| 1. |
- Liu, Jinrong, 1995-, et al.
(författare)
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Photonic crystals with rainbow colors by centrifugation-assisted assembly of colloidal lignin nanoparticles
- 2023
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - 2041-1723. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Photonic crystals are optical materials that are often fabricated by assembly of particles into periodically arranged structures. However, assembly of lignin nanoparticles has been limited due to lacking methods and incomplete understanding of the interparticle forces and packing mechanisms. Here we show a centrifugation-assisted fabrication of photonic crystals with rainbow structural colors emitted from the structure covering the entire visible spectrum. Our results show that centrifugation is crucial for the formation of lignin photonic crystals, because assembly of lignin nanoparticles without centrifugation assistance leads to the formation of stripe patterns rather than photonic crystals. We further prove that the functions of centrifugation are to classify lignin nanoparticles according to their particle size and produce monodispersed particle layers that display gradient colors from red to violet. The different layers of lignin nanoparticles were assembled in a way that created semi-closed packing structures, which gave rise to coherent scattering. The diameter of the lignin nanoparticles in each color layer is smaller than that predicted by a modified Bragg’s equation. In situ optical microscope images provided additional evidence on the importance of dynamic rearrangement of lignin nanoparticles during their assembly into semi-closed packing structures. The preparation of lignin nanoparticles combined with the methodology for their classification and assembly pave the way for sustainable photonic crystals.
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| 2. |
- Kjellström, Barbro, et al.
(författare)
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Five year risk assessment and treatment patterns in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
- 2022
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Ingår i: ESC Heart Failure. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2055-5822. ; 9:5, s. 3264-3274
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Repeated risk assessments and treatment patterns over long time are sparsely studied in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH); thus, we aimed to investigate changes in risk status and treatment patterns in incident patients with CTEPH over a 5 year period.Methods and results: Descriptive and explorative study including 311 patients diagnosed with CTEPH 2008–2019 from the Swedish pulmonary hypertension registry, stratified by pulmonary endarterectomy surgery (PEA). Risk and PH-specific treatment were assessed in surgically treated (PEA) and medically treated (non-PEA) patients at diagnosis and up to 5 years follow-up. Data are presented as median (Q1–Q3), count or per cent. Prior to surgery, 63% in the PEA-group [n = 98, age 64 (51–71) years, 37% female] used PH-specific treatment and 20, 69, and 10% were assessed as low, intermediate or high risk, respectively. After 1 year post-surgery, 34% had no PH-specific treatment or follow-up visit registered despite being alive at 5 years. Of patients with a 5 year visit (n = 23), 46% were at low and 54% at intermediate risk, while 91% used PH-specific treatment. In the non-PEA group [n = 213, age 72 (65–77) years, 56% female], 28% were assessed as low, 61% as intermediate and 11% as high risk. All patients at high risk versus 50% at low risk used PH-specific treatment. The 1 year mortality was 6%, while the risk was unchanged in 57% of the patients; 14% improved from intermediate to low risk, and 1% from high to low risk. At 5 years, 27% had a registered visit and 28% had died. Of patients with a 5 year visit (n = 58), 38% were at low, 59% at intermediate and 1% at high risk, and 86% used PH-specific treatment.Conclusions: Risk status assessed pre-surgery did not foresee long-term post-PEA risk and pre-surgery PH-specific treatment did not foresee long-term post-PEA treatment. Medically treated CTEPH patients tend to remain at the same risk over time, suggesting a need for improved treatment strategies in this group.
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| 3. |
- Oikonomakis, Ioannis, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Altered mRNA Expression Due to Rectal Perforation in a Porcine Model-A Pilot Study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Anticancer Research. - : Anticancer Research USA Inc.. - 0250-7005 .- 1791-7530. ; 42:6, s. 2827-2833
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Anastomotic leakage is the most serious and unwelcome complication in rectal surgery. It has a great impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality. In this pilot study, changes of mRNA expression in blood were analyzed in an animal model designed to imitate anastomotic leakage. Materials and Methods: Twelve pigs were randomized into two groups: A sham-operated control group and an experimental group in which iatrogenic rectal perforation was performed. The changes in the mRNA expression at 4 hours after creating the perforation were studied. Microarray analysis was performed using Gene Chip whole porcine genome array. mRNA expression of 19,124 genes was investigated. Results: Significantly increased levels of genes with a fold change greater than 2 were found, including 276 coding for unknown proteins and 48 coding for known proteins. Eleven of those which coded for known proteins were up-regulated with a fold change >4. Conclusion: Eleven known genes were highly up-regulated after rectal perforation. These genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, intracellular signaling and cell membrane regulation. Their corresponding proteins might potentially be clinical biomarkers of anastomotic leakage and should be evaluated in further clinical studies.
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| 4. |
- Oikonomakis, Ioannis, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Fully covered self-expandable metal stent placed over a stapled colon anastomosis in an animal model: A pilot study of colon metabolism over the stent
- 2022
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Ingår i: Jgh Open. - : Wiley. - 2397-9070. ; 6:5, s. 338-343
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Aim: Anastomotic leakage (AL) in colorectal resection and primary anastomosis is a common and feared complication. Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) have been used for the treatment of AL. It is still unknown whether FCSEMSs affect anastomosis healing negatively by causing ischemia. In an animal study, we investigated the metabolic effects over a FCSEMS covering a stapled colon anastomosis. Methods: Seven pigs were investigated using microdialysis after laparotomy, colon resection, and anastomosis with stent placement. Measurements were done at the proximal and distal ends of the anastomosis and at a reference catheter placed at the small intestine. Measurements of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, and the lactate/ pyruvate ratio (L/P) were carried out. Results: Lactate and L/P were significantly higher at the oral part of the anastomosis, while glucose showed a small declining tendency. At the distal part of the anastomosis, glucose decreased significantly after the resection but did not reach zero. Lactate increased significantly whereas L/P increased only slightly. Glycerol levels were stable. Conclusion: Colon resection caused initially hypermetabolism in the intestinal ends next to the resection site. This hypermetabolism neither deteriorated nor turned into ischemia during the initial postoperative course, but the start of hypoxemia could not be excluded during the study and after the placement of an FCSEMS.
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| 5. |
- Saadattalab, Vahid, et al.
(författare)
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Blue hydrochars formed on hydrothermal carbonization of glucose using an iron catalyst
- 2022
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Ingår i: Carbon Trends. - : Elsevier BV. - 2667-0569. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We hypothesized that the morphology of the hydrochar from hydrothermal carbonization of glucose would be affected by Fe2+; and indeed, with such ions, large pieces of hydrochar formed that comprised aggregated spherical particles and blue and thin films. Thin carbonized films formed at the bottom of the autoclave liners or on TeflonTM tape used as a template. Free-standing films could be prepared by stretching the TeflonTM tape after the synthesis. The carbonized films that formed at the bottom of the autoclave adhered to spherical hydrochar particles. The blueness was ascribed to thin-film interference under white-light irradiation and related to the film thickness, which was about 200 nm. Analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the films consisted of a layered amorphous carbon. The amorphous and thin films were more carbonized than the amorphous carbon of the TEM grid, as derived via electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Additional analysis of one of the thin films by X-ray photoelectron spectral analysis showed a higher carbon fraction than for bulk hydrochar, supporting the EELS analysis. We believe that the synthesis of thin films of hydrochar can open up new colloidal processing pathways, which could be useful in the preparation of carbon-based materials and alike.
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| 6. |
- Bouzina, Habib, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal changes in risk status in pulmonary arterial hypertension
- 2021
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Ingår i: ESC Heart Failure. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2055-5822. ; 8:1, s. 680-690
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Low‐risk status in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) predicts better survival. The present study aimed to describe changes in risk status and treatment approaches over multiple clinical assessments in PAH, taking age and comorbidity burden into consideration.Methods and results: The study included incident patients from the Swedish PAH registry, diagnosed with PAH in 2008–2019. Group A (n = 340) were ≤75 years old with <3 comorbidities. Group B (n = 163) were >75 years old with ≥3 comorbidities. Assessments occurred at baseline, first‐year (Y1) and third‐year (Y3) follow‐ups. The study used an explorative and descriptive approach. Group A: median age was 65 years, 70% were female, and 46% had no comorbidities at baseline. Baseline risk assessment yielded low (23%), intermediate (66%), and high risk (11%). Among patients at low, intermediate, or high risk at baseline, 51%, 18%, and 13%, respectively, were at low risk at Y3. At baseline, monotherapy was the most common therapy among low (68%) and intermediate groups (60%), while dual therapy was the most common among high risk (69%). In patients assessed as low, intermediate, or high risk at Y1, 66%, 12%, and 0% were at low risk at Y3, respectively. Of patients at intermediate or high risk at Y1, 35% received monotherapy and 13% received triple therapy. In low‐risk patients at Y1, monotherapy (40%) and dual therapy (43%) were evenly distributed. Group B: median age was 77 years, 50% were female, and 44% had ≥3 comorbidities at baseline. At baseline, 8% were at low, 80% at intermediate, and 12% at high risk. Monotherapy was the most common therapy (62%) in Group B at baseline. Few patients maintained or reached low risk at follow‐ups.Conclusions: Most patients with PAH did not meet low‐risk criteria during the 3 year follow‐up. The first year from diagnosis seems important in defining the longitudinal risk status.
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| 7. |
- Hjalmarsson, Clara, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Early risk prediction in idiopathic versus connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension : call for a refined assessment
- 2021
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Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society Publications. - 2312-0541. ; 7:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite systematic screening and improved treatment strategies, the prognosis remains worse in patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) compared to patients with idiopathic/hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). We aimed to investigate differences in clinical characteristics, outcome and performance of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/ European Respiratory Society (ERS) risk stratification tool in these patient groups. This retrospective analysis included incident patients with CTD-PAH (n=197, of which 64 had interstitial lung disease, ILD) or IPAH (n=305) enrolled in the Swedish PAH Register (SPAHR) 2008-2019. Patients were classified as low, intermediate or high risk at baseline, according to the "SPAHR-equation". One-year survival, stratified by type of PAH, was investigated by Cox proportional regression. At baseline, CTD-PAH patients had lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and lower haemoglobin but, at the same time, lower N-terminal prohormone-brain natriuretic peptide, longer 6 min walk distance, better haemodynamics and more often a low-risk profile. No difference in age, World Health Organisation functional class (WHO-FC) or renal function between groups was found. One-year survival rates were 75, 82 and 83% in patients with CTD-PAH with ILD, CTD-PAH without ILD and IPAH, respectively. The 1-year mortality rates for low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups in the whole cohort were 0, 18 and 34% (p<0.001), respectively. Corresponding percentages for CTD-PAH with ILD, CTD-PAH without ILD and IPAH patients were: 0, 26, 67% (p=0.008); 0, 19, 39% (p=0.004); and 0, 16, 29% (p=0.001), respectively. The ESC/ERS risk assessment tool accurately identified low-risk patients but underestimated the 1-year mortality rate of CTD-PAH and IPAH patients assessed as having intermediate risk at diagnosis.
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| 8. |
- Johnsson, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Study of Al1–xTixB2 Particles Extracted from Al–Ti–B Alloys
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Materials Research - Zeitschrift für Metallkunde. - 1862-5282 .- 2195-8556. ; 89:6, s. 394-398
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Al1-xTixB2 particles extracted from Al-Ti-B alloys have been investigated by means of a transmission electron microscope equipped with an X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopic analyser. The solid solubility Al1-xTixB2 was found to be unlimited (0 <= x <= 1). The composition of boride particles extracted from an Al-Ti-B alloy with a composition within the solid solubility range was widely spread, whereas it was close to TiB2 for Ti concentrations in excess of the TiB2 stoichiometry. The particle size varied from 0.02 to 2 mu m. The largest particles were almost pure TiB2 or AlB2, but the small ones were solid solutions of varying compositions. Those small particles tended to form relatively large agglomerates. Due to impurities in the master alloys, vanadium was present in some boride particles, implying that we actually have an Al1-x(Ti1-yVy)(x)B-2 solid solution (0 <= x + y <= 1). The y value was found to vary within the range 0 <= y <= 0.07. It was found that master alloys containing boride particles with a narrow size distribution and a composition close to TiB2 gives better grain refinement results than master alloys with wide distributions of particle size and composition.
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| 9. |
- Kumar, P. Anil, et al.
(författare)
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All-alkoxide based deposition and properties of a multilayer La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/CoFe2O4/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 film
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1434-1948 .- 1099-1948 .- 1099-0682. ; 2021:18, s. 1736-1744
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Single and multilayer films of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and CoFe2O4 were deposited by spin-coating. The all-alkoxide precursors allowed inorganic gel films of extreme homogeneity to be formed and converted to phase pure complex oxides at low temperatures. La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films were made with La- and Ca-methoxy-ethoxides and Mn19O12(moe)(14)(moeH)(10) as precursors at 800 degrees C. The CoFe2O4 films were obtained at extremely low 275 degrees C, using a new CoFe2-methoxyethoxide precursor. The decomposition and microstructural development on heating was described by TG, TEM, XRD and IR spectroscopy. XRD showed no spurious phases and the unit-cell dimensions coincided quite well with literature values of the targeted phases. The structural, magnetic and electronic properties of these films established their phase purity and high quality with physical properties comparable to films deposited by physical deposition methods. The magnetic and magneto transport results are presented for single, bi- and tri- layer structures. The magnetically soft La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 layer was exchange coupled to the magnetically hard CoFe2O4 layer, giving rise to interesting switching behaviour in magnetism and magneto-transport properties.
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| 10. |
- Kylhammar, David, et al.
(författare)
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Predicting mortality during long-term follow-up in pulmonary arterial hypertension
- 2021
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Ingår i: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 7:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) guideline recommendation of comprehensive risk assessments, which classify patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as having low, intermediate or high mortality risk, has not been evaluated during long-term follow-up in a “real-life” clinical setting. We therefore aimed to investigate the utility of risk assessment in a clinical setting for up to 5 years post diagnosis.386 patients with PAH from the Swedish PAH Registry were included. Risk group (low/intermediate/high) and proportion of low-risk variables were investigated at 3-, 4- and 5-year follow-ups after time of diagnosis. In an exploratory analysis, survival rates of patients with low-intermediate or high-intermediate risk scores were compared.A low-risk profile was in multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions found to be a strong, independent predictor of longer transplant-free survival (p<0.001) at the 3-, 4- and 5-year follow-ups. Also, for the 3-, 4- and 5-year follow-ups, survival rates significantly differed (p<0.001) between the three risk groups. Patients with a greater proportion of low-risk variables had better (p<0.001) survival rates. Patients with a high-intermediate risk score had worse survival rates (p<0.001) than those with a low-intermediate risk score. Results were similar when excluding patients with ≥3 risk factors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation and/or age >75 years at diagnosis.Our findings suggest that the ESC/ERS guideline strategy for comprehensive risk assessments in PAH is valid also during long-term follow-up in a “real-life” clinical setting.
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