| 1. |
- Bruzelius, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Influence of coronary artery disease-associated genetic variants on risk of venous thromboembolism
- 2014
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In: Thrombosis Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0049-3848 .- 1879-2472. ; 134:2, s. 426-432
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: We investigated whether genetic variations robustly associated with coronary artery disease are also associated with risk of venous thromboembolism in a well-defined, female case-control study (n = 2753) from Sweden. Materials and Methods: 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 32 loci associated with coronary artery disease in genome-wide association studies were identified in a literature search and genotyped in the ThromboEmbolism Hormone Study (TEHS). Association with venous thromboembolism was assessed by logistic regression. Results: Only rs579459 in the ABO locus demonstrated a significant association with VTE. A tentative association between ANRIL and VTE in the discovery analysis failed to replicate in a meta-analysis of 4 independent cohorts (total n = 7181). Conclusions: It appears that only the ABO locus is a shared risk factor for coronary artery disease and VTE.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Liu, Zhengtao, et al.
(author)
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The effect of the TM6SF2 E167K variant on liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C : a meta-analysis
- 2017
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The impact of Transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) E167K variant, which causes hepatocellular fat retention by altering lipoprotein secretion, on liver damage and metabolic traits in chronic hepatitis C patients is still debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify this relationship. Four studies with a total of 4325 patients were included. The risk of histologically-determined advanced steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis (but not of severe inflammation) were increased in carriers of the TM6SF2 variant (P < 0.05). Unlike the inconsistent association with steatosis severity, due to the confounding effect of infection by the genotype-3 hepatitis C virus, the TM6SF2 variant was robustly associated with advanced fibrosis (OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.14) and in particular with cirrhosis (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.39-3.02). Regarding metabolic features, individuals positive for the TM6SF2 variant exhibited 5.8-12.0% lower levels of circulating triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). Carriers of the variant were leaner, but there was high heterogeneity across studies (I-2 = 97.2%). No significant association was observed between the TM6SF2 variant and insulin resistance or hepatitis C viral load (both P > 0.05). In conclusion, the TM6SF2 E167K variant promotes the development of steatosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Conversely, this variant reduces circulating atherogenic lipid fractions.
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| 4. |
- Lundström, E, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Enhancing Recruitment Using Teleconference and Commitment Contract (ERUTECC) : study protocol for a randomised, stepped-wedge cluster trial within the EFFECTS trial
- 2018
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In: Trials. - : BIOMED CENTRAL LTD. - 1745-6215. ; 19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) fail to meet their recruitment goals in time. Trialists are advised to include study recruitment strategies within their trials. EFFECTS is a Swedish, academic-led RCT of fluoxetine for stroke recovery. The trial's primary objective is to investigate whether 20 mg fluoxetine daily compared with placebo for 6 months after an acute stroke improves the patient's functional outcome. The first patient was included on 20 October 2014 and, as of 31 August 2017, EFFECTS has included 810 of planned 1500 individuals. EFFECTS currently has 32 active centres. The primary objective of the ERUTECC (Enhancing Recruitment Using Teleconference and Commitment Contract) study is to investigate whether a structured teleconference re-visit with the study personnel at the centres, accompanied by a commitment contract, can enhance recruitment by 20% at 60 days post intervention, compared with 60 days pre-intervention, in an ongoing RCT. Methods: ERUTECC is a randomised, stepped-wedge cluster trial embedded in EFFECTS. The plan is to start ERUTECC with a running-in period of September 2017. The first intervention is due in October 2017, and the study will continue for 12 months. We are planning to intervene at all active centres in EFFECTS, except the five top recruiting centres (n=27). The rationale for not intervening at the top recruiting centres is that we believe they have reached their full potential and the intervention would be too weak for them. The hypothesis of this study is that a structured teleconference re-visit with the study personnel at the centres, accompanied by a commitment contract, can enhance recruitment by 20% 60 days post intervention, compared to 60 days pre-intervention, in an ongoing RCT. Discussion: EFFECTS is a large, pragmatic RCT of stroke in Sweden. Results from the embedded ERUTECC study could probably be generalised to high-income Western countries, and is relevant to trial management and could improve trial management in the future. It might also be useful in clinical settings outside the field of stroke.
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| 5. |
- Altay, Özlem, et al.
(author)
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Combined Metabolic Activators Accelerates Recovery in Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19
- 2021
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In: Advanced Science. - : Wiley. - 2198-3844. ; 8:17
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- COVID-19 is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities, including the deficiencies in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and glutathione metabolism. Here it is investigated if administration of a mixture of combined metabolic activators (CMAs) consisting of glutathione and NAD+ precursors can restore metabolic function and thus aid the recovery of COVID-19 patients. CMAs include l-serine, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, nicotinamide riboside, and l-carnitine tartrate, salt form of l-carnitine. Placebo-controlled, open-label phase 2 study and double-blinded phase 3 clinical trials are conducted to investigate the time of symptom-free recovery on ambulatory patients using CMAs. The results of both studies show that the time to complete recovery is significantly shorter in the CMA group (6.6 vs 9.3 d) in phase 2 and (5.7 vs 9.2 d) in phase 3 trials compared to placebo group. A comprehensive analysis of the plasma metabolome and proteome reveals major metabolic changes. Plasma levels of proteins and metabolites associated with inflammation and antioxidant metabolism are significantly improved in patients treated with CMAs as compared to placebo. The results show that treating patients infected with COVID-19 with CMAs lead to a more rapid symptom-free recovery, suggesting a role for such a therapeutic regime in the treatment of infections leading to respiratory problems.
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| 6. |
- Kjellström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Adherence to disease-specific drug treatment among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
- 2020
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In: European Respiratory Journal Open Research. - Sheffield : European Respiratory Society (ERS). ; 6:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) require lifelong treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate adherence to disease-specific treatment in patients with PAH or CTEPH. Methods: The study comprised an adult population diagnosed with PAH (n=384) or CTEPH (n=187) alive in 2016-2017. The study utilised three registries: the Swedish PAH registry, the National Board of Health and Welfare, and Statistics Sweden. Withdrawals from pharmacies of disease-specific oral treatments were studied. Adherence was assessed as: 1) Number of days covered defined as the difference between the total number of daily dosages dispensed and the total number of days covered; and 2) Manual assessment by two persons that independently reviewed each patient's prescription fill history to detect anomalies or patterns of deteriorating or improving adherence over time. Results: The mean age was 61±16 years, 61% were female and mean time since diagnosis was 4.6 years. Adherence was 62% using the Number of days covered method and 66% by the Manual assessment method. Drug-specific adherence varied from 91% for riociguat to 60% for sildenafil. Good adherence was associated with shorter time since diagnosis in patients with PAH and with lower number of concomitant other chronic treatments in patients with CTEPH. Age, sex, socioeconomic status or number of pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments were not associated with adherence. Conclusion: Adherence to oral disease-specific treatment was 60-66% and associated with time since diagnosis and number of concomitant chronic treatments. Sex, age or socioeconomic factors did not affect adherence.
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| 7. |
- Ritsinger, V., et al.
(author)
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Elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 predict outcome after acute myocardial infarction : A long-term follow-up of the glucose tolerance in patients with acute myocardial infarction (GAMI) cohort
- 2018
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In: Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research. - : SAGE Publications Ltd. - 1479-1641 .- 1752-8984. ; 15:5, s. 387-395
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate the long-term prognostic value of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Patients (n = 180) with admission glucose < 11 mmol/L without previously known diabetes admitted for an acute myocardial infarction in 1998–2000 were followed for mortality and cardiovascular events (first of cardiovascular mortality/acute myocardial infarction/stroke/severe heart failure) until the end of 2011 (median 11.6 years). Fasting levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 at day 2 were related to outcome in Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Results: Median age was 64 years, 69% were male and median insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 was 20 µg/L. Total mortality was 34% (n = 61) and 44% (n = 80) experienced a cardiovascular event during a median follow-up time of 11.6 years. After age adjustment, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 was associated with all-cause (1.40; 1.02–1.93, p = 0.039) and cancer mortality (2.09; 1.15–3.79, p = 0.015) but not with cardiovascular death (p = 0.29) or cardiovascular events (p = 0.57). After adjustments also for previous myocardial infarction, previous heart failure and body mass index, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 was still associated with all-cause mortality (1.38; 1.01–1.89, p = 0.046). Conclusion: In patients with acute myocardial infarction without previously known diabetes, high insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 was associated with long-term all-cause and cancer mortality but not with cardiovascular events.
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| 8. |
- Chireh, A., et al.
(author)
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Safety evaluation of high-risk myocardial micro-biopsy in a swine model
- 2022
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In: Heart and Vessels. - : Springer Nature. - 0910-8327 .- 1615-2573. ; 37:4, s. 697-704
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of the study was to investigate the safety profile of high-risk micro-endomyocardial biopsy (micro-EMB) compared to conventional EMB in a large animal model. Twenty pigs were subjected to a maximum of 30 consecutive biopsies, including sampling from the free ventricular wall, with either micro-EMB (n = 10) or conventional EMB (n = 10). There were no major complications in the micro-EMB group (0/10), compared to six major complications in the EMB group (6/10; p = 0.003). Survival analysis further highlighted these differences (p = 0.004). There were significantly higher volumes of pericardial effusion in the EMB group (p = 0.01). The study shows a safety advantage of micro-EMB compared to standard EMB in the experimental high-risk circumstances investigated in this animal study. These results indicate enhanced possibilities to collect samples from sensitive areas by using the micro-EMB technique instead of standard EMB.
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| 9. |
- Li, Yanhong, et al.
(author)
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Urinary aquaporin-2 excretion during ibuprofen or indomethacin treatment in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus
- 2011
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 100:1, s. 59-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: Water channel AQP2 is the target for vasopressin (AVP) and a major determinant of urinary concentrating capacity. In mature kidneys, prostaglandins counteract the effect of AVP on AQP2 expression at functional sites. We investigated whether disturbances in water homeostasis in infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treated with prostaglandin inhibitors can be attributed to activation of AQP2. Methods: In 53 infants with symptomatic PDA (gestational age 24-33 weeks), 30 receiving ibuprofen and 23 indomethacin starting at 2-15 days of life, clinical and biochemical data were collected before treatment and after each dose of the drugs. Urinary AQP2 was determined by dot immunoblotting. Results: Urinary AQP2 level and osmolality were decreased in both groups. Urinary osmolality was overall low and correlated inversely with fluid uptake. In ibuprofen group, there was no correlation of AQP2 level with urinary osmolality. Conclusion: There was no AQP2 upregulation in the infants. The low urinary osmolality and dissociation between urinary osmolality and urinary AQP2 level indicate that the fluid retention sometimes observed in PDA infants treated with prostaglandin inhibitors is not caused by increased levels of functional AQP2. Thus, knowledge about the renal physiology of the adult cannot always be transferred to the infant kidney.
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| 10. |
- Martufi, Giampaolo, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Multidimensional growth measurements of abdominal aortic aneurysms
- 2013
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In: Journal of Vascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0741-5214 .- 1097-6809. ; 58:3, s. 748-755
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Monitoring the expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is critical to avoid aneurysm rupture in surveillance programs, for instance. However, measuring the change of the maximum diameter over time can only provide limited information about AAA expansion. Specifically, regions of fast diameter growth may be missed, axial growth cannot be quantified, and shape changes of potential interest for decisions related to endovascular aneurysm repair cannot be captured. Methods: This study used multiple centerline-based diameter measurements between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation to quantify AAA growth in 51 patients from computed tomography angiography (CTA) data. Criteria for inclusion were at least 1 year of patient follow-up and the availability of at least two sufficiently high-resolution CTA scans that allowed an accurate three-dimensional reconstruction. Consequently, 124 CTA scans were systematically analyzed by using A4clinics diagnostic software (VASCOPS GmbH, Graz, Austria), and aneurysm growth was monitored at 100 cross-sections perpendicular to the centerline. Results: Monitoring diameter development over the entire aneurysm revealed the sites of the fastest diameter growth, quantified the axial growth, and showed the evolution of the neck morphology over time. Monitoring the development of an aneurysm's maximum diameter or its volume over time can assess the mean diameter growth (r = 0.69, r = 0.77) but not the maximum diameter growth (r = 0.43, r = 0.34). The diameter growth measured at the site of maximum expansion was similar to 16%/y, almost four times larger than the mean diameter expansion of 4.4%/y. The sites at which the maximum diameter growth was recorded did not coincide with the position of the maximum baseline diameter (rho = 0.12; P = .31). The overall aneurysm sac length increased from 84 to 89 mm during the follow-up (P < .001), which relates to the median longitudinal growth of 3.5%/y. The neck length shortened, on average, by 6.2% per year and was accompanied by a slight increase in neck angulation. Conclusions: Neither maximum diameter nor volume measurements over time are able to measure the fastest diameter growth of the aneurysm sac. Consequently, expansion-related wall weakening might be inappropriately reflected by this type of surveillance data. In contrast, localized spots of fast diameter growth can be detected through multiple centerline-based diameter measurements over the entire aneurysm sac. This information might further reinforce the quality of aneurysm surveillance programs.
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