| 61. |
- Almblad, Ann-Charlotte, 1965-
(författare)
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Early Detection and Treatment for Children : Experiences and outcome of implementation at a pediatric hospital
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Early recognition of severely ill children is necessary to prevent serious adverse events and unexpected death. To promote patient safety the Early Detection and Treatment Program for Children (EDT-C) was developed at a University Children’s Hospital in Sweden. This program consists of validated tools for communication and teamwork combined with the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) and guidelines for recommended actions. Ward specific guidelines were developed and EDT-C instructors were trained. The aims were to describe healthcare professionals’ experience of caring for acutely, severely ill children (Study I) and to evaluate the implementation of EDT-C (Study II, III, IV). The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework guided both implementation and the research study.Before introducing the EDT-C, focus group interviews were performed to explore healthcare professionals’ experience of caring for acutely, severely ill children. A context assessment, using the Alberta Context Tool (ACT) was also conducted. After implementation, a retrospective review of the electronic patient records (EPR) to assess adherence to guidelines were carried out. Instructors’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences from the implementation of EDT-C were gathered through individual interviews. To evaluate the introduction of EDT-C in relation to admission and stay at intensive care a retrospective before-after study using EPR data was performed. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistical methods were utilized for quantitative data.The caring for acutely severely ill children was described as being in a multifaceted area of tension with paradoxical elements where contradictory emotions emerged. According to documentation, children at a very high risk of clinical deterioration according to PEWS were identified. Adherence to actions prescribed in guidelines varied. Healthcare professionals and instructors described EDT-C as suitable for clinical practice and that it created a more structured way of working. It was furthermore described that PEWS measurement had become routine practice at the hospital.EDT-C can lead to increased knowledge about early detection of deterioration, strengthen the healthcare in their profession, optimize treatment and teamwork and thereby has potential to increase patient safety for children treated in hospitals.
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| 62. |
- Almby, Kristina, 1985-
(författare)
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Brain-gut-adipose interplay in the antidiabetic effects of gastric bypass surgery
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Gastric bypass surgery (GBP) leads not only to considerable and consistent weight loss but to a number of beneficial metabolic effects, often including a swift remission of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Increases in the gut hormone GLP-1 are considered central to this effect, although several other mechanism are likely involved. One complication to GBP is post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH), where the individual suffers from episodes of low blood sugar after meals. The mechanism behind this is incompletely understood. Previous research has reported an attenuation of the counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia in patients after GBP. Many hypoglycaemic episodes also appear to be asymptomatic. Together, this has led to the hypothesis that GBP and PBH may involve an adaptation to lower blood glucose levels, a lowered glycaemic set point. As much of hypoglycaemia counterregulation involves the central nervous system (CNS), such an adaptation would presumably involve neuroendocrine mechanism. Experimental treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) has been reported as successful against PBH, which is paradoxical as GLP-1RA stimulate insulin release. The aim of this thesis is to further explore the metabolic changes after GBP that may influence glycaemic control. In Paper I, euglycaemic-hypoglycaemic clamps were used to assess whether infusion with GLP-1RA affects the counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia after GBP. In Paper II, normoglycaemic-hypoglycaemic clamps were performed before and after GBP during simultaneous brain imaging with fMRI and FDG-PET techniques, cognitive testing and assessment of counterregulatory hormones. Paper III details the time course of metabolic changes after GBP in patients with previous T2DM with focus on adipose tissue, including gene expression, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. Paper IV approaches the same question as Paper I, this time in the setting of a standardized meal test. All papers include assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) as a potential reflection of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. In Paper I, we do not find indications that GLP-1RA affects counterregulatory hormones, but that it may affect ANS activation during hypoglycaemia. In contrast, Paper IV reports higher cortisol levels with GLP1-RA after a meal, and indications of ANS effects, but no effect on post-prandial glucose levels. Results from Paper II support the hypothesis that GBP attenuates hormonal counterregulatory responses and affects how the CNS responds to hypoglycaemia. In Paper III we report sustained improvements in glucose uptake in adipocytes, potentially indications of decreased low-grade inflammation and signs of transient increases in parasympathetic activity.
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| 63. |
- Almgren, Birgitta, 1958-
(författare)
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Endotracheal Suction a Reopened Problem
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During mechanical ventilation, patients are connected to the ventilator by an endotracheal tube. The tube needs to be cleaned from mucus by suction, which can cause negative effects such as lung collapse, hypoxemia and desaturation. These can be avoided by preoxygenation, change of ventilator settings, use of closed suction systems and recruitment manoeuvres. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of endotracheal suction during different ventilator settings and by different suction methods. A method to reverse side effects was investigated.In anaesthetized pigs, the effect of suction during volume and pressure-controlled ventilation was investigated, and the effect of different suction systems and catheter sizes were compared. Suction efficacy was investigated in a bench study. The effect of recruitment manoeuvre added after suction, i.e. post-suction recruitment manoeuvre was evaluated.Endotracheal suction causes lung volume loss leading to impaired gas exchange, an effect that is more severe in pressure-controlled ventilation than in volume-controlled ventilation. When 14 French suction catheters were used more side effects were found compared to 12 French catheters, but no difference was found between open and closed suction system in pressure-controlled ventilation. Open suction system was more effective to remove mucus compared to closed system. Post-suction recruitment manoeuvre restored the side effects after the first recruitment when it was applied directly after suction.In conclusion, open endotracheal suction causes impairment in gas exchange and lung mechanics, and more so in pressure-controlled than in volume-controlled mode. These changes can be minimized if smaller suction catheters are used. A post-suction recruitment manoeuvre applied directly after suction restores lung function. It is obvious that the recruitment manoeuvre should be added directly after suction, because if the manoeuvre is delayed and the lung is collapsed and left collapsed, it will be more difficult to recruit the lung.
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| 64. |
- Almhagen, Erik
(författare)
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Techniques for the increased utilization of dose response variability in proton therapy
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Particle therapy is a form of radiation therapy in which protons and heavier ions are used, as opposed to photons in conventional radiation therapy. The biological effectiveness of particles compared to photons is often quantified as relative biological effectiveness (RBE). In clinical practice, protons are assumed to be 10% more efficient than photons, despite the fact that RBE is known to vary. On the other hand, variable RBE models can be used to describe the RBE at a given position as a function of a few parameters, such as the linear energy transfer (LET) of the beam. Questions of accuracy and validation have prevented the clinical introduction of variable RBE models. In this thesis, we tried to develop a variable RBE model for protons and carbon ions, and then apply it in a proton planning study.We started with developing a beam model for protons. It was based on measured data at the Skandion Clinic in Uppsala, Sweden. It is capable of describing the spatial, angular and energy distributions of a proton beam at a certain position in a treatment room. This, coupled with a particle transport engine, allows for accurate study of the physical properties of a clinical beam.Prior to developing our RBE model, we studied a number of publications containing proton in vitro cell survival data. It was found that the particle beams used included heavy secondary particle contamination and thus this need not be accounted for separately in a proton RBE model based on this data. Taking this into account, the subsequent RBE model did not provided increased accuracy compared to the considered proton RBE models. For carbon ions, accuracy was increased. Coupled with a treatment planning system, treatment plans taking into account RBE variability can thus be made with this RBE model.Finally, we applied the nanoCluE RBE model in a proton dose painting planning study, where the tumor target is given a heterogeneous dose based on an estimated radio sensitivity map of the tumor such that more resistant areas are given higher doses. Variable RBE was not beneficial in increasing the control probability of the tumor, but it did help in decreasing doses to nearby, healthy tissue.
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| 65. |
- Almqvist, Ylva, 1974-
(författare)
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Targeted Therapy of Colorectal Cancer : Preclinical Evaluation of a Radiolabelled Antibody
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Targeted radiotherapy (TRT) of cancer is a promising approach that enables selective treatment of tumour cells, while sparing normal tissue. The humanized monoclonal antibody A33 (huA33) is a potential targeting agent for TRT of colorectal cancer, since its antigen is expressed in more than 95 % of all colorectal carcinomas. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the two huA33-based TRT-conjugates, 177Lu-huA33, and 211At-huA33. The conjugates 177Lu-huA33, and 211At-huA33, bound specifically to colorectal cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. A dose dependent cytotoxic effect of 211At-huA33 was also demonstrated in vitro. From a therapeutic perspective, both conjugates had a favourable biodistribution in tumour-bearing nude mice, with high tumour uptake and a low uptake in normal organs (with the exception of an expected thyroid uptake of 211At). After injection of 211At-huA33, the blood absorbed a slightly higher dose than the tumour, but for 177Lu-huA33, the tumour received a 12 times higher dose than blood. Two days after intravenous injection of 177Lu-huA33 in tumour-bearing mice, the tumours could be clearly visualised by gamma camera imaging, with very low interference from normal tissue radioactivity. In an experimental therapy study, also performed in tumour-bearing mice, there was an excellent therapeutic effect of 177Lu-huA33. About 50 % of the treated animals were tumour free 140 days after injection of 177Lu-huA33, while none of the non-radioactive controls survived beyond 20 days after injection of treatment substances. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that the therapeutic conjugates 177Lu-huA33, and 211At-huA33, are promising targeting agents that might help improve therapy of colorectal cancer.
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| 66. |
- Almstedt, Elin, 1988-
(författare)
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New targeted therapies for malignant neural tumors : From systematic discovery to zebrafish models
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cancers in the neural system presents a major health challenge. The most aggressive brain tumor in adults, glioblastoma, has a median survival of 15 months and few therapeutic options. High-risk neuroblastoma, a childhood tumor originating in the sympathetic nervous system, has a 5-year survival under 50%, despite extensive therapy. Molecular characterization of these tumors has had some, but so far limited, clinical impact. In neuroblastoma, patients with ALK mutated tumors can benefit from treatment with ALK inhibitors. In glioblastoma, molecular subgroups have not yet revealed any subgroup-specific gene dependencies due to tumor heterogeneity and plasticity. In this thesis, we identify novel treatment candidates for neuroblastoma and glioblastoma. In paper I, we discover novel drug targets for high-risk neuroblastoma by integrating patient data, large-scale pharmacogenomic profiles, and drug-protein interaction maps. Using a novel algorithm, TargetTranslator, we identify more than 80 targets for this patient group. Activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) or inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) reduces tumor growth in zebrafish and mice models of neuroblastoma, establishing TargetTranslator as a useful tool for target discovery in cancer. In paper II, we screen approximately 1500 compounds across 100 molecularly characterized cell lines from patients to uncover heterogeneous responses to drugs in glioblastoma. We identify several connections between pathway activities and drug response. Sensitivity to proteasome inhibition is linked to oxidative stress response and p53 activity in cells, and can be predicted using a gene signature. We also discover sigma receptors as novel drug targets for glioblastoma and find a synergistic vulnerability in targeting cholesterol homeostasis.In paper III, we systematically explore novel targets for glioblastoma using an siRNA screen. Downregulation of ZBTB16 decreases cell cycle-related proteins and transcripts in patient-derived glioblastoma cells. Using a zebrafish assay, we find that ZBTB16 promotes glioblastoma invasion in vivo. In paper IV, we characterized the growth of seven patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines in orthotopic zebrafish xenografts. Using automated longitudinal imaging, we find that tumor engraftment strongly correlates with tumor initiation capacity in mice xenografts and that the heterogeneous response to proteasome inhibitors is maintained in vivo. In summary, this thesis identifies novel targets for glioblastoma and neuroblastoma using systematic approaches. Treatment candidates are evaluated in novel zebrafish xenograft models that are developed for high-throughput glioblastoma and neuroblastoma drug evaluation. Together, this thesis provides promising evidence of new therapeutic options for malignant neural tumors.
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| 67. |
- Alsehli, Ahmed
(författare)
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The role of HMG-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and statin medication in the Central Nervous System : Cognitive Functions, Metabolism, Feeding and Sleep Behaviour
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Millions of people are currently on statin medications (HMGCR inhibitors) to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Despite considerable central nervous system expression, little is known about HMGCR function in the brain. In Paper I, we used Drosophila and rodent models and found that inhibiting Hmgcr expression in the insulin-producing cells of the Drosophila hypothalamus equivalent, known as the pars intercerebralis (PI), throughout development, significantly reduces the expression of Insulin–like peptides 2 and 3 (ILP2 and ILP3), severely decreasing insulin signalling. This reduction causes decreased body size, hyperglycemia, increased lipid storage, and hyperphagia. We also discovered that Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (Fpps), an enzyme downstream of Hmgcr in the mevalonate pathway, is required for ILP2 expression in the PI. In rodents, acute inhibition of hypothalamic Hmgcr stimulates food intake as well. Furthermore, in rats, we found two regions within the hypothalamus that had significantly increased neural activity, the paraventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus, which are known to regulate food intake. In Paper II, we explored the effects of statins on cognition and performed an observational study on a population-based sample from the UK Biobank. Cognitive performance in terms of reaction time, working memory and fluid intelligence was analysed at baseline and two follow-ups. Subjects were classified depending on age (up to 65 and over 65 years). The effect of statin use differed between the two age groups, with a beneficial effect on reaction time in older persons and fluid intelligence in both age groups, and a negative effect on working memory in younger subjects. In Paper III, we examined association of single nucleotide polymorphisms within the HMGCR gene, rs17238484 and rs12916, with self-reported insomnia symptoms. We found that statin users are associated with a higher risk for self-reported insomnia. The HMGCR genetic variants were also associated with self-reported insomnia, but in different manner. Carriers the rs12916-T risk allele had a protective effect from insomnia symptoms. No associations were found for either statin takers or carriers of these HGCMR risk alleles and late evening chronotype. The increased risk of insomnia noted with statins is partially explained by a mechanism that might be independent of HMGCR inhibition. In Paper IV, we discovered a novel role for Hmgcr in sleep regulation in Drosophila, where lacking of pan-neuronal Hmgcr expression causes sleep-promoting effects. We also found that loss of Hmgcr expression specifically in the PI insulin-producing cells, recapitulates the effect of pan-neuronal Hmgcr inhibition. Conversely, inhibiting Hmgcr in only six PI DH44 expressing neurons has the opposite effect on sleep, increasing sleep latency and decreasing sleep duration. This bi-functional property of Hmgcr in the fly brain underlies its importance in sleep regulation. Furthermore, loss of Hmgcr showed no effect on circadian rhythm, suggesting that Hmgcr regulates sleep by pathways distinct from the circadian clock.
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| 68. |
- Alsharari, Zayed
(författare)
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Dietary Intake, Fatty Acid Biomarkers, and Abdominal Obesity : Population-Based Observational Studies
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis was to investigate the associations between fatty acid (FA) biomarkers, carbohydrate intake, and abdominal obesity (AO) and related anthropometric measures in a population-based cohort of men and women in Stockholm County. The overall hypothesis was that dietary fat quality assessed by serum and adipose tissue FA composition, and dietary intake of especially carbohydrates is associated with AO. FA composition was assessed by liquid gas chromatography, and AO was measured as waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD). Dietary intake was assessed by 7-day food records.Papers I, II, III, and IV were all observational studies based on a Swedish population in Stockholm County (n=5460). A sub-cohort of only men (n=301) was included in Papers II, III, and IV.In Paper I, serum proportions of the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), linoleic acid (LA) (18:2n6), was inversely associated with AO in both men and women, whereas a positive association was observed between the saturated FA (SFA), palmitic acid (PA) (16:0) and AO measures. These findings support recent interventional studies suggesting that a higher relative intake of PUFA (LA) from vegetable oils as compared with 16:0 is associated with decreased abdominal adiposity.In Paper II, we investigated whether biomarkers of dietary fat quality were related to the corresponding FA intake from fat-rich foods reported in a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Serum proportions of the long-chain n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) were higher among men with higher total fish intake. Serum LA was higher among men who reported a consumption of more than 5 g/d of margarine. Absolute agreement between intakes assessed with FFQ of 60YO and 7-day food record of "Kost och Metabola syndromet"/"Diet and the Metabolic syndrome" (KOMET) was highest for alcohol, total fish, and eggs. Weighted Kappa statistics revealed the strongest agreement for alcohol, margarine, and fruits.In Paper III, carbohydrate intake was inversely associated with 16:0 in serum phospholipids (PL). Disaccharide and alcohol intake was positively and non-linearly associated with palmitoleic acid (16:1) and stearoyl-CoA-desaturase (SCD) activity in PL. Alcohol was consistently associated with higher SFA and monounsaturated FA (MUFA).Results of Paper IV indicated that total carbohydrate intake was inversely associated with measures of AO and central fat distribution, WHR and SAD, respectively. Likewise, monosaccharide intake was associated with lower AO. In contrast, alcohol intake was associated with AO prevalence and all anthropometric measurements.In conclusion, serum SFA (palmitic acid) was positively associated with AO, whereas n-6 PUFA (linoleic acid) was associated with lower AO. High intake of total carbohydrate and monosaccharides were associated with lower AO. Overall, these results support a beneficial role on adiposity of diets that are higher in polyunsaturated fat (vegetable oils) and total carbohydrates compared with saturated fat.
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| 69. |
- Alsiö, Johan
(författare)
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From Food Preference to Craving : Behavioural Traits and Molecular Mechanisms
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Preference for palatable and energy-dense foods may be a risk factor for body weight gain and has both genetic and environmental components. Once obesity develops in an individual, weight loss is difficult to achieve. Indeed, obesity is often characterized by repeated attempts to reduce the overconsumption of energy-dense foods, followed by food craving and relapse to overconsumption. Relapse and loss of control over intake are observed also in drug addicts, and it has been shown that obesity and drug addiction not only share behavioural features but also neural circuitry, e.g. the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. In this thesis, we sought to investigate the mechanisms related to food preferences and craving using animal models previously used in addiction research. The risk of gaining weight may implicate behavioural traits and emotional states. We showed in rats that a risk-taking behavioural profile was associated both with increased preference for a high-fat (HF) diet and with increased motivational response to a palatable high-sucrose (HS) diet. Hypothalamic urocortin 2 expression was associated with the preference for the HF diet. We also tested the hypothesis that consumption of HS and HF diets separately or provided simultaneously (HFHS) affect anxiety-like behaviour and locomotion. Furthermore, we showed that withdrawal from HFHS food affects diet-induced obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) animals differently. OP animals had increased motivation (craving) for HS food pellets as measured by the operant self-administration technique during withdrawal. Dopamine receptor expression in the striatum differed between OP and OR animals both at access to HFHS and during withdrawal. This strongly implicates dopaminergic signaling in the OP phenotype. In humans, food preferences may be monitored using questionnaires. We analyzed food preference data from parents of preschool children, and identified an inverse association of parental preference for high-fat high-protein food and overweight in children. In conclusion, we have employed animal models previously used in the addiction field to identify molecular mechanisms related both to food preference and vulnerability to obesity, and to food craving associated with withdrawal from palatable food. These findings add to our current understanding of obesity.
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| 70. |
- Alström, Ulrica
(författare)
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Platelet Inhibition and Bleeding in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A substantial number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery are on dual anti-platelet treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin. A disadvantage with this treatment is increased risk of bleeding. Bleeding is a complication of major concern associated with adverse outcome for the patient and increased hospital resource utilization. Great variability in individual response to clopidogrel has been reported. If in vitro measurements of platelet reactivity would correlate with clinical bleeding parameters, potential bleeders could be identified preoperatively. The aims of this thesis were: (1) to describe the degree of pre-operative platelet inhibition in patients scheduled for primary isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery; (2) to prospectively investigate whether the pre-operative platelet inhibition correlated with intra- and postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements; and (3) to test the ability of clinically relevant risk factors to predict re-exploration for bleeding. (4) In addition, a cost analysis was performed on patients re-explored for bleeding, to analyse the magnitude of added resource utilization and costs. Based on this, a cost model of prophylactic treatment with haemostatic drugs was calculated. Platelet function tests investigated were: (1) flow cytometry, (2) VASP, (3) VerifyNowSystem, (4) PlateletMapping (a modified TEG), and (5) PFA-100. Clinical risk factors for re-exploration and the influence of antiplatelet and antifibrinolytic therapy were evaluated in a retrospective analysis. Cost analysis at three cardiothoracic centres was performed in a case-control study. In conclusion, there was no clinically useful correlation between preoperative assessment of platelet inhibition and blood loss or transfusion requirements during coronary artery bypass surgery. Furthermore, there was only modest agreement between the methods evaluating ADP-receptor blockade. Pre-operative treatment with the P2Y12-receptor inhibitor clopidogrel was an essential risk factor for re-exploration due to bleeding. Except for clopidogrel, no strong clinical factor to predict the risk of re-exploration was identified. The resource utilisation costs were 47% higher in patients requiring re-exploration due to bleeding than in those not requiring re-exploration. Prolonged stay in the ICU and recovery ward accounted for half of the added cost, a third was due to the costs of surgery, one fifth due to increased cost of transfusions, and <2% was due to haemostatic drug treatment.
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