| 1. |
- Abouassaly, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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Sequelae of Treatment in Long-term Survivors of Testis Cancer
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-7560 .- 0302-2838. ; 60:3, s. 516-526
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Testicular cancer patients are often diagnosed at a young age, and because of the advances in the treatment of this disease, the vast majority have a normal life expectancy after therapy. Thus, recognition of the long-term sequelae of treatment (ie, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) is particularly important in these patients. Objective: To review the adverse effects and the risk of secondary malignancy in long-term survivors of testicular cancer. Evidence acquisition: We conducted a Medline search to identify original articles and reviews on the long-term effects of testicular cancer treatment. Although the search included articles from January 1948 to February 2011, the majority of the included articles were published in the last two decades. Evidence synthesis: All studies examining the long-term sequelae of treatment in testicular cancer are retrospective in nature, with most classified as cohort, case-control, and/or epidemiologic studies. Given that no standardized method of reporting long-term complications exists, evidence synthesis is limited. Conclusions: Recent evidence suggests an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and mild reductions in renal function in survivors of testicular cancer. Treatment of testicular malignancy can also negatively affect gonadal function and fertility and has been shown to result in an increased risk of solid malignancy and leukemia. (C) 2011 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Ahlqvist, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Genetics of type 2 diabetes
- 2011
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Ingår i: Clinical Chemistry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0009-9147 .- 1530-8561. ; 57:2, s. 241-254
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex disorder that is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Extensive efforts have been made to identify the disease-affecting genes to better understand the disease pathogenesis, find new targets for clinical therapy, and allow prediction of disease.Content: Our knowledge about the genes involved in disease pathogenesis has increased substantially in recent years, thanks to genomewide association studies and international collaborations joining efforts to collect the huge numbers of individuals needed to study complex diseases on a population level. We have summarized what we have learned so far about the genes that affect T2D risk and their functions. Although more than 40 loci associated with T2D or glycemic traits have been reported and reproduced, only a minor part of the genetic component of the disease has been explained, and the causative variants and affected genes are unknown for many of the loci.Summary: Great advances have recently occurred in our understanding of the genetics of T2D, but much remains to be learned about the disease etiology. The genetics of T2D has so far been driven by technology, and we now hope that next-generation sequencing will provide important information on rare variants with stronger effects. Even when variants are known, however, great effort will be required to discover how they affect disease risk.
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| 3. |
- Ahrén, Bo
(författare)
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GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes
- 2011
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Ingår i: Experimental Cell Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2422 .- 0014-4827. ; 317:9, s. 1239-1245
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapy of type 2 diabetes is executed either by GLP-1 receptor agonists, which stimulate the GLP-1 receptors, or by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which prevent the inactivation of endogenous GLP-1 thereby increasing the concentration of endogenous active GLP-1. GLP-1 activates pancreatic receptors resulting in improved glycemia through glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion. There is also a potential beta cell preservation effect, as judged from rodent studies. GLP-1 receptors are additionally expressed in extrapancreatic tissue, having potential for the treatment to reduce body weight and to potentially have beneficial cardio- and endothelioprotective effects. Clinical trials in subjects with type 2 diabetes have shown that in periods of 12 weeks or more, these treatments reduce HbA1c by approximate to 0.8-1.1% from baseline levels of 7.7-8.5%, and they are efficient both as monotherapy and in combination therapy with metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones or insulin. Furthermore, GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce body weight, whereas DPP-4 inhibitors are body weight neutral. The treatment is safe with very low risk for adverse events, including hypoglycaemia. GLP-1 based therapy is thus a novel and now well established therapy of type 2 diabetes, with a particular value in combination with metformin in patients who are inadequately controlled by metformin alone. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Ahrén, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanisms of Action of the DPP-4 Inhibitor Vildagliptin in Man.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. - : Wiley. - 1462-8902. ; 13:9, s. 775-783
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) by vildagliptin prevents degradation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and reduces glycemia in type 2 diabetes, with low risk for hypoglycemia and no weight gain. Vildagliptin binds covalently to the catalytic site of DPP-4, eliciting prolonged enzyme inhibition. This raises intact GLP-1 levels, both after meal ingestion and in the fasting state. Vildagliptin has been shown to stimulate insulin secretion and to inhibit glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. At hypoglycemic levels, the counterregulatory glucagon response is enhanced relative to baseline by vildagliptin. Vildagliptin also inhibits hepatic glucose production, mainly through changes in islet hormone secretion, and improves insulin sensitivity, as determined with a variety of methods. These effects underlie the improved glycemia with low risk for hypoglycemia. Vildagliptin also suppresses postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels after ingestion of a fat-rich meal and reduces fasting lipolysis, suggesting inhibition of fat absorption and reduced triglyceride stores in non-fat tissues. The large body of knowledge on vildagliptin regarding enzyme binding, incretin and islet hormone secretion and glucose and lipid metabolism is summarized, with discussion of the integrated mechanisms and comparison with other DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor activators, where appropriate.
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| 5. |
- Ainalem, Marie-Louise, et al.
(författare)
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DNA condensation using cationic dendrimers-morphology and supramolecular structure of formed aggregates
- 2011
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Ingår i: Soft Matter. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1744-6848 .- 1744-683X. ; 7:10, s. 4577-4594
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The control of DNA condensation, i.e. packaging or compaction, is essential for the living cell, but also important in many applications. One example is gene therapy that often utilises vehicles with the ability to condense DNA and thereby protect DNA against degradation, transport DNA across membranes (which act as barriers towards gene delivery), and regulate gene expression. This review discusses the ability of poly(amido amine) dendrimers to condense DNA molecules via attractive electrostatic interactions, which in turn leads to self-assembled structures with a rich variety of morphologies. The process of condensation is cooperative and kinetically controlled, and the structure of the aggregates strongly depends on the size and charge of the dendrimer, and the salt concentration of the aqueous solution. While globular aggregates are formed by large dendrimers, rods and toroids are formed by smaller sized dendrimers with lower total charge per molecule. The globular aggregates appear to be disordered, but the smaller dendrimers give rise to high-ordered packing of the DNA in ordered arrays according to a square or hexagonal unit cell. The high-ordered packing also indicates that the dendrimers deform while inducing the DNA to condense.
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| 6. |
- Al Mukaimi, Ali, et al.
(författare)
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Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Review of Risk Factors and Treatment Programs with Special Reference to Evidence-Based Research
- 2011
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Ingår i: Kuwait Medical Journal. - 0023-5776. ; 43:3, s. 176-188
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Osteoarthritis is a widespread disease leading to physical disability affecting quality of life. It is primarily regarded as a cartilage disease but affect all tissues of a joint. Osteoarthritis can be regarded as an organ failure. Knee osteoarthritis is common in Kuwait, especially in women. The main symptoms are pain, stiffness and weakness affecting knee function. The diagnosis is made by history and clinical examination. A weight-bearing radiograph will fully establish the diagnosis. Many of the patients are also obese, diabetic, hypertensive or affected by other organ failures. The aim is to reduce knee pain and improve knee function which is also beneficial for the other diseases. Initially, we recommend self-management by information about knee osteoarthritis, daily exercise of any type which is pleasant for the individual like 'walking 10-30 minutes once or twice daily in order to induce light to moderate cartilage load. Further, regular muscle training to increase especially pelvis and lower leg strength and realistic programs to reduce weight is advised. Regular support by a primary care doctor, a physiotherapist or a coach is beneficial. The program is demanding, as it means a change of life-style. Different modalities of non-operative treatment are physiotherapy, pharmacological treatment by analgesics / NSAIDs / glucosamine and injection of steroids or hyaluronic acid. The effect of the pharmacological treatment programs vary. Often the outcome, by evidence based research, is low or at best moderate. If self-management and non-operative treatment fails and the symptoms are pronounced, surgery is an option. Knee prosthesis is the main alternative.
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| 7. |
- Aldén, Marcus, et al.
(författare)
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Thermographic phosphors for thermometry: A survey of combustion applications
- 2011
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Ingår i: Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0360-1285. ; 37:4, s. 422-461
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Temperature is a fundamental thermodynamic parameter used to describe physical, chemical and biological processes. In combustion as in many other applications, knowledge about temperature plays a substantial role in helping to maintain an efficient and clean environment Being able to measure temperature accurately in combustion and in fire-related applications is important for giving a better understanding of heat transfer phenomena and improving existing models. In the present review paper a method based on the spectroscopy of inorganic luminescent materials is described and exemplified in experiments related to combustion. The method involves the use of thermographic phosphors which enable remote temperature diagnostics to be performed with a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy. The technique is superior to those based on thermocouples and pyrometry, particularly in the vicinity of flames and when the measured surface is subjected to random movements. Several phosphor materials suitable for temperature probing are described. The application of thermographic phosphors to temperature measurements in one-point and in two-dimensions in flame spread scenarios, and in pyrolysis experiments involving different construction materials and polymers are described. Many thermographic phosphors have the property of being insensitive to variations in pressure up to 1 GPa. This property extends the use and development of thermographic thermometry to other domains, such as internal combustion engines. The temperature has been measured in a point and in two-dimensions inside the combustion chamber. The complex procedures required to implement the use of thermocouples on moving objects inside an engine make thermocouples an expensive choice. It also limits the possibilities of altering the measurement locations and thereby also complicating the investigation of different engine geometries and components. Thermographic phosphors have also been employed in gas turbine applications. Temperature probing in the afterburner of a full-size aircraft engine is described with the aim to study the effects of various engine loads on the wall temperature. Furthermore, the application of thermographic phosphors to study the temperature of droplets in relation to sprays is described. In spray dynamics, temperature is a crucial parameter for gaining an understanding of atomisation, evaporation and heat convection from the surrounding gases. Finally the application of thermographic phosphors for gas temperature measurement by seeding the particles into a gas flow is described together with the challenges associated with seeding the particles for in-situ flame measurements. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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| 8. |
- Aldén, Marcus, et al.
(författare)
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Visualization and understanding of combustion processes using spatially and temporally resolved laser diagnostic techniques
- 2011
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. - : Elsevier BV. - 1540-7489. ; 33, s. 69-97
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Laser diagnostic techniques have for more than 30 years added very valuable input for a deepened understanding of combustion processes. The present paper will focus on techniques developed for visualization of important parameters with the ability to get detailed information in space and time. The paper is not meant to be a complete review of the entire research field but rather a survey with a majority of the contributions from the authors' laboratory. After a short introduction and background, essentially three techniques will be highlighted. Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence, PLIF, will be described in terms of further development directed towards the use of a high-power Alexandrite laser, in some cases yielding a substantially increased sensitivity as compared to the more conventional Nd:YAG and Excimer lasers. There will also be a description of possibilities for high-speed visualization, 3D imaging and the potential to visualize species requiring a two-photon excitation process. Regarding thermometry, the paper will describe and exemplify the use of Thermographic Phosphors, mainly for surface measurements but also in droplets and gas flows. The third area to be described is the use of Polarization Spectroscopy, PS, for spatially and temporally resolved measurements in the IR spectral region, e. g. CO2 and H2O, various hydrocarbons, HCl and HCN. The last chapter focuses on present challenges and future applications. A major challenge is diagnostics in environments with limited optical access. Two methods that are applicable under such conditions are discussed, namely endoscopic approaches and picosecond LIDAR. Another challenging area addressed is application of diagnostics in optically dense environments, e. g. sprays, where a new technique, Structured Laser Illumination Planar Imaging, SLIPI, has been developed for suppressing the influence of multiple scattering. Finally, approaches for measurements of "new" species, challenges associated with LIF quantification, as well as measurements in environments possessing strong background radiation are discussed. (C) 2010 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Alerstam, Thomas
(författare)
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Optimal bird migration revisited
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Ornithology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2193-7206 .- 2193-7192. ; 152, s. 5-23
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using optimality perspectives is now regarded as an essential way of analysing and understanding adaptations and behavioural strategies in bird migration. Optimization analyses in bird migration research have diversified greatly during the two recent decades with respect to methods used as well as to topics addressed. Methods range from simple analytical and geometric models to more complex modeling by stochastic dynamic programming, annual routine models and multiobjective optimization. Also, game theory and simulation by selection algorithms have been used. A wide range of aspects of bird migration have been analyzed including flight, fuel deposition, predation risk, stopover site use, transition to breeding, routes and detours, daily timing, fly-and-forage migration, wind selectivity and wind drift, phenotypic flexibility, arrival time and annual molt and migration schedules. Optimization analyses have proven to be particularly important for defining problems and specifying questions and predictions about the consequences of minimization of energy, time and predation risk in bird migration. Optimization analyses will probably also be important in the future, when predictions about bird migration strategies can be tested by much new data obtained by modern tracking techniques and when the importance of new trade-offs, associated with, e.g., digestive physiology, metabolism, immunocompetence and disease, need to be assessed in bird migration research.
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| 10. |
- Almeida, Joao, et al.
(författare)
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Stress-related challenges in pentose fermentation to ethanol by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Biotechnology Journal. - : Wiley. - 1860-6768. ; 6, s. 286-299
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conversion of agricultural residues, energy crops and forest residues into bioethanol requires hydrolysis of the biomass and fermentation of the released sugars. During the hydrolysis of the hemicellulose fraction, substantial amounts of pentose sugars, in particular xylose, are released. Fermentation of these pentose sugars to ethanol by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae under industrial process conditions is the subject of this review. First, fermentation challenges originating from the main steps of ethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks are discussed, followed by genetic modifications that have been implemented in S. cerevisiae to obtain xylose and arabinose fermenting capacity per se. Finally, the fermentation of a real lignocellulosic medium is discussed in terms of inhibitory effects of furaldehydes, phenolics and weak acids and the presence of contaminating microbiota.
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