| 1. |
- Hugosson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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A community outbreak of Legionnaires' disease from an industrial cooling tower: assessment of clinical features and diagnostic procedures.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 39:3, s. 217-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease (LD) occurred in Lidköping, Sweden, in August 2004. A cooling tower was identified as the probable source of infection. During the outbreak period an unexpected 3-6-fold increase in pneumonia patients was noted at the local hospital. During 7 weeks LD was diagnosed in 15 patients by urinary antigen and/or sputum culture. Additionally, 15 LD patients were diagnosed later by serology. Patients with LD were generally younger, more healthy, and more often smokers compared to other pneumonia patients. On admittance they had more severe symptoms with high fever and raised CRP levels, and more often hyponatraemia, gastrointestinal and CNS symptoms. A causative agent besides Legionella was found in 2 patients only. A significant titre rise for Mycoplasma and/or Chlamydophila pneumoniae was found in 13 of 29 tested patients with confirmed LD. We conclude that the clinical diagnosis of LD is difficult and that available diagnostic methods detect only a minority of patients in the acute phase. Therefore in severe pneumonia, empirically targeted therapy should be instituted on clinical grounds irrespective of the results of diagnostic tests. The observation of increased antibody levels for M. and C. pneumoniae suggests an unspecific immune reaction and merits further study.
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| 2. |
- Ulleryd, Peter, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Legionnaires' disease from a cooling tower in a community outbreak in Lidkoping, Sweden-epidemiological, environmental and microbiological investigation supported by meteorological modelling
- 2012
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2334. ; 12, s. 313-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: An outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease took place in the Swedish town Lidkoping on Lake Vanern in August 2004 and the number of pneumonia cases at the local hospital increased markedly. As soon as the first patients were diagnosed, health care providers were informed and an outbreak investigation was launched. Methods: Classical epidemiological investigation, diagnostic tests, environmental analyses, epidemiological typing and meteorological methods. Results: Thirty-two cases were found. The median age was 62 years (range 36 - 88) and 22 (69%) were males. No common indoor exposure was found. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was found at two industries, each with two cooling towers. In one cooling tower exceptionally high concentrations, 1.2 x 10(9) cfu/L, were found. Smaller amounts were also found in the other tower of the first industry and in one tower of the second plant. Sero-and genotyping of isolated L. pneumophila serogroup 1 from three patients and epidemiologically suspected environmental strains supported the cooling tower with the high concentration as the source. In all, two L. pneumophila strains were isolated from three culture confirmed cases and both these strains were detected in the cooling tower, but one strain in another cooling tower as well. Meteorological modelling demonstrated probable spread from the most suspected cooling tower towards the town centre and the precise location of four cases that were stray visitors to Lidkoping. Conclusions: Classical epidemiological, environmental and microbiological investigation of an LD outbreak can be supported by meteorological modelling methods. The broad competence and cooperation capabilities in the investigation team from different authorities were of paramount importance in stopping this outbreak.
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| 3. |
- Allebeck, Peter, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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Gothenburg study of women and alcohol: Low prevalence of abuse - trend toward increase appears to have abated : Studie i Göteborg om kvinnor och alkohol: Låg förekomst av missbruk - ökningen förefaller ha avklingat
- 2001
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205. ; 98:10, s. 1103-07
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Prevalence of alcohol dependence and abuse (ADA) was determined in a cohort of women selected by stratified random sampling from the general population in Gothenburg. A questionnaire was administered to 3,130 women and 399 were interviewed. Questions were asked about social background, living conditions, family and working life. Volume and frequency of alcohol intake were recorded, and diagnoses were made according to DSM-III. We found that the one-year prevalence of ADA was 1.5 percent and the life time prevalence 3.3 percent. In a follow-up five years after base-line, the prevalence of ADA was unchanged, while indicators of high alcohol consumption and high episodic drinking showed reduced levels of problem drinking.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Christin, et al.
(författare)
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Differential CSF biomarker levels in APOE-epsilon4-positive and -negative patients with memory impairment.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. - Basel : S. Karger AG. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 23:2, s. 87-95
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between episodic memory, APOE genotype, CSF markers (total tau, T-tau; phospho-tau, P-tau; beta-amyloid, Abeta42) and longitudinal cognitive decline. METHODS: 124 memory clinic patients were retrospectively divided into 6 groups based on (i) episodic memory function (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, RAVLT): severe, moderate or no impairment (SIM, MIM or NIM), and (ii) APOE genotype (epsilon4+ or epsilon4-). CSF marker levels and cognitive decline were compared across groups. RESULTS: Episodic memory function, according to RAVLT scores, was significantly correlated with CSF marker levels only among epsilon4+ subjects and not among epsilon4- subjects. When comparing the 6 subgroups, SIM epsilon4+ and MIM epsilon4+ groups showed significantly lower Abeta42 levels than the other groups. T-tau and P-tau levels were significantly increased in SIM epsilon4+ when compared to all the other groups, including the SIM epsilon4- group. However, both SIM epsilon4+ and SIM epsilon4- declined cognitively during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: It remains to be determined whether APOE genotype affects the expression of biomarkers in CSF, or whether the different biomarker patterns reflect different types of disease processes in patients with progressive cognitive dysfunction.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, Christin, et al.
(författare)
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Increasing CSF phospho-tau levels during cognitive decline and progression to dementia
- 2008
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Ingår i: Neurobiology of Aging. - : Elsevier BV. - 0197-4580 .- 1558-1497. ; 29:10, s. 1466-1473
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Little is known about longitudinal changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers during cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disease progression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal changes in CSF biomarkers--total-tau (T-tau), phospho-tau (P-tau) and beta-amyloid (Abeta42)--during cognitive decline. METHODS: Forty memory clinic patients (47.5% females), aged 61.3+/-7.6 (S.D.) years, non-demented at baseline, underwent lumbar puncture and neuropsychological testing at two occasions. Baseline mean MMSE-score was 28.3+/-1.8. Patients were divided into three groups based on baseline memory functioning; severely impaired (SIM), moderately impaired (MIM) and no impairment (NIM). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in P-tau in the SIM-group during follow-up, while P-tau in MIM and NIM did not change. Eighty-three percent of the SIM-patients converted to dementia (80% AD), while most MIM- and NIM-patients remained non-demented. T-tau- and Abeta42-levels did not change in any of the memory groups during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Increasing P-tau levels during cognitive decline and conversion to dementia suggest that P-tau may be useful as a longitudinal marker of the neurodegenerative process.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Dan, 1967-
(författare)
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Exploring Perceptions of Route Environments in Relation to Walking
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Every walk takes place in a route environment, which can play an important role in deterring or facilitating walking. The focus of this thesis is on the perceptions of environmental variables, and how they relate to appraisals of route environments as hindering – stimulating for walking and unsafe – safe for reasons of traffic, in two metropolitan environments. Another focus is to expand the state of knowledge concerning the criterion-related validity of the Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES).Methods: Commuting pedestrians in Greater Stockholm, Sweden, were recruited via advertisements. From the inner urban area there were 294 participants (77% women), aged 49.5 years, and from the suburban areas there were 233 participants (82% women), aged 50.0 years. 77 individuals walked in both areas. The participants evaluated their commuting route environments using the ACRES. Correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were used to explore the relationships between the variables. Comparisons of environmental ratings between groups and settings were performed with t-tests. Studies 1 and 2 focused on the inner urban area and studies 3 and 4 on the suburban areas. Studies 1 and 3 focused exclusively on the relations between the four motorized traffic variables (vehicle speed, vehicle flow, noise, and exhaust fumes), and their relations to the outcome variables (hinders – stimulates walking and unsafe – safe traffic). Studies 2 and 4 utilised proxies from studies 1 and 3 and combined them with other environmental variables to further the understanding of route environmental variables in relation to walking.Results: In both areas, aesthetics and greenery were positively related to stimulating walking, whereas noise, a proxy for motorized traffic, was negatively related. Aesthetics was also positively related to unsafe – safe traffic in the inner urban area, whereas greenery had the corresponding role in suburbia. Another important finding was that greenery also influenced aesthetics positively in both areas. Thus, greenery had both a direct and an indirect positive effect. On the other hand, noise influenced aesthetics negatively in the inner urban area, whereas vehicle flow had the corresponding role in suburbia. A number of variables conjointly influenced the outcome unsafe – safe traffic negatively in both areas (speeds of motor vehicles, noise, conflicts, congestion: pedestrians, red lights, and course of the route). The route environment profiles differed distinctly between the two areas.Conclusions: Several route environmental variables appear to be particularly influential in relation to pedestrian commuting, e.g., aesthetics, greenery, and noise. An important finding is that both positive and negative interactions, between certain predictor variables, were disclosed. The contrasting route environment profiles in the different settings strengthen the criterion-related validity of the ACRES. The findings expands the state of knowledge concerning the relations between the environment and walking. If implemented, these findings can influence public health positively.
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| 7. |
- Arkitektur & teknik 2020/21, Årskurs 3, et al.
(författare)
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Resedagbok Schweiz augusti 2021
- 2021
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Arkitektur och tekniks årliga studieresa till Schweiz är på många sätt unik. Vi transporterar oss själva genom det vackra alplandskapet och besöker några av landets vackraste broar och byggnader. De vilda bergsmassiven och den förfinade byggnadskulturen väver sig in i varandra under hela vår magiska arkitektursafari. Resan i augusti 2021 blev nästan ett år försenad på grund av pandemin. I stället för en förberedelse av studierna i årskurs 3 blev det en festlig avslutning på kandidattiden på Chalmers. Vid sidan om våra gängse besöksmål, från Robert Maillarts och Jürg Conzetts konstruktioner till Le Corbusier och Peter Zumthors arkitektur, hade vi den här resan ett särskilt fokus på materialen lera, kalk, sten och cement, och på restaurering av broar och byggnader i dessa material.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Ben Amara, Heithem, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Immunomodulation by biodegradable Mg-implants promotes soft and hard tissues responses in vivo
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Society of Biomaterials conference, 21–24 March 2023, Røros, Norway.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Magnesium (Mg)-based degradable implants are an attractive treatment solution for musculoskeletal injuries, avoiding second-stage surgical removal. In multiple clinical applications, the implant is in contact with both the bone and the overlying soft tissue. Although Mg implants are often presented to hold anti-inflammatory properties, less attention has been paid to the sequential response to these implants including initial immune response and subsequent tissue repair. The present study investigated the molecular, cellular, and structural events taking place at the Mg implant interface to soft tissue and bone after in vivo implantation in dedicated experimental rat models. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats received disc-shaped implants in the dorsum subcutis or screw-shaped implants in the proximal tibial metaphysis. Implants were manufactured from pure magnesium (99.99% - high purity; Mg) or from pure titanium (grade 4; Ti) as control. Animals were euthanized after 1, 3, 6, 14, and 28 day of soft tissue implantation, and after 3 and 28 days of bone implantation. Two types of samples were collected: 1-Implants with the adherent cells (n=7-8/group/time-point). These were allocated for cell counting and /or gene expression analyses of implant-adherent cells. 2-Peri-implant tissue with implants (n = 8/group/time-point). These enabled histological and histomorphometric analyses of the fibrous capsule organization around implants inserted in soft tissues and of osseointegration parameters at the bone-implant interface. Statistical comparisons between experimental groups were run using Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: Cells adherent to the surface of the implants featured different gene regulation patterns between Mg and Ti groups (Fig. 1). Consistently in soft tissue and in bone, macrophage polarization markers indicated higher expression of proinflammatory macrophage gene inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos) initially at Mg versus Ti (3 d in bone and 1-6 d in soft tissue). Afterward, gene expression of both macrophage subtypes markers (proinflammatory – iNos and prohealing – Mannose receptor c1; Mrc1) was comparable between implants, irrespective of their insertion site. Histomorphometry evidenced superior bone-implant contact (at 28 d in bone) and thinner fibrous capsule (at 6-28 d in soft tissue) for Mg versus Ti. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to non-degradable Ti, both soft tissue and bone responses to biodegradable Mg featured an initial yet transient gene activation of the macrophage proinflammatory subtype. Such immunomodulation by Mg resulted in the reduction of fibrous encapsulation in soft tissue and in the promotion of bone formation at the bone-implant interface. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Mg implants were generously provided by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany. This project is part of the European Training Network within the framework of Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action No 811226.
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| 10. |
- Ben Amara, Heithem, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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In vivo interaction between biodegradable magnesium implants and soft tissue Part II: Kinetics of the cellular response at the host-implant interface
- 2021
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Ingår i: 13th Biometal Conference, 23-26 August 2021, Virtual Conference..
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Regenerative therapies often engage multiple tissues. Soft tissue complications (e.g. dehiscences and infection) may violate successful bone regeneration. Magnesium (Mg)-based degradable implants is a promising treatment alternative for musculoskeletal injuries, avoiding second-stage surgical removal. In several clinical applications, the implant is in contact with both the bone and the overlying soft tissue. Whereas the bone response to Mg implants has been a major research focus, less attention has been paid to the soft tissue response. The present study investigated the spatial and temporal molecular, cellular and structural events taking place at the soft tissue-Mg implant interface after in vivo implantation in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Following approval by the Local Ethical Committee at the University of Gothenburg (Dnr 02437/2018), female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=90) were implanted with discs manufactured from pure magnesium (99.99% - high purity; Mg) or from pure titanium (grade 4; Ti) (herein, employed as a control, possessing biocompatibility properties). Subcutaneous pockets were surgically created in the animal dorsum and were implanted with: 1- Ti; or 2- Mg discs; or 3- left without implants (Sham Ti or Sham Mg). After 1, 3, 6, 14 and 28 days, animals were euthanized, and three types of samples were retrieved: 1-Implants with the adherent cells (n=8/group/time-point): for cell counting and molecular gene expression of the implant-adherent cells. 2-Peri-implant exudate (n=8/group/time-point): for analyses of the number, type, viability, and gene expression of cells in the peri-implant space. 3-Peri-implant tissue with implants (n=8/group/time-point): enabling histological and histomorphometric analyses of soft tissue and fibrous capsule organization around the implant. Statistical comparisons were made between experimental groups at each time point and between time-points for each experimental group. (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests; p<0.05). RESULTS: Cells recruited to the exudates and adherent to the surface of the implants featured different kinetics between Mg and Ti groups. At the surface of Mg implant, the number of adherent cells sharply increased from 1 day to reach a peak at 6 days, thereafter decreasing toward 28 days. The ratio of implant-adherent/exudate cells was significantly higher at Mg vs Ti after 6 days, whereas the reverse was detected after 28 days. RNA extracted from cells from the different compartments revealed good quality, allowing detailed molecular analysis. After 28d, the fibrous capsule around Mg implants was significantly thinner than around Ti. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to non-degradable Ti controls, soft tissue healing around biodegradable Mg implants is characterized by an early, intense, but yet transient, cellular influx in the immediate vicinity of the implant surface, and, at later stage, with a reduced fibrotic encapsulation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Mg implants were generously provided by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany. This project is part of the European Training Network within the framework of Horizon 2020 Marie Sk�odowska-Curie Action No 811226.
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