| 11. |
- Amundin, Mats, 1947-, et al.
(författare)
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An echolocation visualization and interface system for dolphin research
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. - : Acoustical Society of America (ASA). - 0001-4966 .- 1520-8524. ; 123:2, s. 1188-1194
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study describes the development and testing of a tool for dolphin research. This tool was able to visualize the dolphin echolocation signals as well as function as an acoustically operated "touch screen." The system consisted of a matrix of hydrophones attached to a semitransparent screen, which was lowered in front of an underwater acrylic panel in a dolphin pool. When a dolphin aimed its sonar beam at the screen, the hydrophones measured the received sound pressure levels. These hydrophone signals were then transferred to a computer where they were translated into a video image that corresponds to the dynamic sound pressure variations in the sonar beam and the location of the beam axis. There was a continuous projection of the image back onto the hydrophone matrix screen, giving the dolphin an immediate visual feedback to its sonar output. The system offers a whole new experimental methodology in dolphin research and since it is software-based, many different kinds of scientific questions can be addressed. The results were promising and motivate further development of the system and studies of sonar and cognitive abilities of dolphins. © 2008 Acoustical Society of America.
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| 12. |
- Andersson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Microarray-based classification of a consecutive series of 121 childhood acute leukemias: prediction of leukemic and genetic subtype as well as of minimal residual disease status.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5551 .- 0887-6924. ; 21:6, s. 1198-1203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gene expression analyses were performed on 121 consecutive childhood leukemias (87 B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs), 11 T-cell ALLs and 23 acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs)), investigated during an 8-year period at a single center. The supervised learning algorithm k-nearest neighbor was utilized to build gene expression predictors that could classify the ALLs/AMLs according to clinically important subtypes with high accuracy. Validation experiments in an independent data set verified the high prediction accuracies of our classifiers. B-lineage ALLs with uncharacteristic cytogenetic aberrations or with a normal karyotype displayed heterogeneous gene expression profiles, resulting in low prediction accuracies. Minimal residual disease status (MRD) in T-cell ALLs with a high (40.1%) MRD at day 29 could be classified with 100% accuracy already at the time of diagnosis. In pediatric leukemias with uncharacteristic cytogenetic aberrations or with a normal karyotype, unsupervised analysis identified two novel subgroups: one consisting mainly of cases remaining in complete remission (CR) and one containing a few patients in CR and all but one of the patients who relapsed. This study of a consecutive series of childhood leukemias confirms and extends further previous reports demonstrating that global gene expression profiling provides a valuable tool for genetic and clinical classification of childhood leukemias.
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| 13. |
- Andersson, Karl-Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and PDE inhibitors for treatment of LUTS
- 2007
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Ingår i: Neurourology and Urodynamics. - : Wiley. - 0733-2467 .- 1520-6777. ; 26:6, s. 928-933
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lower urinary tract (LUT) smooth muscle can be relaxed by drugs that increase intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Both of these substances are degraded by phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which play a central role in the regulation of smooth muscle tone. The distribution and functional significance of PDE enzymes vary in different tissues of the LUT. Targeting specific PDE isoenzymes should thus allow organ selectivity. PDE 4 and 5 appear to predominate in the prostate, PDE 1 and 4 are thought to influence detrusor smooth muscle function, and PDE 5 may be functionally important in the urethra and vasculature. Studies on the use of PDE inhibitors to treat various LUT symptoms (LUTS), have yielded favorable results. Thus, positive effects of the PDE 5 inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil on symptoms and quality of life in men with LUTS, erectile dysfunction, and BPH have also been demonstrated. These effects may be due to effects on cGMP signaling and/or modification of afferent input from bladder, urethral, and prostate tissue. This review gives an update on the distribution of PDEs in structures relevant for LUT function, and discusses how inhibition of these enzymes can contribute to beneficial effects on LUTS. Information for the review was obtained from searches of the PubMed database, and from the authors' files.
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| 14. |
- Andersson, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Use of participatory scenario modelling as platforms in stakeholder dialogues
- 2008
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Ingår i: Water S.A.. - 0378-4738 .- 1816-7950. ; 34:4, s. 439-447
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A participatory methodology, based on dialogues between stakeholders and experts has been developed and tested in the drainage area to Kaggebo Bay in the Baltic Sea. This study is focused on the EU Water Framework Directive, with emphasis on reduction of eutrophication. The drainage area is included in the WFD administrative area of the Motala Strom River basin. A similar approach is now applied in a recently initiated project in the Thukela River basin, with focus on impacts of climate change on water resources. The methodology is based on the idea that a catchment model serves as a platform for the establishment of a common view of present conditions and the causes behind these conditions. In the following steps, this is followed by model-assisted agreement on environmental goals (i.e. what do we want the future to look like?) and local agreement on a remedy or mitigation plans in order to reduce environmental impact (e. g. eutrophication); alternatively to adapt to conditions that cannot be determined by local actions (e. g. climate change). By involving stakeholder groups in this model-supported stepwise process, it is ensured that all stakeholder groups involved have a high degree of confidence in the presented model results, and thereby enable various actors involved to share a common view, regarding both present conditions, goals and the way to reach these goals. Although this is a process that is time-(and cost-) consuming, it is hypothesised that the use of this methodology is two-pronged: it increases the willingness to carry out remedies or necessary adaptations to a changing environment, and it increases the level of understanding between the various groups and therefore ameliorates the potential for future conflicts. Compared to traditional use of model results in environmental decision-making, the experts role is transformed from a one-way communication of final results to assistance in the various steps of the participatory process.
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| 15. |
- André, Malin, 1949-, et al.
(författare)
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Diagnosis-prescribing surveys in 2000, 2002 and 2005 in Swedish general practice : Consultations, diagnosis, diagnostics and treatment choices
- 2008
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 40:8, s. 648-654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study is to present diagnostic patterns, diagnostics used and antibiotic treatment in relation to guidelines in 3 repeated diagnosis-prescription studies conducted simultaneously in general practice in 5 Swedish counties, during 1 week in November 2000, 2002 and 2005. General practitioners (GPs) at the participating health centres were asked to complete a form for all patients with symptoms of an infectious disease. During the studied periods a total of 15,371 consultations was registered. Consultations with GPs diagnosed as respiratory tract infection (RTI), especially consultations for sore throat, decreased considerably between y 2000 and 2005. The percentage of patients allocated an RTI diagnosis and prescribed an antibiotic declined significantly from 54% to 49% and the decline was most pronounced among children. Penicillin V remained the dominant antibiotic prescribed throughout the study periods. For lower urinary tract infections there was a significant change in choice of prescribed antibiotics with an increase for pivmecillinam and nitrofurantoin and a decrease for trimethoprim, in accordance with recommendations. The results indicate a quite close adherence to current guidelines, with changes in the pattern of consultations as well as in the management of infectious diseases in general practice in Sweden.
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| 16. |
- André, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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More physician consultations and antibiotic prescriptions in families with high concern about infectious illness-adequate response to infection-prone child or self-fulfilling prophecy?
- 2007
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Ingår i: Family Practice. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0263-2136 .- 1460-2229. ; 24:4, s. 302-307
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Respiratory tract infections (RTI) in children is the most common cause of prescription of antibiotics. It is important to describe and analyse non-medical factors in order to develop more rational use of antibiotics. Objectives. To compare families with high and low concern about infectious illness with regard to social variables, perception of infection proneness and beliefs in antibiotics and to relate the concern for infectious illness to reported morbidity, physician consultations and antibiotic prescriptions for the 18-month-old child in the family. Methods. A prospective, population-based survey was performed. During 1 month, all infectious symptoms, physician consultations and antibiotic treatments for 18-month-old children were noted. The 818 families also answered questions about their socio-economic situation, illness perception and concern about infectious illness. Results. High concern about infectious illness was associated with more frequent physicians consultations and more prescriptions of antibiotics. There was no significant difference in reported days with symptoms of RTI, but the parents more often experienced their children with RTI without fever as being ill. The variables of infection proneness in the child, inadequate beliefs in antibiotics and the factor of being the only child were important explanatory factors for concern about infectious illness. Conclusions. High concern about infectious illness is an important determining factor for physician consultations and antibiotic prescription for small children. An adequate consultation, where the doctor deals with the parents' worries and gives appropriate information about symptoms and disease, might contribute to less antibiotic prescribing with preserved parental satisfaction.
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| 17. |
- André, Malin, 1949-, et al.
(författare)
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The management of infections in children in general practice in Sweden. : a repeated 1-week diagnosis-prescribing study in 5 counties in 2000 and 2002.
- 2005
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Ingår i: The Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0022-1899 .- 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 37:11-12, s. 863-869
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A diagnosis-prescribing study was performed in 5 Swedish counties during 1 week in November in 2000 and repeated in 2002. The aim of the present study was to analyse data for children 0-15y of age who consulted a general practitioner with symptoms of an infection. During the 2 weeks studied, 4049 children were consulted. Respiratory tract infections (RTI) were the predominant diagnoses, above all among the youngest children, while the proportion of urinary tract infections and skin infections increased with increasing age. Between the y 2000 and 2002, the proportion of children allocated the diagnosis streptococcal tonsillitis and pneumonia decreased (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively) while the proportion of common cold increased (p<0.001). Antibiotic prescribing decreased from 55% to 48% (p<0.001) for respiratory infections between the years studied. The only significant changes in type of antibiotics prescribed were the increase of isoxazolylpenicillins (p<0.001) used for skin infection and the decrease of macrolides (p=0.001). A diagnostic test was used in more than half of the consultations. Of children allocated a RTI diagnosis, 36% were prescribed antibiotics when a C-reactive protein test was performed compared to 58% in those not tested. Further studies are needed in general practice to determine the optimal use of near-patient tests in children with RTI.
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| 18. |
- Annerbäck, Eva-Maria, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Severe child abuse: a study of cases reported to the police
- 2007
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Ingår i: Acta Pædiatrica. - : Wiley. - 1651-2227 .- 0803-5253. ; 96:12, s. 1760-1764
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To investigate the characteristics of severe abuse of children and possible differences in comparison with less severe abuse. Method: Cases of abuse reported to the police within a single police district (n = 142) in Sweden were studied. The severe cases were compared to all the remaining cases. Results: Severe abuse constituted 14% of the total cases and was reported by agencies to a greater degree than minor cases. The suspected perpetrators were socially disadvantaged people in both groups. Half of the most serious cases led to conviction in the courts, compared to 8% in the reference group. The children who had been subjected to abuse were often already known to social services and reports of child abuse had frequently been made. Conclusion: In comparison between cases of severe and minor child abuse reported to the police, the results did not show any crucial differences except the pattern of reporting and a higher occurrence of prosecution/conviction in the severe cases. This finding places a responsibility on agencies outside of the justice system to consider all cases of reported abuse as serious warning signals and to make independent evaluations to identify risks and the possible need for child protection.
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| 19. |
- Arup, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Professor Ingvar Kärnfelt - a birthday tribute
- 2009
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Ingår i: The Lichenologist. - Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. - 0024-2829 .- 1096-1135. ; 41:5, s. 453-456
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- On 19 July 2009 Ingvar Kärnefelt celebrated his 65th birthday. This could have meant that we, his former students, would be celebrating him in his retirement from his position as head of the Biological Museums at Lund University. We are grateful that this is not the case, as Ingvar will carry on, probably for at least one or two more years. Instead, we celebrate Ingvar because he is the main reason for all of us having studied lichenology in Lund. This special issue of The Lichenologist is dedicated to him as a birthday tribute in honour of his long and fruitful lichenological career. The main authors of all the papers in this issue are former students of Ingvar. For several of us he has not only acted as supervisor but later also as the director of the Botanical Museum where we meet him in our daily work.
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| 20. |
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