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- Haghighi, Mona, et al.
(författare)
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A Comparison of Rule-based Analysis with Regression Methods in Understanding the Risk Factors for Study Withdrawal in a Pediatric Study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Regression models are extensively used in many epidemiological studies to understand the linkage between specific outcomes of interest and their risk factors. However, regression models in general examine the average effects of the risk factors and ignore subgroups with different risk profiles. As a result, interventions are often geared towards the average member of the population, without consideration of the special health needs of different subgroups within the population. This paper demonstrates the value of using rule-based analysis methods that can identify subgroups with heterogeneous risk profiles in a population without imposing assumptions on the subgroups or method. The rules define the risk pattern of subsets of individuals by not only considering the interactions between the risk factors but also their ranges. We compared the rule-based analysis results with the results from a logistic regression model in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. Both methods detected a similar suite of risk factors, but the rule-based analysis was superior at detecting multiple interactions between the risk factors that characterize the subgroups. A further investigation of the particular characteristics of each subgroup may detect the special health needs of the subgroup and lead to tailored interventions.
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- Osterberg, M., et al.
(författare)
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Forces between xylan-coated surfaces : Effect of polymer charge density and background electrolyte
- 2001
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Ingår i: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9797 .- 1095-7103. ; 242:1, s. 59-66
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The forces between xylan-coated mica surfaces at pH 10 have been studied using the interferometric surface force apparatus. Xylan is a polysaccharide that is composed of (1,4)-linked beta -D-xylopyranose units, which are partially substituted at C2 with 4-O-methyl-alpha -D-glucuronic acid units and at C3 with alpha -L-arabinosyl units. Two different xylans were studied, one with 0.5% and one with 9% of the segments containing a carboxylic acid group. It was found that both xylans adsorbed onto the negatively charged mica surface despite their negative charge. The interactions between the xylan-coated surfaces were dependent on the charge density of the polymer. The xylan with higher charge density adsorbed in a more extended conformation leading to more long-range repulsion. The shapes of the force curves were consistent with the forces expected for anchored polyelectrolyte brushes. After compression the length of the protruding chains decreased. An increase in background electrolyte concentration led to a decrease in the range of the repulsion. This effect was, as expected, more pronounced for the high charge density xylan. In the presence of CaCl2 not only the long-range forces but also the layer thickness at high compressive load decreased.
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- Viluksela, Matti, et al.
(författare)
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Toxicological profile of ultrapure 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorbiphenyl (PCB 180) in adult rats.
- 2014
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Ingår i: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:8, s. e104639-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PCB 180 is a persistent non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (NDL-PCB) abundantly present in food and the environment. Risk characterization of NDL-PCBs is confounded by the presence of highly potent dioxin-like impurities. We used ultrapure PCB 180 to characterize its toxicity profile in a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study in young adult rats extended to cover endocrine and behavioral effects. Using a loading dose/maintenance dose regimen, groups of 5 males and 5 females were given total doses of 0, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000 or 1700 mg PCB 180/kg body weight by gavage. Dose-responses were analyzed using benchmark dose modeling based on dose and adipose tissue PCB concentrations. Body weight gain was retarded at 1700 mg/kg during loading dosing, but recovered thereafter. The most sensitive endpoint of toxicity that was used for risk characterization was altered open field behavior in females; i.e. increased activity and distance moved in the inner zone of an open field suggesting altered emotional responses to unfamiliar environment and impaired behavioral inhibition. Other dose-dependent changes included decreased serum thyroid hormones with associated histopathological changes, altered tissue retinoid levels, decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin, decreased follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in males and increased expression of DNA damage markers in liver of females. Dose-dependent hypertrophy of zona fasciculata cells was observed in adrenals suggesting activation of cortex. There were gender differences in sensitivity and toxicity profiles were partly different in males and females. PCB 180 adipose tissue concentrations were clearly above the general human population levels, but close to the levels in highly exposed populations. The results demonstrate a distinct toxicological profile of PCB 180 with lack of dioxin-like properties required for assignment of WHO toxic equivalency factor. However, PCB 180 shares several toxicological targets with dioxin-like compounds emphasizing the potential for interactions.
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