| 1. |
- Möllerberg, Marie-Louise, et al.
(författare)
-
Managing an altered social context—Patients experiences of staying away from home while undergoing proton beam therapy
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Nursing Open. - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 2054-1058. ; 7:4, s. 1157-1163
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To illuminate the experience of an altered social context for patients with primary brain tumours living away from home while undergoing proton beam therapy. Design: A descriptive, qualitative cross-sectional interview study. Methods: Nineteen patients were interviewed between December 2015–August 2016, either during (N = 7) or before and after (N = 12) their proton beam therapy. A hermeneutical analysis was performed. Results: Participants made adjustments to achieve control and well-being during the treatment period. The analysis also revealed two interrelated patterns that helped participants adjust: being part of the family from a distance and seeking affinity. Conclusion: It is important that patients receiving treatment far from home find a way to remain a part of their family and find affinity in the altered social context. Health professionals can prepare patients for the treatment period and can implement interventions to promote well-being for both patients and their relatives. © 2020 The Authors.
|
|
| 2. |
- Johansson, Dongni, 1988, et al.
(författare)
-
Evaluation of a sensor algorithm for motor state rating in Parkinson's disease
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 1353-8020 .- 1873-5126. ; 64:July, s. 112-117
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: A treatment response objective index (TRIS) was previously developed based on sensor data from pronation-supination tests. This study aimed to examine the performance of TRIS for medication effects in a new population sample with Parkinson's disease (PD) and its usefulness for constructing individual dose-response models. Methods: Twenty-five patients with PD performed a series of tasks throughout a levodopa challenge while wearing sensors. TRIS was used to determine motor changes in pronation-supination tests following a single levodopa dose, and was compared to clinical ratings including the Treatment Response Scale (TRS) and six sub-items of the UPDRS part III. Results: As expected, correlations between TRIS and clinical ratings were lower in the new population than in the initial study. TRIS was still significantly correlated to TRS (r(s) = 0.23, P < 0.001) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.33. For the patients (n = 17) with a good levodopa response and clear motor fluctuations, a stronger correlation was found (r(s) = 0.38, RMSE = 1.29, P < 0.001). The mean TRIS increased significantly when patients went from the practically defined off to their best on state (P = 0.024). Individual dose-response models could be fitted for more participants when TRIS was used for modelling than when TRS ratings were used. Conclusion: The objective sensor index shows promise for constructing individual dose-response models, but further evaluations and retraining of the TRIS algorithm are desirable to improve its performance and to ensure its clinical effectiveness.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ahrentorp, Fredrik, et al.
(författare)
-
Sensitive magnetic biodetection using magnetic multi-core nanoparticles and RCA coils
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-8853 .- 1873-4766. ; 427, s. 14-18
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We use functionalized iron oxide magnetic multi-core particles of 100 nm in size (hydrodynamic particle diameter) and AC susceptometry (ACS) methods to measure the binding reactions between the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and bio-analyte products produced from DNA segments using the rolling circle amplification (RCA) method. We use sensitive induction detection techniques in order to measure the ACS response. The DNA is amplified via RCA to generate RCA coils with a specific size that is dependent on the amplification time. After about 75 min of amplification we obtain an average RCA coil diameter of about 1 mu m. We determine a theoretical limit of detection (LOD) in the range of 11 attomole (corresponding to an analyte concentration of 55 fM for a sample volume of 200 mu L) from the ACS dynamic response after the MNPs have bound to the RCA coils and the measured ACS readout noise. We also discuss further possible improvements of the LOD.
|
|
| 4. |
- Sepehri, Sobhan, 1986, et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of Binding of Magnetic Nanoparticles to Rolling Circle Amplification Products by Turn-On Magnetic Assay
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Biosensors-Basel. - : MDPI AG. ; 9:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The specific binding of oligonucleotide-tagged 100 nm magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to rolling circle products (RCPs) is investigated using our newly developed differential homogenous magnetic assay (DHMA). The DHMA measures ac magnetic susceptibility from a test and a control samples simultaneously and eliminates magnetic background signal. Therefore, the DHMA can reveal details of binding kinetics of magnetic nanoparticles at very low concentrations of RCPs. From the analysis of the imaginary part of the DHMA signal, we find that smaller MNPs in the particle ensemble bind first to the RCPs. When the RCP concentration increases, we observe the formation of agglomerates, which leads to lower number of MNPs per RCP at higher concentrations of RCPs. The results thus indicate that a full frequency range of ac susceptibility observation is necessary to detect low concentrations of target RCPs and a long amplification time is not required as it does not significantly increase the number of MNPs per RCP. The findings are critical for understanding the underlying microscopic binding process for improving the assay performance. They furthermore suggest DHMA is a powerful technique for dynamically characterizing the binding interactions between MNPs and biomolecules in fluid volumes.
|
|
| 5. |
- Sepehri, Sobhan, 1986, et al.
(författare)
-
Homogeneous Differential Magnetic Assay
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Acs Sensors. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2379-3694. ; 4:9, s. 2381-2388
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Assays are widely used for detection of various targets, including pathogens, drugs, and toxins. Homogeneous assays are promising for the realization of point-of-care diagnostics as they do not require separation, immobilization, or washing steps. For low concentrations of target molecules, the speed and sensitivity of homogeneous assays have hitherto been limited by slow binding kinetics, time-consuming amplification steps, and the presence of a high background signal. Here, we present a homogeneous differential magnetic assay that utilizes a differential magnetic readout that eliminates previous limitations of homogeneous assays. The assay uses a gradiometer sensor configuration combined with precise microfluidic sample handling. This enables simultaneous differential measurement sample containing a synthesized Vibrio cholerae target and a negative control sample, which reduces the background signal and increases the readout speed. Very low concentrations of targets down to femtomolar levels are thus detectable without any additional amplification of the number of targets. Our homogeneous differential magnetic assay method opens new possibilities for rapid and highly sensitive diagnostics at the point of care.
|
|
| 6. |
- Johansson, Dongni, 1988, et al.
(författare)
-
Individualization of levodopa treatment using a microtablet dispenser and ambulatory accelerometry
- 2018
-
Ingår i: CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. - : Wiley. - 1755-5930 .- 1755-5949. ; 24:5, s. 439-447
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: This 4-week open-label observational study describes the effect of introducing a microtablet dose dispenser and adjusting doses based on objective free-living motor symptom monitoring in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Twenty-eight outpatients with PD on stable levodopa treatment with dose intervals of ≤4 hour had their daytime doses of levodopa replaced with levodopa/carbidopa microtablets, 5/1.25 mg (LC-5) delivered from a dose dispenser device with programmable reminders. After 2 weeks, doses were adjusted based on ambulatory accelerometry and clinical monitoring. Results: Twenty-four participants completed the study per protocol. The daily levodopa dose was increased by 15% (112 mg, P < 0.001) from period 1 to 2, and the dose interval was reduced by 12% (22 minutes, P = 0.003). The treatment adherence to LC-5 was high in both periods. The MDS-UPDRS parts II and III, disease-specific quality of life (PDQ-8), wearing-off symptoms (WOQ-19), and nonmotor symptoms (NMS Quest) improved after dose titration, but the generic quality-of-life measure EQ-5D-5L did not. Blinded expert evaluation of accelerometry results demonstrated improvement in 60% of subjects and worsening in 25%. Conclusions: The introduction of a levodopa microtablet dispenser and accelerometry aided dose adjustments improve PD symptoms and quality of life in the short term.
|
|
| 7. |
- Möllerberg, Marie-Louise, et al.
(författare)
-
Evaluation of skin reactions during proton beam radiotherapy – Patient-reported versus clinician-reported
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology. - : Elsevier Ireland Ltd. - 2405-6324. ; 19, s. 11-17
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Skin reaction is a common side-effect of radiotherapy and often only assessed as clinician-reported outcome (CRO). The aim was to examine and compare patient-reported outcome (PRO) of skin reactions with CRO for signs of acute skin reactions for patients with primary brain tumour receiving proton beam radiotherapy (PBT). A further aim was to explore patients’ experiences of the skin reactions. Methods: Acute skin reactions were assessed one week after start of treatment, mid-treatment and end of treatment among 253 patients with primary brain tumour who underwent PBT. PRO skin reactions were assessed with the RSAS and CRO according to the RTOG scale. Fleiss’ kappa was performed to measure the inter-rater agreement of the assessments of skin reactions. Results: The results showed a discrepancy between PRO and CRO acute skin reactions. Radiation dose was associated with increased skin reactions, but no correlations were seen for age, gender, education, occupation, other treatment or smoking. There was a poor agreement between patients and clinicians (κ = −0.016) one week after the start of PBT, poor (κ = −0.045) to (κ = 0.396) moderate agreement at mid treatment and poor (κ = −0.010) to (κ = 0.296) moderate agreement at end of treatment. Generally, patients’ symptom distress toward skin reactions was low at all time points. Conclusion: The poor agreement between PRO and CRO shows that the patient needs to be involved in assessments of skin reactions for a more complete understanding of skin reactions due to PBT. This may also improve patient experience regarding involvement in their own care. © 2021 The Author(s)
|
|
| 8. |
- Senek, Marina, et al.
(författare)
-
Levodopa/carbidopa microtablets in Parkinson's disease : a study of pharmacokinetics and blinded motor assessment
- 2017
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - Heidelberg, Germany : Springer. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041 .- 0014-2999. ; 73:5, s. 563-571
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Motor function assessments with rating scales in relation to the pharmacokinetics of levodopa may increase the understanding of how to individualize and fine-tune treatments.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic profiles of levodopa-carbidopa and the motor function following a single-dose microtablet administration in Parkinson’s disease.Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, single-dose study in 19 patients experiencing motor fluctuations. Patients received 150% of their individual levodopa equivalent morning dose in levodopa-carbidopa microtablets. Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points. Patients were video recorded and motor function was assessed with six UPDRS part III motor items, dyskinesia score, and the treatment response scale (TRS), rated by three blinded movement disorder specialists.Results: AUC0–4/dose and Cmax/dose for levodopa was found to be higher in Parkinson’s disease patients compared with healthy subjects from a previous study, (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.026, respectively). The mean time to maximum improvement in sum of six UPDRS items score was 78 min (±59) (n = 16), and the mean time to TRS score maximum effect was 54 min (±51) (n = 15). Mean time to onset of dyskinesia was 41 min (±38) (n = 13).Conclusions: In the PD population, following levodopa/carbidopa microtablet administration in fasting state, the Cmax and AUC0–4/dose were found to be higher compared with results from a previous study in young, healthy subjects. A large between subject variability in response and duration of effect was observed, highlighting the importance of a continuous and individual assessment of motor function in order to optimize treatment effect.
|
|
| 9. |
- Dahlberg, Stefan, et al.
(författare)
-
A Distributional Semantic Online Lexicon for Linguistic Explorations of Societies
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Social Science Computer Review. - : SAGE Publications. - 0894-4393 .- 1552-8286. ; 41:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Linguistic Explorations of Societies (LES) is an interdisciplinary research project with scholars from the fields of political science, computer science, and computational linguistics. The overarching ambition of LES has been to contribute to the survey-based comparative scholarship by compiling and analyzing online text data within and between languages and countries. To this end, the project has developed an online semantic lexicon, which allows researchers to explore meanings and usages of words in online media across a substantial number of geo-coded languages. The lexicon covers data from approximately 140 language-country combinations and is, to our knowledge, the most extensive free research resource of its kind. Such a resource makes it possible to critically examine survey translations and identify discrepancies in order to modify and improve existing survey methodology, and its unique features further enable Internet researchers to study public debate online from a comparative perspective. In this article, we discuss the social scientific rationale for using online text data as a complement to survey data, and present the natural language processing-based methodology behind the lexicon including its underpinning theory and practical modeling. Finally, we engage in a critical reflection about the challenges of using online text data to gauge public opinion and political behavior across the world.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
