| 1. |
- Belgrano, Valerio, et al.
(författare)
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Response and Toxicity of Repeated Isolated Limb Perfusion (re-ILP) for Patients With In-Transit Metastases of Malignant Melanoma.
- 2019
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Ingår i: Annals of surgical oncology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1534-4681 .- 1068-9265. ; 26:4, s. 1055-1062
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a safe and well-established treatment for in-transit metastases of melanoma. In case of relapse or disease progression, ILP can be repeated (re-ILP). This study aimed retrospectively to analyze a large consecutive series of re-ILP and compare clinical outcomes with first-time ILP.Between 2001 and 2015, 290 consecutive patients underwent 380 ILPs. Of these, 90 were re-ILPs including 68second ILPs, 16 third ILPs, 4 fourth ILPs, and two fifth ILPs. The study evaluated response (using World Health Organization [WHO] criteria), local toxicity (using the Wieberdink scale), and complications (using Clavien-Dindo).The results were compared between the first ILP, the second ILP, and the third to fifth ILP. The overall response rate was respectively 83%, 80% and 68%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 60%, 41%, and 59%. In the re-ILP group, the patients with a CR after the first ILP had a 65% CR rate after the second ILP compared with 8% for the patients without a CR (p=0.001). The risk for local toxicity or complications was not increased after re-ILP. The median overall survival periods were respectively 34, 41, and 93months (p=0.02).As a therapeutic option, ILP can be repeated safely for in-transit metastases of melanoma, achieving similar high response rates without increasing complications or toxicity. Re-ILP is mainly indicated for patients who already had a CR after the first ILP, whereas other treatment options should be considered for primary non-responders.
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| 2. |
- Böhm, Johann, et al.
(författare)
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Mutation spectrum in the large GTPase dynamin 2, and genotype-phenotype correlation in autosomal dominant centronuclear myopathy.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Human mutation. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1098-1004 .- 1059-7794. ; 33:6, s. 949-59
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder associated with general skeletal muscle weakness, type I fiber predominance and atrophy, and abnormally centralized nuclei. Autosomal dominant CNM is due to mutations in the large GTPase dynamin 2 (DNM2), a mechanochemical enzyme regulating cytoskeleton and membrane trafficking in cells. To date, 40 families with CNM-related DNM2 mutations have been described, and here we report 60 additional families encompassing a broad genotypic and phenotypic spectrum. In total, 18 different mutations are reported in 100 families and our cohort harbors nine known and four new mutations, including the first splice-site mutation. Genotype-phenotype correlation hypotheses are drawn from the published and new data, and allow an efficient screening strategy for molecular diagnosis. In addition to CNM, dissimilar DNM2 mutations are associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) peripheral neuropathy (CMTD1B and CMT2M), suggesting a tissue-specific impact of the mutations. In this study, we discuss the possible clinical overlap of CNM and CMT, and the biological significance of the respective mutations based on the known functions of dynamin 2 and its protein structure. Defects in membrane trafficking due to DNM2 mutations potentially represent a common pathological mechanism in CNM and CMT.
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| 3. |
- Carlsson, Jessica, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Quantity and quality of nucleic acids extracted from archival formalin fixed paraffin embedded prostate biopsies
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Research Methodology. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2288. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In Sweden, human tissue samples obtained from diagnostic and surgical procedures have for decades been routinely stored in a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, form. Through linkage with nationwide registers, these samples are available for molecular studies to identify biomarkers predicting mortality even in slow-progressing prostate cancer. However, tissue fixation causes modifications of nucleic acids, making it challenging to extract high-quality nucleic acids from formalin fixated tissues.METHODS: In this study, the efficiency of five commercial nucleic acid extraction kits was compared on 30 prostate biopsies with normal histology, and the quantity and quality of the products were compared using spectrophotometry and Agilent's BioAnalyzer. Student's t-test's and Bland-Altman analyses were performed in order to investigate differences in nucleic acid quantity and quality between the five kits. The best performing extraction kits were subsequently tested on an additional 84 prostate tumor tissues. A Spearman's correlation test and linear regression analyses were performed in order to investigate the impact of tissue age and amount of tissue on nucleic acid quantity and quality.RESULTS: Nucleic acids extracted with RNeasy® FFPE and QIAamp® DNA FFPE Tissue kit had the highest quantity and quality, and was used for extraction from 84 tumor tissues. Nucleic acids were successfully extracted from all biopsies, and the amount of tumor (in millimeter) was found to have the strongest association with quantity and quality of nucleic acids.CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, this study shows that the choice of nucleic acid extraction kit affects the quantity and quality of extracted products. Furthermore, we show that extraction of nucleic acids from archival formalin-fixed prostate biopsies is possible, allowing molecular studies to be performed on this valuable sample collection.
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| 4. |
- Chuquimia, Olga D., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular analyses of fecal bacteria and hydrodynamic modeling for microbial risk assessment of a drinking water source
- 2020
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Ingår i: Water (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4441 .- 2073-4441. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Safe water is a global concern, and methods to accurately monitor quality of water are vital. To assess the risks related to bacterial pathogen load in Lake Vomb that provides drinking water to the southern part of Sweden, this study combined molecular analyses of enterobacteria and bacterial pathogens in water using quantitiative real-time PCR with hydrodynamic modeling and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). A real-time PCR assay to detect enterobacteria was set up by primers targeting ssrA. Between February 2015 and May 2016, presence of ssrA gene copies as well as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and EHEC O157 DNA was analyzed by real-time PCR at several locations in the catchment of Lake Vomb and its tributaries Bjorkaan, Borstbacken, and Torpsbacken. Bjorkaan had the highest detected concentrations of the ssrA gene and, according to the results of hydrodynamic modeling, contributed most to the contamination of the water intake in the lake. None of the water samples were positive for genes encoding EHEC O157 and Campylobacter spp., while invA (Salmonella spp.) was present in 11 samples. The QMRA showed that the suggested acceptable risk level (daily probability of infection <2.7 x 10-7) is achieved with a 95% probability, if the Salmonella concentrations in the water intake are below 101 bacteria/100 mL. If a UV-disinfection step is installed, the Salmonella concentration at the water intake should not exceed 106 bacteria/100 mL.
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| 5. |
- Darenberg, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular and clinical characteristics of invasive group A streptococcal infection in Sweden
- 2007
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Ingår i: Clinical Infectious Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6591 .- 1058-4838. ; 45:4, s. 8-450
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The incidence and severity of invasive group A streptococcal infection demonstrate great variability over time, which at least, in part, seems to be related to group A streptococcal type distribution among the human population. Methods. An enhanced surveillance study of invasive group A streptococcal infection (746 isolates) was performed in Sweden from April 2002 through December 2004. Noninvasive isolates from either the throat or skin (773 isolates) were collected in parallel for comparison. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from 88% of patients with invasive disease and were related to isolate characteristics, including T type, emm sequence type, and the presence of 9 superantigen genes, as well as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern comparisons of selected isolates. Results. The annual incidence was 3.0 cases per 100,000 population. Among the patients with invasive disease, 11% developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and 9.5% developed necrotizing fasciitis. The overall case-fatality rate was 14.5%, and 39% of the patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome died (P < .001). The T3/13/B3264 cluster accounted for 33% of invasive and 25% of noninvasive isolates. Among this most prevalent type cluster, emm types 89 and 81 dominated. Combined results from pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, emm typing, and superantigen gene profiling identified subgroups within specific emm types that are significantly more prone to cause invasive disease than were other isolates of the same type. Conclusions. This study revealed a changing epidemiology of invasive group A streptococcal infection in Sweden, with emergence of new emm types that were previously not described. The results also suggest that some clones may be particularly prone to cause invasive disease.
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| 6. |
- Futter, Martyn, et al.
(författare)
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Forests, Forestry and the Water Framework Directive in Sweden : A Trans-Disciplinary Commentary
- 2011
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Ingår i: Forests. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4907. ; 2:1, s. 261-282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is an ambitious piece of legislation designed to protect and improve water quality throughout Europe. However, forests are only mentioned once in the WFD, and forestry is not mentioned at all, despite its potential implications for streams, rivers and lakes. Here we present a transdisciplinary commentary on the WFD and its implications for forests and forestry in Sweden. This commentary has been prepared by forestry stakeholders, biophysical and social scientists. While we were cognizant of a large body of discipline-specific research, there are very few inter-or trans-disciplinary commentaries which link academic and stakeholder perspectives on the WFD. We had originally felt that there would be little commonality in our concerns. However, we found significant areas of agreement. Our key areas of concern about the implications of the WFD for forestry in Sweden included: (i) concerns about what is meant by good ecological status and how it is assessed; (ii) a perceived lack of clarity in the legal framework; (iii) an inadequate environmental impact assessment process; and (iv) uncertainties about appropriate programs of measures for improving water quality. We were also concerned that ecosystem services provided by forests and the positive effects of forestry on water quality are inadequately recognized in the WFD.
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| 7. |
- Jansson, Nina, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Down-regulation of placental transport of amino acids precedes the development of intrauterine growth restriction in rats fed a low protein diet.
- 2006
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Ingår i: The Journal of physiology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3751. ; 576:Pt 3, s. 935-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents an important risk factor for perinatal complications and for adult disease. IUGR is associated with a down-regulation of placental amino acid transporters; however, whether these changes are primary events directly contributing to IUGR or a secondary consequence is unknown. We investigated the time course of changes in placental and fetal growth, placental nutrient transport in vivo and the expression of placental nutrient transporters in pregnant rats subjected to protein malnutrition, a model for IUGR. Pregnant rats were given either a low protein (LP) diet (n = 64) or an isocaloric control diet (n = 66) throughout pregnancy. Maternal insulin, leptin and IGF-I levels decreased, whereas maternal amino acid concentrations increased moderately in response to the LP diet. Fetal and placental weights in the LP group were unaltered compared to control diet at gestational day (GD) 15, 18 and 19 but significantly reduced at GD 21. Placental system A transport activity was reduced at GD 19 and 21 in response to a low protein diet. Placental protein expression of SNAT2 was decreased at GD 21. In conclusion, placental amino acid transport is down-regulated prior to the development of IUGR, suggesting that these placental transport changes are a cause, rather than a consequence, of IUGR. Reduced maternal levels of insulin, leptin and IGF-1 may link maternal protein malnutrition to reduced fetal growth by down-regulation of key placental amino acid transporters.
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| 8. |
- Kassman, Håkan, 1962, et al.
(författare)
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Ammonium Sulphate and Co-Combustion with Peat – Two Strategies to Reduce Gaseous KCl and Chlorine in Deposits during Biomass Combustion
- 2010
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Ingår i: In Proceedings from: "Impacts of Fuel Quality on Power Production & Environment", Lapland, Finland, August 29th - September 3rd 2010.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Combustion of a biomass with an enhanced content of chlorine (Cl) can result in operational problems including deposit formation and superheater corrosion. The strategies to reduce such problems include co-combustion and the use of additives. The positive effects of such measures are mainly due to sulphation of the alkali chlorides (KCl for biomass) to less corrosive alkali sulphates or capture of released alkali (K) in components such as potassium aluminium silicates. A mixture of wood pellets and straw pellets was fired in a 12 MW circulation fluidised bed (CFB) boiler. PVC was added to the fuel in order to achieve a further enhanced reference level of gaseous KCl during certain tests. Two strategies were applied to decrease the risk for superheater corrosion by reducing gaseous KCl and content of chlorine in deposits. The strategies were sulphation of KCl by injection of ammonium sulphate and co-combustion with peat. During co-combustion of biomass with peat both sulphation of KCl and capture of released K in ash components can be of importance. The results were evaluated by means of several advanced measurement tools including IACM (on-line measurements of gaseous KCl), deposit measurements (chemical composition in collected deposits, initial corrosion), ash analysis (chemical composition in fly ashes). The overall performance was better for ammonium sulphate, which significantly reduced gaseous KCl. Meanwhile almost no chlorine was found in the deposits. Only a minor reduction of gaseous KCl was obtained during co-combustion of biomass with peat although the chlorine content in the deposits was greatly reduced.
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| 9. |
- MacLachlan, Malcolm, et al.
(författare)
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Assistive technology policy: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit
- 2018
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Ingår i: Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3115 .- 1748-3107. ; 13:5, s. 454-466
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased awareness, interest and use of assistive technology (AT) presents substantial opportunities for many citizens to become, or continue being, meaningful participants in society. However, there is a significant shortfall between the need for and provision of AT, and this is patterned by a range of social, demographic and structural factors. To seize the opportunity that assistive technology offers, regional, national and sub-national assistive technology policies are urgently required. This paper was developed for and through discussion at the Global Research, Innovation and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit; organized under the auspices of the World Health Organization’s Global Collaboration on Assistive Technology (GATE) program. It outlines some of the key principles that AT polices should address and recognizes that AT policy should be tailored to the realities of the contexts and resources available. AT policy should be developed as a part of the evolution of related policy across a number of different sectors and should have clear and direct links to AT as mediators and moderators for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The consultation process, development and implementation of policy should be fully inclusive of AT users, and their representative organizations, be across the lifespan, and imbued with a strong systems-thinking ethos. Six barriers are identified which funnel and diminish access to AT and are addressed systematically within this paper. We illustrate an example of good practice through a case study of AT services in Norway, and we note the challenges experienced in less well-resourced settings. A number of economic factors relating to AT and economic arguments for promoting AT use are also discussed. To address policy-development the importance of active citizenship and advocacy, the need to find mechanisms to scale up good community practices to a higher level, and the importance of political engagement for the policy process, are highlighted. Policy should be evidence-informed and allowed for evidence-making; however, it is important to account for other factors within the given context in order for policy to be practical, authentic and actionable.Implications for Rehabilitation The development of policy in the area of asssitive technology is important to provide an overarching vision and outline resourcing priorities. This paper identifies some of the key themes that should be addressed when developing or revising assistive technology policy. Each country should establish a National Assistive Technology policy and develop a theory of change for its implementation.
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| 10. |
- Pettersson, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Increased joint-forming ability of ductile kraft pulp fibres by polyelectrolyte multilayer treatment - Influence of refining and drying strategies
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 0283-2631 .- 2000-0669. ; 22:2, s. 228-235
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study a sack paper furnish was used. It consisted of a high-consistency kraft pulp refined in either an atmospheric pressure or a pressurized system. The pulps were subsequently low-consistency refined in an Escher-Wyss laboratory refiner to 17.5-20.5 SR. Ordinary ISO sheets and freely dried sheets were manufactured from these pulp samples to serve as reference sheets. The laboratory sheets made of pulp from the pressurized system had a higher strain at break and tensile energy adsorption index but a lower tensile index than sheets made of pulp from a conventional atmospheric high-consistency refiner. These sheets were subject to a polyelectrolyte multilayer treatment to increase the interaction between the fibres, thus enhancing the paper strength properties. The polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) were applied by sequentially treating fibres from an unbleached kraft pulp for sack paper production with cationic starch and anionic carboxymethyl cellulose. The multilayer treatment was only applied to 50% of the stock and both ordinary ISO sheets and freely dried sheets were prepared with one and three layers of polyelectrolyte. Evaluation of the strength properties of the sheets showed that the addition of only one layer of starch increased strain at break, tensile index, tensile energy adsorption index, and out-of-plane properties measured as Scott-bond values. Using the multilayer technique created large increases in Scott-bond, a measure of the internal bonding of the sheets. The achieved effects were significantly larger than those usually achieved by applying starch alone to enhance the out-of plane strength properties. Also, the density increased considerably when the third layer was applied, for both ISO and freely dried sheets, though the tensile strength was enhanced significantly only in the freely dried sheets.
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