| 1. |
- Wigerblad, G., et al.
(författare)
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Autoantibodies to citrullinated proteins induce joint pain independent of inflammation via a chemokine-dependent mechanism
- 2016
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 75:4, s. 730-738
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: An interesting and so far unexplained feature of chronic pain in autoimmune disease is the frequent disconnect between pain and inflammation. This is illustrated well in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) where pain in joints (arthralgia) may precede joint inflammation and persist even after successful anti-inflammatory treatment. In the present study, we have addressed the possibility that autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA), present in RA, may be directly responsible for the induction of pain, independent of inflammation. METHODS: Antibodies purified from human patients with RA, healthy donors and murinised monoclonal ACPA were injected into mice. Pain-like behaviour was monitored for up to 28 days, and tissues were analysed for signs of pathology. Mouse osteoclasts were cultured and stimulated with antibodies, and supernatants analysed for release of factors. Mice were treated with CXCR1/2 (interleukin (IL) 8 receptor) antagonist reparixin. RESULTS: Mice injected with either human or murinised ACPA developed long-lasting pronounced pain-like behaviour in the absence of inflammation, while non-ACPA IgG from patients with RA or control monoclonal IgG were without pronociceptive effect. This effect was coupled to ACPA-mediated activation of osteoclasts and release of the nociceptive chemokine CXCL1 (analogue to human IL-8). ACPA-induced pain-like behaviour was reversed with reparixin. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that CXCL1/IL-8, released from osteoclasts in an autoantibody-dependent manner, produces pain by activating sensory neurons. The identification of this new pain pathway may open new avenues for pain treatment in RA and also in other painful diseases associated with autoantibody production and/or osteoclast activation.
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| 2. |
- Bas, D. B., et al.
(författare)
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Collagen antibody-induced arthritis evokes persistent pain with spinal glial involvement and transient prostaglandin dependency
- 2012
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Ingår i: Arthritis & Rheumatology. - : Wiley. - 2326-5191 .- 2326-5205. ; 64:12, s. 3886-3896
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivePain is one of the most debilitating symptoms reported by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. While the collagen antibody–induced arthritis (CAIA) model is used for studying the effector phase of RA pathologic progression, it has not been evaluated as a model for studies of pain. Thus, this study was undertaken to examine pain-like behavior induced by anticollagen antibodies and to assess the effect of currently prescribed analgesics for RA. In addition, the involvement of spinal glia in antibody-induced pain was explored.MethodsCAIA was induced in mice by intravenous injection of a collagen antibody cocktail, followed by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide. Disease severity was assessed by visual and histologic examination. Pain-like behavior and the antinociceptive effect of diclofenac, buprenorphine, gabapentin, pentoxifylline, and JNK-interacting protein 1 were examined in mechanical stimulation experiments. Spinal astrocyte and microglia reactivity were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.ResultsFollowing the induction of CAIA, mice developed transient joint inflammation. In contrast, pain-like behavior was observed prior to, and outlasted, the visual signs of arthritis. Whereas gabapentin and buprenorphine attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity during both the inflammatory and postinflammatory phases of arthritis, diclofenac was antinociceptive only during the inflammatory phase. Spinal astrocytes and microglia displayed time-dependent signs of activation, and inhibition of glial activity reversed CAIA-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.ConclusionCAIA represents a multifaceted model for studies exploring the mechanisms of pain induced by inflammation in the articular joint. Our findings of a time-dependent prostaglandin and spinal glial contribution to antibody-induced pain highlight the importance of using appropriate disease models to assess joint-related pain.
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| 3. |
- Calling, Susanna, et al.
(författare)
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Lung function, respiratory symptoms and incident venous thromboembolism during a 44-year follow-up
- 2023
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Ingår i: Thrombosis Update. - Oxford : Elsevier. - 2666-5727. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and infections are risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the reasons behind the associations are not fully known. Few studies have investigated whether lung function and respiratory symptoms in individuals without COPD are associated with VTE. Objectives: To study the incidence of VTE in individuals without COPD and other major VTE risk factors, in relation to baseline lung function and respiratory symptoms, through a 44-year follow-up prospective cohort study. Methods: As part of a health screening program, a total of 20,253 men and 7361 women underwent a baseline examination from 1974 to 1992, including a spirometry test and a self-administered questionnaire about respiratory symptoms, e.g., chronic bronchitis, cough, phlegm, and dyspnoea. Lung function was assessed through quartiles of forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). Through linkage with national registers, all individuals were followed for incidence of VTE. Results: Respiratory symptoms (cough and dyspnoea) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of incident VTE in women after adjustments for age, height, BMI, smoking status, varicose veins, and FEV1/FVC. The adjusted hazard ratio in relation to chronic bronchitis was 1.57 (95% confidence interval 1.17–2.11). Poor lung function was not associated with an increased risk of VTE after adjustments for potential confounders. Conclusion: Women with respiratory symptoms of cough and dyspnoea without COPD have an increased risk of VTE, independent of lung function and major VTE risk factors. Further studies are needed to confirm the association and to study the clinical applicability of the results. © 2023 The Authors
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| 4. |
- De Meyer, C, F, et al.
(författare)
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Investigating Perceived Justice in South African Health Care
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Contemporary Management. - Johannesburg : Institute of Management and Business in South Africa (Pty) Ltd.. - 1815-7440. ; 10, s. 156-175
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The health care industry plays an important role in the life of consumers since it impacts their personal well-being and those close to them. This industry involves ample customer contact resulting in service encounters that are often negative. The health care industry in South Africa is typified by large disparities between the public and private healthcare sectors. As in other industries, customer satisfaction, loyalty and consequently long-term survival of health care businesses are also influenced by customers experiencing a sense of perceived justice following a negative service encounter.This study uncovers the perceived justice experienced by patients in both public and private health care sectors in reaction to negative service encounters. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted and the three underlying dimensions of the perceived justice concept as theorised by other authors were uncovered. Respondents perceive significant differences between these dimensions. Furthermore, public health care patients perceive significantly lower levels of procedural and distributive justice than private health care patients. The study did not uncover any differences in relation to perceived justice among respondents based on demographic characteristics. Based on the results, marketers are able to design strategies to recover from service failures and increase the perceived justice patients experience.
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| 5. |
- Eriksson, Peder, et al.
(författare)
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Temporal changes and spatial variation of soil oxygen consumption, nitrification and denitrification rates in a tidal salt marsh of the Lagoon of Venice, Italy
- 2003
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Ingår i: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. - : Elsevier. - 0272-7714 .- 1096-0015. ; 58:4, s. 861-871
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to investigate seasonal and spatial patterns of soil oxygen consumption, nitrification, denitrification and fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in a tidal salt marsh of the Lagoon of Venice, Italy. In the salt marsh, intact soil cores including overlying water were collected monthly at high tide from April to October in salt marsh creeks and in areas covered by the dominant vegetation, Limonium serotinum. In May, cores were also collected in areas with vegetation dominated by Juncus maritimus and Halimione portulacoides. In laboratory incubations at in situ temperature in the dark, flux rates of oxygen and DIN were monitored in the overlying water of the intact cores. 15N-nitrate was added to the overlying water and nitrification and denitrification were measured using isotope-dilution and -pairing techniques. The results show that highest soil oxygen consumption coincided with the highest water temperature in June and July. The highest denitrification rates were recorded in spring and autumn coinciding with the highest nitrate concentrations. Soil oxygen consumption and nitrification rates differed between sampling sites, but denitrification rates were similar among the different vegetation types. The highest rates were recorded in areas covered with L. serotinum. Burrowing soil macrofauna enhanced oxygen consumption, nitrification and denitrification in April and May. The data presented in this study indicate high temporal as well as spatial variations in the flux of oxygen and DIN, and nitrogen transformations in the tidal salt marshes of the Venice lagoon during the growth season. The results identify the salt marshes of the Venice lagoon as being metabolically very active ecosystems with a high capacity to process nitrogen.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Petzer, Daniel J., et al.
(författare)
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Service Receivers’ Negative Emotions in Airline and Hospital Service Settings
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Services Marketing. - Bingley, United Kingdom : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0887-6045 .- 0887-6045. ; 26:7, s. 484-496
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine service receivers' negative emotions in two different service settings, namely at an airport and in a hospital.Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive, convenience sampling survey method was used to collect data in South Africa consisting of a sample of 294 respondents at an airport and 288 respondents in a hospital. Data analysis included an exploratory factor analysis, and the results reported in this paper are based on the critical incident technique.Findings: The findings indicate both similarities and differences in service receivers' negative emotions between the two service settings. Furthermore, the results were found to be valid and reliable.Research limitations/implications: The results obtained pertaining to the negative emotions that service receivers experience in two service settings in South Africa may provide the foundation for further research and replication in other countries. Furthermore, the results can aid in refining and extending service providers' efforts of managing critical incidents in different service settings in airline and hospital service settings.Practical implications: Three main aspects of negative incidences in service encounters should be considered in strategies to manage critical incidents, namely those that are caused by: the service receiver; the service provider; or the service encounter context.Originality/value: This study complements and reinforces existing theory pertaining to the negative emotions service receivers' experience in negative service encounters. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
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| 8. |
- Svensson, Göran, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
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The Key Role of Opportunism in Business Relationships
- 2011
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Ingår i: Marketing Intelligence & Planning. - Bingley : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0263-4503 .- 1758-8049. ; 29:4, s. 436-449
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This study seeks to examine the key role of opportunism in business relationships relative to environment uncertainty (i.e. competitive intensity and market turbulence), bonding structure (i.e. specific assets and dependence), and relationship quality (i.e. trust and commitment). Design/methodology/approach – Initially, informants were contacted by phone and a total of 581 surveys were mailed to small- and medium-sized manufacturers asking them to answer questions about their suppliers. In total, 212 surveys were returned generating a response rate of 36.5 percent. To test the measurement properties and hypothesized relationships between the constructs in focus, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used.Findings – The results supported all six hypotheses. The principal findings are competitive intensity leads to market turbulence and market turbulence, in turn, is positively associated with opportunism; specific assets leads to dependence and dependence is, in turn, positively associated with opportunism; and supplier opportunism is negatively associated with both trust and commitment.Research limitations/implications – The research model tests a sample of business relationships between small- and medium-sized manufacturers and their suppliers in Norway. Findings may not be generalized to larger companies in other countries. Practical implications – The results are of interest to manufacturing executives since they provide a framework of contextual variables and relational characteristics that need to be considered in corporate efforts to control supplier opportunism.Originality/value – This study is unique in testing key constructs of two important theories of business marketing – transaction cost analysis and social exchange theory (i.e. relationship quality) rarely, if ever, used in the same empirical study.
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| 9. |
- Tonderski, Karin S., et al.
(författare)
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Våtmarker : Närsaltsfällor och/eller myllrande mångfald?
- 2003
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Ingår i: Vatten: tidskrift för vattenvård. - Nykvarn : Föreningen Vatten. - 0042-2886. ; 59:4, s. 259-270
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art with respect to wetlands for nutrient removal and biodiversity enhancement, as expressed at a research workshop in December 2002. In the end of 2002, 260 and 884 wetlands had been constructed in Sweden with subsidies from LIP and the European Union, respectively. Most frequently, the aims were to remove nutrients from water and enhance biodiversity. The question raised is if we know how to design multifunctional wetlands. Should a wetland be deep or shallow, with or without macrophytes to be an efficient nutrient sink? Diverging opinions are presented, but generally it appears that fairly shallow wetlands at least partly covered by emergent macrophytes are favourable. The importance of extreme high flows and hydraulic short-circuiting is highlighted, and Danish and Norwegian approaches to wetlands construction are presented. Also, there is a risk that nutrient retaining wetlands develop a fairly trivial flora and fauna unless special care is taken. Intentional establishment of desirable and less common species, as well as creation of a variation of depth gradients to favour such species are such measures. Others are allowing for water level variations, as well as vegetation management such as grazing and harvesting.
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| 10. |
- Åhlander, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Architectural challenges in memory-intensive, real-time image forming
- 2007
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Ingår i: International Conference on Parallel Processing, 2007. ICPP 2007. - : IEEE Press. - 9780769529332 ; , s. 35-45
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The real-time image forming in future, high-end synthetic aperture radar systems is an example of an application that puts new demands on computer architectures. The initial question is whether it is at all possible to meet the demands with state-of-the-art technology or foreseeable new technology. It is therefore crucial to understand the computational flow, with its associated memory, bandwidth and processing demands. In this paper we analyse the application in order to, primarily, understand the algorithms and identify the challenges they present on a basic architectural level. The processing in the radar system is characterized by working on huge data sets, having complex memory access patterns, and doing real-time compensations for flight path errors. We propose algorithm solutions and execution schemes in interplay with a two-level (coarse-grain/fine-grain) system parallelization approach, and we provide approximate models on which the demands are quantified. In particular, we consider the choice of method for the performance-intensive data interpolations. This choice presents a trade-off problem between computational performance and size of working memory. The results of this "upstream" study will serve as a basis for further, more detailed architecture studies.
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