| 1. |
- Moberg, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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De unga gör helt rätt när de stämmer staten
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aftonbladet. - 1103-9000.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- 1 620 forskare och lärare i forskarvärlden: Vi ställer oss bakom Auroras klimatkrav
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| 2. |
- Holland, Anne E., et al.
(författare)
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Ambulatory oxygen for treatment of exertional hypoxaemia in pulmonary fibrosis (PFOX trial) : A randomised controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 10:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Interstitial lung diseases are characterised by scarring of lung tissue that leads to reduced transfer of oxygen into the blood, decreased exercise capacity and premature death. Ambulatory oxygen therapy may be used to treat exertional oxyhaemoglobin desaturation, but there is little evidence to support its efficacy and there is wide variation in clinical practice. This study aims to compare the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ambulatory oxygen versus ambulatory air in people with fibrotic interstitial lung disease and exertional desaturation. Methods and analysis A randomised, controlled trial with blinding of participants, clinicians and researchers will be conducted at trial sites in Australia and Sweden. Eligible participants will be randomised 1:1 into two groups. Intervention participants will receive ambulatory oxygen therapy using a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) during daily activities and control participants will use an identical POC modified to deliver air. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The primary outcome is change in physical activity measured by number of steps per day using a physical activity monitor (StepWatch). Secondary outcomes are functional capacity (6-minute walk distance), health-related quality of life (St George Respiratory Questionnaire, EQ-5D-5L and King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire), breathlessness (Dyspnoea-12), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), physical activity level (GENEActive), oxygen saturation in daily life, POC usage, and plasma markers of skeletal muscle metabolism, systematic inflammation and oxidative stress. A cost-effectiveness evaluation will also be undertaken. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted in Australia by Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/18/Alfred/42) with governance approval at all Australian sites, and in Sweden (Lund Dnr: 2019-02963). The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presented at conferences and disseminated to consumers in publications for lay audiences. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03737409).
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| 3. |
- Olsson, Max, et al.
(författare)
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Factors important for health-related quality of life in men and women : The population based SCAPIS study
- 2023
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 18:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IntroductionHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is essential for human wellbeing, influenced by a complex interplay of factors, and is reported lower in women than men. We aimed to evaluate which factors were the most important for HRQoL in a middle-aged general population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, multi-centre study of 29,212 men (48%) and women (52%) aged 50-64 in the general population in Sweden. Physical and mental HRQoL (0-100) was assessed using the Short Form 12 questionnaire, and association was evaluated for 356 variables including demographics, lifestyle, symptoms, physiological measurements, and health conditions. Using machine learning, each variable ' s importance for HRQoL was measured by an importance score, comparable to effect size, and summarised in 54 factors, in men and women separately.ResultsMen and women had similar mean and standard deviation (SD) scores for physical HRQoL (53.4 [SD 8.1] vs 51.4 [9.7]) and mental HRQoL (37.1 [5.0] vs 37.3 [5.4]). The most important factors for physical HRQoL were (importance score) physical activity (40), employment (36), pain (33), sleep (33), and sense of control (26). The most important factors for mental HRQoL were sense of control (18), physical activity (12), depression (12), pain (6), and employment (5).ConclusionsThe factors important for HRQoL identified by this study are likely to be amenable to interventions, and our findings can support prioritising interventions. The identified factors need to be a target even before middle-age to lay the foundation for long and happy lives.
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| 4. |
- Olsson, Max, et al.
(författare)
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Factors most strongly associated with breathlessness in a population aged 50-64 years
- 2024
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Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society. - 2312-0541. ; 10:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Breathlessness is a troublesome and prevalent symptom in the population, but knowledge of related factors is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the factors most strongly associated with breathlessness in the general population and to describe the shapes of the associations between the main factors and breathlessness.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out of the multicentre population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) of adults aged 50 to 64 years. Breathlessness was defined as a modified Medical Research Council breathlessness rating ≥2. The machine learning algorithm extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) was used to classify participants as either breathless or nonbreathless using 449 factors, including physiological measurements, blood samples, computed tomography cardiac and lung measurements, lifestyle, health conditions and socioeconomics. The strength of the associations between the factors and breathlessness were measured by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), with higher scores reflecting stronger associations.RESULTS: A total of 28 730 participants (52% women) were included in the study. The strongest associated factors for breathlessness were (in order of magnitude): body mass index ( SHAP score 0.39), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (0.32), physical activity measured by accelerometery (0.27), sleep apnoea (0.22), diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (0.21), self-reported physical activity (0.17), chest pain when hurrying (0.17), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (0.17), recent weight change (0.14) and cough (0.13).CONCLUSION: This large population-based study of men and women aged 50-64 years identified the main factors related to breathlessness that may be prevented or amenable to public health interventions.
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| 5. |
- Ahuja, Sat pal, et al.
(författare)
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Glutathione S-transferase µ(GST) modifies activities of proteases and levels of cystatin C secreted by mouse retinal explants
- 2004
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Ingår i: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. - 1552-5783. ; 45, s. 352-352
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: In one form of human autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and in retinal degeneration (rd1) mouse, mutation occurs in the genes encoding ß subunit of rod photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase. Therefore, rd1 mutant mouse is an appropriate model for human inherited retinal degeneration studies. Retinal explants are successfully cultured in serum free chemically defined R16 medium to evaluate effects of various rescue factors and retinal conditioned medium (RCM) for secreted molecules like proteases and their inhibitors. Cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin C has recently been identified in rodent neuroretina and RPE. RCM of explants treated with GST were analyzed for proteases and cystatin C to explain, in part, mode of action of GST in protection of degenerating retina. Methods: Postnatal day 2 (PN2) and PN7 control (wt) and rd1 were cultured with (10 ng / ml GST) and without GST in R16 medium, respectively, for 26 and 21 days in vitro (div). Retinal extracts (RE) and RCM were analyzed by fluorometry using casein green fluorescent labeled with BODIPY–FL (Molecular Probes) for total proteases; Z–Phe–Arg–NMec or Z–Arg–Arg–NMec for cysteine proteases and by ELISA for cystatin C, respectively, for levels and secretion of proteases and cystatin C. The protein content of RE was measured. Results: Protein content (µg) of RE from wt and rd1 retinal extracts respectively increased and decreased with age. Cystatin C (ng/ml RCM) content in wt and rd1 RE increased with age (was always higher in wt) up to PN14 and then decreased but was higher than that at PN2. Progressive secretion of cystatin C by PN2 explants was lower than that by PN7 explants; and that by rd1 PN2 and PN7 explants was initially lower up to in vitro age of PN19 and subsequently it was higher than that by wt explants. Secretion of total cystatin C by PN2 and PN7 wt and rd1 explants was similar and was increased by GST. During initial stage of culture total protease activity ({Delta} F / 100 µl RCM) in RCM of rd1 PN2 and PN7 explants was higher and was decreased in GST treated explants. Conclusions: Cystatin C content and secretion by wt RE is always higher and that of proteases is lower than that of rd1. Treatment with GST increases content of cystatin C and consequently decreases that of proteases especially cysteine proteases.
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| 6. |
- Ahuja, Sat pal, et al.
(författare)
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Physiopathology of retinal degeneration in rd1 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa : TGF-Β1, proteinases and oxidative stress mechanisms
- 2009
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Ingår i: Retinal Degeneration: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment. - 9781607410072 ; , s. 1-41
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rd1 (retinal degeneration) mouse retina shows degeneration homologous to a form of retinitis pigmentosa with a rapid loss of rod photoreceptors and deficiency of retinal blood vessels. Due to Pde6brd1 gene mutation, β subunit of phosphodiesterase (PDE) of rd1 retina has an inactive PDE which elevates cGMP and Ca2+ ions level. In vitro retinal explants provide a system close to the in vivo situation, so both approaches were used to compare the status of oxidative stress, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), sialylation, galactosylation of proteoglycans, and different proteinases-endogenous inhibitors systems participating in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling/degeneration and programmed cell death (PCD)/apoptosis in wt and rd1 mouse retinas. Proteins and desialylated sulfated glucosaminoglycan parts of proteoglycans in ECM of rd1 retina were, respectively, decreased and increased due to enhanced activities of proteinases. Desialylation increases the susceptibility of cells to phoagocytosis/apoptosis, decreased neurogenesis and faulty guidance cues for synaptogenesis. In vivo activities of total proteinases, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cathepsin B were increased in rd1 retina on postnatal day 14 (PN14), -21 and -28, due to relatively lower levels of tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1) and cystatin C, respectively. This corresponded with increased in vitro secretion of these proteinases by rd1 retina. Cells including end-feet of Mueller cells in degenerating rd1 retina showed intense immunolabeling for MMP-9, MMP-2/TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and cathepsin B/cystatin C, and proteinases pool was increased by Mueller cells. Intense immunolabeling of ganglion cell (RGC) layer for cathepsin B and of inner-plexiform layer of both PN2/PN7 rd1 and wt retinas indicated importance of cathepsin B in synaptogenesis and PCD of RGC. Increased levels of TGF-β1 in vitro transiently increased the secretion of MMPs and cathepsins activities by wt explants which activate TGF-β1 and remodel the ECM for angiogenesis and ontogenetic PCD. Whereas, lower level of TGF-β1 and persistently higher activities of MMPs and cathepsins in rd1 retinas and conditioned medium, suggested that proteinases degraded TGF-β1 and ECM and caused retinal degeneration. Lower activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione-peroxidase in rd1 retina contribute to oxidative stress which damages membranes and increased the expression, release/secretion of proteinases relative to their endogenous inhibitors. Participation of oxidative stress in rd1 retinal degeneration was further confirmed from the partial protection of rd1 photoreceptors by in vitro and/or in vivo supplementation with glutathione-S-transferase or a combination of antioxidants namely lutein, zeaxanthin, α-lipoic acid and reduced-L-glutathione. Treatment with combination(s) of broad spectrum proteinase inhibitor(s) and antioxidants needs investigation.
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| 7. |
- Ahuja, Sat pal, et al.
(författare)
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rd1 Mouse retina shows an imbalance in the activity of cysteine protease cathepsins and their endogenous inhibitor cystatin C.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. - : Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). - 1552-5783. ; 49:3, s. 1089-1096
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To compare in vivo levels, spatial localization, and in vitro secretion of cysteine protease cathepsins and cystatin C (cysC) in the retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa and control (wt) mouse retinas. METHODS: The spatial localization, protein contents, cysC levels and cathepsin-B, -S, and -L activities in wt and rd1 retinas at postnatal (PN) days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were analyzed by immunostaining, spectrophotometry, ELISA, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The in vitro secretion of cysC and cysteine proteases by PN7 retinal explants into the conditioned medium (RCM) was quantified. RESULTS: The pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, and inner retinal and ganglion cell layers of both wt and rd1 retinas showed cysC and cathepsin-B labeling. CysC immunostaining was extensive in the optic nerve head fibers. The rd1 explants secreted higher amounts of cysteine protease into the RCM. The protein content in wt and rd1 retinal extracts increased up to PN14, then decreased in rd1 but not in wt. In rd1 extracts at PN14 to -28, cathepsin activity was higher and increased with age, but the cysC level was higher and constant. The ratios of cathepsin activity to cysC (cathepsin-L at PN2 and total, -B, and -L at PN14 to -28) were higher in rd1 extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Similar localization of both cathepsin-B and cysC in wt and rd1 retinas along with lower proteins and higher cathepsin activity in rd1 retinal extracts and RCM are consistent with their localization in extracellular matrix and a role in physiopathologic remodeling in wt and rd1 retinas.
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| 8. |
- Ahuja, Sat pal, et al.
(författare)
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rd1 Mouse Retina Shows Imbalance in Cellular Distribution and Levels of TIMP-1/MMP-9, TIMP-2/MMP-2 and Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ophthalmic Research. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0259 .- 0030-3747. ; 38:3, s. 125-136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The rd1 mouse retina displays fast degeneration of photoreceptors resulting in a depletion of almost all rod photoreceptors by postnatal day 21 (PN21). To evaluate the role of proteinases in the pathophysiology of this animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, C3H rd1 and congenic wild-type (wt) mice retinas were analyzed. Material and Methods: The cellular localization and levels of proteins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs), total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and nature of saccharides in roll and wt retinal extracts were compared. Results: MMP-2/TIMP-2 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 were predominantly localized in the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) of both genotypes, but MMP-2/TIMP-2 also appeared in the Muller cell fibers of rd1 retina. In rd1 retinal extracts the levels of total proteins were lower and those of active MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and total sGAG were higher than those of wt extracts. Despite an increase in TIMP-1, active MMP-9/MMP-2 were disproportionately elevated in rd1 compared to wt retina. With increasing age, MMPs in wt retinas were decreased but were increased in rd1. The sialylation of proteoglycans in PN2 and PN7 rd1 retinas was lower, and galactosylation was higher than that in wt retinas. Conclusions: MMP-9/ MMP-2 and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 are associated with IPM, possibly after secretion by retinal pigmented epithelial cells. In degenerating rd1 retina, MMP-2/TIMP-2 are associated with the Muller cell fibers, which apparently play a central role in modifying the balance between MMPs and TIMPs. Elevated sGAG and proteolysis due to an imbalance in the levels of TIMPs and active MMP-9/MMP-2 in rd1 retina possibly contribute to retinal degeneration in the rd1 mouse.
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| 9. |
- Angelov, Angel G., 1983-
(författare)
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Methods for interval-censored data and testing for stochastic dominance
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis includes four papers: the first three of them are concerned with methods for interval-censored data, while the forth paper is devoted to testing for stochastic dominance.In many studies, the variable of interest is observed to lie within an interval instead of being observed exactly, i.e., each observation is an interval and not a single value. This type of data is known as interval-censored. It may arise in questionnaire-based studies when the respondent gives an answer in the form of an interval without having pre-specified ranges. Such data are called self-selected interval data. In this context, the assumption of noninformative censoring is not fulfilled, and therefore the existing methods for interval-censored data are not necessarily applicable.A problem of interest is to estimate the underlying distribution function. There are two main approaches to this problem: (i) parametric estimation, which assumes a particular functional form of the distribution, and (ii) nonparametric estimation, which does not rely on any distributional assumptions. In Paper A, a nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator for self-selected interval data is proposed and its consistency is shown. Paper B suggests a parametric maximum likelihood estimator. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimator are proven.Another interesting problem is to infer whether two samples arise from identical distributions. In Paper C, nonparametric two-sample tests suitable for self-selected interval data are suggested and their properties are investigated through simulations.Paper D concerns testing for stochastic dominance with uncensored data. The paper explores a testing problem which involves four hypotheses, that is, based on observations of two random variables X and Y, one wants to discriminate between four possibilities: identical survival functions, stochastic dominance of X over Y, stochastic dominance of Y over X, or crossing survival functions. Permutation-based tests suitable for two independent samples and for paired samples are proposed. The tests are applied to data from an experiment concerning the individual's willingness to pay for a given environmental improvement.
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| 10. |
- Axelsson, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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The Challenge of Transdisciplinary Research : A Case Study of Learning by Evaluation for Sustainable Transport Infrastructures
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 12:17, s. 1-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While transdisciplinary (TD) research is desired in order to solve real world sustainability issues, this may be challenging for both academic and non-academic participants. Supporting learning through evaluation, we analyzed a project aiming at sustainable transport infrastructures. After developing a TD research framework as a benchmark, two external independent evaluators interviewed all project researchers, representatives for end-users, and donors. The evaluators compared results with the framework, and evaluators and participants critically reflected on the results together. There were three inconsistencies relative to the framework: (1) limited understanding of TD research among project management, end-users, and most of the researchers; (2) no structured learning process among end-users; instead, they expressed very diverse opinions about what they expected from the project; (3) project leaders had limited understanding of the special challenges of TD research, did not fully understand the status of the project's social system, and thus did not act as facilitators of the required collaborative learning process. Non-academic participants saw themselves as customers and not as partners in the knowledge production process. We conclude that TD problem-solving research requires much time and needs facilitation and training. A preparatory phase with a lower level of funding would be helpful in preparing for TD processes.
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