| 1. |
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- 2019
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 2. |
- Wigren, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Atheroprotective effects of Alum are associated with capture of oxidized LDL antigens and activation of regulatory T cells
- 2009
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Ingår i: Circulation Research. - 0009-7330 .- 1524-4571. ; 104:12, s. e62-70
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The immune system represents a promising novel target for prevention of atherosclerosis. Several pilot vaccines that reduce atherosclerosis in experimental animals have been developed. The aluminum hydroxide adjuvant Alum has been shown to have antiatherogenic properties in itself, suggesting that it may be a suitable adjuvant in possible future atherosclerosis vaccines. To characterize the immune pathways mediating this protection, we treated wild-type C57BL/6 and Apoe(-)(/)(-) mice with Alum or PBS. Analyses of splenocytes isolated from 12-week-old mice demonstrated that Alum increased the presence of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells and downregulated the expression of T cell activation markers CD28 and ICOS in Apoe(-)(/)(-) mice but not in C57BL/6 wild-type mice. A similar immunosuppressive phenotype was found also in 25-week-old Apoe(-)(/)(-) mice and was associated with reduced atherosclerosis. Alum precipitates recovered from the injection site of Apoe(-)(/)(-) mice contained antigens derived from oxidized LDL. These findings demonstrate that treatment of Apoe(-)(/)(-) mice with Alum results in an increase of regulatory T cells and suggest that these are activated by tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells presenting oxidized LDL antigens. Our findings provide improved mechanistic understanding of the atheroprotective properties of aluminum hydroxide adjuvants but also point to the importance of determining if hypercholesterolemia may compromise the efficacy of Alum-containing vaccines used clinically today.
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| 3. |
- Khaldi, Alexandre, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Patterning highly conducting conjugated polymer electrodes for soft and flexible microelectrochemical devices
- 2018
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 10:17, s. 14978-14985
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a need for soft actuators in various biomedical applications in order to manipulate delicate objects such as cells and tissues. Soft actuators are able to adapt to any shape and limit the stress applied to delicate objects. Conjugated polymer actuators, especially in the so-called trilayer configuration, are interesting candidates for driving such micromanipulators. However, challenges involved in patterning the electrodes in a trilayer with individual contact have prevented further development of soft micromanipulators based on conjugated polymer actuators. To allow such patterning, two printing-based patterning techniques have been developed. First an oxidant layer is printed using either syringe-based printing or micro-contact printing, followed by vapor phase polymerization of the conjugated polymer. Sub-millimeter patterns with electronic conductivities of 800 Scm-1 are obtained. Next, laser ablation is used to cleanly cut the final device structures including the printed patterns, resulting in fingers with individually controllable digits and miniaturized hands. The methods presented in this paper will enable integration of patterned electrically active conjugated polymer layers in many types of complex 3-D structures.
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| 4. |
- Palmer, Nicholette D, et al.
(författare)
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A genome-wide association search for type 2 diabetes genes in African Americans.
- 2012
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Ingår i: PloS one. - San Francisco : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:1, s. e29202-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- African Americans are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes (T2DM) yet few studies have examined T2DM using genome-wide association approaches in this ethnicity. The aim of this study was to identify genes associated with T2DM in the African American population. We performed a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) using the Affymetrix 6.0 array in 965 African-American cases with T2DM and end-stage renal disease (T2DM-ESRD) and 1029 population-based controls. The most significant SNPs (n = 550 independent loci) were genotyped in a replication cohort and 122 SNPs (n = 98 independent loci) were further tested through genotyping three additional validation cohorts followed by meta-analysis in all five cohorts totaling 3,132 cases and 3,317 controls. Twelve SNPs had evidence of association in the GWAS (P<0.0071), were directionally consistent in the Replication cohort and were associated with T2DM in subjects without nephropathy (P<0.05). Meta-analysis in all cases and controls revealed a single SNP reaching genome-wide significance (P<2.5×10(-8)). SNP rs7560163 (P = 7.0×10(-9), OR (95% CI) = 0.75 (0.67-0.84)) is located intergenically between RND3 and RBM43. Four additional loci (rs7542900, rs4659485, rs2722769 and rs7107217) were associated with T2DM (P<0.05) and reached more nominal levels of significance (P<2.5×10(-5)) in the overall analysis and may represent novel loci that contribute to T2DM. We have identified novel T2DM-susceptibility variants in the African-American population. Notably, T2DM risk was associated with the major allele and implies an interesting genetic architecture in this population. These results suggest that multiple loci underlie T2DM susceptibility in the African-American population and that these loci are distinct from those identified in other ethnic populations.
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| 5. |
- Adamson, Carly, et al.
(författare)
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Liver tests and outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: findings from DAPA-HF.
- 2022
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Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1879-0844 .- 1388-9842. ; 24:10, s. 1856-68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reflecting both increased venous pressure and reduced cardiac output, abnormal liver tests are common in patients with severe heart failure and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of abnormal liver tests in ambulatory patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), explore any treatment interaction between bilirubin and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and examine change in liver tests with SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.We explored these objectives in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) trial, with focus on bilirubin. We calculated the incidence of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure by bilirubin tertile. Secondary cardiovascular outcomes were examined, along with the change in liver tests at the end-of-study visit. Baseline bilirubin was available in 4720 patients (99.5%). Participants in the highest bilirubin tertile (T3) have more severe HFrEF (lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] and worse New York Heart Association class), had a greater burden of atrial fibrillation but less diabetes. Higher bilirubin (T3 vs. T1) was associated with worse outcomes even after adjustment for other predictive variables, including NT-proBNP and troponin T (adjusted hazard ratio for the primary outcome 1.73 [95% confidence interval 1.37-2.17], p < 0.001; and 1.52 [1.12-2.07], p = 0.01 for cardiovascular death). Baseline bilirubin did not modify the benefits of dapagliflozin. During follow-up, dapagliflozin had no effect on liver tests.Bilirubin concentration was an independent predictor of worse outcomes but did not modify the benefits of dapagliflozin in HFrEF. Dapagliflozin was not associated with change in liver tests.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036124.
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| 6. |
- Adamsson, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy of dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction according to body mass index.
- 2021
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Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1879-0844 .- 1388-9842. ; 23:10, s. 1662-1672
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), there is an 'obesity paradox', where survival is better in patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) and weight loss is associated with worse outcomes. We examined the effect of a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor according to baseline BMI in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure trial (DAPA-HF).Body mass index was examined using standard categories, i.e. underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ); normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ); overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2 ); obesity class I (30.0-34.9 kg/m2 ); obesity class II (35.0-39.9 kg/m2 ); and obesity class III (≥40 kg/m2 ). The primary outcome in DAPA-HF was the composite of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death. Overall, 1348 patients (28.4%) were under/normal-weight, 1722 (36.3%) overweight, 1013 (21.4%) obesity class I and 659 (13.9%) obesity class II/III. The unadjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the primary outcome with obesity class 1, the lowest risk group, as reference was: under/normal-weight 1.41 (1.16-1.71), overweight 1.18 (0.97-1.42), obesity class II/III 1.37 (1.10-1.72). Patients with class I obesity were also at lowest risk of death. The effect of dapagliflozin on the primary outcome and other outcomes did not vary by baseline BMI, e.g. hazard ratio for primary outcome: under/normal-weight 0.74 (0.58-0.94), overweight 0.81 (0.65-1.02), obesity class I 0.68 (0.50-0.92), obesity class II/III 0.71 (0.51-1.00) (P-value for interaction = 0.79). The mean decrease in weight at 8 months with dapagliflozin was 0.9 (0.7-1.1) kg (P < 0.001).We confirmed an 'obesity survival paradox' in HFrEF. We showed that dapagliflozin was beneficial across the wide range of BMI studied.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036124.
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| 7. |
- Appelgren, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Active NET formation in Libman–Sacks endocarditis without antiphospholipid antibodies : A dramatic onset of systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2018
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Ingår i: Autoimmunity. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0891-6934 .- 1607-842X. ; 51:6, s. 310-318
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been highlighted in several systemic inflammatory diseases, their clinical correlates and potential pathological role remain obscure. Herein, we describe a dramatic onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with clear-cut pathogenic implications for neutrophils and NET formation in a young woman with cardiac (Libman–Sacks endocarditis) and central nervous system (psychosis and seizures) involvement. Despite extensive search, circulating antiphospholipid autoantibodies, a hallmark of Libman–Sacks endocarditis, could not be detected. Instead, we observed active NET formation in the tissue of the mitral valve, as well as in the circulation. Levels of NET remnants were significantly higher in serially obtained sera from the patient compared with sex-matched blood donors (p =.0011), and showed a non-significant but substantial correlation with blood neutrophil counts (r = 0.65, p =.16). The specific neutrophil elastase activity measured in serum seemed to be modulated by the provided immunosuppressive treatment. In addition, we found anti-Ro60/SSA antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient but not NET remnants or increased elastase activity. This case illustrates that different disease mechanisms mediated via autoantibodies can occur simultaneously in SLE. NET formation with release of cytotoxic NET remnants is a candidate player in the pathogenesis of this non-canonical form of Libman–Sacks endocarditis occurring in the absence of traditional antiphospholipid autoantibodies. The case description includes longitudinal results with clinical follow-up data and a discussion of the potential roles of NETs in SLE.
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| 8. |
- Bengtsson, Axel, et al.
(författare)
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The actual 5-year survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on real-world data
- 2020
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Survival data for pancreatic cancer are usually based on actuarial calculations and actual long-term survival rates are rarely reported. Here we use population-level data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program for patients with microscopically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 1975 to 2011. A total of 84,275 patients with at least 5 years of follow-up were evaluated (follow-up cutoff date: December 31, 2016). Actual 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer increased from 0.9% in 1975 to 4.2% in 2011 in patients of all stages (p < 0.001), while in surgically resected patients, it rose from 1.5% to 17.4% (p < 0.001). In non-resected patients, the actual 5-year survival remained unchanged over the same time period (0.8% vs 0.9%; p = 0.121). Multivariable analysis of surgically resected patients diagnosed in the recent time era (2004–2011) showed that age, gender, grade, tumour size, TNM-stage and chemotherapy were significant independent predictors of actual 5-year survival, while age, grade and TNM-stage were significant independent predictors in non-resected patients. However, unfavourable clinicopathological factors did not preclude long-term survival. Collectively, our findings indicate that actual 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer is still below 5% despite improvement of survival for the subset of patients undergoing surgical resection.
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| 9. |
- Bengtsson-Blücher, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of ppb levels of SO2 on the atmospheric corrosion of aluminum in the presence of NaCl
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. - 1945-7111 .- 0013-4651. ; 152(10), s. B397-B404
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of part per billion (ppb) levels of SO2 on the atmospheric corrosion on Al (99.999%) was investigated in the laboratory at 22 degrees C. Exposure time was 20 and 672 h. The effect of SO2 concentration (46-1300 ppb), relative humidity (70- 99% RH), and the amount of NaCl applied prior to exposure (0- 250 mu g/cm(2)) was studied. In addition, the effect of O-3 and NO2 on the SO2 deposition rate was addressed. The samples were investigated by gravimetry, grazing incidence X-ray powder diffraction, ion chromatography, optical microscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. SO2 accelerates the atmospheric corrosion of Al, forming corrosion product "islands" containing aluminum hydroxy sulfate. Combining NaCl and SO2 has a synergistic effect on the average corrosion rate. In contrast, the chloride-induced pitting of aluminum is significantly reduced by SO2. The corrosivity of SO2 is attributed to the acidification of the surface electrolyte that destabilizes the alumina passive film. The suppression of pitting corrosion by SO2 is attributed to the formation of aluminum hydroxy sulfates that are less soluble than the corresponding chlorides and slows down pit propagation. At relative humidities above 70% RH, there is a measurable steady-state deposition of SO2 that corresponds to the rate of formation of sulfate. The SO2 deposition rate is not limited by the oxidation of (IV)-valent sulfur on the surface. SO2 deposition is enhanced by sodium chloride because the corrosion reactions in the NaCl(aq) electrolyte result in high pH in the cathodic regions and the formation of aluminum hydroxide. Ozone in the ppb range has only transient effects on the SO2 deposition rate, whereas ppb levels of NO2 had no effect at (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.
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| 10. |
- Bengtsson, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Age and sex determination of mallards Anas platyrhynchos in autumn
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ornis Svecica. - 1102-6812 .- 2003-2633. ; 26, s. 61-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mallard is a well-known and important species in migration ecology, game management,and epidemiology. Males and females are generally easily told apart, whereas ageing isproblematic, due to individual timing of the moult cycle and lack of easily defined agecriteria. From examination and photographic documentation of mallards caught within a longtermringing program at Ottenby Bird Observatory (56°12′N, 16°24′E), we describe ninecharacters of plumage and bare parts to be used for ageing mallards in autumn. The reliabilityof these characters was tested by letting experienced bird ringers determine putative age ofbirds from photos. Age determination from any single character proved to be uncertain, as therate of correctly assigned mallard photos of each character was in the range of 51-85% formales and 48-89% for females. For both sexes, the lowest figure represented post-humeralsand the highest represented tertials. Rectrices, tertial coverts, and greater coverts also hadreasonably high scores (71-85%). With all characters at hand, 91% of the males and 95% ofthe females were correctly identified to age. As young mallards, with the progress of prebreedingmoult (completed from October onwards), acquire tail and tertials identical to adults,untypical individuals are better not assigned to an age category.
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