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- Johansen, Kine
(författare)
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Towards an evidence-based assessment of early motor performance in the child health services : Psychometric properties and clinical utility of the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Swedish child health services (CHS) have a unique position in that they reach almost all children 0-6 years of age. The child health nurse has the main responsibility for developmental surveillance. Twelve scheduled visits with the nurse during the child’s first year of life make this an ideal setting to systematically identify infants with motor problems, ranging from asymmetric head positioning that may lead to plagiocephaly to more severe forms such as cerebral palsy (CP). However, the CHS lack evidence-based methods to assess motor development.The Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants (SOMP-I) assesses motor performance in two domains, i.e. level of motor development and quality of motor performance. SOMP-I is quick, non-invasive, requires minimal handling, and is suitable for a busy clinical setting when applied by physiotherapists. Given the importance of early detection, the increased likelihood of detecting motor problems when using evidence-based assessment methods and the key role of nurses within the CHS, the overall aim of this thesis was investigate the psychometric properties and clinical utility of SOMP-I when used by child health nurses. Furthermore, we aimed to establish the ability of SOMP-I to detect CP.Our results show that child health nurses can reliably assess the level of motor development in infants using SOMP-I. More variability was found when they assessed the infants’ quality of motor performance. Although the nurses expressed concern about introducing a more time-consuming assessment in an already tight schedule, they were able to integrate the SOMP-I assessment in routine care. The nurses reported that barriers to using SOMP-I were mostly logistic and practical in nature, and they pointed out the necessity of education and practice in order to become proficient assessors. Using SOMP-I appears to have supported the nurses in the decision-making process regarding motor performance in routine care. SOMP-I detected CP during the first months of life in neonatal intensive care recipients.To our knowledge, these studies are the first to evaluate child health nurses’ assessment of early motor performance using an evidence-based assessment method in routine care. The results are promising, but further research is warranted.
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- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(författare)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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Ingår i: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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- Biggar, Robert J., et al.
(författare)
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Serum YKL-40 and interleukin 6 levels in Hodgkin lymphoma
- 2008
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 14:21, s. 6974-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Serum levels of the inflammatory markers YKL-40 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are increased in many conditions, including cancers. We examined serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, a tumor with strong immunologic reaction to relatively few tumor cells, especially in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed Danish and Swedish patients with incident Hodgkin lymphoma (N=470) and population controls from Denmark (n=245 for YKL-40; n=348 for IL-6). Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA, and log-transformed data were analyzed by linear regression, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: Serum levels of YKL-40 and IL-6 increased in Hodgkin lymphoma patients compared with controls (YKL-40, 3.6-fold; IL-6, 8.3-fold; both, P<0.0001). In pretreatment samples from pretreatment Hodgkin lymphoma patients (n=176), levels were correlated with more advanced stages (P(trend), 0.0001 for YKL-40 and 0.013 for IL-6) and in those with B symptoms; however, levels were similar in nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity subtypes, by EBV status, and in younger (<45 years old) and older patients. Patients tested soon after treatment onset had significantly lower levels than pretreatment patients; however, even >or=6 months after treatment onset, serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels remained significantly increased compared with controls. In patients who died (n=12), pretreatment levels for YKL-40 and IL-6 were higher than in survivors, although not statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were increased in untreated Hodgkin lymphoma patients and those with more advanced stages but did not differ significantly by Hodgkin lymphoma histology. Following treatment, serum levels were significantly lower.
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- Charalampopoulos, Dimitrios, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring Variation in Glycemic Control Across and Within Eight High-Income Countries: A Cross-sectional Analysis of 64,666 Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
- 2018
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Ingår i: Diabetes Care. - : AMER DIABETES ASSOC. - 0149-5992 .- 1935-5548. ; 41:6, s. 1180-1187
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE International studies on childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D) have focused on whole-country mean HbA(1c) levels, thereby concealing potential variations within countries. We aimed to explore the variations in HbA(1c) across and within eight high-income countries to best inform international benchmarking and policy recommendations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were collected between 2013 and 2014 from 64,666 children with T1D who were amp;lt; 18 years of age across 528 centers in Germany, Austria, England, Wales, U.S., Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. We used fixed-and random-effects models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, and minority status to describe differences between center means and to calculate the proportion of total variation in HbA(1c) levels that is attributable to between-center differences (intraclass correlation [ICC]). We also explored the association between within-center variation and childrens glycemic control. RESULTS Sweden had the lowest mean HbA(1c) (59mmol/mol [7.6%]) and together with Norway and Denmark showed the lowest between-center variations (ICC amp;lt;= 4%). Germany and Austria had the next lowest mean HbA(1c) (61-62 mmol/mol [7.7-7.8%]) but showed the largest center variations (ICC similar to 15%). Centers in England, Wales, and the U.S. showed low-to-moderate variation around high mean values. In pooled analysis, differences between counties remained significant after adjustment for children characteristics and center effects (P value amp;lt; 0.001). Across all countries, children attending centers with more variable glycemic results had higher HbA(1c) levels (5.6mmol/mol [0.5%] per 5mmol/mol [0.5%] increase in center SD of HbA(1c) values of all children attending a specific center). CONCLUSIONS A tsimilar average levels of HbA(1c), countries display different levels of center variation. The distribution of glycemic achievement within countries should be considered in developing informed policies that drive quality improvement.
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| 7. |
- Davis, Catherine H., et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer : Transatlantic Trend and Postoperative Outcomes Analysis
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Surgeons. - 1879-1190. ; 238:4, s. 613-621
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The introduction of modern chemotherapy a decade ago has led to increased use of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A recent North American study demonstrated increased use of NAT and improved operative outcomes in patients with PDAC. The aims of this study were to compare the use of NAT and short-term outcomes in patients with PDAC undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) among registries from the US and Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. STUDY DESIGN: Databases from 2 multicenter (voluntary) and 2 nationwide (mandatory) registries were queried from 2018 to 2020. Patients undergoing PD for PDAC were compared based on the use of upfront surgery vs NAT. Adoption of NAT was measured in each country over time. Thirty-day outcomes, including the composite measure (ideal outcomes), were compared by multivariable analyses. Sensitivity analyses of patients undergoing vascular resection were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 11,402 patients underwent PD for PDAC with 33.7% of patients receiving NAT. The use of NAT increased steadily from 28.3% in 2018 to 38.5% in 2020 (p < 0.0001). However, use of NAT varied widely by country: the US (46.8%), the Netherlands (44.9%), Sweden (11.0%), and Germany (7.8%). On multivariable analysis, NAT was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with reduced rates of serious morbidity, clinically relevant pancreatic fistulae, reoperations, and increased ideal outcomes. These associations remained on sensitivity analysis of patients undergoing vascular resection. CONCLUSIONS: NAT before PD for pancreatic cancer varied widely among 4 Western audits yet increased by 26% during 3 years. NAT was associated with improved short-term outcomes.
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| 8. |
- Edenbrandt, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Area of ischemia assessed by physicians and software packages from myocardial perfusion scintigrams
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Imaging. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2342. ; 14:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The European Society of Cardiology recommends that patients with greater than 10% area of ischemia should receive revascularization. We investigated inter-observer variability for the extent of ischemic defects reported by different physicians and by different software tools, and if inter-observer variability was reduced when the physicians were provided with a computerized suggestion of the defects. Methods: Twenty-five myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) patients who were regarded as ischemic according to the final report were included. Eleven physicians in nuclear medicine delineated the extent of the ischemic defects. After at least two weeks, they delineated the defects again, and were this time provided a suggestion of the defect delineation by EXINI Heart(TM) (EXINI). Summed difference scores and ischemic extent values were obtained from four software programs. Results: The median extent values obtained from the 11 physicians varied between 8% and 34%, and between 9% and 16% for the software programs. For all 25 patients, mean extent obtained from EXINI was 17.0% (+/- standard deviation (SD) 14.6%). Mean extent for physicians was 22.6% (+/- 15.6%) for the first delineation and 19.1% (+/- 14.9%) for the evaluation where they were provided computerized suggestion. Intra-class correlation (ICC) increased from 0.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.72) to 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.90) between the first and the second delineation, and SD between physicians were 7.8 (first) and 5.9 (second delineation). Conclusions: There was large variability in the estimated ischemic defect size obtained both from different physicians and from different software packages. When the physicians were provided with a suggested delineation, the inter-observer variability decreased significantly.
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| 10. |
- Fedirko, Veronika, et al.
(författare)
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Pre-diagnostic anthropometry and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis in Western European populations
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 135:8, s. 1949-1960
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- General and abdominal adiposity are associated with a high risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), but the role of these exposures on cancer survival has been less studied. The association between pre-diagnostic anthropometric characteristics and CRC-specific and all-cause death was examined among 3,924 men and women diagnosed with CRC between 1992 and 2009 in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (FIRS) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (as). Over a mean follow-up period of 49 months, 1,309 deaths occurred of which 1,043 (79.7%) were due to CRC. In multivariable analysis, prediagnostic BMI kg/m2 was associated with a high risk for CRC-specific (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.04-1.52) and all-cause (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.12-1.56) death relative to BMI <25 kg/m(2). Every 5 kg/m(2) increase in BMI was associated with a high risk for CRC-specific (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.02-1.19) and all-cause death (HR = 1.12, 95% Cl = 1.05-1.20); and every 10 cm increase in waist circumference was associated with a high risk for CRC-specific (HR = 1.09, 95% Cl = 1.02-1.16) and allcause death (HR= 1.11, 95% CI= 1.05-1.18). Similar associations were observed for waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios. Height was not associated with CRC-specific or all-cause death. Associations tended to be stronger among men than in women. Possible interactions by age at diagnosis, cancer stage, tumour location, and hormone replacement therapy use among postmenopausal women were noted. Pre-diagnostic general and abdominal adiposity are associated with lower survival after CRC diagnosis.
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