| 1. |
- De Rosa, G., et al.
(författare)
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Velocity-resolved Reverberation Mapping of Five Bright Seyfert 1 Galaxies
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 866:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the first results from a reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken during the first half of 2012, with additional data on one active galactic nucleus (AGN) (NGC 3227) from a 2014 campaign. Our main goals are (1) to determine the black hole masses from continuum-H beta reverberation signatures, and (2) to look for velocity-dependent time delays that might be indicators of the gross kinematics of the broad-line region. We successfully measure H beta time delays and black hole masses for five AGNs, four of which have previous reverberation mass measurements. The values measured here are in agreement with earlier estimates, though there is some intrinsic scatter beyond the formal measurement errors. We observe velocity-dependent H beta lags in each case, and find that the patterns have changed in the intervening five years for three AGNs that were also observed in 2007.
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| 2. |
- Holmlund, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Health professionals' experiences and views of obstetric ultrasound in Rwanda
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X. ; 27:Suppl_3, s. 367-
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The World Health Organizatiońs new recommendations for antenatal care (ANC) include one ultrasound examination before 24 weeks of gestation. Implementation of ultrasound in ANC in low resource countries has been shown to increase pregnant women’s compliance to ANC visits, and facilitate detection of high-risk pregnancies. The aim of this study was to explore Rwandan health professionals’ experiences and views of obstetric ultrasound in relation to clinical management, resources and skills.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study involving physicians (n = 222), obstetricians (n = 29), nurses (n = 387) and midwives (n = 269) managing pregnant women in RWANDA was performed, as part of the CROss Country Ultrasound Study (CROCUS). Data were collected at 106 health facilities from November 2016 – March 2017.Preliminary results: One third of the participants performed ultrasound examinations (32.3%) and the majority on a daily basis (60.1%). The ultrasound examination where most participants reported high level skills was evaluation of the fetal heart rate (69.0%). A majority reported no skills or low level skills (79.9%) for ultrasound examination of the fetal heart, aorta and pulmonary artery. A majority (65.0%) reported that lack of ultrasound training of the ultrasound operator sometimes led to suboptimal pregnancy management. Almost all participants (91.3%) agreed that ANC would be improved if midwives were qualified to perform basic ultrasound examinations.Conclusions: The vast majority of health professionals in the study believed that maternity care can be improved if midwives learn to perform basic ultrasound examinations. Additional training of physicians performing obstetric ultrasound was also suggested to increase the quality of obstetric ultrasound surveillance and to further improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.Key messages:Physicians managing pregnant women need more training in obstetric ultrasound.Midwives need to be educated in performing obstetric ultrasounds.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Cecilia K., et al.
(författare)
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Impaired airway epithelial cell wound-healing capacity is associated with airway remodelling following RSV infection in severe preschool wheeze
- 2020
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Ingår i: Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538. ; 75:12, s. 3195-3207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes exacerbations of asthma and preschool wheeze (PSW). However, the anti-viral and repair responses of the bronchial epithelium in children with severe therapy-resistant asthma (STRA) and PSW are poorly understood. Methods: Children with STRA (age 12 [6-16] years), PSW (age 2 [1-5] years) and non-asthmatic controls (age 7 [2-14] years) underwent bronchoscopy with endobronchial brushings and biopsies. Anti-viral, wound injury responses were quantified in biopsies and primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) in response to RSV, poly(I:C), house dust mite (HDM) or IL-33 using RT-qPCR, Luminex and live cell imaging. Collagen deposition and tissue expression of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), IL-33 and receptor ST2 were investigated in bronchial biopsies. Results: PBECs from STRA and PSW had increased TLR3 gene expression and increased secretion of anti-viral and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-13) in response to RSV compared to controls. Exposure of PBECs to concomitant TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) and HDM resulted in a significant reduction in epithelial cell proliferation in PSW compared to controls. Wound-healing was also impaired in PSW compared to controls at baseline and following IL-33 stimulation. In addition, tissue EGFR expression was significantly reduced in PSW and correlated with collagen deposition in endobronchial biopsies. Conclusions: Despite increased anti-viral responses, preschool children with severe wheeze had impaired airway epithelial proliferative responses following damage. This might be connected to the low expression of EGFR in PSW which may affect epithelial function and contribute to asthma pathogenesis.
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| 4. |
- Berlin, Frida, et al.
(författare)
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Mast Cell Tryptase Promotes Airway Remodeling by Inducing Anti-Apoptotic and Cell Growth Properties in Human Alveolar and Bronchial Epithelial Cells
- 2023
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Ingår i: Cells. - 2073-4409. ; 12:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bronchial and alveolar remodeling and impaired epithelial function are characteristics of chronic respiratory diseases. In these patients, an increased number of mast cells (MCs) positive for serine proteases, tryptase and chymase, infiltrate the epithelium and alveolar parenchyma. However, little is known regarding the implication of intraepithelial MCs on the local environment, such as epithelial cell function and properties. In this study, we investigated whether MC tryptase is involved in bronchial and alveolar remodeling and the mechanisms of regulation during inflammation. Using novel holographic live cell imaging, we found that MC tryptase enhanced human bronchial and alveolar epithelial cell growth and shortened the cell division intervals. The elevated cell growth induced by tryptase remained in a pro-inflammatory state. Tryptase also increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BIRC3, as well as growth factor release in epithelial cells. Thus, our data imply that the intraepithelial and alveolar MC release of tryptase may play a critical role in disturbing bronchial epithelial and alveolar homeostasis by altering cell growth–death regulation.
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| 5. |
- Callesen, Katrine T., et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of Mast Cells from Healthy and Varicose Human Saphenous Vein
- 2022
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Ingår i: Biomedicines. - : MDPI AG. - 2227-9059. ; 10:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mast cells (MCs) are distributed in tissues throughout the body and are highly involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. The potential and involvement of different MC phenotypes are still not well understood. MCs are present in blood vessel walls, but their specific phenotypic features are unknown. We aimed at characterizing MCs from human saphenous veins for localization, mediator content, and receptor expression. This was done in MCs from both healthy and varicose human saphenous veins (hSV and vSV, respectively). For both vSV and hSV, we found that vein MCs are mainly present in the tunica adventitia (99% MCs in adventitia) and that the population consists of both MCT and MCTC phenotypes (vSV: 55% MCT, hSV: 64% MCT). The vein MCs contained high levels of histamine (vSV: 27 pg/MC, hSV: 55 pg/MC) and tryptase (vSV: 98 pg/MC, hSV: 111 pg/MC), indicating a strong potential for regulatory effects on blood vessels. The receptor expression of FcɛRI, MRGPRX2, PTAFR, C3aR, and C5aR was found, even though the percentage of positive cells differed between vSV and hSV MCs. We conclude that vein MCs from the blood vessel wall have a high potential to affect the tissue around them.
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| 6. |
- Hjälmås, Kelm, 1933, et al.
(författare)
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The overactive bladder in children: a potential future indication for tolterodine.
- 2001
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Ingår i: BJU international. - 1464-4096. ; 87:6, s. 569-74
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of tolterodine in children with an overactive bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three children (20 boys and 13 girls, aged 5-10 years) with an overactive bladder and symptoms of urgency, frequency and/or urge incontinence were enrolled in an open, dose-escalation study. Patients were treated with oral tolterodine 0.5 mg (n = 11), 1 mg (n = 10) or 2 mg (n = 12) twice daily for 14 days. The primary safety endpoint was the change in residual urinary volume, as determined by ultrasonography. In addition, voiding diary variables (frequency and incontinence episodes) and pharmacokinetics were evaluated. Other safety endpoints included laboratory variables, electrocardiogram recordings and reported adverse events. RESULTS: There were no safety concerns in terms of the change in residual urinary volume for any of the three dosage groups; values were comparable with baseline after 2 weeks of treatment for all three dosages. Adverse events were reported by 20 patients (six on 0.5 mg, five on 1 mg, and nine on 2 mg). Most adverse events were not considered to be drug-related; of the 13 possibly related events, 10 occurred in those taking 2 mg. Headache was the most commonly reported adverse event. No serious adverse events were reported and there were no general safety concerns. There was an improvement in voiding diary variables in all treatment groups after 2 weeks of treatment, although the efficacy was greatest in those taking 1 mg and 2 mg. Pharmacokinetic findings were consistent with dose linearity over the range 0.5-2 mg. CONCLUSION: The results support the use of 1 mg twice daily as the optimal dose of tolterodine for treating children aged 5-10 years with an overactive bladder.
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| 7. |
- Lan, P. T., et al.
(författare)
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Reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted infections : a population-based study of women of reproductive age in a rural district of Vietnam.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - London : BMJ Publishing Group. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 84:2, s. 126-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate the prevalences of reproductive tract infections (RTI)/sexually transmitted infections (STI) among married women in a rural district of Vietnam, and analyse the influence of socioeconomic, sociodemographic, and other determinants possibly related to RTI/STI. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study. Married women aged 18–49 years (n = 1012) were interviewed and underwent a gynaecological examination. Specimens were collected for laboratory diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidiasis, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. Results: In total, 37% of the women were clinically diagnosed with an RTI/STI. Aetiologically confirmed RTI/STI was identified in 39% of the women (including 6% with STI). Endogenous infections were most prevalent (candidiasis 26%, BV 11%) followed by hepatitis B 8.3%, Chlamydia trachomatis 4.3%, Trichomonas vaginalis 1%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 0.7%, genital warts 0.2%, and HIV and syphilis 0%. Fifty per cent of the STI cases were asymptomatic. Younger age and intrauterine devices were significantly associated with an increased risk of BV. Determinants of candidiasis were vaginal douching, high education level and low economic status, whereas a determinant of chlamydia was high economic status. Outmigration of the husband was associated with an increased risk of hepatitis B surface antigen seroposivity among women. Conclusions: RTI/STI were prevalent among married women in a rural population of Vietnam. Syndromic algorithms should be consistently supplemented by risk assessment in order to reduce under and overtreatment. Microscopic diagnosis could be applied in primary care settings to achieve more accurate diagnoses. The promotion of health education aimed at reducing RTI/STI prevalences is an important tool in STI/HIV control programmes. Vaccination to prevent hepatitis B for migrants should be considered.
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| 8. |
- Mogren, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Mast Cell Proteases Promote Diverse Effects on the Plasminogen Activation System and Wound Healing in A549 Alveolar Epithelial Cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 11:18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tissue damage, epithelial alterations, and intraepithelial presence of mast cells (MCs) are characteristics of asthma pathogenesis. Increased alveolar infiltration of MC populations has also been identified as a feature of asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. The asthma associated receptor, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), has been shown to regulate bronchial epithelial repair responses. However, the impact of MC tryptase and chymase on functional properties and expression of uPAR in alveolar epithelial cells have not been fully investigated. Alveolar epithelial cell migration and wound healing were investigated using holographic live cell imaging of A549 cells in a wound scratch model post stimulation with tryptase or chymase. The expression of uPAR was investigated on the protein and gene level from cellular supernatants and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid fractions from allergic asthmatics. We found that tryptase improved wound healing capacity, cellular migration and membrane bound uPAR expression. Chymase reduced gap closure capacity, cellular migration and membrane bound uPAR expression but increased soluble uPAR release. Our data suggest a dual regulatory response from the MC proteases in events related to uPAR expression and wound healing which could be important features in asthmatic disease.
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| 9. |
- Ramu, Sangeetha, et al.
(författare)
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Direct effects of mast cell proteases, tryptase and chymase, on bronchial epithelial integrity proteins and anti-viral responses
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Immunology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2172. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Mast cells (MCs) are known to contribute to both acute and chronic inflammation. Bronchial epithelial cells are the first line of defence against pathogens and a deficient anti-viral response has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbations. However, effects of MC mediators on bronchial epithelial immune response have been less studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the direct effects of stimulation with MC proteases, tryptase and chymase, on inflammatory and anti-viral responses in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Method: Cultured BEAS-2b cells and primary HBECs from 3 asthmatic patients were stimulated with tryptase or chymase (0.1 to 0.5 μg/ml) for 1, 3, 6 and 24 h. To study the effects of MC mediators on the anti-viral response, cells were stimulated with 10 μg/ml of viral mimic Poly (I:C) for 3 and 24 h following pre-treatment with 0.5 μg/ml tryptase or chymase for 3 h. Samples were analysed for changes in pro-inflammatory and anti-viral mediators and receptors using RT-qPCR, western blot and Luminex. Results: Tryptase and chymase induced release of the alarmin ATP and pro-inflammatory mediators IL-8, IL-6, IL-22 and MCP-1 from HBECs. Moreover, tryptase and chymase decreased the expression of E-cadherin and zonula occludens-1 expression from HBECs. Pre-treatment of HBECs with tryptase and chymase further increased Poly (I:C) induced IL-8 release at 3 h. Furthermore, tryptase significantly reduced type-I and III interferons (IFNs) and pattern recognition receptor (PRR) expression in HBECs. Tryptase impaired Poly (I:C) induced IFN and PRR expression which was restored by treatment of a serine protease inhibitor. Similar effects of tryptase on inflammation and anti-viral responses were also confirmed in primary HBECs from asthmatic patients. Conclusion: MC localization within the epithelium and the release of their proteases may play a critical role in asthma pathology by provoking pro-inflammatory and alarmin responses and downregulating IFNs. Furthermore, MC proteases induce downregulation of epithelial junction proteins which may lead to barrier dysfunction. In summary, our data suggests that mast cells may contribute towards impaired anti-viral epithelial responses during asthma exacerbations mediated by the protease activity of tryptase.
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| 10. |
- Rurangirwa, Akashi Andrew, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of antenatal care services in Rwanda: Assessing practices of health care providers 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services
- 2018
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Ingår i: Bmc Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although most pregnant women in Rwanda visit antenatal care (ANC) clinics, little has been studied about the quality of services being provided. We investigated the ANC providers' (HCPs) current practices in relation to prevention, management and referral of maternal conditions as well as the information provided to pregnant women attending ANC services in Rwanda. Methods: This facility-based, cross-sectional study included 312 ANC providers as participants and a review of 605 ANC medical records from 121 health centers. Data collection was performed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and a structured observation checklist. For the analyses, descriptive statistics and bi-and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results: Nurses and midwives in ANC services failed to report a number of pregnancy-related conditions that would need urgent referral to a higher level of health care. Midwives did somewhat better than nurses in reporting these conditions. There was no statistically significant difference in how nurses and midwives informed pregnant women about pregnancy-related issues. Ever been trained in how to manage a pregnant woman exposed to violence was reported by 14% of the participants. In 12, 13 and 15% of the medical records there was no report on tetanus immunization, anthelmintic treatment and syphilis testing, respectively. Conclusion: The providers in ANC clinics reported suboptimal practices on conditions of pregnancy that needed urgent referral for adequate management. Information to pregnant women on danger signs of pregnancy, recommended medicines and tests do not seem to be consistently provided. Midwifery training in Rwanda should be expanded so that most of staff at ANC clinics are trained as midwives to help lower maternal and child mortality and morbidity. © 2018 The Author(s).
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