| 1. |
- Aggestam, Lena, et al.
(author)
-
The Development and Evaluation of an Animated Video for Pre- and Postoperative Instructions for Patients with Osteoarthritis : A Design Science Research Approach
- 2024
-
In: Geriatrics. - 2308-3417. ; 9:19, s. 1-11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition in the hip or knee joints that develops during a long period of time and sometimes needs hip or knee joint replacement surgery when pain gets too intense for the patient. This paper describes how an animated video for pre- and postoperative instructions for patients with osteoarthritis was designed. The design science research (DSR) approach was followed by creating a web-based animated video. The web-based animated video is used to support surgical departments with education for patients suffering from OA. In the web-based animated video, information about OA surgical treatment and its pre- and post-arrangements was included. The relevance, the rigor, and the design cycles were focused on, with some iterations of and improvements in the animations. Even after implementation, there was a feedback-loop with comments from the surgeons and their patients. Moreover, as more departments will use the web-based animated video, they want to make their special mark on it, so that further changes will be made. This paper presents the design and successful implementation of an animated video for pre- and postoperative instructions for patients with osteoarthritis, tightly linked to the patient journey and the workflow of healthcare professionals. The animated video serves not only as a tool to improve care but also as a basis for further scientific research studies.
|
|
| 2. |
- Ahmad, Awais, 1987-
(author)
-
Autoantibodies in healthy blood donors, rheumatic and autoimmune liver diseases
- 2024
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Autoimmunity is a common phenomenon where the immune system recognises the body's own tissues. Autoimmunity can lead to disease if tissue damage occurs. Autoimmune diseases affect 5–10% of the global population and in many of these autoantibodies can be detected. The autoantibodies can be detected with several different methods. In this thesis, line immunoassays and fluorescence enzyme immunoassay were used to investigate the presence of autoantibodies in blood donors and various disease groups. Line immunoassays use strips while fluorescence enzyme immunoassay uses wells. The strips and wells are coated with proteins that are allowed to react with serum samples from the patient. In the presence of autoantibodies, either a color change (line immunoassay) or a light reaction (fluorescence enzyme immunoassay) occurs.Study I and II: With the EuroLine -Autoimmune Liver Diseases- (IgG) line immunoassay, the presence of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune liver diseases was analysed in blood donors, patients with autoimmune liver diseases and patients with SLE. Autoantibodies could be detected in several blood donors. A very rare autoantibody, anti-LC- 1, was more common in blood donors than in patients with autoimmune liver diseases. Despite the presence of the autoantibodies, no association was seen with abnormal liver values in blood donors or patients with SLE. By raising the cut-off, the number of "false positive" results decreased. However, this could not correct the problem with anti-LC-1, which seems to indicate that there is a problem with the LC-1 antigen so that non-specific reactions are detected. The risk of developing autoimmune liver disease was considered to be low in the SLE patients, as none of these patients developed autoimmune liver disease despite several years of follow-up. Most of the positive findings with the EuroLine immunoassay could not be confirmed with other methods, indicating that this method is very sensitive.Study III: With the EuroLine Systemic Sclerosis (Nucleoli) Profile (IgG) line immunoassay, the rare autoantibodies anti-Th/To and anti-NOR90 could be detected as frequently in blood donors as in patients with systemic sclerosis. Most of the other autoantibodies were more common in patients with systemic sclerosis compared to blood donors and other disease groups. Some of these autoantibodies were associated with specific clinical manifestations, including renal involvement in patients with SLE. These findings need to be verified.Study IV: Autoantibodies that bind the U1-RNP protein (anti-U1-RNP) can be detected in patients with SLE. Patients with anti-U1-RNP can be further analysed for the presence of autoantibodies against the protein RNP 70kDa (anti-RNP70). However, the clinical value of further analysis of anti-RNP70 is uncertain. In this study, fluorescence enzyme immunoassay was used to analyse anti-U1-RNP positive samples for anti-RNP70 to evaluate whether it added anything of clinical value in SLE patients. Presence of anti-U1-RNP was associated with low white blood cell counts and less organ damage. However, analysis of anti-RNP70 in patients with SLE did not add any additional clinical information.Conclusion: Euroline -Autoimmune Liver Diseases- (IgG) and EuroLine Systemic Sclerosis (Nucleoli) Profile (IgG) are tools that are of value in the diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases and systemic sclerosis, but the methods have high sensitivity which can lead to false positive results. By raising the cut-off, the risk of this can be reduced. Some rare antibodies were found more frequently in blood donors than in patients with the different disease groups, suggesting potential problems with the antigen source. Subtyping of anti-RNP70 in SLE patients with anti-U1-RNP did not add anything of clinical value.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Alfredsson, P. Henrik, et al.
(author)
-
Flows Over Rotating Disks and Cones
- 2024
-
In: Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics. - : Annual Reviews. - 0066-4189 .- 1545-4479. ; 56, s. 45-68
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rotating-disk flows were first considered by von Karman in a seminal paper in 1921, where boundary layers in general were discussed and, in two of the nine sections, results for the laminar and turbulent boundary layers over a rotating disk were presented. It was not until in 1955 that flow visualization discovered the existence of stationary cross-flow vortices on the disk prior to the transition to turbulence. The rotating disk can be seen as a special case of rotating cones, and recent research has shown that broad cones behave similarly to disks, whereas sharp cones are susceptible to a different type of instability. Here, we provide a review of the major developments since von Karman's work from 100 years ago, regarding instability, transition, and turbulence in the boundary layers, and we include some analysis not previously published.
|
|
| 5. |
- Alvarez-Rodriguez, Manuel, et al.
(author)
-
MicroRNA expression in specific segments of the pig periovulatory internal genital tract is differentially regulated by semen or by seminal plasma
- 2024
-
In: Research in Veterinary Science. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0034-5288 .- 1532-2661. ; 168
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- microRNAs play pivotal roles during mammalian reproduction, including the cross-talk between gametes, embryos and the maternal genital tract. Mating induces changes in the expression of mRNA transcripts in the female, but whether miRNAs are involved remains to be elucidated. In the current study, we mapped 181 miRNAs in the porcine peri-ovulatory female reproductive tract: Cervix (Cvx), distal and proximal uterus (Dist-Ut, ProxUt), Utero-tubal-junction (UTJ), isthmus (Isth), ampulla (Amp), and infundibulum (Inf) when exposed to semen (natural mating (NM) or artificial insemination (AI-P1)) or to infusions of sperm-free seminal plasma (SP): the first 10 mL of the sperm rich fraction (SP-P1) or the entire ejaculate (SP-E). Among the most interesting findings, NM decreased mir-671, implicated in uterine development and pregnancy loss prior to embryo implantation, in Cvx, Dist-UT, Prox-UT, Isth, and Inf, while it increased in Amp. NM and SP-E induced the downregulation of miRlet7A-1 (Dist-UT, Prox-UT), a regulator of immunity during pregnancy. miR-34C-1, a regulator of endometrial receptivity gene expression, was increased in Dist-UT, UTJ and Amp (NM), in Prox-UT (AI-P1), and in Amp (SPP1). miR-296, a modulator of the inflammatory response and apoptosis, was upregulated in the UTJ (all treatments). NM elicited the highest miRNA activity in the sperm reservoir (UTJ), suggesting that key-regulators such as miR-34c or miR-296 may modulate the metabolic processes linked to the adequate preparation for gamete encounter in the oviduct. Our results suggest that SP should be maintained in AI to warrant miRNA regulation within the female genital tract for reproductive success.
|
|
| 6. |
- Andersson, Maria L.E. 1968-, et al.
(author)
-
Baseline levels of circulating galectin-1 associated with radiographic hand but not radiographic knee osteoarthritis at a two-year follow-up
- 2024
-
In: OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE OPEN. - Oxford : Elsevier. - 2665-9131. ; 6:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: We tested the potential of circulating galectin-1, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) levels at baseline in individuals with knee pain as biomarkers for development of radiographic knee and/or hand osteoarthritis (OA). Design:This study comprised 212 individuals with knee pain from the Halland osteoarthritis cohort (HALLOA). Clinical characteristics and serum/plasma levels of galectin-1, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha were measured at baseline, and knee and hand radiographs were obtained at a two-year follow-up. The predictive value of circulating inflammatory markers and clinical variables at baseline was assessed using multinominal logistic regression for those who developed radiographic OA in knees only (n = 25), in hands only (n = 40), and in both knees and hands (n = 43); the group who did not develop OA (n = 104) was used as reference. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. Results: As expected, age was identified as a risk factor for having radiographic knee and/or hand OA at the twoyear follow-up. Baseline circulating galectin-1 levels did not associate with developing radiographic knee OA but associated with developing radiographic hand OA (odds ratio (OR) for a 20% increased risk: 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.29) and both radiographic knee and hand OA (OR for a 20% increased risk: 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.30). However, baseline IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha did not associate with developing radiographic knee and/or hand OA. Conclusion: Non-age adjusted circulating galectin-1 is superior to IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF alpha in predicting radiographic hand but not knee OA.
|
|
| 7. |
- Andréasson, Kristofer, et al.
(author)
-
Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated With Alterations in the Gastrointestinal Microbiota
- 2024
-
In: ACR Open Rheumatology. - 2578-5745.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Emerging research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with intestinal dysbiosis. This prospective pilot study evaluates changes in intestinal microbial composition in patients with RA initiating treatment with either methotrexate (MTX) or a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi). Methods: Consecutive patients, fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for RA, who started treatment with either MTX or TNFi delivered a stool sample upon initiation of immunosuppression and 3 months later. A 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based validated microbiota test (GA-map Dysbiosis Index Score [DIS], Genetic Analysis, Oslo, Norway) was used to evaluate for the presence and degree of dysbiosis. Fecal levels of Prevotella copri (P. copri) were analyzed by custom-made quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Changes in microbial composition were analyzed in relation to changes in disease activity, as measured by the disease activity score based on 28-joint counts, using C-reactive protein. Results: At baseline, dysbiosis was present in 33 of 50 (66%) participants and more common in participants with more than 2 years of disease duration (P = 0.019). At the 3-month follow-up, 27 of 50 (54%) were good treatment responders and the DIS had improved in 14 of 50 (28%). Participants initiating TNFi more often exhibited improvement in the DIS compared with those initiating MTX (P = 0.031). P. copri was identified in 32 of 50 (64%) at baseline. An improvement in disease activity score based on 28-joint counts, using C-reactive protein was associated with a simultaneous decrease in P. copri abundance (rs = 0.30, P = 0.036). Conclusion: This study affirms that dysbiosis is a feature of RA. Although patients were not randomized to MTX or TNFi, the findings suggest that specific therapies may differentially modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota in RA. The association between P. copri and treatment response requires further study.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Anker-Hansen, Christian, et al.
(author)
-
Mitochondria-DNA copy-number in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis among middle-aged women - A population-based cohort study
- 2024
-
In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open. - 2665-9131. ; 6:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is associated with aging. A relationship between mtDNA-CN and degenerative disorders, e.g. osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP), has been suggested. We aimed to investigate the relationship of mtDNA-CN and incident OA and OP. Materials and methods: MtDNA-CN was studied in relationship to incident OA and OP in a population-based cohort study of 6916 middle-aged women (52–63 years). Totally 2521 women with sufficient quality of mtDNA were analyzed. After exclusions, 1978 women remained in the study population. Four different endpoints obtained from the National Patient register were studied: 1) OA, 2) OP 3) OA surgery, and 4) OP fracture. In the multivariate model adjustments were made for potential OA and OP risk factors. Results: Women with low mtDNA-CN were older and had more activity at work. 125 women (6.32%) were affected by incident OP and 254 women (12.84%) had an OP fracture. Incident OA affected 451 women (22.80%) and 175 women (8.85%) had OA surgery. There were no associations between mtDNA-CN and incident risk of OA (Hazard ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.83–1.20), OA surgery (0.79, 0.58–1.07), OP (0.89, 0.62–1.27), or OP fracture (1.00, 0.78–1.29). However, incident OP was significantly associated with T-score (bone density), smoking, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD). OA was associated with body mass index and COPD. Conclusions: The present study suggests that mtDNA-CN, reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction, is not a major predictor for incident OA or OP. However, due to the limited study size minor associations cannot be excluded.
|
|
| 10. |
- Arvidsson, Gustav, et al.
(author)
-
Multimodal Single-Cell Sequencing of B Cells in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
- 2024
-
In: Arthritis & Rheumatology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2326-5191 .- 2326-5205. ; 76:2, s. 255-267
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. B cells are important in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Patients positive for Sjögren's syndrome antigen A/Sjögren syndrome antigen B (SSA/SSB) autoantibodies are more prone to systemic disease manifestations and adverse outcomes. We aimed to determine the role of B cell composition, gene expression, and B cell receptor usage in pSS subgroups stratified for SSA/SSB antibodies.Methods. Over 230,000 B cells were isolated from peripheral blood of patients with pSS (n = 6 SSA−, n = 8 SSA+ single positive and n = 10 SSA/SSB+ double positive) and four healthy controls and processed for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell variable, diversity, and joining (VDJ) gene sequencing (scVDJ-seq).Results. We show that SSA/SSB+ patients present the highest and lowest proportion of naïve and memory B cells, respectively, and the highest up-regulation of interferon-induced genes across all B cell subtypes. Differential usage of IGHV showed that IGHV1-69 and IGHV4-30-4 were more often used in all pSS subgroups compared with controls. Memory B cells from SSA/SSB+ patients displayed a higher proportion of cells with unmutated VDJ transcripts compared with other pSS patient groups and controls, indicating altered somatic hypermutation processes. Comparison with previous studies revealed heterogeneous clonotype pools, with little overlap in CDR3 sequences. Joint analysis using scRNA-seq and scVDJ-seq data allowed unsupervised stratification of patients with pSS and identified novel parameters that correlated to disease manifestations and antibody status.Conclusion. We describe heterogeneity and molecular characteristics in B cells from patients with pSS, providing clues to intrinsic differences in B cells that affect the phenotype and outcome and allowing stratification of patients with pSS at improved resolution.
|
|
