| 1. |
- Willgert, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Cellulose nanofibril reinforced composite electrolytes for lithium ion battery applications
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 2:33, s. 13556-13564
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of four composite electrolytes for lithium ion battery applications. The two-phase electrolytes are composed of a soft, ionic conductive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) matrix having stiff nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) paper as reinforcement to provide mechanical integrity. The reinforcing CNF is modified in order to create covalent bonds between the phases which is particularly beneficial when swelling the composite with a liquid electrolyte to enhance the ionic conductivity. After swelling the composite polymer electrolyte, forming a gelled structure, values of ionic conductivity at 5 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) and an elastic modulus around 400 MPa at 25 degrees C are obtained.
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| 2. |
- Dubicke, Aurelija, et al.
(författare)
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High-mobility group box protein 1 and its signalling receptors in human preterm and term cervix
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-7603 .- 0165-0378. ; 84:1, s. 86-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this study was to identify possible changes in mRNA and protein expression of high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and its suggested receptors - receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 - in human cervix during pregnancy, term and preterm labor. Cervical biopsies were taken from 58 women: 20 at preterm labor, 24 at term labor, 10 at term not in labor and 4 from non-pregnant women. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA expression, and immunohistochemistry and ELISA for protein analysis. HMGB1, RAGE, TLR2 and TLR4 proteins were localized and their mRNA expression was detected in the cervix. There was more extranuclear HMGB1 in the cervical epithelium and stroma in preterm and term labor compared to the term not in labor. TLR2 mRNA expression was upregulated 5-fold in term labor and 3-fold in preterm labor compared to term not in labor and non-pregnant controls. There was lower expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNAs in preterm labor compared to term. Lower mRNA expression of HMGB1 was found in the subgroup with preterm premature rupture of membranes than in the rest of the preterm group, where levels were significantly higher than in term labor. In conclusion, extranuclear expression of HMGB1 during labor suggests a possible role of HMGB1 during the process of cervical ripening. Changes in expression of mRNAs encoding HMGB1, TLR2 and TLR4 in preterm labor suggest differences in the mechanism of cervical ripening at preterm and term delivery. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Dubicke, Aurelija, et al.
(författare)
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Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human preterm and term cervical ripening
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier. - 0165-0378 .- 1872-7603. ; 84:2, s. 176-185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cervical ripening is necessary for successful delivery. Since cytokines are believed to be involved in this process, the aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-12, IL-18) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13)in the human cervix during pregnancy, term and preterm labor. Cervical biopsies were taken from 59 women: 21 at preterm labor, 24 at term labor, 10 at term not in labor and 4 from non-pregnant women. mRNA was analyzed with real-time RT-PCR and protein expression and/or secretion with immunohistochemistry and ELISA. There was an upregulation of mRNA for IL-10, IL-13, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta in the laboring groups, while mRNA for IL-12 and IL-18 was downregulated. IL-4 mRNA was detected more frequently, while IL-12 mRNA expression was lower, in the preterm labor group than in the term labor group. The protein levels of IL-4 and IL-12 were lower and IL-18 tended to be higher in the labor groups, while IL-10 protein levels were unaffected by labor. IL-4 protein levels were significantly higher in the preterm subgroup with bacterial infection than in the non-infected group. IL-10 had higher expression in squamous epithelium at preterm labor than at term. In conclusion, the major changes in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein expression in cervix occur during the labor process irrespective of the length of gestation. Our results indicate that dysregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the human cervix could be involved in the pathogenesis of preterm labor.
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| 4. |
- Ekvall-Hansson, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of vestibular rehabilitation on neck pain and cervical range of motion among patients with whiplash-associated disorder: A randomized controlled trial.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 1651-2081 .- 1650-1977. ; 45:9, s. 906-910
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To describe how vestibular rehabilitation influences pain and range of motion among patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness, and to describe whether pain or range of motion correlated with balance performance or self-perceived dizziness handicap. Subjects: A total of 29 patients, 20 women and 9 men, age range 22-76 years. Methods: Patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness were randomized to either intervention (vestibular rehabilitation) or control. Neck pain intensity, cervical range of motion (CROM), balance and self-perceived dizziness handicap were measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months. Results: There were no differences in neck pain intensity or CROM between the 2 groups either at baseline, 6 weeks or 3 months (p = 0.10-0.89). At baseline, neck pain intensity correlated with CROM (-0.406) and self-perceived dizziness handicap (0.492). CROM correlated with self-perceived dizziness handicap and with 1 balance measure (-0.432). Neck pain intensity did not correlate with balance performance (-0.188-0.049). Conclusion: Neck pain intensity and CROM was not influenced by vestibular rehabilitation. Importantly, the programme did not appear to increase pain or decrease neck motion, as initially thought. Neck pain intensity and CROM correlated with self-perceived dizziness handicap. CROM also correlated with 1 balance measure.
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| 5. |
- Malmström, Eva Maj, et al.
(författare)
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Co-morbidities to Vestibular Impairments—Some Concomitant Disorders in Young and Older Adults
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Neurology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-2295. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Dizziness and pain are common complaints that often appear concomitantly, with or without a causal relationship. However, these symptoms might maintain and exacerbate each other and other co-morbidities. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation may have to include an expanded focus on other deficits and preconditions, especially in older adults and in patients. Objective: To understand how frequently vestibular dysfunction coincided with medical conditions and aging, we studied two categories: Study 1: patients referred to a vestibular unit and Study 2: senior members in a fitness association. Method: Study 1: 49 patients [34 females/15 males; mean age 52 years (SEM 2.0)] seeking health care for balance disorders and vestibular deficits were asked in questionnaires about their perception of dizziness and pain, and emotional and functional strains. Study 2: 101 senior members in a fitness association [91 females/10 males; mean age 75 years (SEM 0.6)], were assessed for vestibular and balance deficits and for any co-morbidities. The participants were monitored for falls for 12 months after the initial assessments. Result: Study 1: Co-morbidity often existed between dizziness and pain (65%). The patients reported high emotional and functional strain related to their dizziness and pain. Patients older than 60 years reported longer durations of pain (p ≤ 0.028) but less emotional strain (p = 0.036), compared to younger patients. Study 2: 84% of the participants had a vestibular impairment, often without noticing any symptoms. Furthermore, 40% reported cardiovascular illnesses, 12% musculoskeletal disorders, and 63% reported other medical conditions. Forty-two percent experienced falls within 1 year after the initial assessments (thereof 42% in the group with vestibular deficits and 38% in the group without vestibular deficits). Conclusion: To enhance and preserve postural control, both in patients with vestibular deficits and in older adults, we suggest an expanded clinical perspective. Hence, we recommend detailed examinations of the vestibular system but simultaneously probing for possible co-morbidities. Since aging often entails deterioration of multimodal processes related to maintained mobility and postural stability, our results add focus on the importance of addressing balance disorders together with additional medical conditions.
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| 6. |
- Malmström, Eva-Maj, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of prolonged unilateral cervical muscle contraction on head repositioning - Decreased overshoot after a 5-min static muscle contraction task.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Manual Therapy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1356-689X. ; 15, s. 229-234
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ability to reproduce a specified head-on-trunk position can be an indirect test of cervical proprioception. This ability is affected in subjects with neck pain, but it is unclear whether and how much pain or continuous muscle contraction factors contribute to this effect. We studied the influence of a static unilateral neck muscle contraction task (5 min of lateral flexion at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction) on head repositioning ability in 20 subjects (10 women, 10 men; mean age 37 years) with healthy necks. Head repositioning ability was tested in the horizontal plane with 30 degrees target and neutral head position tests; head position was recorded by Zebris((R)), an ultrasound-based motion analyser. Head repositioning ability was analysed for accuracy (mean of signed differences between introduced and reproduced positions) and precision (standard deviation of the differences). Accuracy of head repositioning ability increased significantly after the muscle contraction task, as the normal overshoot was reduced. An average overshoot of 7.1 degrees decreased to 4.6 degrees after the muscle contraction task for the 30 degrees target and from 2.2 degrees to 1.4 degrees for neutral head position. The increased accuracy was most pronounced for movements directed towards the activated side. Hence, prolonged unilateral neck muscle contraction may increase the sensitivity of cervical proprioceptors.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Nordqvist, Petra, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of hydrolyzed or heat treated wheat gluten by SE-HPLC and 13C NMR : Correlation with wood bonding performance
- 2013
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Ingår i: Industrial crops and products (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0926-6690 .- 1872-633X. ; 51, s. 51-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wheat gluten, being an abundant and relatively inexpensive protein source, is an attractive raw material for sustainable wood adhesives. Mild enzymatic hydrolysis (degree of hydrolysis: 0-5.5%) or heat treatment (50, 70, or 90°C for 15min-24h) was used to improve the bonding performance of wheat gluten. Size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) were used to correlate the obtained changes in bonding performance with the structural changes of wheat gluten.The protein structures of the samples heated at 50°C or 70°C were mainly unfolded as interpreted from the SE-HPLC results, however, without improvement in bonding performance. The 13C NMR results indicate that the extent of unfolding at 50°C or 70°C is too low to result in improved bond strength. Generally, heat treatment at 90°C or lower levels of hydrolysis (0-0.6%) resulted in similar improvements in bond strength and water resistance. The results indicate that the improvements in bonding performance are due to a combination of unfolding and polymerization for the samples heated at 90°C, while it is due to unfolding of the protein structure for the hydrolyzed samples. Higher levels of hydrolysis (≥1.3%) resulted in impaired bond strength and water resistance, most likely due to the decreased molecular size of the proteins. Carbohydrates, normally strongly associated with the proteins, were liberated during the hydrolysis, possibly contributing to the reduced bond strength for these samples.
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