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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Pettersson, K, et al.
(författare)
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Free and complexed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) : in vitro stability, epitope map, and development of immunofluorometric assays for specific and sensitive detection of free PSA and PSA-alpha 1-antichymotrypsin complex
- 1995
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Ingår i: Clinical Chemistry. - 0009-9147. ; 41:10, s. 8-1480
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Generation of 15 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) allowed construction of epitope maps and specific two-site immunofluorometric assays for free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA complexed with alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). Close correlation of PSA concentrations obtained with the use of different assays of free PSA suggested extensive similarity in immunodetection of free PSA in serum. Assays of the PSA-ACT complex overestimated the concentration of PSA-ACT in serum because of nonspecific adsorbance of ACT or cathepsin G-complexed ACT to the solid phase. This interference was substantially decreased in the presence of heparin. In studying the stability of purified PSA and PSA-ACT complexes formed in vitro, we found that the free PSA was stable during storage for 4 weeks at 35 degrees C, whereas PSA-ACT complexes largely dissociated in these conditions. The instability of PSA-ACT complexes was counteracted by storage at low temperatures, by adjusting the pH of the storage buffer between 6.8 and 7.4, and through addition of 100-1000-fold molar excess of native ACT. The ease of calibration and the accuracy of free PSA assays in comparison with assays of the PSA-ACT complex suggest that measurements of free to total PSA most accurately reflect the inverse of the proportion of PSA complexed to ACT in serum.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, M. G., et al.
(författare)
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Separated by a common language : Awareness of term usage differences between languages and disciplines in biopreparedness
- 2013
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Ingår i: Biosecurity and bioterrorism. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1538-7135 .- 1557-850X. ; 11:SUPPL. 1, s. S276-S285
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Preparedness for bioterrorism is based on communication between people in organizations who are educated and trained in several disciplines, including law enforcement, health, and science. Various backgrounds, cultures, and vocabularies generate difficulties in understanding and interpretating terms and concepts, which may impair communication. This is especially true in emergency situations, in which the need for clarity and consistency is vital. The EU project AniBioThreat initiated methods and made a rough estimate of the terms and concepts that are crucial for an incident, and a pilot database with key terms and definitions has been constructed. Analysis of collected terms and sources has shown that many of the participating organizations use various international standards in their area of expertise. The same term often represents different concepts in the standards from different sectors, or, alternatively, different terms were used to represent the same or similar concepts. The use of conflicting terminology can be problematic for decision makers and communicators in planning and prevention or when handling an incident. Since the CBRN area has roots in multiple disciplines, each with its own evolving terminology, it may not be realistic to achieve unequivocal communication through a standardized vocabulary and joint definitions for words from common language. We suggest that a communication strategy should include awareness of alternative definitions and ontologies and the ability to talk and write without relying on the implicit knowledge underlying specialized jargon. Consequently, cross-disciplinary communication skills should be part of training of personnel in the CBRN field. In addition, a searchable repository of terms and definitions from relevant organizations and authorities would be a valuable addition to existing glossaries for improving awareness concerning bioterrorism prevention planning. © 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
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| 9. |
- Krause-Jensen, D, et al.
(författare)
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Nordic Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Status and Outlook
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Marine Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-7745. ; 9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vegetated coastal and marine habitats in the Nordic region include salt marshes, eelgrass meadows and, in particular, brown macroalgae (kelp forests and rockweed beds). Such habitats contribute to storage of organic carbon (Blue Carbon – BC) and support coastal protection, biodiversity and water quality. Protection and restoration of these habitats therefore have the potential to deliver climate change mitigation and co-benefits. Here we present the existing knowledge on Nordic BC habitats in terms of habitat area, C-stocks and sequestration rates, co-benefits, policies and management status to inspire a coherent Nordic BC roadmap. The area extent of BC habitats in the region is incompletely assessed, but available information sums up to 1,440 km2 salt marshes, 1,861 (potentially 2,735) km2 seagrass meadows, and 16,532 km2 (potentially 130,735 km2, including coarse Greenland estimates) brown macroalgae, yielding a total of 19,833 (potentially 134,910) km2. Saltmarshes and seagrass meadows have experienced major declines over the past century, while macroalgal trends are more diverse. Based on limited salt marsh data, sediment C-stocks average 3,311 g Corg m-2 (top 40-100 cm) and sequestration rates average 142 g Corg m-2 yr-1. Eelgrass C-stocks average 2,414 g Corg m-2 (top 25 cm) and initial data for sequestration rates range 5-33 g Corg m-2, quantified for one Greenland site and one short term restoration. For Nordic brown macroalgae, peer-reviewed estimates of sediment C-stock and sequestration are lacking. Overall, the review reveals substantial Nordic BC-stocks, but highlights that evidence is still insufficient to provide a robust estimate of all Nordic BC-stocks and sequestration rates. Needed are better quantification of habitat area, C-stocks and fluxes, particularly for macroalgae, as well as identification of target areas for BC management. The review also points to directives and regulations protecting Nordic marine vegetation, and local restoration initiatives with potential to increase C-sequestration but underlines that increased coordination at national and Nordic scales and across sectors is needed. We propose a Nordic BC roadmap for science and management to maximize the potential of BC habitats to mitigate climate change and support coastal protection, biodiversity and additional ecosystem functions.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Poschke, Isabel C., et al.
(författare)
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The Outcome of Ex Vivo TIL Expansion Is Highly Influenced by Spatial Heterogeneity of the Tumor T-Cell Repertoire and Differences in Intrinsic In Vitro Growth Capacity between T-Cell Clones
- 2020
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - : AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 26:16, s. 4289-4301
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: During our efforts to develop tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy to counter the devastating recurrence rate in patients with primary resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), we found that PDA TILs can readily be expanded in vitro and that the majority of resulting TIL cultures show reactivity against the autologous tumor. However, the fraction of tumor-reactive T cells is low. We investigated to which extent this was related to the in vitro expansion. Experimental Design: We compared the clonal composition of TIL preparations before and after in vitro expansion using T-cell receptor (TCR) deep sequencing. Our findings for PDA were benchmarked to experiments with melanoma TILs. Results: We found that the TIL TCR repertoire changes dramatically during in vitro expansion, leading to loss of tumor-dominant T-cell clones and overgrowth by newly emerging T-cell clones that are barely detectable in the tumor. These changes are primarily driven by differences in the intrinsic in vitro expansion capacity of T-cell clones. Single-cell experiments showed an association between poor proliferative capacity and expression of markers related to antigen experience and dysfunction. Furthermore, we found that spatial heterogeneity of the TIL repertoire resulted in TCR repertoires that are greatly divergent between TIL cultures derived from distant tumor samples of the same patient. Conclusions: Culture-induced changes in clonal composition are likely to affect tumor reactivity of TIL preparations. TCR deep sequencing provides important insights into the factors that govern the outcome of in vitro TIL expansion and thereby a path toward optimization of the production of TIL preparations with high therapeutic efficacy.
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| 12. |
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| 14. |
- Dahlén, P, et al.
(författare)
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Sensitive detection of genes by sandwich hybridization and time-resolved fluorometry
- 1987
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Ingår i: Molecular and Cellular Probes. - : Elsevier BV. - 0890-8508 .- 1096-1194. ; 1:2, s. 159-168
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Europium has been used as a non-radioactive marker in immunoassays as this metal can be detected with high sensitivity by time-resolved fluorometry. In this work streptavidin labeled with europium was used to detect biotinylated probes in a sandwich nucleic-acid hybridization assay with microtitration strips as the solid phase. pBR 322 plasmids were detected with a sensitivity of 4 × 105 molecules. As the sample is added in solution in sandwich hybridization, fast and simple sample pre-treatment can be used without encountering background problems. The method was applied to test bacterial samples of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains for the presence of the β-lactamase gene.
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| 15. |
- Eilertsen, M.E, et al.
(författare)
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The Voices of Cancer-Bereaved Siblings : A Nation-Wide Long-Term Follow-up
- 2018
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Ingår i: Pediatric blood & cancer. - : Wiley. - 1545-5009. ; , s. 555-556
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/Objectives: Siblings face many challenges and the aim of this paper is to explore bereaved siblings’ memories and experiences of their brother's or sister's illness and death.Design/Methods: In this nationwide Swedish study 174 of 240 (73 %) bereaved siblings participated and 70 % responded to two open‐ended questions on siblings’ positive and negative memories and experiences of illness and death. The data were analyzed using systematic text condensation.Results: The bereaved siblings’ responses were categorized into four different themes: endurance vs. vulnerability; family cohesion vs. family conflicts; growth vs. stagnation; professional support vs. lack of professional support. Endurance was expressed as the influence that the ill siblings’ willpower, good mood and stamina had on the healthy siblings, whereas vulnerability was expressed as the feeling of emptiness and loneliness. Family cohesion was expressed as the bonds being strengthened between family members, whereas family conflicts often led siblings to feel invisible and unacknowledged. In the third theme, most siblings expressed feeling that they grew as individuals in the process of their brother's or sister's illness and death, whereas others experienced stagnation because of the physical and mental distress they bore throughout this time, often feeling forgotten. In the last theme, most siblings perceived support by physicians and staff at the hospital as being warm, kind and honest, while some siblings had negative experiences.Conclusions: Our study shows that bereaved siblings can have positive memories and experiences, even though the death of a sibling is a distressing situation. The significance of the positive buffering effect on the bereaved siblings’ own endurance, personal growth, family cohesion and social support should be noted. The knowledge acquired by listening to the voices of bereaved siblings can be valuable in showing healthcare professionals the importance of supporting siblings of children with cancer throughout the cancer trajectory and afterwards into bereavement.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Helgeby, Anja, 1967, et al.
(författare)
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The combined CTA1-DD/ISCOM adjuvant vector promotes priming of mucosal and systemic immunity to incorporated antigens by specific targeting of B cells.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). - 0022-1767. ; 176:6, s. 3697-706
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The cholera toxin A1 (CTA1)-DD/QuilA-containing, immune-stimulating complex (ISCOM) vector is a rationally designed mucosal adjuvant that greatly potentiates humoral and cellular immune responses. It was developed to incorporate the distinctive properties of either adjuvant alone in a combination that exerted additive enhancing effects on mucosal immune responses. In this study we demonstrate that CTA1-DD and an unrelated Ag can be incorporated together into the ISCOM, resulting in greatly augmented immunogenicity of the Ag. To demonstrate its relevance for protection against infectious diseases, we tested the vector incorporating PR8 Ag from the influenza virus. After intranasal immunization we found that the immunogenicity of the PR8 proteins were significantly augmented by a mechanism that was enzyme dependent, because the presence of the enzymatically inactive CTA1R7K-DD mutant largely failed to enhance the response over that seen with ISCOMs alone. The combined vector was a highly effective enhancer of a broad range of immune responses, including specific serum Abs and balanced Th1 and Th2 CD4(+) T cell priming as well as a strong mucosal IgA response. Unlike unmodified ISCOMs, Ag incorporated into the combined vector could be presented by B cells in vitro and in vivo as well as by dendritic cells; it also accumulated in B cell follicles of draining lymph nodes when given s.c. and stimulated much enhanced germinal center reactions. Strikingly, the enhanced adjuvant activity of the combined vector was absent in B cell-deficient mice, supporting the idea that B cells are important for the adjuvant effects of the combined CTA1-DD/ISCOM vector.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Häggman-Henrikson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Even mild catastrophic thinking is related to pain intensity in individuals with painful temporomandibular disorders
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1365-2842 .- 0305-182X. ; 48:11, s. 1193-1200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are often associated with psychological comorbidities. One such comorbidity is pain catastrophising, that is, exaggeration of negative consequences of a painful event. The aim was to investigate catastrophising in individuals with painful TMD compared to controls and the association between catastrophising and pain intensity, number of pain sites and functional limitations.Methods: A community-based sample of 110 individuals (83 women; 20–69 yrs) with painful TMDs (myalgia/arthralgia as per Diagnostic Criteria for TMD) and 190 age- and gender-matched controls (119 women; 20–69 yrs) from the Public Dental services in Västerbotten, Sweden, participated. Associations between catastrophising and functional jaw limitations, respectively, and painful TMD were evaluated with ordinal regression adjusted for the effect of gender and age. Associations (Spearman's correlation) of the Pain catastrophising Scale (PCS) with Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20), pain site number (whole-body pain map), and characteristic pain intensity (CPI) and intergroup comparisons (Mann-Whitney U test) of these variables were also calculated.Results: Levels of catastrophising were associated with TMD pain (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1–2.6). Among individuals with painful TMD, catastrophising was correlated to pain intensity (r=0.458, p<0.01) and functional limitations (r=0.294–0.321, p≤0.002), but not to number of pain sites.Conclusion: Compared to controls, community-based individuals with painful TMD demonstrated higher levels of pain catastrophising, and this catastrophising was associated with increased pain intensity and jaw dysfunction. The relatively low scores of pain catastrophising suggest that even mild catastrophic thinking is associated with pain perception and jaw function, and should be considered in patient management.
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| 20. |
- Häggman-Henrikson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Increasing gender differences in the prevalence and chronification of orofacial pain in the population
- 2020
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Ingår i: Pain. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0304-3959 .- 1872-6623. ; 161:8, s. 1768-1775
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although a fluctuating pattern of orofacial pain across the life span has been proposed, data on its natural course is lacking. The longitudinal course of orofacial pain in the general population was evaluated using data from routine dental check-ups at all Public Dental Health services in Västerbotten, Sweden. In a large population sample, two screening questions were used to identify individuals with pain once a week or more in the orofacial area. Incidence and longitudinal course of orofacial pain were evaluated using annual data for 2010-2017. To evaluate predictors for orofacial pain remaining over time, individuals who reported pain on at least two consecutive dental check-ups were considered persistent. A generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the prevalence, accounting for repeated observations on the same individuals. In total, 180,308 individuals (equal gender distribution) were examined in 525,707 dental check-ups. More women than men reported orofacial pain (OR 2.58, 95% CI 2.48-2.68), and there was a significant increase in the prevalence of reported pain from 2010 to 2017 in both women and men. Longitudinal data for 135,800 individuals were available for incidence analysis. Women were at higher risk of both developing orofacial pain (IRR 2.37; 95% CI 2.25-2.50) and reporting pain in consecutive check-ups (IRR 2.56, 95% CI 2.29-2.87). In the northern Swedish population studied, the prevalence of orofacial pain increases over time and more so in women, thus indicating increasing differences in gender for orofacial pain.
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| 21. |
- Ilgunas, Aurelija, et al.
(författare)
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Conceptualizing the clinical decision-making process in managing temporomandibular disorders : a qualitative study
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Oral Sciences. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0909-8836 .- 1600-0722. ; 129:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Management of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) appears to be more challenging than for other dental conditions. This study aimed to explore the decision-making process in TMD management, and thereby to conceptualize the decision-making process in dentistry. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted during 2018 and 2019 with a purposive sample of 22 general dental practitioners from the Public Dental Healthcare Services and private practices in the Region of Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. The interviews were analysed using the Grounded Theory approach of Charmaz. Data analysis resulted in the core category 'Combining own competence and others' expectations in the desire to do the right thing'. The dentists showed interest in and a desire to apply professional knowledge, but also reflected on challenges and complexity in the decision-making process forTMD. The challenges were primarily related to organisational factors and lack of self-confidence. This identifies a need for re-organisation of daily clinical management in dentistry, and a need for more postgraduate training to improve self-confidence. The complexity of the decision-making process for TMD makes the study findings applicable in other dental situations.
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| 22. |
- Ilgunas, Aurelia, 1987-
(författare)
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Exploring temporomandibular disorders : longitudinal and qualitative perspectives
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Ideally, all clinical decision-making should enable care provision on the best available scientific evidence, clinical experience, and evaluated risks and benefits. Even though there are validated and evaluated decision tools for identification, diagnostics and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), patients with TMD still seem to go undetected, undiagnosed and undertreated in dentistry. Reasons for this discrepancy are unclear, but this clearly is a disadvantage for patients with TMD. Therefore, this project aimed to explore TMD in relation to the longitudinal course of the symptoms, dentists’ decision-making, and patients’ experiences.Methods: The project was conducted at the Public Dental Health Services in the Region of Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Data in the longitudinal studies were based on the screening instrument for TMD, the 3Q/TMD, and included self-reported orofacial pain and jaw dysfunction, specifically jaw catching/locking, from 2010 to 2017 (n=180,308; age 5-104). Descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equation models, and Poisson regression were used for analyses. Data included in the qualitative studies were the transcribed individual interviews with dentists (n=22, age 25-64) and patients (n=16, age 20-65). Analyses were based on the Grounded Theory and the Qualitative Context Analysis.Results: The prevalence of orofacial pain increased over time (p<.01), but the prevalence of jaw catching/locking remained similar. The incidence, prevalence, and persistence of orofacial pain and jaw catching/locking were significantly higher in women than in men (p<.01). Women were at a higher risk for reporting both the first onset and the persistent orofacial pain (IRR 2.37; 95% CI, 2.25-2.50 and IRR 2.56; 95% CI, 2.28-2.87, respectively), and jaw catching/locking (IRR 2.29; 95% CI, 2.11-2.49 and IRR 2.32; 95% CI, 2.04-2.63, respectively) when compared to men. The onset of pain or jaw catching/locking was mostly independent and exclusive, i.e. without the other symptom (84.1%), and was higher for orofacial pain (64.9%) than for jaw catching/locking (19.2%). The decision-making process in the management of TMD was illustrated as an interplay between internal and external elements, where the dentists wished to apply professional knowledge but identified organizational obstacles and lack of self-confidence in their clinical decision-making for TMD. The patients expressed worry and social discomfort as a consequence of TMD. However, they strived to deal with the symptoms on their own as long as possible before seeking help. The challenges to access dental care and to receive suitable management were acknowledged. The right care at the right time was identified more like a wish than a current state of perceived TMD management.Conclusions: The observed longitudinal patterns of orofacial pain and jaw dysfunction indicate increasing prevalence of orofacial pain together with substantial gender differences in TMD. The finding of independent onset of jawcatching/locking and orofacial pain reinforces that these two differ in the pathophysiology. The challenges in decision-making for patients with TMD and perceived suboptimal management of TMD symptoms are partly related to the structural organization of the Public Dental Health Services. Thus, careful review of the current organization is warranted since the treatment-need related to orofacial pain will probably increase.
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| 23. |
- Ilgunas, Aurelia, et al.
(författare)
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Patients' experiences of temporomandibular disorders and related treatment
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Oral Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1472-6831. ; 23:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common and therefore managed by dentists on a daily basis. However, patients with TMD consistently go undetected and therefore untreated in dentistry. The reasons for these shortcomings have not been fully explored, specifically with regard to patients’ perspectives. Therefore, this study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of TMD and related treatment, with special focus on the experiences of having TMD, factors related to seeking care, and perspectives on received treatment.Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit adult patients at the Public Dental Health services (PDHS) in the Region of Västerbotten, Sweden, during 2019. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Qualitative Content Analysis. Sixteen patients were interviewed (ten women and six men, 20–65 years). The interviews probed the patients’ perspectives of having TMD, seeking care, and receiving treatment. All participants were also examined according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) and qualified for at least one DC/TMD diagnosis.Results: The data analysis led to the main theme Seeking care when the situation becomes untenable, but dental care fails to meet all needs. The patients expressed worry and social discomfort because of the symptoms but still strived to have an as normal daily life as possible. However, severe symptoms and associated consequences compelled them to seek professional help. Experiences of distrust together with challenges to access the PDHS were identified and related to the patients’ unfulfilled expectations.Conclusions: Patients’ reported experiences indicate that receiving timely and appropriate care is more of an unfulfilled expectation than the current state of management of patients with TMD in dentistry.
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| 24. |
- Ilgunas, Aurelia, et al.
(författare)
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The longitudinal relationship between jaw catching/locking and pain
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Dental Research. - : Sage Publications. - 0022-0345 .- 1544-0591. ; 102:4, s. 383-390
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Orofacial pain and joint-related dysfunction can negatively affect daily jaw function. A common cause for limitations in jaw movements is joint-related dysfunction such as various forms of catching and locking. However, knowledge is limited regarding the development and natural course of joint-related jaw dysfunction and its relationship to the onset and course of orofacial pain. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the incidence, prevalence, and gender differences in jaw catching/locking over time and in relation to orofacial pain in the general population. Data from 3 validated screening questions on orofacial pain and jaw catching/locking were collected from all routine dental checkups in the Public Dental Health Services in Västerbotten, Sweden, from 2010 to 2017. Logistic generalized estimating equation was used to account for repeated observations and Poisson regression for incidence analysis. In total, 180,308 individuals (aged 5–104 y) were screened in 525,707 dental checkups. In 2010, based on 37,647 individuals, the prevalence of self-reported catching/locking was higher in women than in men (3.2% vs. 1.5%; odds ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83–2.43), and this relationship and magnitude remained similar throughout the study period. The annual incidence rate was 1.1% in women and 0.5% in men. Women were at a higher risk than men for reporting both first onset (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.29; 95% CI, 2.11–2.49) and persistent (IRR, 2.31; 95% CI, 2.04–2.63) catching/locking. For the onset subcohort (n = 135,801), an independent onset of orofacial pain or jaw catching/locking exclusively was reported by 84.1%, whereas a concurrent onset was reported by 13.4%. Our findings of higher incidence, prevalence, and persistence in women than in men indicate that the gender differences seen for orofacial pain are evident also for jaw catching/locking. The findings also suggest independent onset of self-reported catching/locking and orofacial pain, which reinforces the pathophysiological differences between these conditions.
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| 25. |
- Jansson, Anette M, 1963, et al.
(författare)
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Applying a fracture mechanics approach on FRC beams, material testing and structural analysis
- 2008
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Ingår i: Submitted to Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology.
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The presented work has been focused on strain-softening FRC and the interrelationship between material properties and structural behaviour. The main purpose of this work was to establish a procedure for structural analysis of flexural members with a combination of steel fibres and conventional reinforcement. A systematic approach for material testing and structural analysis, based on fracture mechanics, has been used and this covers: (1) material testing; (2) inverse analysis; (3) adjustment of the -w relationship for fibre efficiency; and (4) cross-sectional and structural analysis. The results suggest that the approach used for the material testing provides the necessary properties to perform analyses based on non-linear fracture mechanics. The structural behaviour could be predicted with good agreement with FEM using both bi-linear and multi-linear -w relationships. When comparing the peak loads obtained in the experiments with the results from the analyses, the agreement was good, with a high correlation. This demonstrates the strength of the fracture-mechanics approach for material testing and structural analysis.
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