| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Hinton, T. G., et al.
(författare)
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An invitation to contribute to a strategic research agenda in radioecology
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0265-931X .- 1879-1700. ; 115, s. 73-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With intentions of integrating a portion of their respective research efforts into a trans-national programme that will enhance radioecology, eight European organisations recently formed the European Radioecology ALLIANCE (www.er-alliance.org). The ALLIANCE is an Association open to other organisations throughout the world with similar interests in promoting radioecology. The ALLIANCE members recognised that their shared radioecological research could be enhanced by efficiently pooling resources among its partner organizations and prioritising group efforts along common themes of mutual interest. A major step in this prioritisation process was to develop a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). An EC-funded Network of Excellence in Radioecology, called STAR (Strategy for Allied Radioecology), was formed, in part, to develop the SRA. This document is the first published draft of the SRA. The SRA outlines a suggested prioritisation of research topics in radioecology, with the goal of improving research efficiency and more rapidly advancing the science. It responds to the question: What topics, if critically addressed over the next 20 years, would significantly advance radioecology? The three Scientific Challenges presented within the SRA, with their 15 associated research lines, are a strategic vision of what radioecology can achieve in the future. Meeting these challenges will require a directed effort and collaboration with many organisations the world over. Addressing these challenges is important to the advancement of radioecology and in providing scientific knowledge to decision makers. Although the development of the draft SRA has largely been a European effort, the hope is that it will initiate an open dialogue within the international radioecology community and its stakeholders. This is an abbreviated document with the intention of introducing the SRA and inviting contributions from interested stakeholders. Critique and input for improving the SRA are welcomed via a link on the STAR website (www.star-radioecology.org).
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| 3. |
- Budde, U, et al.
(författare)
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Detailed von Willebrand factor multimer analysis in patients with von Willebrand disease in the European study, molecular and clinical markers for the diagnosis and management of type 1 von Willebrand disease (MCMDM-1VWD)
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 6:5, s. 762-771
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a congenital bleeding disorder characterized by a partial quantitative deficiency of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the absence of structural and/or functional VWF defects. Accurate assessment of the quantity and quality of plasma VWF is difficult but is a prerequisite for correct classification. Objective: To evaluate the proportion of misclassification of patients historically diagnosed with type 1 VWD using detailed analysis of the VWF multimer structure. Patients and methods: Previously diagnosed type 1 VWD families and healthy controls were recruited by 12 expert centers in nine European countries. Phenotypic characterization comprised plasma VWF parameters and multimer analysis using low- and intermediate-resolution gels combined with an optimized visualization system. VWF genotyping was performed in all index cases (ICs). Results: Abnormal multimers were present in 57 out of 150 ICs; however, only 29 out of these 57 (51%) had VWF ristocetin cofactor to antigen ratio below 0.7. In most cases multimer abnormalities were subtle, and only two cases had a significant loss of the largest multimers. Conclusions: Of the cases previously diagnosed as type 1 VWD, 38% showed abnormal multimers. Depending on the classification criteria used, 22 out of these 57 cases (15% of the total cohort) may be reclassified as type 2, emphasizing the requirement for multimer analysis compared with a mere ratio of VWF functional parameters and VWF:Ag. This is further supported by the finding that even slightly aberrant multimers are highly predictive for the presence of VWF mutations.
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| 4. |
- Castaman, G., et al.
(författare)
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Validation of a rapid test (VWF-LIA) for the quantitative determination of von Willebrand factor antigen in type 1 von Willebrand disease diagnosis within the European multicenter study MCMDM-1VWD
- 2010
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Ingår i: Thrombosis Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2472 .- 0049-3848. ; 126:3, s. 227-231
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Accurate measurement of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a critical requirement for the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Aim of the study: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of a rapid quantitative test for the measurement of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) in type 1 VWD. Patients and methods: VWF: Ag was measured with an ELISA in a robotic instrument, as a reference method, and with a fully automated latex-immunoassay (LIA) on an ACL 9000 analyser in 1,716 subjects enrolled within the Molecular and Clinical Markers for Diagnosis and Management of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease (MCMDM-1VWD) Study. Among these subjects, 1,049 were healthy controls, 281 healthy family members and 386 affected members from 127 European families with type 1 VWD. Results: The assay linearity range was 10-125 IU/dL for LIA (R-2 = 0.99) and 5-133 IU/dL for ELISA (R-2 = 0.99). The inter-assay CV for low VWF levels (similar to 30 IU/dL) was 2% for the LIA test and 8.7 % for ELISA. The sensitivity for detection of type 1 VWD affected members was 86% and the specificity 91% for LIA, 87% and 90% for ELISA. A receiver-operator (ROC) analysis disclosed only a marginal difference between the two tests, LIA having a slightly greater area under the curve (0.94 vs. 0.93, p = 0.03). Conclusion: VWF: Ag LIA compared well to standard ELISA in this large population of patients and controls, showing better CV. However the lower detection limit for the VWF: Ag LIA compared to the VWF: Ag ELISA means that the LIA assay is less good at discriminating between type 3 VWD and moderate type 1 VWD. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Eikenboom, J, et al.
(författare)
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Linkage analysis in families diagnosed with type 1 von Willebrand disease in the European study, molecular and clinical markers for the diagnosis and management of type 1 VWD
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 4:4, s. 774-782
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 is a congenital bleeding disorder caused by genetic defects in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene and characterized by a reduction of structurally normal VWF. The diagnosis of type 1 VWD is difficult because of clinical and laboratory variability. Furthermore, inconsistency of linkage between type 1 VWD and the VWF locus has been reported. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of type 1 VWD that is linked to the VWF gene. Patients and methods: Type 1 VWD families and healthy control individuals were recruited. An extensive questionnaire on bleeding symptoms was completed and phenotypic tests were performed. Linkage between VWF gene haplotypes and the diagnosis of type 1 VWD, the plasma levels of VWF and the severity of bleeding symptoms was analyzed. Results: Segregation analysis in 143 families diagnosed with type 1 VWD fitted a model of autosomal dominant inheritance. Linkage analysis under heterogeneity resulted in a summed lod score of 23.2 with an estimated proportion of linkage of 0.70. After exclusion of families with abnormal multimer patterns the linkage proportion was 0.46. LOD scores and linkage proportions were higher in families with more severe phenotypes and with phenotypes suggestive of qualitative VWF defects. About 40% of the total variation of VWF antigen could be attributed to the VWF gene. Conclusions: We conclude that the diagnosis of type 1 VWD is linked to the VWF gene in about 70% of families, however after exclusion of qualitative defects this is about 50%.
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| 6. |
- Matejcic, M., et al.
(författare)
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Biomarkers of folate and vitamin B12 and breast cancer risk : report from the EPIC cohort
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 140:6, s. 1246-1259
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent findings for the association between B vitamins and breast cancer (BC) risk. We investigated the relationship between biomarkers of folate and vitamin B12 and the risk of BC in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 were determined in 2,491 BC cases individually matched to 2,521 controls among women who provided baseline blood samples. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios by quartiles of either plasma B vitamin. Subgroup analyses by menopausal status, hormone receptor status of breast tumors (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR] and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]), alcohol intake and MTHFR polymorphisms (677C > T and 1298A > C) were also performed. Plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12 were not significantly associated with the overall risk of BC or by hormone receptor status. A marginally positive association was found between vitamin B12 status and BC risk in women consuming above the median level of alcohol (ORQ4-Q1=1.26; 95% CI 1.00-1.58; P-trend=0.05). Vitamin B12 status was also positively associated with BC risk in women with plasma folate levels below the median value (ORQ4-Q1=1.29; 95% CI 1.02-162; P-trend=0.03). Overall, folate and vitamin B12 status was not clearly associated with BC risk in this prospective cohort study. However, potential interactions between vitamin B12 and alcohol or folate on the risk of BC deserve further investigation.
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| 7. |
- Tosetto, A, et al.
(författare)
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A quantitative analysis of bleeding symptoms in type 1 von Willebrand disease: results from a multicenter European study (MCMDM-1 VWD)
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 4:4, s. 766-773
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A quantitative description of bleeding symptoms in type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) has never been reported. Objectives: The aim was to quantitatively evaluate the severity of bleeding symptoms in type 1 VWD and its correlation with clinical and laboratory features. Patients and methods: Bleeding symptoms were retrospectively recorded in a European cohort of VWD type 1 families, and for each subject a quantitative bleeding score (BS) was obtained together with phenotypic tests. Results: A total of 712 subjects belonging to 144 families and 195 controls were available for analysis. The BS was higher in index cases than in affected family members (BS 9 vs. 5, P < 0.0001) and in unaffected family members than in controls (BS 0 vs. -1, P < 0.0001). There was no effect of ABO blood group. BS showed a strong significant inverse relation with either von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo), von Willebrand antigen (VWF:Ag) or factor VIII procoagulant activity (FVIII:C) measured at time of enrollment, even after adjustment for age, sex and blood group (P < 0.001 for all the four upper quintiles of BS vs. the first quintile, for either VWF:RCo, VWF:Ag or FVIII:C). Higher BS was related with increasing likelihood of VWD, and a mucocutaneous BS (computed from spontaneous, mucocutaneous symptoms) was strongly associated with bleeding after surgery or tooth extraction. Conclusions: Quantitative analysis of bleeding symptoms is potentially useful for a more accurate diagnosis of type 1 VWD and to develop guidelines for its optimal treatment.
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| 8. |
- Tosetto, A., et al.
(författare)
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Impact of plasma von Willebrand factor levels in the diagnosis of type 1 von Willebrand disease: results from a multicenter European study (MCMDM-1VWD)
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 5:4, s. 715-721
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Presence of bleeding symptoms, inheritance and reduced von Willebrand factor (VWF) contribute to the diagnosis of type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD). However, quantitative analysis of the importance of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) levels in the diagnosis is lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the relative contribution of VWF measurement to the diagnosis of VWD. Patients and methods: From the MCMDM-1VWD study cohort, 204 subjects (considered as affected by VWD based on the enrolling Center diagnoses and the presence of linkage with the VWF locus) were compared with 1155 normal individuals. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic positive likelihood ratios (LR) of VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo were computed. Results: ABO blood group was the variable most influencing VWF levels, but adjustment of the lower reference limit for the ABO group did not improve sensitivity and specificity of VWF:Ag or VWF:RCo. The lower reference limit (2.5th percentile) was 47 IU dL(-1) for both VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo and showed similar diagnostic performance [receiver-operator curve area: 0.962 and 0.961 for VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo, respectively; P = 0.81]. The probability of VWD was markedly increased only for values below 40 IU dL(-1) (positive LR: 95.1 for VWF:Ag), whereas intermediate values (40 to 60 IU dL(-1)) of VWF only marginally indicated the probability of VWD. Conclusions: Although the conventional 2.5 lower percentile has good sensitivity and specificity, only VWF:Ag or VWF:RCo values below 40 IU dL(-1) appear to significantly indicate the likelihood of type 1 VWD. The LR profile of VWF level could be used in a diagnostic algorithm.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- de Batlle, J., et al.
(författare)
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Dietary Folate Intake and Breast Cancer Risk: European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2105 .- 0027-8874. ; 107:1, s. 367-367
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is limited evidence on the association between dietary folate intake and the risk of breast cancer (BC) by hormone receptor expression in the tumors. We investigated the relationship between dietary folate and BC risk using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). A total of 367993 women age 35 to 70 years were recruited in 10 European countries. During a median follow-up of 11.5 years, 11575 women with BC were identified. Dietary folate intake was estimated from country-specific dietary questionnaires. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to quantify the association between dietary variables and BC risk. BC tumors were classified by receptor status. Subgroup analyses were performed by menopausal status and alcohol intake. Intake of other B vitamins was considered. All statistical tests were two-sided. A borderline inverse association was observed between dietary folate and BC risk (hazard ratio comparing top vs bottom quintile [HRQ5-Q1] = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.83 to 1.01, P (trend) = .037). In premenopausal women, we observed a statistically significant trend towards lower risk in estrogen receptor-negative BC (HRQ5-Q1 = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.96, P (trend) = .042) and progesterone receptor-negative BC (HRQ5-Q1 = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.97, P (trend) = .021). No associations were found in postmenopausal women. A 14% reduction in BC risk was observed when comparing the highest with the lowest dietary folate tertiles in women having a high (> 12 alcoholic drinks/week) alcohol intake (HRT3-T1 = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.98, P (interaction) = .035). Higher dietary folate intake may be associated with a lower risk of sex hormone receptor-negative BC in premenopausal women.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Romieu, Isabelle, et al.
(författare)
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Alcohol intake and breast cancer in the European Prospective investigation into Cancer and Nutrition : Short title
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 137:8, s. 1921-1930
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alcohol intake has been associated to breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women; however results are inconclusive regarding tumor hormonal receptor status, and potential modifying factors like age at start drinking. Therefore, we investigated the relation between alcohol intake and the risk of breast cancer using prospective observational data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Up to 334,850 women, aged 35-70 years at baseline, were recruited in ten European countries and followed up an average of 11 years. Alcohol intake at baseline and average lifetime alcohol intake were calculated from country-specific dietary and lifestyle questionnaires. The study outcomes were the Hazard ratios (HR) of developing breast cancer according to hormonal receptor status. During 3,670,439 person-years, 11,576 incident breast cancer cases were diagnosed. Alcohol intake was significantly related to breast cancer risk, for each 10 g/day increase in alcohol intake the HR increased by 4.2% (95% CI: 2.7-5.8%). Taking 0 to 5 g/day as reference, alcohol intake of >5 to 15 g/day was related to a 5.9% increase in breast cancer risk (95% CI: 1-11%). Significant increasing trends were observed between alcohol intake and ER+/PR+, ER-/PR-, HER2- and ER-/PR-HER2- tumors. Breast cancer risk was stronger among women who started drinking prior to first full-time pregnancy. Overall, our results confirm the association between alcohol intake and both hormone receptor positive and hormone receptor negative breast tumors, suggesting that timing of exposure to alcohol drinking may affect the risk. Therefore, women should be advised to control their alcohol consumption. What's new? Although it is now established that alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk, many questions remain. Using a prospective study design with 11,576 incident breast cancer cases across 10 European countries, the authors confirmed the increased risk of alcohol on breast cancer development. They further show that women who started drinking before their first full-term pregnancy have a higher risk than women who started afterwards. These effects were observed in hormone-receptor positive and -negative tumors pointing to non-hormonal pathways that need to be further investigated.
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| 14. |
- Romieu, Isabelle, et al.
(författare)
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Fiber intake modulates the association of alcohol intake with breast cancer
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 140:2, s. 316-321
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alcohol intake has been related to an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) while dietary fiber intake has been inversely associated to BC risk. A beneficial effect of fibers on ethanol carcinogenesis through their impact on estrogen levels is still controversial. We investigated the role of dietary fiber as a modifying factor of the association of alcohol and BC using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). This study included 334,850 women aged 35–70 years at baseline enrolled in the ten countries of the EPIC study and followed up for 11.0 years on average. Information on fiber and alcohol intake at baseline and average lifetime alcohol intake were calculated from country-specific dietary and lifestyle questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HR) of developing invasive BC according to different levels of alcohol and fiber intake were computed. During 3,670,439 person-years, 11,576 incident BC cases were diagnosed. For subjects with low intake of fiber (<18.5 g/day), the risk of BC per 10 g/day of alcohol intake was 1.06 (1.03–1.08) while among subjects with high intake of fiber (>24.2 g/day) the risk of BC was 1.02 (0.99–1.05) (test for interaction p = 0.011). This modulating effect was stronger for fiber from vegetables. Our results suggest that fiber intake may modulate the positive association of alcohol intake and BC. Alcohol is well known to increase the risk for BC, while a fiber-rich diet has the opposite effect. Here the authors find a significant interaction between both lifestyle factors indicating that high fiber intake can ease the adverse effects associated with alcohol consumption. Consequently, women with high alcohol intake and low fiber intake (<18.5 g/day) had the highest risk for BC. Specific benefits were associated with fibers from vegetable, warranting further investigations into specific fiber sources and their mechanistic interactions with alcohol-induced BC risk.
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| 15. |
- Vives i Batlle, J., et al.
(författare)
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Marine radioecology after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident : Are we better positioned to understand the impact of radionuclides in marine ecosystems?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 618, s. 80-92
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper focuses on how a community of researchers under the COMET (CO-ordination and iMplementation of a pan European projecT for radioecology) project has improved the capacity of marine radioecology to understand at the process level the behaviour of radionuclides in the marine environment, uptake by organisms and the resulting doses after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident occurred in 2011. We present new radioecological understanding of the processes involved, such as the interaction of waterborne radionuclides with suspended particles and sediments or the biological uptake and turnover of radionuclides, which have been better quantified and mathematically described. We demonstrate that biokinetic models can better represent radionuclide transfer to biota in non-equilibrium situations, bringing more realism to predictions, especially when combining physical, chemical and biological interactions that occur in such an open and dynamic environment as the ocean. As a result, we are readier now than we were before the FDNPP accident in terms of having models that can be applied to dynamic situations. The paper concludes with our vision for marine radioecology as a fundamental research discipline and we present a strategy for our discipline at the European and international levels. The lessons learned are presented along with their possible applicability to assess/reduce the environmental consequences of future accidents to the marine environment and guidance for future research, as well as to assure the sustainability of marine radioecology. This guidance necessarily reflects on why and where further research funding is needed, signalling the way for future investigations.
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| 16. |
- Waeijen-Smit, Kiki, et al.
(författare)
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Global mortality and readmission rates following COPD exacerbation-related hospitalisation : a meta-analysis of 65 945 individual patients
- 2024
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Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society. - 2312-0541. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) have a major impact on patients and healthcare systems across the world. Precise estimates of the global burden of ECOPD on mortality and hospital readmission are needed to inform policy makers and aid preventive strategies to mitigate this burden. The aims of the present study were to explore global in-hospital mortality, post-discharge mortality and hospital readmission rates after ECOPD-related hospitalisation using an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) design. Methods A systematic review was performed identifying studies that reported in-hospital mortality, postdischarge mortality and hospital readmission rates following ECOPD-related hospitalisation. Data analyses were conducted using a one-stage random-effects meta-analysis model. This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-IPD statement. Results Data of 65 945 individual patients with COPD were analysed. The pooled in-hospital mortality rate was 6.2%, pooled 30-, 90- and 365-day post-discharge mortality rates were 1.8%, 5.5% and 10.9%, respectively, and pooled 30-, 90- and 365-day hospital readmission rates were 7.1%, 12.6% and 32.1%, respectively, with noticeable variability between studies and countries. Strongest predictors of mortality and hospital readmission included noninvasive mechanical ventilation and a history of two or more ECOPD-related hospitalisations < 12 months prior to the index event. Conclusions This IPDMA stresses the poor outcomes and high heterogeneity of ECOPD-related hospitalisation across the world. Whilst global standardisation of the management and follow-up of ECOPD-related hospitalisation should be at the heart of future implementation research, policy makers should focus on reimbursing evidence-based therapies that decrease (recurrent) ECOPD.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Stark, Karolina, et al.
(författare)
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Predicting exposure of wildlife in radionuclide contaminated wetland ecosystems
- 2015
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 196, s. 201-213
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many wetlands support high biodiversity and are protected sites, but some are contaminated with radionuclides from routine or accidental releases from nuclear facilities. This radiation exposure needs to be assessed to demonstrate radiological protection of the environment. Existing biota dose models cover generic terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, not wetlands specifically. This paper, which was produced under IAEA's Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety (EMRAS) II programme, describes an evaluation of how models can be applied to radionuclide contaminated wetlands. Participants used combinations of aquatic and terrestrial model parameters to assess exposure. Results show the importance of occupancy factor and food source (aquatic or terrestrial) included. The influence of soil saturation conditions on external dose rates is also apparent. In general, terrestrial parameters provided acceptable predictions for wetland organisms. However, occasionally predictions varied by three orders of magnitude between assessors. Possible further developments for biota dose models and research needs are identified.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Batlle, X., et al.
(författare)
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Quantitative x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of Al/AlOx bilayers
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 91:12, s. 10163-10168
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of Nb/Al wedge bilayers, oxidized by both plasma and natural oxidation, is reported. The main goal is to show that the oxidation state-i.e., O:(oxidize)Al ratio-, structure and thickness of the surface oxide layer, as well as the thickness of the metallic Al leftover, as functions of the oxidation procedure, can be quantitatively evaluated from the XPS spectra. This is relevant to the detailed characterization of the insulating barriers in (magnetic) tunnel junctions.
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| 21. |
- Batlle, X., et al.
(författare)
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The oxidation state at tunnel junction interfaces
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. - 0304-8853 .- 1873-4766. ; 260:02-jan, s. 78-83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The oxidation state at the interfaces of Nb/Al-AlOx/Pb junctions is discussed. Conductance-voltage curves below and above the superconducting temperature suggest tunneling conduction, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows the existence of a thin AlOx layer at the Nb/Al interface. We demonstrate that at the usual 10(-7) Torr range of base pressures in the sputtering chamber, this is due to the time elapsed between the deposition of the Nb and Al bottom layers, in both Nb/Al-AlOx/Pb tunnel junctions and Nb/Al bilayers. We also give some direct evidence of the oxidation of the top Pb electrode on the Nb electrode surface. Such oxidation probably occurs at the pinholes of the intermediate Al-AlOx layer of the tunnel junctions, as a consequence of the oxidation state at the Nb/Al interface, which helps to avoid barrier shorts and enhances the quality of the tunnel barrier. We therefore suggest that there is oxide formation in other places besides where there is an actual oxide deposited. This is relevant for the performance of magnetic tunnel junctions since in most tunneling studies it is assumed that once the oxide is deposited, that is the only place where there is an oxide. This is also a very general statement applicable to thin film systems.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- McKenzie, Fiona, et al.
(författare)
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Healthy lifestyle and risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort study
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 136:11, s. 2640-2648
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and prevention strategies are needed to reduce incidence worldwide. A healthy lifestyle index score (HLIS) was generated to investigate the joint effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on postmenopausal breast cancer risk. The study included 242,918 postmenopausal women from the multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, with detailed information on diet and lifestyle assessed at baseline. The HLIS was constructed from five factors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and anthropometry) by assigning scores of 0-4 to categories of each component, for which higher values indicate healthier behaviours. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by Cox proportional regression models. During 10.9 years of median follow-up, 7,756 incident breast cancer cases were identified. There was a 3% lower risk of breast cancer per point increase of the HLIS. Breast cancer risk was inversely associated with a high HLIS when fourth versus second (reference) categories were compared [adjusted HR=0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.83]. The fourth versus the second category of the HLIS was associated with a lower risk for hormone receptor double positive (adjusted HR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.98) and hormone receptor double negative breast cancer (adjusted HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.40-0.90). Findings suggest having a high score on an index of combined healthy behaviours reduces the risk of developing breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Programmes which engage women in long term health behaviours should be supported. What's new? How much does behavior really affect cancer risk? These authors set out to measure just that. First, they created a Healthy Lifestyle Index, which quantified five modifiable behaviors, such as smoking and physical activity. Then, using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), they assigned each participant a score between 0 and 4 on each of the behaviors. It turned out that with each point added to a person's Healthy Lifestyle Index score, breast cancer risk fell by 3%, suggesting that public programs to help women maintain these behaviors could be worthwhile for cancer prevention.
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| 24. |
- Park, Jin Young, et al.
(författare)
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Dietary folate intake and pancreatic cancer risk : Results from the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 144:7, s. 1511-1521
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pancreatic cancer (PC) has an exceptionally low survival rate and primary prevention strategies are limited. Folate plays an important role in one-carbon metabolism and has been associated with the risk of several cancers, but not consistently with PC risk. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary folate intake and PC risk, using the standardised folate database across 10 European countries. A total of 477,206 participants were followed up for 11 years, during which 865 incident primary PC cases were recorded. Folate intake was energy-adjusted using the residual method. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. In multivariable analyses stratified by age, sex, study centre and adjusted for energy intake, smoking status, BMI, educational level, diabetes status, supplement use and dietary fibre intake, we found no significant association between folate intake and PC risk: the HR of PC risk for those in the highest quartile of folate intake (>= 353 mu g/day) compared to the lowest (<241 mu g/day) was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.51, 1.31; p(trend) = 0.38). In current smokers, a positive trend was observed in PC risk across folate quartiles [HR = 4.42 (95% CI: 1.05, 18.62) for >= 353 mu g/day vs. <241 mu g/day, p(trend) = 0.01]. Nonetheless, there was no significant interaction between smoking and dietary folate intake (p(interaction) = 0.99). We found no association between dietary folate intake and PC risk in this large European study.
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