| 31. |
- Bjursten, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Once after a full moon : acute type A aortic dissection and lunar phases
- 2022
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Ingår i: Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press. - 1569-9293 .- 1569-9285. ; 34:1, s. 105-110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a rare but severe condition, routinely treated with emergent cardiac surgery. Many surgeons have the notion that patients with ATAAD tend to come in clusters, but no studies have examined these observations. This investigation was undertaken to study the potential association between the lunar cycle and the incidence of ATAAD.METHODS: We collected information on 2995 patients who underwent ATAAD surgery at centres from the Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection collaboration. We cross-referenced the time of surgery with lunar phase using a case-crossover design with 2 different definitions of full moon (>99% illumination and the 7-day full moon period).RESULTS: The period when the moon was illuminated the most (99% definition) did not show any significant increase in incidence for ATAAD surgery. However, when the full moon period was compared with all other moon phases, it yielded a relative risk of 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.17, P = 0.057] and, compared to waxing moon, only the relative risk was 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.23, P = 0.027). The peak incidence came 4-6 days after the moon was fully illuminated.CONCLUSIONS: This study found an overrepresentation of surgery for ATAAD during the full moon phase. The explanation for this is not known, but we speculate that sleep deprivation during full moon leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure, which in turn could trigger rupture of the aortic wall. While this finding is interesting, it needs to be corroborated and the clinical implications are debateable.
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| 32. |
- Bjurström, Martin F., et al.
(författare)
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Central nervous system monoaminergic activity in hip osteoarthritis patients with disabling pain : associations with pain severity and central sensitization
- 2022
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Ingår i: Pain Reports. - 2471-2531. ; 7:1, s. 988-988
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Monoaminergic activity modulates nociceptive transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Although pain is the most disabling symptom of osteoarthritis (OA), limited knowledge exists regarding the CNS mechanisms that amplify pain and drive sensitization processes in humans.Objectives:The main objective of this study was to evaluate associations between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolites, pain severity, and central sensitization in patients with OA undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).Methods:Patients with OA (n = 52) and pain-free controls (n = 30) provided CSF samples for measurement of serotonin (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA]), noradrenaline (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol [HMPG]), and dopamine (homovanillic acid [HVA]) monoamine metabolites. Patients with OA completed longitudinal evaluation of pain using clinical measures and quantitative sensory testing.Results:Patients with OA had higher HMPG levels when compared with controls (P = 0.036). Within patients with OA undergoing THA, higher 5-HIAA and HVA levels were consistently associated with higher preoperative pain severity. Higher concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA were also associated with lower conditioned pain modulation levels, whereas higher HMPG levels were linked to more efficient conditioned pain modulation. Patients with higher levels of CSF HVA exhibited increased pressure pain sensitivity (arm pressure pain detection threshold < 250 kPa vs ≥ 250 kPa, P = 0.042). Higher preoperative levels of CSF 5-HIAA predicted poorer pain control 6 months postoperatively (brief pain inventory pain severity; adjusted β = 0.010, 95% CI 0.001-0.019).Conclusions:In OA patients with disabling pain, higher CSF levels of serotonin and dopamine metabolites are associated with increased pain severity and central sensitization. Increased noradrenergic activity may be associated with more efficient pain inhibitory capacity.
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| 33. |
- Björk, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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β-Arrestin 2 knockout mice exhibit sensitized dopamine release and increased reward in response to a low dose of alcohol
- 2013
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Ingår i: Psychopharmacology. - : Springer. - 0033-3158 .- 1432-2072. ; 230:3, s. 439-449
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- RationaleThe rewarding effects of alcohol have been attributed to interactions between opioid and dopaminergic system within the mesolimbic reward pathway. We have previously shown that ablation of β-arrestin 2 (Arrb2), a crucial regulator of μ-opioid receptor function, attenuates alcohol-induced hyperlocomotion and c-fos activation in the nucleus accumbens.ObjectivesHere, we further investigated the role of Arrb2 in modulating alcohol-induced dopamine (DA) release and conditioned place preference (CPP). We also assessed the functional importance of Arrb2 for μ-opioid receptor surface expression and signaling following an acute alcohol challenge.MethodsAlcohol-evoked (0.375, 0.75, and 1.5 g/kg intraperitoneally) DA release was measured by in vivo microdialysis in the shell of nucleus accumbens. Reward was assessed by the CPP paradigm. Receptor function was assessed by μ-receptor binding and [35S]GTP-γ-S autoradiography.ResultsIn Arrb2 knockout mice accumbal DA levels reach maximum response at a lower dose compared to wild-type (wt) animals. In line with these results, Arrb2 knockout mice display increased CPP for alcohol as compared to wt mice. Finally, Arrb2 mutant mice display increased μ-opioid receptor signaling in the ventral and dorsal striatum and amygdala in response to a low dose of alcohol, indicating impaired desensitization mechanisms in these mice.ConclusionsOur results show that Arrb2 modulates the response to low doses of alcohol on various levels including μ-opioid receptor signaling, DA release, and reward. They also reveal a clear dissociation between the effects of Arrb2 on psychomotor and reward behaviors.
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| 34. |
- Blom, Elin S, et al.
(författare)
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Increased mRNA Levels of TCF7L2 and MYC of the Wnt Pathway in Tg-ArcSwe Mice and Alzheimer's Disease Brain
- 2010
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Ingår i: International journal of Alzheimer's disease. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-0252 .- 2090-8024. ; 2011, s. 936580-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several components in the Wnt pathway, including β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, have been implied in AD pathogenesis. Here, mRNA brain levels from five-month-old tg-ArcSwe and nontransgenic mice were compared using Affymetrix microarray analysis. With surprisingly small overall changes, Wnt signaling was the most affected pathway with altered expression of nine genes in tg-ArcSwe mice. When analyzing mRNA levels of these genes in human brain, transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) and v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC), were increased in Alzheimer's disease (AD) (P < .05). Furthermore, no clear differences in TCF7L2 and MYC mRNA were found in brains with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, suggesting that altered regulation of these Wnt-related genes could be specific to AD. Finally, mRNA levels of three neurogenesis markers were analyzed. Increased mRNA levels of dihydropyrimidinase-like 3 were observed in AD brain, suggesting that altered Wnt pathway regulation may signify synaptic rearrangement or neurogenesis.
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Borg, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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An Analytical View ofTest Results Using CityScapes
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- t— In this paper we map test results from a real ASIC project on to the file structure of the design under test andpresent it as a cityscape. In the cityscape each house is a file where its height reflects the number of commits to that file. Thecolor reflects the fraction of bad commits.We identify error prone areas (red "bad" neighborhoods) as well as the most active areas (tall "downtown" areas). Thecityscape also allows us to identify potential test coverage holes (tall green buildings) where there are a lot of activities but nofailures.
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| 37. |
- Borg, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Enabling Visual Design Verification Analytics– From Prototype Visualizations to anAnalytics Tool using the Unity Game Engine
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The ever-increasing architectural complexity in contemporary ASIC projects turns Design Verification (DV)into a highly advanced endeavor. Pressing needs for short time-to-market has made automation a key solution in DV.However, recurring execution of large regression suites inevitably leads to challenging amounts of test results. Following thedesign science paradigm, we present an action research study to introduce visual analytics in a commercial ASIC project. Wedevelop a cityscape visualization tool using the game engine Unity. Initial evaluations are promising, suggesting that the tooloffers a novel approach to identify error-prone parts of the design, as well as coverage holes.
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| 38. |
- Borg, Sixten, et al.
(författare)
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Cost effectiveness of pomalidomide in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X. ; 55:5, s. 554-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients who have progressed following treatment with both bortezomib and lenalidomide have a poor prognosis. In this late stage, other effective alternatives are limited, and patients in Sweden are often left with best supportive care. Pomalidomide is a new anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of MM. Our objective was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of pomalidomide as an add-on to best supportive care in patients with relapsed and refractory MM in Sweden. Material and methods: We developed a health-economic discrete event simulation model of a patient’s course through stable disease and progressive disease, until death. It estimates life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs from a societal perspective. Effectiveness data and utilities were taken from the MM-003 trial comparing pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone with high-dose dexamethasone (HIDEX). Cost data were taken from official Swedish price lists, government sources and literature. Results: The model estimates that, if a patient is treated with HIDEX, life expectancy is 1.12 years and the total cost is SEK 179 976 (€19 100), mainly indirect costs. With pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone, life expectancy is 2.33 years, with a total cost of SEK 767 064 (€81 500), mainly in drug and indirect costs. Compared to HIDEX, pomalidomide treatment gives a QALY gain of 0.7351 and an incremental cost of SEK 587 088 (€62 400) consisting of increased drug costs (59%), incremental indirect costs (33%) and other healthcare costs (8%). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is SEK 798 613 (€84 900) per QALY gained. Conclusion: In a model of late-stage MM patients with a poor prognosis in the Swedish setting, pomalidomide is associated with a relatively high incremental cost per QALY gained. This model was accepted by the national Swedish reimbursement authority TLV, and pomalidomide was granted reimbursement in Sweden.
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| 39. |
- Boscolo Bibi, Sara, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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Multi-spectroscopic study of electrochemically-formed oxide-derived gold electrodes
- 2024
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 26:3, s. 2332-2340
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oxide-derived metals are produced by reducing an oxide precursor. These materials, including gold, have shown improved catalytic performance over many native metals. The origin of this improvement for gold is not yet understood. In this study, operando non-resonant sum frequency generation (SFG) and ex situ high-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HP-XPS) have been employed to investigate electrochemically-formed oxide-derived gold (OD-Au) from polycrystalline gold surfaces. A range of different oxidizing conditions were used to form OD-Au in acidic aqueous medium (H3PO4, pH = 1). Our electrochemical data after OD-Au is generated suggest that the surface is metallic gold, however SFG signal variations indicate the presence of subsurface gold oxide remnants between the metallic gold surface layer and bulk gold. The HP-XPS results suggest that this subsurface gold oxide could be in the form of Au2O3 or Au(OH)3. Furthermore, the SFG measurements show that with reducing electrochemical treatments the original gold metallic state can be restored, meaning the subsurface gold oxide is released. This work demonstrates that remnants of gold oxide persist beneath the topmost gold layer when the OD-Au is created, potentially facilitating the understanding of the improved catalytic properties of OD-Au.
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| 40. |
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