| 1. |
- Sundelin, Kaarina, 1967-
(författare)
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Head and Neck Cancer : Factors Affecting Tumour Growth
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide with an estimated annual global incidence of over 500 000 cases. These malignant tumours develop in the mucosal linings of the upper respiratory tract or in the salivary glands. The most common sites are in the oral cavity and larynx. Treatment modalities comprising surgery and chemoradiotherapy have improved significantly during the last 20 years, but not the long-term survival of patients. The aim of this thesis was to study the different factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer that may have clinical implications in the future. Factors involving apoptosis, cell cycle activity, inflammation, and enzyme activity were of special interest.The results of the thesis indicate that patients with malignant salivary gland tumours having the lowest level of actively replicating cells have the best prognosis. The largest amount of replicating cells in tongue cancer specimens was found in the peripheral areas of tumour nests. Metallothionein, a protein that can hinder apoptosis, was found in excess in the same areas, whereas apoptosis activity was considerably lower. Taken together, these results indicate that the most aggressive cancer cells are found in the peripheral areas of tumours where apoptosis may be hindered.The expression of the death receptor Fas was higher in tongue cancer specimens than in normal mucosa. The expression of this receptor was studied further in two cell lines established from oral cancers. When a low dose of cisplatin was added to cell cultures, the Fas expression was enhanced in both cell lines and, furthermore, the Fas-induced apoptosis was increased in one of the cell lines. The results show that a common chemotherapeutic drug given in a low, less toxic dose may enhance receptor-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells.Malignant solid tumours are often distinguished by an increased proteolytic activity resulting in invasive growth, neo-angiogenesis, and metastases. This activity is conducted by enzymes that are secreted from tumour cells, or from normal cells in the tumour microenvironment. The regulation of enzyme secretion may be mediated by cytokines, small signalling molecules also present in cancer tissue. The results of this thesis show that two cytokines can synergistically induce enzyme secretion (matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9) from oral cancer cells. Cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha and hepatocyte growth factor added alone to cell cultures strongly stimulated secretion of these enzymes. Thus, the tested cytokines, which are commonly secreted by fibroblasts and immune cells, may promote tumour growth.This thesis has contributed to an increased understanding of factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer. The upcoming cancer therapies will be based on the increasing knowledge of these and other aberrant cellular mechanisms that may vary between different cancer forms.
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| 2. |
- Wadell, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Group training in patients with COPD : long-term effects of decreased training frequency
- 2005
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 27:10, s. 571-581
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose.To investigate effects of decreased training frequency in patients with COPD. Methods.Forty-three COPD patients participated in a controlled study. The intervention group (30 patients) trained 3 times a week during 3 months and once a week during 6 months. Before, after 3 and 9 months all patients performed walking tests, cycle ergometer tests and responded questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (SGRQ, SF-36). Results.At 9 months compared to 3 months there were no changes in distance walked in the groups. Both groups decreased their VO2peak and the training group deteriorated in HRQoL. At 9 months compared to baseline the training group showed increased distance walked compared to the control group. In the disease-specific SGRQ the training group tended to improve their activity score while the control group tended to deteriorate in total score. In SF-36 the control group decreased their physical component score. Conclusion.Training once a week does not seem to be sufficient to maintain the level achieved after the 3-month period of training in COPD patients. However, training once a week during 6 months preceded by 3 months of high frequency training seems to prevent deterioration in physical capacity and HRQoL compared to baseline. Further studies are needed to investigate how to best sustain the benefits gained after physical training.
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| 3. |
- Wadell, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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High intensity physical training in water : an effective training modality for patients with COPD
- 2004
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 98:5, s. 428-438
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to examine the effect of high intensity physical group training in water and on land for patients with COPD with regard to physical capacity and health related quality of life (HRQoL). A controlled, semi-randomised study was conducted where 30 patients were randomised to training either in water or on land. Thirteen patients constituted a control group. Forty-three outpatients, with moderate to severe COPD (27w/16m), from two local hospitals in northern Sweden, were included in the study. High intensity physical group training in water (water group) or on land (land group) was performed for 12weeks, three times per week, 45min per session. The control group received no intervention. Pre- and post-intervention, all patients performed incremental and endurance shuttle walking tests (ISWT and ESWT), cycle ergometer tests and responded questionnaires about HRQoL (St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire--SGRQ and SF-36). The patients trained with a mean heart rate of 80-90% of peak heart rate. Both training groups increased the distance walked, i.e. land group in ISWT (25m) and water group in ESWT (179m). The water group increased the distance in ESWT significantly more that both the land and the control groups. Both training groups increased the time cycled (40-85s) and work load (10-20W) in the cycle ergometer test. The control group deteriorated in HRQoL according to total score in SGRQ while the training groups remained constant. The water group improved their activity score in SGRQ and their physical health score in SF-36 and those improvements were significant as compared to the land and the control groups. In conclusion, high intensity physical group training in water is of benefit for patients with COPD. It was in some areas found to be even more effective regarding improvements in physical capacity and experienced physical health compared to the same kind of training on land.
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| 4. |
- Wadell, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Muscle performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : Effects of a physical training programme
- 2005
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Ingår i: Advances in Physiotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1403-8196 .- 1651-1948. ; 7:2, s. 51-59
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The main aim was to evaluate how thigh muscle performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is affected after a 3-month training programme. Another aim was to investigate if responders to training could be discriminated from non-responders. Thirty patients participated in high-intensity physical training in water or on land, three times per week, and 13 patients constituted a non-training control group. Maximal dynamic strength and endurance in thigh muscles were tested in an isokinetic dynamometer (KinCom) before and after training. At baseline, physical and pulmonary function were tested and used in the analysis of responders/non-responders. Maximal knee flexion strength improved in both training groups, whereas knee extension was improved in the land and control group. Sixty-four percent of all patients were not able to complete the muscle endurance test at baseline and no change was seen in muscle endurance after training within or between groups. A normal body mass index seemed to predict an improvement in muscle performance in responders. We conclude that physical training in water and on land is effective regarding maximal thigh muscle strength in COPD patients. BMI seems to be a discriminating factor for an increased muscle strength. Thigh muscle endurance was decreased in the majority of the patients and did not improve with the evaluated training programme.
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| 5. |
- Aguilar, Ximena, et al.
(författare)
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Myofibroblasts in the normal conjunctival surface.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta ophthalmologica. - : Wiley. - 1755-3768 .- 1755-375X. ; 88:4, s. 407-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To investigate the occurrence of myofibroblasts (MFBs) in the normal conjunctival surface and to evaluate any anatomical and time-related variations. METHODS: MFBs were screened among healthy individuals (35 eyes) by collecting impression cytology (IC) samples from the bulbar conjunctiva. A cohort of volunteers (12 eyes) was followed for 1 year by taking two to five imprints every month. MFBs were identified by immunohistochemical localization of the MFB marker alpha-smooth-muscle actin (alpha-SMA). RESULTS: Using a filter imprint technique, MFBs were found consistently in 94% of samples from the conjunctival surface of participating individuals. The overall MFB levels, expressed as percentage of all cells on the filter, were highest in March-May [mean 4.1%, standard deviation (SD) +/- 1.5] and lowest in December-February (mean 1.2%, SD +/- 0.5). The difference was statistically significant [p < 0.0005, Friedman test, one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (anova)]. Moreover, there was a clear divergence of MFB density between the nasal, temporal, superior and inferior bulbar conjunctiva (mean 1.7%, 1.9%, 22% and 9.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: MFBs, known as a cellular constituent of granulation tissue in wound healing, occur in the normal conjunctival surface, which is a novel finding. Our results also show that MFB level follows a seasonal variation pattern in a temperate climate, increasing in April-September and decreasing in October-March. This variation might reflect a degree of a transient or ongoing state of tissue repair after conjunctival trauma or stress caused by exposure to environmental factors.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Alm, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Extrapancreatic trypsin-2 cleaves proteinase-activated receptor-2.
- 2000
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Ingår i: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2104 .- 0006-291X. ; 275:1, s. 77-83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are activated by proteolytic removal of a short amino terminal peptide, thus exposing a new amino terminus that functions as a tethered ligand that activates the receptor. With the aim to identify and study potential activators of PAR-2 we have developed a new method to measure proteolytic cleavage of PARs. PAR-2 was tagged with the insulin C-peptide that upon receptor cleavage is released and quantified using an ELISA. The modified receptor, shown to be functional in mouse 3T3 cells, was expressed in an insect cell line and the ability of different proteinases to cleave PAR-2 was studied. Two different mast cell tryptases cleaved PAR-2 in a concentration dependent manner, but were much less potent than pancreatic trypsin and trypsin-2 isolated from a carcinoma cell line. Pancreatic trypsin and trypsin-2 were almost equally effective at cleaving PAR-2 suggesting that extrapancreatic trypsins are potential in vivo activators of PAR-2.
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| 8. |
- Arvidsson, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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The cascade of care for pregnant women with latent tuberculosis infection in a high-income country
- 2023
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Ingår i: Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 55:9, s. 635-645
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB). The Public Health Agency of Sweden recommends screening of active TB and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among pregnant women from countries with high TB incidence at Maternal Health Care (MHC) clinics. In ostergotland County, Sweden, a screening program has been active since 2013. The aim of this study was to evaluate this screening program and the cascade of care for LTBI among pregnant women in ostergotland county.Methods: Data were obtained from pregnant women screened for TB at MHC clinics and subsequently referred to the pulmonary medicine clinic or the clinic of infectious diseases in ostergotland County between 2013 and 2018. The Public Health Agency of Swedens national database for active TB was used to analyse if any women developed active TB up to two years after the screening process.Results: A total of 439 women were included. Nine cases of active TB were discovered during the screening process and two developed active TB afterward. 177 women were recommended LTBI treatment and variables significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of being recommended treatment were increasing age, time in Sweden, and parity. 137 women received and 112 (82%) completed treatment. 14 women discontinued treatment due to adverse effects.Conclusion: Screening of pregnant women from countries with high TB incidence at MHC clinics led to the discovery of several cases of active TB. The completion rate of LTBI treatment was high and few discontinued due to adverse effects.
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| 9. |
- Enberg, Birgit, 1956-
(författare)
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Work experiences among healthcare professionals in the beginning of their professional careers : a gender perspective
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Swedish healthcare organizations have undergone substantial organizational and economic restructuring during the 1990s due to financial cutbacks. Little is known about recently graduated healthcare professionals´ work experience in healthcare and their future career preferences. The overall aims of this thesis was, to increase knowledge about how recently graduated healthcare professionals in Sweden perceive their work in healthcare organizations. A gender perspective is adopted. In this national cross-sectional study, four stratified random samples were separately drawn from the 1999 Swedish university graduates who were nurses (NS), occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT) and (registered) physicians (PN) and who at the time of the sampling procedure were living in Sweden. Stratification was performed by sex. A total of 3989 were eligible and of those, 1434 were selected: 535 NS, 250 OT, 250 PT and 399 PN. A questionnaire was constructed containing questions about socio-demographic factors, working conditions, career preferences, work satisfaction and questions about the responsibility for and actual work with home and family, the so called unpaid household work. The questionnaires also contained questions measuring psychosocial working conditions: the effort-reward imbalance questionnaire (ERI-Q) and the demand-control questionnaire (DCQ). Collection of the data for NS, OT and PT was completed in March 2002 and for PN in May 2003. The response rate was 81% and 76% respectively. The total sample thus consists of 1145 participants; 423 nurses, 212 occupational therapists, 205 physiotherapists and 305 physicians. Most of the respondents were employed in the public sector, but many desired privately employment within the coming five year period, men more often than women. Career preferences for future work differed between women and men. A majority indicated that they did not have the opportunity to pursue knowledge development in the professional field during working hours and nearly one half could not work as independently as they wished. Satisfaction with work in general was high, but many were dissatisfied with management at work and a majority was dissatisfied with the work organization. This dissatisfaction was associated with the opportunity to work as independently as they wished and the opportunity to pursue knowledge development in the professional field. Significantly more women than men had the main responsibility for home and family and did most of the unpaid household work. Among the OT and PT working for county councils and municipalities, the results revealed that those working for municipalities, experienced low control at work compared with those working for county councils. No differences were found between OT and PT or between men and women in the two professions regarding the DCQ and the ERI-Q except for the WOC scale. Women had significantly higher scores on the WOC scale compared with men. Logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between WOC and ERI, effort, reward and sex. One fourth of the OT and PT working for county councils and municipalities was dissatisfied with their job and this dissatisfaction was significantly associated with type of employer, reward and effort-reward imbalance (in the ERI-Q) and control (in the DCQ). Differences regarding scoring on the ERI-Q were found between nurses and physicians working in county councils but not between women and men in the same group, with the exception of the scores on overcommitment. Significantly more nurses were defined as having high effort, low reward and effort-reward imbalance compared with the physicians. More women in the NS and PN group were defined as experiencing WOC compared to men. Logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between experiences of WOC and ERI, effort and reward. Nearly one fifth in the NS and PN group were dissatisfied with work and this dissatisfaction was particularly high among those with high effort, low reward, those with the greatest imbalance between effort and reward and those who experienced high overcommitment. In conclusion, in order to limit future work related problems and to be able to retain well educated professionals in healthcare work, dissatisfaction among the recently graduated must be taken seriously. Healthcare employers should better utilize the knowledge that recently graduated possess, regarding for example how to be a part of the development of the profession and the job. It is also important that healthcare employers address gender (in) equality at work and that work environments allow both women and men to combine careers with family duties.
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| 10. |
- Hirasawa, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Föreställningar om skola-arbetslilv
- 2003
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- I denna rapport redovisas resultaten av en intervjustudie om elevers, lärares och studie- och yrkesvägledares föreställningar om området skola-arbetsliv. Det övergripande syftet med projektet har varit att ge bilder av hur man vid tre grundskolor i Stockholmsområdet arbetar med och önskar arbeta med frågor som rör området skola- arbetsliv. Projektet har initierats och finansierats av Skolverket och ska ses som en fortsättning på tre tidigare studier inom området som genomförts vid Lärarhögskolan i Stockholm med finansiering av Skolverket.
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