| 1. |
- Tabiri, S, et al.
(författare)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 2. |
- Bravo, L, et al.
(författare)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 9. |
- Tiegs, Scott D., et al.
(författare)
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Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science Advances. - Washington : American Association of Advancement in Science. - 2375-2548. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- River ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth's biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints toward the poles and greater roles for other environmental drivers (e.g., nutrient loading) toward the equator. These results and data set the stage for unprecedented "next-generation biomonitoring" by establishing baselines to help quantify environmental impacts to the functioning of ecosystems at a global scale.
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| 10. |
- Costello, David M., et al.
(författare)
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Global patterns and controls of nutrient immobilization on decomposing cellulose in riverine ecosystems
- 2022
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Ingår i: Global Biogeochemical Cycles. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0886-6236 .- 1944-9224. ; 36:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and influence the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. When decomposing low-nutrient plant litter, microbes acquire nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the environment (i.e., nutrient immobilization), and this process is potentially sensitive to nutrient loading and changing climate. Nonetheless, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood because rates are also influenced by plant litter chemistry, which is coupled to the same environmental factors. Here we used a standardized, low-nutrient organic matter substrate (cotton strips) to quantify nutrient immobilization at 100 paired stream and riparian sites representing 11 biomes worldwide. Immobilization rates varied by three orders of magnitude, were greater in rivers than riparian zones, and were strongly correlated to decomposition rates. In rivers, P immobilization rates were controlled by surface water phosphate concentrations, but N immobilization rates were not related to inorganic N. The N:P of immobilized nutrients was tightly constrained to a molar ratio of 10:1 despite wide variation in surface water N:P. Immobilization rates were temperature-dependent in riparian zones but not related to temperature in rivers. However, in rivers nutrient supply ultimately controlled whether microbes could achieve the maximum expected decomposition rate at a given temperature. Collectively, we demonstrated that exogenous nutrient supply and immobilization are critical control points for decomposition of organic matter.
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| 15. |
- Lisi, Matteo, et al.
(författare)
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Mitral annular longitudinal function preservation after mitral valve repair : the MARTE study
- 2012
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 157:2, s. 212-215
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR), undergoing surgical mitral valve repair, current Guidelines only recommend standard echocardiographic indices i.e. left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), and LV end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters as preoperative variables. However LV EF is often preserved until advanced stages of the valve disease. Aim of this study was to evaluate changes in LV systolic longitudinal function, 3months after mitral valve repair in patients with chronic degenerative MR and normal preoperative EF.METHODS: We measured M-mode mitral lateral annulus systolic excursion (MAPSE) and Tissue Doppler (TD) peak systolic annular velocity (S(m)) in 31 patients with moderate to severe MR and normal EF (59.9±4.7%) candidates for mitral valve repair, preoperatively and 3months after surgery.RESULTS: After mitral valve repair, S(m) increased from 7.8±1.4 to 9.6±2.2cm/s (p<0.0001) and MAPSE increased from 1.33±0.26 to 1.55±0.25cm (p=0.0013). EF decreased from 59.9±4.7 to 51.3±5.9% (p<0.0001). As expected, LV diameters and volumes, wall thicknesses, midwall fractional shortening (mFS), and left atrial (LA) size were all reduced after surgery.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that assessment of LV long axis systolic velocity and amplitude of excursion by echocardiography is more sensitive than simple determination of EF for revealing the beneficial impact of MR surgery on overall systolic function.
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| 16. |
- Lisi, Matteo, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Severity of aortic stenosis predicts early post-operative normalization of left atrial size and function detected by myocardial strain
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 167:4, s. 1450-1455
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) causes significant disturbances in left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function irrespective of the extent of myocardial hypertrophy which associates the increased afterload. We hypothesize that aortic valve replacement (AVR) and removal of LV outflow tract obstruction should result in LA size and function recovery, even partial, and were set to study this in a group of patients with AVR for AS.METHODS: Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) was evaluated in 43 patients with severe isolated AS and normal EF (56.6±3.8%) and no obstructive coronary artery disease candidates for AVR, pre-operatively and then 40days and 3months after surgery. Results were compared with those from 34 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.RESULTS: LVEF remained unchanged and LV mass regressed after AVR. Global PALS was reduced pre-operatively and increased 40days after surgery (p=0.002) and showed only a slight further increase at 3months follow-up (p<0.0001). Indexed LA volume was increased before surgery, but significantly fell 40days after surgery (p<0.0001) and showed only a slight further reduction after 3months (p<0.0001). Trans-aortic mean gradient change after surgery was the only independent predictor of the recovery of LA size and function.CONCLUSIONS: AVR reverses LA abnormalities and regains normal atrial function, a behavior which is directly related to the severity of pre-operative LV outflow tract obstruction. Early identification of LA size enlargement and functional disturbances might contribute to better patient's recruitment for AVR.
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| 17. |
- van der Steeg, H. J.J., et al.
(författare)
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The impact of perioperative care on complications and short term outcome in ARM type rectovestibular fistula : An ARM-Net consortium study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3468. ; 54:8, s. 1595-1600
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The impact of perioperative care interventions on postreconstructive complications and short-term colorectal outcome in patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) type rectovestibular fistula is unknown. Methods: An ARM-Net consortium multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed including 165 patients with a rectovestibular fistula. Patient characteristics, perioperative care interventions, timing of reconstruction, postreconstructive complications and the colorectal outcome at one year of follow-up were registered. Results: Overall complications were seen in 26.8% of the patients, of which 41% were regarded major. Differences in presence of enterostomy, timing of reconstruction, mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative feeding regimen had no impact on the occurrence of overall complications. However, mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis ≥ 48 h and postoperative nil by mouth showed a significant reduction in major complications. The lowest rate of major complications was found in the group having these three interventions combined (5.9%). Multivariate analyses did not show independent significant results of any of the perioperative care interventions owing to center-specific combinations. At one year follow-up, half of the patients experienced constipation and this was significantly higher among those with preoperative mechanical bowel preparation. Conclusions: Differences in perioperative care interventions do not seem to impact the incidence of overall complications in a large cohort of European rectovestibular fistula-patients. Mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis ≥ 48 h, and postoperative nil by mouth showed the least major complications. Independency could not be established owing to center-specific combinations of interventions. Type of study: Treatment study. Level of evidence: III
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| 18. |
- Cruz, Jose Almeida, et al.
(författare)
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RNA-Puzzles : A CASP-like evaluation of RNA three-dimensional structure prediction
- 2012
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Ingår i: RNA. - : Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. - 1355-8382 .- 1469-9001. ; 18:4, s. 610-625
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the results of a first, collective, blind experiment in RNA three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction, encompassing three prediction puzzles. The goals are to assess the leading edge of RNA structure prediction techniques; compare existing methods and tools; and evaluate their relative strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in terms of sequence length and structural complexity. The results should give potential users insight into the suitability of available methods for different applications and facilitate efforts in the RNA structure prediction community in ongoing efforts to improve prediction tools. We also report the creation of an automated evaluation pipeline to facilitate the analysis of future RNA structure prediction exercises.
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| 19. |
- D'Ascenzi, F., et al.
(författare)
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Left atrial remodeling in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation : a speckle tracking prospective study
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 34:Supplement: 1, s. 338-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Aortic Stenosis (AS) results in several Left Ventricular (LV) disturbances as well as progressive Left Atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) reverses LV remodelling and improves overall systolic function but its effect on LA function remains undetermined. The aim of this prospective study was toinvestigate the effects of TAVI on LA structure and function.Material and methods: We studied thirty-two patients with severe symptomatic AS and high surgical risk who underwent TAVI, using standard and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography before, at 40-day and at 3-month follow-up.Results: Following TAVI, mean transvalvular gradient reduced (p<0.001). Both LA mean area index and LA mean volume index decreased at 40-day (16.2±6.4 vs. 12.5±2.9 cm2/m2, and 47.3±12.0 vs. 42.8±12.5 mL/m2, respectively, p<0.05) and values remained unchanged at 3 months. The reduction of LA size was accompanied by a significant increase in global PALS (14.4±3.9% vs. 19.1±4.7%, p<0.001) and global PACS (8.4±2.5% vs. 11.0±4.1%, p<0.05) at 3-month. After the procedure, LA stiffness measurements decreased and became significant at 3-month follow up (p<0.001). Pre-procedural trans-aortic mean gradient and pre-procedural LA volume were identified as predictors of global PALSincrease (p<0.0001) while the delta drop in trans-aortic mean gradient as predictors of LA volume index reduction 3 months after TAVI (p<0.0001).Conclusion: TAVI is associated with significant recovery of LA structure and function suggesting a reverse cavity remodelling. Such functional recovery is determined by the severity of pre-procedural valve stenosis.
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| 20. |
- Lisi, Matteo, et al.
(författare)
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Right ventricular longitudinal deformation correlates closely with right ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with end-stage heart failure
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 34, s. 780-780
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain (LS) plays a key role in the evaluation of its systolic performance and clinical outcomein patients with refractory heart failure (HF). This study sought to determine the value of RVLS for prediction of RV myocardial fibrosis inpatients with severe HF undergoing heart transplantation (HTx).Methods: The cohort we studied consists of 24 patients with severe systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 25%; NYHA class IV) referred between 2009 and 2013 for a simultaneous right heartcatheterization and echocardiographic evaluation before HTx.RVLS by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) was used to assess free-wall RVLS, global cavity RVLS (including all segments in the apical 4 chamber view and right atrial LS (RALS), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), RV sphericity index (RVSI) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were also measured. All patients underwent HTx 12±34 days afterwards. From the explanted hearts a 1 x 0,5 cmmyocardial sample of the RV lateral free wall was obtained and stainedwith hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. The ratio of the fibrotic area to the total surface area of each section was used to estimate the extent of RV myocardial fibrosis (percentage) as (fibrotis area-total area) x 100.Results: A good correlation was found between the extent of RVmyocardial fibrosis and free-wall RVLS (r=0.72; p<0.0001), global RVLS (r=0.49; p<0.0001), RVSI (r=0.47; p<0.0001), and RALS (r= -0.46; p=0.005), with a poorer correlation with TAPSE (r= -0.32; p=0.01) and RVFAC (r= -0.25; p=ns). Of these indeces, free-wall RVLS had the strongest diagnostic accuracy for detecting severe RV myocardialfibrosis (AUC = 0.87).Conclusions: In late stage HF patients, right ventricular free wallmyocardial deformation is the best functional measure that correlateswith the extent of myocardial fibrosis. These findings should have clinical implications when interpreting other RV measurements.
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| 21. |
- van der Steeg, Hendrik J.J., et al.
(författare)
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Bowel function and associated risk factors at preschool and early childhood age in children with anorectal malformation type rectovestibular fistula : An ARM-Net consortium study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3468. ; 57:9, s. 89-96
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Outcome of patients operated for anorectal malformation (ARM) type rectovestibular fistula (RVF) is generally considered to be good. However, large multi-center studies are scarce, mostly describing pooled outcome of different ARM-types, in adult patients. Therefore, counseling parents concerning the bowel function at early age is challenging. Aim of this study was to evaluate bowel function of RVF-patients at preschool/early childhood age and determine risk factors for poor functional outcome. Methods: A multi-center cohort study was performed. Patient characteristics, associated anomalies, sacral ratio, surgical procedures, post-reconstructive complications, one-year constipation, and Bowel Function Score (BFS) at 4–7 years of follow-up were registered. Groups with below normal (BFS < 17; subgroups ‘poor’ ≤ 11, and ‘fair’ 11 < BFS < 17) and good outcome (BFS ≥ 17) were formed. Univariable analyses were performed to detect risk factors for outcome. Results: The study included 111 RVF-patients. Median BFS was 16 (range 6–20). The ‘below normal’ group consisted of 61 patients (55.0%). Overall, we reported soiling, fecal accidents, and constipation in 64.9%, 35.1% and 70.3%, respectively. Bowel management was performed in 23.4% of patients. Risk factors for poor outcome were tethered cord and low sacral ratio, while sacral anomalies, low sacral ratio, prior enterostomy, post-reconstructive complications, and one-year constipation were for being on bowel management. Conclusions: Although median BFS at 4–7 year follow-up is nearly normal, the majority of patients suffers from some degree of soiling and constipation, and almost 25% needs bowel management. Several factors were associated with poor bowel function outcome and bowel management. Level of Evidence: Level III.
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| 22. |
- Amerstorfer, Eva Elisa, et al.
(författare)
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What do pediatric surgeons think about sexual issues in dealing with patients with anorectal malformations? The ARM-Net consortium members’ opinion
- 2019
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Ingår i: Pediatric Surgery International. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0179-0358 .- 1437-9813. ; 35:9, s. 935-943
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Since pediatric surgeons aim to follow their patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) into adulthood the aim of this study was to investigate how pediatric surgeons deal with sexual issues related to ARM. Methods: In 2018, a questionnaire was developed by the working group “Follow-up and sexuality” of the ARM-Net consortium and sent to all consortium-linked pediatric surgeons from 31 European pediatric surgical centers. Obtained data were statistically analyzed. Results: Twenty-eight of 37 pediatric surgeons (18 males/10 females) answered the questionnaire. The majority of pediatric surgeons (82%) think they should talk about sexual issues with their patient. More than 50% of pediatric surgeons do not feel at all or only moderately confident discussing the topic of sexuality. Most pediatric surgeons require more support (96%) and wish to be trained in sexuality and sexual issues (78%) to feel confident towards their ARM-patients/parents. For optimal care, sexual issues with ARM-patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary team. Conclusions: Pediatric surgeons feel that sexuality is an important issue for their ARM-patients, which they are primarily responsible of but should be managed in concert with a multidisciplinary team. A training in sexuality is wished to feel more confident about this specific issue.
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| 23. |
- Cameli, Matteo, et al.
(författare)
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The analysis of left atrial function predicts the severity of functional impairment in chronic heart failure : The FLASH multicenter study
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 286, s. 87-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Heart failure (HF) patients presentwith a variety of symptoms at different stages of the disease, but the underlying pathophysiology still is unclear. Left atrial (LA) function might be tightly related to changes in patients' symptoms, more than morphological and anatomic heart features, measurable by ultrasound imaging technique. This study sought to investigate the correlation between LA function, assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) and Quality of Life (QoL), assessed by theMinnesota Livingwith Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), in patients with chronic HF. Methods: Clinically stable HF outpatients (n = 369) were enrolled from 7 different international centres and underwent echocardiographic studies. Patients >75 years old and with atrial fibrillation were excluded. LA strain during reservoir phase (LASr) by STE was measured in all subjects by averaging the 6 atrial segments. LA size was assessed using biplane volume and 4-chamber area acquisition. Results: LASr strongly correlated with both MLHFQ total score (r = -0.87; p < 0.0001). Less significant correlations between MLHFQ and either LA volume or left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) were found (r = 0.28; p = 0.05 and r = 0.30; p = 0.01, respectively). No significant correlation was found between MLHFQ score, LVEF (r = -0.15; p = ns), E/E' ratio (r = 0.19; p = ns), and E/A ratio (r = 0.20; p = ns). Among all echocardiographic parameters analyzed, LASr presented the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.74) in predicting a poor QoL (>45), when compared with LV-GLS (AUC = 0.61), LA volume (AUC = 0.54) and E/e' ratio (AUC = 0.51). Conclusions: In patients with HF, irrespective of etiology, LA function strongly correlates with patients' QoL. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 24. |
- Hageman, Isabel C., et al.
(författare)
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A Quality Assessment of the ARM-Net Registry Design and Data Collection
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3468. ; 58:10, s. 1921-1928
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Registries are important in rare disease research. The Anorectal Malformation Network (ARM-Net) registry is a well-established European patient registry collecting demographic, clinical, and functional outcome data. We assessed the quality of this registry through review of the structure, data elements, collected data, and user experience. Material and methods: Design and data elements were assessed for completeness, consistency, usefulness, accuracy, validity, and comparability. An intra- and inter-user variability study was conducted through monitoring and re-registration of patients. User experience was assessed via a questionnaire on registration, design of registry, and satisfaction. Results: We evaluated 119 data elements, of which 107 were utilized and comprised 42 string and 65 numeric elements. A minority (37.0%) of the 2278 included records had complete data, though this improved to 83.5% when follow-up elements were excluded. Intra-observer variability demonstrated 11.7% incongruence, while inter-observer variability was 14.7%. Users were predominantly pediatric surgeons and typically registered patients within 11–30 min. Users did not experience any significant difficulties with data entry and were generally satisfied with the registry, but preferred more longitudinal data and patient-reported outcomes. Conclusions: The ARM-Net registry presents one of the largest ARM cohorts. Although its collected data are valuable, they are susceptible to error and user variability. Continuous evaluations are required to maintain relevant and high-quality data and to achieve long-term sustainability. With the recommendations resulting from this study, we call for rare disease patient registries to take example and aim to continuously improve their data quality to enhance the small, but impactful, field of rare disease research. Level of Evidence: V.
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| 25. |
- Mastroiacovo, Pierpaolo, et al.
(författare)
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Gastroschisis and associated defects : an international study
- 2007
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Ingår i: American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A. - : Wiley. - 1552-4825 .- 1552-4833. ; 143A:7, s. 660-671
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our objective was to evaluate the frequency and type of malformations associated with gastroschisis in a large pool of international data, to identify malformation patterns, and to evaluate the role of maternal age in non-isolated cases. Case-by-case information from 24 registries, all members of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR), were evaluated. After the exclusion of other abdominal wall defects cases were classified as: (a) isolated; (b) recognizable syndrome, chromosomal or not; (c) multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). Our results showed that out of 3,322 total cases 469 non-isolated cases were registered (14.1%): 41 chromosomal syndromes, 24 other syndromes, and 404 MCA. Among MCA four groups of anomalies were most frequent: CNS (4.5%), cardio-vascular (2.5%), limb (2.2%), and kidney anomalies (1.9%). No similar patterns emerged except two patterns resembling limb-body wall complex and OEIS. In both of them the gastroschisis could be however misclassified. Chromosomal trisomies and possibly non-syndromic MCA are associated with an older maternal age more than isolated cases. On consideration of our data and the most valid studies published in the literature, the best estimate of the proportion of gastroschisis associated with major unrelated defects is about 10%, with a few cases associated to recognizable syndromes. Recognized syndromes with gastroschisis seem to be so exceptional that the well documented and validated cases are worth being published as interesting case report. An appropriate case definition in etiological studies should include only isolated gastroschisis after an appropriate definition of isolated and non-isolated cases and a thorough case-by-case review.
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