure of which the peripheries are a part. In this article, I build a framework to better underst

Weak subdivision or fragmentation ability of deformed {100} ( // ND, normal direction) grains by traditional unidirectional (symmetric) rolling results in uneven deformation during tantalum (Ta) processing. Thus, a recently developed asymmetric cross rolling (ACR) is adopted in this work to enhance the subdivision of {100} grain in Ta sheets. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission e

This paper evaluates the effect of room function and orientation on daytime electric lighting use in dwellings, and the confounding role of room design aspects. A questionnaire survey was conducted in six multi-dwelling buildings including 75 apartments located in Malmö, Sweden (Latitude: 55.6 °N). Occupants were asked how often they use electric lighting during daylight hours, in three rooms of d

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether plasma homocysteine (Hcy) has a direct noxious impact on the cardiovascular (CV) system or whether its association with cardiovascular events (CVEs) is mediated by established risk factors. To explore the role of Hcy in CV impairment, the study evaluated cross-sectional relationships between plasma Hcy and indices of CV organ damage together with the associations of

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) produce a large number of alternatively spliced mRNAs, including a number of differently spliced mRNAs with the potential to produce E2 protein. To identify the alternatively spliced HPV16 mRNA with the highest ability to produce E2 protein, we have generated E2 cDNA expression plasmids representing the most common, alternatively spliced E2 mRNAs, and assessed their t

Physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models are important tools for in vitro to in vivo or inter-species extrapolations in health risk assessment of foodborne and non-foodborne chemicals. Here we present a generic PBTK model implemented in the EuroMix toolbox, MCRA 9 and predict internal kinetics of nine chemicals (three endocrine disrupters, three liver steatosis inducers, and three develop