| 1. |
- Johansson, Karl-Axel, et al.
(författare)
-
The quality assurance process for the ARTSCAN head and neck study - a practical interactive approach for QA in 3DCRT and IMRT.
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 87:2, s. 290-9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: This paper describes the quality assurance (QA) work performed in the Swedish multicenter ARTSCAN (Accelerated RadioTherapy of Squamous cell CArcinomas in the head and Neck) trial to guarantee high quality in a multicenter study which involved modern radiotherapy such as 3DCRT or IMRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was closed in June 2006 with 750 randomised patients. Radiation therapy-related data for every patient were sent by each participating centre to the QA office where all trial data were reviewed, analysed and stored. In case of any deviation from the protocol, an interactive process was started between the QA office and the local responsible clinician and/or physicist to increase the compliance to the protocol for future randomised patients. Meetings and workshops were held on a regular basis for discussions on various trial-related issues and for the QA office to report on updated results. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review covers the 734 patients out of a total of 750 who had entered the study. Deviations early in the study were corrected so that the overall compliance to the protocol was very high. There were only negligible variations in doses and dose distributions to target volumes for each specific site and stage. The quality of the treatments was high. Furthermore, an extensive database of treatment parameters was accumulated for future dose-volume vs. endpoint evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive QA programme increased the probability to draw firm conclusions from our study and may serve as a concept for QA work in future radiotherapy trials where comparatively small effects are searched for in a heterogeneous tumour population.
|
|
| 2. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann, et al.
(författare)
-
Improving the Health of Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: Protocol for the Multidisciplinary Research Program MOVING ON WITH CP
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Jmir Research Protocols. - Toronto, Canada : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1929-0748. ; 8:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common early onset disabilities globally. The causative brain damage in CP is nonprogressive, yet secondary conditions develop and worsen over time. Individuals with CP in Sweden and most of the Nordic countries are systematically followed in the national registry and follow-up program entitled the Cerebral Palsy Follow-Up Program (CPUP). CPUP has improved certain aspects of health care for individuals with CP and strengthened collaboration among professionals. However, there are still issues to resolve regarding health care for this specific population. Objective: The overall objectives of the research program MOVING ON WITH CP are to (1) improve the health care processes and delivery models; (2) develop, implement, and evaluate real-life solutions for Swedish health care provision; and (3) evaluate existing health care and social insurance benefit programs and processes in the context of CP. Methods: MOVING ON WITH CP comprises 9 projects within 3 themes. Evaluation of Existing Health Care (Theme A) consists of registry studies where data from CPUP will be merged with national official health databases, complemented by survey and interview data. In Equality in Health Care and Social Insurance (Theme B), mixed methods studies and registry studies will be complemented with focus group interviews to inform the development of new processes to apply for benefits. In New Solutions and Processes in Health Care Provision (Theme C), an eHealth (electronic health) procedure will be developed and tested to facilitate access to specialized health care, and equipment that improves the assessment of movement activity in individuals with CP will be developed. Results: The individual projects are currently being planned and will begin shortly. Feedback from users has been integrated. Ethics board approvals have been obtained. Conclusions: In this 6-year multidisciplinary program, professionals from the fields of medicine, social sciences, health sciences, and engineering, in collaboration with individuals with CP and their families, will evaluate existing health care, create conditions for a more equal health care, and develop new technologies to improve the health care management of people with CP.
|
|
| 3. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann, et al.
(författare)
-
Pain and health status in adults with myelomeningocele living in Sweden
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. - 1874-5393. ; 11:4, s. 255-264
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To increase knowledge about pain and general health in adults with myelomeningocele, a health condition with several risk factors for pain such as musculoskeletal deformities, shunt dysfunctions, bowel problems, and urinary tract infections/stones. METHODS: Descriptive correlational pilot study (N= 51, 53% males). Chi-square tests were used to test associations among presence, impact, severity, and pain site in relation to sex and age. ANOVA was used to analyze associations between sex, age, and general health (today). RESULTS: Seventy-three percent reported pain in the past four weeks. No significant sex or age differences were associated with the presence of pain. Women were significantly more likely to report that pain interfered with work, ‡2(1, N= 41) = 5.53, p= 0.02. There were significant main effects for sex and age on general health (today), F(2, 44) = 5.63, p= 0.007, adjusted R2= 0.17. Women scored lower on general health (today) (mean = 63.58) than men (mean = 76.33). Older individuals reported worse general health (today) than did younger (B=-0.89, t=-2.79, p= 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Pain was frequent, and pain sites differed widely. Women were more likely to report that pain interfered with work, and scored lower on health, as did older persons.
|
|
| 4. |
- Borgegard, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
-
Alzheimers Disease: Presenilin 2-Sparing gamma-Secretase Inhibition Is a Tolerable A beta Peptide-Lowering Strategy
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Journal of Neuroscience. - : Society for Neuroscience. - 0270-6474 .- 1529-2401. ; 32:48, s. 17297-17305
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- gamma-Secretase inhibition represents a major therapeutic strategy for lowering amyloid beta (A beta) peptide production in Alzheimers disease (AD). Progress toward clinical use of gamma-secretase inhibitors has, however, been hampered due to mechanism-based adverse events, primarily related to impairment of Notch signaling. The gamma-secretase inhibitor MRK-560 represents an exception as it is largely tolerable in vivo despite displaying only a small selectivity between A beta production and Notch signaling in vitro. In exploring the molecular basis for the observed tolerability, we show that MRK-560 displays a strong preference for the presenilin 1(PS1) over PS2 subclass of gamma-secretases and is tolerable in wild-type mice but causes dose-dependent Notch-related side effect in PS2-deficient mice at drug exposure levels resulting in a substantial decrease in brain A beta levels. This demonstrates that PS2 plays an important role in mediating essential Notch signaling in several peripheral organs during pharmacological inhibition of PS1 and provide preclinical in vivo proof of concept for PS2-sparing inhibition as a novel, tolerable and efficacious gamma-secretase targeting strategy for AD.
|
|
| 5. |
- Borgegård, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
-
Alzheimer's Disease : Presenilin 2-Sparing γ-Secretase Inhibition Is a Tolerable Aβ Peptide-Lowering Strategy
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Journal of Neuroscience. - 0270-6474 .- 1529-2401. ; 32:48, s. 17297-17305
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- γ-Secretase inhibition represents a major therapeutic strategy for lowering amyloid β (Aβ) peptide production in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Progress toward clinical use of γ-secretase inhibitors has, however, been hampered due to mechanism-based adverse events, primarily related to impairment of Notch signaling. The γ-secretase inhibitor MRK-560 represents an exception as it is largely tolerable in vivo despite displaying only a small selectivity between Aβ production and Notch signaling in vitro. In exploring the molecular basis for the observed tolerability, we show that MRK-560 displays a strong preference for the presenilin 1 (PS1) over PS2 subclass of γ-secretases and is tolerable in wild-type mice but causes dose-dependent Notch-related side effect in PS2-deficient mice at drug exposure levels resulting in a substantial decrease in brain Aβ levels. This demonstrates that PS2 plays an important role in mediating essential Notch signaling in several peripheral organs during pharmacological inhibition of PS1 and provide preclinical in vivo proof of concept for PS2-sparing inhibition as a novel, tolerable and efficacious γ-secretase targeting strategy for AD.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bucht, Göran, et al.
(författare)
-
Modifying the cellular transport of DNA-based vaccines alters the immune response to hantavirus nucleocapsid protein
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Vaccine. - 0264-410X .- 1873-2518. ; 19:28-29, s. 3820-3829
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala virus is a member of the hantavirus genus (family Bunyaviridae) and is one of the causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe. A genetic vaccination approach was conducted to investigate if the immune response could be modulated using different cellular secretion and/or localisation signals, and the immune responses were analysed in BALB/c mice and in a bank vole infectious model. Rodents vaccinated with DNA constructs encoding the antigen fused to an amino-terminal secretion signal raised significantly higher antibody levels when compared to using constructs lacking secretion signals. Furthermore, the ratios of the IgG subclasses (IgG2a/IgG1) were raised by the use of cellular localisation signals, indicating a more pronounced Th1-type of immune response. The majority of the mice, or bank voles, immunised with DNA encoding a secreted form of the antigen showed a positive lymphoproliferative response and were protected against challenge with Puumala virus (strain Kazan-wt).
|
|
| 7. |
- Delin, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
-
Optimal Placement of Meat Bone Meal Pellets to Spring Oats
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in sustainable food systems. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2571-581X. ; 2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- New technology makes it possible to apply organic fertilizers with higher precision, and organic producers want to know how to exploit these new possibilities to make their production more efficient. This study investigated the effect of band application (in different positions) of pelleted organic fertilizer, compared with broadcasting, on grain yield and weed density in spring oats (Avena sativa L.). Six microplot field experiments were carried out on silty clay and sandy loam in Sweden during the growing season of 2014-2016. In oats seeded at 25 cm row spacing, pelleted meat bone meal was band-applied at one of three distances from the crop row (0, 4, and 12.5 cm) and at two or three incorporation depths (1 and 4 cm on silty clay and 1, 4, and 6 cm on loamy sand). These treatments were compared with broadcast spreading, mineral nitrogen fertilizer, and an unfertilized control. On both soil types, fertilizer placement 4 cm from the crop and 4-6 cm incorporation depth gave the highest yield and crop nitrogen uptake. Yield in this treatment was 800 kg ha(-1) higher on clay soil and 1,100 kg ha(-1) higher on sandy loam compared with the same organic fertilizer applied by broadcasting, an 80-150% yield increase. On the sandy loam, distance from the crop row had a more significant effect on grain yield (p < 0.001) than soil incorporation depth (p = 0.07). On the silty clay, crop yield was significantly influenced by incorporation depth (p = 0.003) and distance from the crop row (p = 0.04). In five experiments, mineral N fertilizer equivalent (MFE) increased from on average 63% with broadcasting to 85% with placement 4 cm from the crop row and 4 cm incorporation depth. Weed biomass was significantly affected by fertilizer placement on the clay soil, with higher weed biomass with deeper incorporation (p = 0.045) and greater distance from the crop row (p = 0.049). On the sandy loam, there was a tendency for larger weed plants at greater distance from the crop row (p = 0.13) except when seeds and pellets were placed together, which gave the highest weed weight, probably due to lower competition from the crop in this treatment.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Delin, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
-
Pelleterad organisk gödsel - mylla och placera nära såraden
- 2017
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Forskare vid SLU undersöker i pågående försök hur skörden påverkas av att placera pelleterad organisk gödsel på olika avstånd från såraden och att mylla den till olika djup. Preliminära resultat i havre visar att placering fyra centimeter från raden och fyra centimeters myllningsdjup gav störst skörd.
|
|
| 10. |
- Halvarsson Lundkvist, Agneta, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
-
Nulägesanalys och vägen framåt för projektet ”Skolresultaten i regionen har förbättrats – att leda och styra en komplex organisation” : En sammanfattande rapport med resultat från FoU-projektet Forskningsbaserad samverkan i Region Örebro län (FRÖ)
- 2022
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Denna rapport är en sammanfattning av slutrapporten från forsknings- och utvecklingsprojektet (FoU) Forskningsbaserad samverkan i Region Örebro län (FRÖ). Projektet genomfördes av forskare från Örebro universitet (ORU) mellan den 1 december 2020 och 31 december 2021. Syftet för den utvecklingsriktade delen av FoU-projektet var att ge stöd till Region Örebro läns (RÖL) projekt Skolresultaten i regionen har förbättrats – att leda och styra en komplex organisation. Den övergripande frågeställningen var: Vad är möjliga orsaker till låg måluppfyllelse i skolan i Örebro län? Studien har genomförts med en interaktiv ansats vilket innebär att FoU-projektets upplägg och forskningsfrågor har diskuterats med projektets styrgrupp. Data består av intervjuer med kommunchefer, samtal med verksamhets- och skolchefer samt dokumentstudier samt sammanställning av statistik. Resultatet presenteras i form av fyra pusselbitar. Tillsammans visar pusselbitarna på möjliga orsaker till länets låga måluppfyllelse. Pusselbit 1 presenterar framgångsfaktorer som enligt litteratur är av stor betydelse för att styra och leda skola mot höga skolresultat. Pusselbit 2 sammanfattar ett urval av lokal, regional och nationell statistik som kan förklara låg måluppfyllelse. Pusselbit 3 sammanfattar lokala förutsättningar för att realisera kommunala styrdokument. Pusselbit 4 sammanfattar förutsättningar för interkommunal och regional samverkan. Avslutningsvis presenterar forskargruppen sex rekommendationer för det fortsatta regionala samarbetet för att höja skolresultaten. Rekommendationerna sammanfattas med akronymen S-K-O-P-E-T som syftar på den engelska termen scope – i betydelsen en arena i vilken någon eller något handlar, verkar, har makt eller kontroll. Strukturera och samordna insatser på regional, interkommunal och kommunal nivå och illustrera dem i förändringslogiker för olika nivåer. Tydliggör RÖL:s roll vad gäller insatser och samordning i förhållande till frågor som rör skola och förskola. Kontextualisera de insatser som genomförs på regional och kommunal nivå, i bemärkelsen anpassa dem till kommunernas skilda behov. Omvärldsspana på liknande sätt som RÖL lät Oxford research göra 2019, men i detta fall en omvärldsanalys med fokus på skolrelaterade frågor. Prioritera vilka tidigare genomförda insatser som ska implementeras och vilka insatser som ska genomföras för att nå de uppsatta effektmålen i RUS 2022–2030. Evaluera de insatser som görs. Samordna uppföljningen av Aktivitetsplanen med andra uppföljningar, exempelvis med återrapporteringar av regionala utvecklingsmedel och verksamhetsplaner. Transparensgör det som är viktigt för samtliga samverkansparter att ha tillgång till.
|
|
