| 1. |
- Bjorvatn Saevik, Åse, et al.
(författare)
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Potential Transcriptional Biomarkers to Guide Glucocorticoid Replacement in Autoimmune Addison's Disease
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of the Endocrine Society. - : Endocrine Society. - 2472-1972. ; 5:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundNo reliable biomarkers exist to guide glucocorticoid (GC) replacement treatment in autoimmune Addison’s disease (AAD), leading to overtreatment with alarming and persistent side effects or undertreatment, which could be fatal.ObjectiveTo explore changes in gene expression following different GC replacement doses as a means of identifying candidate transcriptional biomarkers to guide GC replacement in AAD.MethodsStep 1: Global microarray expression analysis on RNA from whole blood before and after intravenous infusion of 100 mg hydrocortisone (HC) in 10 patients with AAD. In 3 of the most highly upregulated genes, we performed real-time PCR (rt-PCR) to compare gene expression levels before and 3, 4, and 6 hours after the HC infusion. Step 2: Rt-PCR to compare expression levels of 93 GC-regulated genes in normal versus very low morning cortisol levels in 27 patients with AAD.ResultsStep 1: Two hours after infusion of 100 mg HC, there was a marked increase in FKBP5, MMP9, and DSIPI expression levels. MMP9 and DSIPI expression levels correlated with serum cortisol. Step 2: Expression levels of CEBPB, DDIT4, FKBP5, DSIPI, and VDR were increased and levels of ADARB1, ARIDB5, and POU2F1 decreased in normal versus very low morning cortisol. Normal serum cortisol levels positively correlated with DSIPI, DDIT4, and FKBP5 expression.ConclusionsWe introduce gene expression as a novel approach to guide GC replacement in AAD. We suggest that gene expression of DSIPI, DDIT4, and FKBP5 are particularly promising candidate biomarkers of GC replacement, followed by MMP9, CEBPB, VDR, ADARB1, ARID5B, and POU2F1.
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| 2. |
- Chinga Carrasco, Gary, et al.
(författare)
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Development of a beverage carton closure cap based on 100% wood pulp fibres
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 445
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Single-use plastic products have been identified as an environmental challenge. When such products are not recycled, they may end up in nature and thus cause, e.g., marine littering. Thermoformed wood pulp fibre products are gaining more interest to replace fossil plastic products. However, beverage caps made of wood pulp fibres are challenging due to the hygroscopic nature of wood fibres, i.e., they absorb water, deform and loose functionality. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop a fibre-based beverage cap that could replace plastic tethered cap systems. Both unbleached and bleached Kraft pulp and chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp (CTMP) fibres were tested in thermoforming trials, using tailor-made metal moulds. The results showed that Kraft pulp fibres formed denser structures, with more limited water absorption, compared to CTMP. The mechanical properties of thermoformed specimens were suitable for the application, i.e., the strength, modulus and elongation were between 32 and 36 MPa, 4–4.9 GPa and 1.6–1.9%, respectively, depending on the type of pulp fibre. Additionally, in order to secure that the caps were functional in relevant conditions in contact with liquids (water or milk), the caps were surface modified by silylation and esterification to increase the liquid barrier. The results indicate that surface esterification increased the contact angle to 95°. On the other hand, the surface-modified caps could not entirely limit the liquid absorption over longer periods of time (>∼1 h) when the caps were directly exposed to liquid. However, the liquid barrier was satisfactory when the products were exposed to increased relative humidity in refrigerated conditions (relative humidity >76% and temperature <7 °C).
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| 3. |
- Ruwoldt, Jost, et al.
(författare)
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Interfacial Adsorption of Oil-Soluble Kraft Lignin and Stabilization of Water-in-Oil Emulsions
- 2024
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Ingår i: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society. - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 40:10, s. 5409-5419
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, the potential of esterified Kraft lignin as a novel oil-soluble surfactant was examined. The lignin was chemically modified by esterification with lauric or stearic acid, making it soluble in solvents such as toluene or n-decane. Adsorption at the oil-water interface was then studied by the Du Noüy ring-method. The oil-soluble lignin behaved similar to water-soluble lignin surfactants, both the qualitative and quantitative progression of interfacial tension. Modeling revealed a surface excess of 7.5-9.0 × 10-7 mol/m2, area per molecule of 185-222 Å2, and a diffusion coefficient within the range 10-10 to 10-14 m2/s; all of which are in line with existing literature on water-soluble lignosulfonates. The data further suggested that the pendant alkyl chains were extended well into the paraffinic solvent. At last, bottle tests showed that the oil-soluble lignin was able to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. The emulsion stability was affected by the concentration of lignin or NaCl as well as the oil phase composition. Aromatic oils exhibited lower emulsion stability in comparison to the aliphatic oil. In conclusion, a new type of surfactant was synthesized and studied, which may contribute to developing green surfactants and novel approaches to valorize technical lignin.
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| 4. |
- Sævik, Åse Bjorvatn, et al.
(författare)
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Residual Corticosteroid Production in Autoimmune Addison Disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - Washington : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 105:7, s. 2430-2441
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Contrary to current dogma, growing evidence suggests that some patients with autoimmune Addison disease (AAD) produce corticosteroids even years after diagnosis.Objective: To determine frequencies and clinical features of residual corticosteroid production in patients with AAD.Design: Two-staged, cross-sectional clinical study in 17 centers (Norway, Sweden, and Germany). Residual glucocorticoid (GC) production was defined as quantifiable serum cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol and residual mineralocorticoid (MC) production as quantifiable serum aldosterone and corticosterone after > 18 hours of medication fasting. Corticosteroids were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Clinical variables included frequency of adrenal crises and quality of life. Peak cortisol response was evaluated by a standard 250 µg cosyntropin test.Results: Fifty-eight (30.2%) of 192 patients had residual GC production, more common in men (n = 33; P < 0.002) and in shorter disease duration (median 6 [0-44] vs 13 [0-53] years; P < 0.001). Residual MC production was found in 26 (13.5%) patients and associated with shorter disease duration (median 5.5 [0.5-26.0] vs 13 [0-53] years; P < 0.004), lower fludrocortisone replacement dosage (median 0.075 [0.050-0.120] vs 0.100 [0.028-0.300] mg; P < 0.005), and higher plasma renin concentration (median 179 [22-915] vs 47.5 [0.6-658.0] mU/L; P < 0.001). There was no significant association between residual production and frequency of adrenal crises or quality of life. None had a normal cosyntropin response, but peak cortisol strongly correlated with unstimulated cortisol (r = 0.989; P < 0.001) and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; r = -0.487; P < 0.001).Conclusion: In established AAD, one-third of the patients still produce GCs even decades after diagnosis. Residual production is more common in men and in patients with shorter disease duration but is not associated with adrenal crises or quality of life.
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| 5. |
- Ueland, Grethe Å., et al.
(författare)
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The Short Cosyntropin Test Revisited : New Normal Reference Range Using LC-MS/MS
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 103:4, s. 1696-1703
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The cosyntropin test is used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency (AI) and nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH). Current cutoffs for cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) are derived from nonstandardized immunoassays. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) offers direct measurement of steroids, prompting the need to re-establish normal ranges. Objective: The goal of this study was to define cutoff values for cortisol and 17-OHP in serum by LC-MS/MS 30 and 60 minutes after intravenous administration of 250 µg tetracosactide acetate to healthy volunteers and to compare the results with LC-MS/MS with routine immunoassays. Methods: Cosyntropin testing was performed in healthy subjects (n = 138) and in patients referred for evaluation of adrenocortical function (n = 94). Steroids were assayed by LC-MS/MS and compared with two immunoassays used in routine diagnostics (Immulite and Roche platforms). The cutoff level for cortisol was defined as the 2.5% percentile in healthy subjects not using oral estrogens (n = 121) and for 17-OHP as the 97.5% percentile. Results: Cortisol cutoff levels for LC-MS/MS were 412 and 485 nmol/L at 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. Applying the new cutoffs, 13 of 60 (22%) subjects who had AI according to conventional criteria now had a normal test result. For 17-OHP, the cutoff levels were 8.9 and 9.0 nmol/L at 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. Conclusions: LC-MS/MS provides cutoff levels for cortisol and 17-OHP after cosyntropin stimulation that are lower than those based on immunoassays, possibly because cross-reactivity between steroid intermediates and cortisol is eliminated. This reduces the number of false-positive tests for AI and false-negative tests for NCCAH.
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| 6. |
- Vogt, Elinor Chelsom, et al.
(författare)
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Premature menopause and autoimmune primary ovarian insufficiency in two international multi-center cohorts
- 2022
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Ingår i: Endocrine Connections. - : Bioscientifica. - 2049-3614. ; 11:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To investigate markers of premature menopause (<40 years) and specifically the prevalence of autoimmune primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in European women.Design: Postmenopausal women were categorized according to age at menopause and self-reported reason for menopause in a cross-sectional analysis of 6870 women.Methods: Variables associated with the timing of menopause and hormone measurements of 17β-estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone were explored using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Specific immunoprecipitating assays of steroidogenic autoantibodies against 21-hydroxylase (21-OH), side-chain cleavage enzyme (anti-SCC) and 17alpha-hydroxylase (17 OH), as well as NACHT leucine-rich-repeat protein 5 were used to identify women with likely autoimmune POI.Results: Premature menopause was identified in 2.8% of women, and these women had higher frequencies of nulliparity (37.4% vs 19.7%), obesity (28.7% vs 21.4%), osteoporosis (17.1% vs 11.6%), hormone replacement therapy (59.1% vs 36.9%) and never smokers (60.1% vs 50.9%) (P < 0.05), compared to women with menopause ≥40 years. Iatrogenic causes were found in 91 (47%) and non-ovarian causes in 27 (14%) women, while 77 (39%) women were classified as POI of unknown cause, resulting in a 1.1% prevalence of idiopathic POI. After adjustments nulliparity was the only variable significantly associated with POI (odds ratio 2.46; 95% CI 1.63-3.42). Based on the presence of autoantibodies against 21 OH and SCC, 4.5% of POI cases were of likely autoimmune origin.Conclusion: Idiopathic POI affects 1.1% of all women and almost half of the women with premature menopause. Autoimmunity explains 4.5% of these cases judged by positive steroidogenic autoantibodies.
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| 7. |
- Åkerman, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma-Metanephrines in Patients with Autoimmune Addison's Disease with and without Residual Adrenocortical Function
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 12:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Residual adrenocortical function, RAF, has recently been demonstrated in one-third of patients with autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). Here, we set out to explore any influence of RAF on the levels of plasma metanephrines and any changes following stimulation with cosyntropin.METHODS: We included 50 patients with verified RAF and 20 patients without RAF who served as controls upon cosyntropin stimulation testing. The patients had abstained from glucocorticoid and fludrocortisone replacement > 18 and 24 h, respectively, prior to morning blood sampling. The samples were obtained before and 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin stimulation and analyzed for serum cortisol, plasma metanephrine (MN), and normetanephrine (NMN) by liquid-chromatography tandem-mass pectrometry (LC-MS/MS).RESULTS: Among the 70 patients with AAD, MN was detectable in 33%, 25%, and 26% at baseline, 30 min, and 60 min after cosyntropin stimulation, respectively. Patients with RAF were more likely to have detectable MN at baseline (p = 0.035) and at the time of 60 min (p = 0.048) compared to patients without RAF. There was a positive correlation between detectable MN and the level of cortisol at all time points (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, p < 0.001). No difference was noted for NMN levels, which remained within the normal reference ranges.CONCLUSION: Even very small amounts of endogenous cortisol production affect MN levels in patients with AAD.
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| 8. |
- Öksnes Dalheim, Marianne, et al.
(författare)
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The size and shape of three water-soluble, non-ionic polysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria : A comparative study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Carbohydrate Polymers. - : Elsevier. - 0144-8617 .- 1879-1344. ; 142, s. 91-97
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Three water-soluble, non-ionic extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) obtained from lactic acid bacteria (S. thermophilus THS, L. helveticus K16 and S. thermophilus ST1) were subjected to a comparative study by means of multidetector size-exclusion chromatography, providing distributions and averages of molar masses, radii of gyration and intrinsic viscosities. All polysaccharides displayed random coil character. Further analysis of the data reveals differences in chain stiffness and extension that could be well correlated to structural features. The calculated persistence lengths ranged from 5 to 10 nm and fall within the range typical for many single-stranded bacterial or plant polysaccharides. The ST1 polysaccharide had the highest molar mass but the lowest persistence length, which is attributed to the presence of the flexible (1→6)-linkage in the main chain.
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| 9. |
- Øksnes, Marianne, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of Life in European Patients with Addison's Disease : Validity of the Disease-Specific Questionnaire AddiQoL
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 97:2, s. 568-576
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Patients with Addison's disease (AD) self-report impairment in specific dimensions on well-being questionnaires. An AD-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (AddiQoL) was developed to aid evaluation of patients. Objective: We aimed to translate and determine construct validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the AddiQoL questionnaire. Methods: After translation, the final versions were tested in AD patients from Norway (n = 107), Sweden (n = 101), Italy (n = 165), Germany (n = 200), and Poland (n = 50). Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, aiming at unidimensionality and fit to the Rasch model. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's coefficient-alpha and Person separation index. Longitudinal reliability was tested by differential item functioning in stable patient subgroups. Concurrent validity was examined in Norwegian (n = 101) and Swedish (n = 107) patients. Results: Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis identified six items with poor psychometric properties. The 30 remaining items fitted the Rasch model and proved unidimensional, supported by appropriate item and person fit residuals and a nonsignificant chi(2) probability. Crohnbach's alpha-coefficient 0.93 and Person separation index 0.86 indicate high reliability. Longitudinal reliability was excellent. Correlation with Short Form-36 and Psychological General Well-Being Index scores was high. A shorter subscale comprising eight items also proved valid and reliable. Testing of AddiQoL-30 in this large patient cohort showed significantly worse scores with increasing age and inwomencompared with men but no difference between patients with isolated AD and those with concomitant diseases. Conclusion: The validation process resulted in a revised 30-item AddiQoL questionnaire and an eight-item AddiQoL short version with good psychometric properties and high reliability.
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