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| 4. |
- Glasbey, JC, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 5. |
- Thomas, HS, et al.
(author)
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- 2019
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 9. |
- Drake, TM, et al.
(author)
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Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
- 2020
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In: BMJ global health. - : BMJ. - 2059-7908. ; 5:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings.MethodsA multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).ResultsOf 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45·1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34·2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20·6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12·8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24·7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI.ConclusionThe odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.
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| 10. |
- Adrian-Martinez, S., et al.
(author)
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The First Combined Search For Neutrino Point-Sources In The Southern Hemisphere With The Antares And Icecube Neutrino Telescopes
- 2016
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 823:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the results of searches for point-like sources of neutrinos based on the first combined analysis of data from both the ANTARES and IceCube neutrino telescopes. The combination of both detectors, which differ in size and location, forms a window in the southern sky where the sensitivity to point sources improves by up to a factor of 2 compared with individual analyses. Using data recorded by ANTARES from 2007 to 2012, and by IceCube from 2008 to 2011, we search for sources of neutrino emission both across the southern sky and from a preselected list of candidate objects. No significant excess over background has been found in these searches, and flux upper limits for the candidate sources are presented for E-2.5 and E-2 power-law spectra with different energy cut-offs.
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| 11. |
- Petroff, E., et al.
(author)
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A polarized fast radio burst at low Galactic latitude
- 2017
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford Academic. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 469:4, s. 4465-4482
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the discovery of a new fast radio burst (FRB), FRB 150215, with the Parkes radio telescope on 2015 February 15. The burst was detected in real time with a dispersion measure (DM) of 1105.6 +/- 0.8 pc cm(-3), a pulse duration of 2.8(-0.5)(+1.2) ms, and a measured peak flux density assuming that the burst was at beam centre of 0.7(-0.1)(+0.2) Jy. The FRB originated at a Galactic longitude and latitude of 24.66 degrees, 5.28 degrees and 25 degrees away from the Galactic Center. The burst was found to be 43 +/- 5 per cent linearly polarized with a rotation measure (RM) in the range -9 < RM < 12 rad m(-2) (95 per cent confidence level), consistent with zero. The burst was followed up with 11 telescopes to search for radio, optical, X-ray, gamma-ray and neutrino emission. Neither transient nor variable emission was found to be associated with the burst and no repeat pulses have been observed in 17.25 h of observing. The sightline to the burst is close to the Galactic plane and the observed physical properties of FRB 150215 demonstrate the existence of sight lines of anomalously low RM for a given electron column density. The Galactic RM foreground may approach a null value due to magnetic field reversals along the line of sight, a decreased total electron column density from the Milky Way, or some combination of these effects. A lower Galactic DM contribution might explain why this burst was detectable whereas previous searches at low latitude have had lower detection rates than those out of the plane.
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| 22. |
- Goncalves-Pereira, M, et al.
(author)
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[Needs for Care and Service Use in Dementia: Baseline Assessment of Portuguese Participants in the Actifcare Cohort Study]
- 2019
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In: Acta medica portuguesa. - : Ordem dos Medicos. - 1646-0758 .- 0870-399X. ; 32:5, s. 355-367
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introdução: As pessoas com demência e os seus familiares deveriam ter acesso atempado a cuidados formais na comunidade (centros de dia, apoio domiciliário). O projecto EU-Actifcare investigou o acesso/utilização destes serviços em países europeus. Descrevemos a implementação do estudo de coorte e a avaliação inicial em Portugal, com foco nas necessidades de cuidados e recurso aos serviços.Material e Métodos: Selecionámos uma amostra de conveniência de 66 pessoas com diagnóstico de demência ligeira a moderada (residindo na comunidade sem cuidados formais relevantes) e respetivos familiares-cuidadores. A avaliação (clínico-funcional e social) incluiu os instrumentos Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly e Resource Utilization in Dementia.Resultados: Identificámos necessidades não-cobertas dos doentes (média 1,1; DP = 1,7), principalmente de companhia (23% dos casos), sofrimento psicológico (20%) e atividades diárias (14%). Os familiares-cuidadores dedicavam 150 minutos/dia (mediana) à prestação de cuidados e 44% apresentavam necessidades não-cobertas de sofrimento psicológico. Quando havia problemas de acesso/utilização dos serviços de saúde e sociais na comunidade, estes estavam frequentemente relacionados com recusa ou desconhecimento de utentes/familiares.Discussão: A seleção dos participantes não foi fácil, pela especificidade dos critérios adotados. Não almejando representatividade nacional, recrutámos uma amostra típica de pessoas em estádios ligeiros a moderados de demência, em serviços e regiões diferentes. Nalguns casos, encontrámos necessidades não-cobertas e repercussões familiares que já justificariam respostas de serviços na comunidade, não fossem os problemas de acesso/utilização.Conclusão: Na área das demências, existem dificuldades no acesso atempado e utilização efectiva de cuidados formais, coexistindo com uma cobertura menor de necessidades específicas.
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| 23. |
- Kulka, U., et al.
(author)
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Realising the European network of biodosimetry : RENEB-status quo
- 2015
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In: Radiation Protection Dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0144-8420 .- 1742-3406. ; 164:1-2, s. 42-45
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Creating a sustainable network in biological and retrospective dosimetry that involves a large number of experienced laboratories throughout the European Union (EU) will significantly improve the accident and emergency response capabilities in case of a large-scale radiological emergency. A well-organised cooperative action involving EU laboratories will offer the best chance for fast and trustworthy dose assessments that are urgently needed in an emergency situation. To this end, the EC supports the establishment of a European network in biological dosimetry (RENEB). The RENEB project started in January 2012 involving cooperation of 23 organisations from 16 European countries. The purpose of RENEB is to increase the biodosimetry capacities in case of large-scale radiological emergency scenarios. The progress of the project since its inception is presented, comprising the consolidation process of the network with its operational platform, intercomparison exercises, training activities, proceedings in quality assurance and horizon scanning for new methods and partners. Additionally, the benefit of the network for the radiation research community as a whole is addressed.
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| 24. |
- Kulka, U., et al.
(author)
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Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)
- 2012
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In: Radiation Protection Dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0144-8420 .- 1742-3406. ; 151:4, s. 621-625
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Europe, a network for biological dosimetry has been created to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capabilities in case of a large-scale nuclear accident or radiological emergency. Through the RENEB (Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry) project, 23 experienced laboratories from 16 European countries will establish a sustainable network for rapid, comprehensive and standardised biodosimetry provision that would be urgently required in an emergency situation on European ground. The foundation of the network is formed by five main pillars: (1) the ad hoc operational basis, (2) a basis of future developments, (3) an effective quality-management system, (4) arrangements to guarantee long-term sustainability and (5) awareness of the existence of RENEB. RENEB will thus provide a mechanism for quick, efficient and reliable support within the European radiation emergency management. The scientific basis of RENEB will concurrently contribute to increased safety in the field of radiation protection.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Romm, H., et al.
(author)
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Automatic scoring of dicentric chromosomes as a tool in large scale radiation accidents
- 2013
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In: Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1383-5718 .- 1879-3592. ; 756:1-2, s. 174-183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mass casualty scenarios of radiation exposure require high throughput biological dosimetry techniques for population triage in order to rapidly identify individuals who require clinical treatment. The manual dicentric assay is a highly suitable technique, but it is also very time consuming and requires well trained scorers. In the framework of the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project, semi-automated dicentric scoring has been established in six European biodosimetry laboratories. Whole blood was irradiated with a Co-60 gamma source resulting in 8 different doses between 0 and 4.5 Gy and then shipped to the six participating laboratories. To investigate two different scoring strategies, cell cultures were set up with short term (2-3 h) or long term (24 h) colcemid treatment. Three classifiers for automatic dicentric detection were applied, two of which were developed specifically for these two different culture techniques. The automation procedure included metaphase finding, capture of cells at high resolution and detection of dicentric candidates. The automatically detected dicentric candidates were then evaluated by a trained human scorer, which led to the term 'semi-automated' being applied to the analysis. The six participating laboratories established at least one semi-automated calibration curve each, using the appropriate classifier for their colcemid treatment time. There was no significant difference between the calibration curves established, regardless of the classifier used. The ratio of false positive to true positive dicentric candidates was dose dependent. The total staff effort required for analysing 150 metaphases using the semi-automated approach was 2 min as opposed to 60 min for manual scoring of 50 metaphases. Semi-automated dicentric scoring is a useful tool in a large scale radiation accident as it enables high throughput screening of samples for fast triage of potentially exposed individuals. Furthermore, the results from the participating laboratories were comparable which supports networking between laboratories for this assay.
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| 27. |
- Romm, H., et al.
(author)
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VALIDATION OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC SCORING OF DICENTRIC CHROMOSOMES AFTER SIMULATION OF THREE DIFFERENT IRRADIATION SCENARIOS
- 2014
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In: Health Physics. - 0017-9078 .- 1538-5159. ; 106:6, s. 764-771
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Large scale radiological emergencies require high throughput techniques of biological dosimetry for population triage in order to identify individuals indicated for medical treatment. The dicentric assay is the gold standard technique for the performance of biological dosimetry, but it is very time consuming and needs well trained scorers. To increase the throughput of blood samples, semi-automation of dicentric scoring was investigated in the framework of the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project, and dose effect curves were established in six biodosimetry laboratories. To validate these dose effect curves, blood samples from 33 healthy donors (>10 donors/scenario) were irradiated in vitro with Co-60 gamma rays simulating three different exposure scenarios: acute whole body, partial body, and protracted exposure, with three different doses for each scenario. All the blood samples were irradiated at Ghent University, Belgium, and then shipped blind coded to the participating laboratories. The blood samples were set up by each lab using their own standard protocols, and metaphase slides were prepared to validate the calibration curves established by semi-automatic dicentric scoring. In order to achieve this, 300 metaphases per sample were captured, and the doses were estimated using the newly formed dose effect curves. After acute uniform exposure, all laboratories were able to distinguish between 0 Gy, 0.5 Gy, 2.0, and 4.0 Gy (p < 0.001), and, in most cases, the dose estimates were within a range of +/- 0.5 Gy of the given dose. After protracted exposure, all laboratories were able to distinguish between 1.0 Gy, 2.0 Gy, and 4.0 Gy (p < 0.001), and here also a large number of the dose estimates were within +/- 0.5 Gy of the irradiation dose. After simulated partial body exposure, all laboratories were able to distinguish between 2.0 Gy, 4.0 Gy, and 6.0 Gy (p < 0.001). Overdispersion of the dicentric distribution enabled the detection of the partial body samples; however, this result was clearly dose-dependent. For partial body exposures, only a few dose estimates were in the range of +/- 0.5 Gy of the given dose, but an improvement could be achieved with higher cell numbers. The new method of semi-automation of the dicentric assay was introduced successfully in a network of six laboratories. It is therefore concluded that this method can be used as a high-throughput screening tool in a large-scale radiation accident.
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| 28. |
- Romm, H., et al.
(author)
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Web-based scoring of the dicentric assay, a collaborative biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents
- 2014
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In: Radiation and Environmental Biophysics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0301-634X .- 1432-2099. ; 53:2, s. 241-254
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the case of a large scale radiation accident high throughput methods of biological dosimetry for population triage are needed to identify individuals requiring clinical treatment. The dicentric assay performed in web-based scoring mode may be a very suitable technique. Within the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project a network is being established of 8 laboratories with expertise in dose estimations based on the dicentric assay. Here, the manual dicentric assay was tested in a web-based scoring mode. More than 23,000 high resolution images of metaphase spreads (only first mitosis) were captured by four laboratories and established as image galleries on the internet (cloud). The galleries included images of a complete dose effect curve (0-5.0 Gy) and three types of irradiation scenarios simulating acute whole body, partial body and protracted exposure. The blood samples had been irradiated in vitro with gamma rays at the University of Ghent, Belgium. Two laboratories provided image galleries from Fluorescence plus Giemsa stained slides (3 h colcemid) and the image galleries from the other two laboratories contained images from Giemsa stained preparations (24 h colcemid). Each of the 8 participating laboratories analysed 3 dose points of the dose effect curve (scoring 100 cells for each point) and 3 unknown dose points (50 cells) for each of the 3 simulated irradiation scenarios. At first all analyses were performed in a QuickScan Mode without scoring individual chromosomes, followed by conventional scoring (only complete cells, 46 centromeres). The calibration curves obtained using these two scoring methods were very similar, with no significant difference in the linear-quadratic curve coefficients. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of dose on the yield of dicentrics, but no significant effect of the laboratories, different methods of slide preparation or different incubation times used for colcemid. The results obtained to date within the MULTIBIODOSE project by a network of 8 collaborating laboratories throughout Europe are very promising. The dicentric assay in the web based scoring mode as a high throughput scoring strategy is a useful application for biodosimetry in the case of a large scale radiation accident.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Barrios, C. A., et al.
(author)
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Analysis of leakage current in GaAs/AlGaAs buried-heterostructure lasers with a semi-insulating GaInP : Fe burying layer
- 2002
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 92:5, s. 2506-2517
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The leakage current in recently demonstrated GaAs/AlGaAs buried heterostructure (BH) lasers with a semi-insulating (SI) GaInP:Fe burying layer has been theoretically and experimentally analyzed. Calculated current-voltage characteristics of n-GaAs/SI-GaInP/n-GaAs and p-GaAs/SI-GaInP/p-GaAs planar configurations have been studied specially to assess the behavior of SI-GaInP:Fe under electron and hole injection. Two-dimensional potential profiles have been used to explain the leakage current mechanism in the SI-GaInP-buried lasers. Simulations reveal that the total leakage current decreases as the active trap concentration in the SI-GaInP:Fe burying layer is increased as expected, but the leakage current is strongly confined in the vicinity of the active region where the local leakage current density increases significantly as the trap density increases. It is found that the insertion of a n-GaInP hole blocking layer between the p-metal and the SI-GaInP layer decreases the total leakage current. Experimental light-current and current-voltage characteristics of fabricated lasers with and without an additional n-GaInP layer, and electroluminescence (EL) emitted from the burying GaInP:Fe layers corroborate qualitatively the simulations and demonstrate the benefits of using a n-GaInP layer for reducing leakage current in these type of lasers.
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| 35. |
- Chamorro, H. R., et al.
(author)
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Data-driven trajectory prediction of grid power frequency based on neural models
- 2021
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In: Electronics. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9292. ; 10:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Frequency in power systems is a real-time information that shows the balance between generation and demand. Good system frequency observation is vital for system security and pro-tection. This paper analyses the system frequency response following disturbances and proposes a data-driven approach for predicting it by using machine learning techniques like Nonlinear Autoregressive (NAR) Neural Networks (NN) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) networks from simulated and measured Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data. The proposed method uses a horizon-window that reconstructs the frequency input time-series data in order to predict the frequency features such as Nadir. Simulated scenarios are based on the gradual inertia reduction by including non-synchronous generation into the Nordic 32 test system, whereas the PMU collected data is taken from different locations in the Nordic Power System (NPS). Several horizon-windows are experimented in order to observe an adequate margin of prediction. Scenarios considering noisy signals are also evaluated in order to provide a robustness index of predictability. Results show the proper performance of the method and the adequate level of prediction based on the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) index. © 2021 by the authors.
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| 39. |
- Goncalves-Pereira, M, et al.
(author)
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The Portuguese participation in the Actifcare (access to timely formal care in dementia) European study: Preliminary results of systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative data
- 2017
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In: EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0924-9338 .- 1778-3585. ; 41, s. S652-S652
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In the context of untimely access to community formal services, unmet needs of persons with dementia (PwD) and their carers may compromise their quality of life.Objectives/aimsThe Actifcare EU-JPND project (www.actifcare.eu) focuses on access to and (non) utilization of dementia formal care in eight countries (The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Portugal), as related to unmet needs and quality of life. Evaluations included systematic reviews, qualitative explorations, and a European cohort study (PwD in early/intermediate phases and their primary carers; n = 453 days; 1 year follow-up). Preliminary Portuguese results are presented here (FCT-JPND-HC/0001/2012).Methods(1) extensive systematic searches on access to/utilization of services; (2) focus groups of PwD, carers and health/social professionals; (3) prospective study (n = 66 days from e.g., primary care, hospital outpatient services, Alzheimer Portugal).ResultsIn Portugal, nationally representative data is scarce regarding health/social services utilization in dementia. There are important barriers to access to community services, according to users, carers and professionals, whose views not always coincide. The Portuguese cohort participants were 66 PwD (62.1% female, 77.3 ± 6.2 years, 55.5% Alzheimer's/mixed subtypes, MMSE 17.8 ± 4.8, CDR1 89.4%) and 66 carers (66.7% female, 64.9 ± 15.0 years, 56.1% spouses), with considerable unmet needs in some domains.ConclusionsAll Actifcare milestones are being reached. The consortium is now analyzing international differences in (un) timely access to services and its impact on quality of life and needs for care (e.g., formal community support is weaker in Portugal than in many European countries). National best-practice recommendations in dementia are also in preparation.Abstract submitted on behalf of the Actifcare Eu-JPND consortium.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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| 40. |
- Kjekshus, John, et al.
(author)
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Rosuvastatin in older patients with systolic heart failure.
- 2007
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In: The New England journal of medicine. - 1533-4406. ; 357:22, s. 2248-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with systolic heart failure have generally been excluded from statin trials. Acute coronary events are uncommon in this population, and statins have theoretical risks in these patients. METHODS: A total of 5011 patients at least 60 years of age with New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV ischemic, systolic heart failure were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of rosuvastatin or placebo per day. The primary composite outcome was death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included death from any cause, any coronary event, death from cardiovascular causes, and the number of hospitalizations. RESULTS: As compared with the placebo group, patients in the rosuvastatin group had decreased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (difference between groups, 45.0%; P<0.001) and of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (difference between groups, 37.1%; P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 32.8 months, the primary outcome occurred in 692 patients in the rosuvastatin group and 732 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.02; P=0.12), and 728 patients and 759 patients, respectively, died (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.05; P=0.31). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the coronary outcome or death from cardiovascular causes. In a prespecified secondary analysis, there were fewer hospitalizations for cardiovascular causes in the rosuvastatin group (2193) than in the placebo group (2564) (P<0.001). No excessive episodes of muscle-related or other adverse events occurred in the rosuvastatin group. CONCLUSIONS: Rosuvastatin did not reduce the primary outcome or the number of deaths from any cause in older patients with systolic heart failure, although the drug did reduce the number of cardiovascular hospitalizations. The drug did not cause safety problems. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00206310.)
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Lorgelly, Paula K, et al.
(author)
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An economic evaluation of rosuvastatin treatment in systolic heart failure: evidence from the CORONA trial.
- 2010
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In: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1879-0844 .- 1388-9842. ; 12:1, s. 66-74
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of 10 mg rosuvastatin daily for older patients with systolic heart failure in the Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Study in Heart Failure (CORONA) trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: This within trial analysis of CORONA used major cardiovascular (CV) events as the outcome measure. Resource use was valued and the costs of hospitalizations, procedures, and statin use compared. Cost-effectiveness was estimated as cost per major CV event avoided. There were significantly fewer major CV events in the rosuvastatin group compared with the placebo group (1.04 vs. 1.20 per patient; difference 0.164; 95% CI: 0.075-0.254, P < 0.001). The average cost of CV hospitalizations and procedures was significantly lower for those receiving rosuvastatin ( pound1531 vs. pound1769; difference pound238; 95% CI: pound73-403, P = 0.005); the additional cost of the statin resulted in significantly higher total costs for the rosuvastatin group ( pound1769 vs. pound2072; difference pound303; 95% CI: pound138-468, P < 0.001). Overall, rosuvastatin was found to cost pound1840 (95% CI: pound562-6028) per major CV event avoided. CONCLUSION: This economic analysis showed that a significant reduction in major CV events with rosuvastatin led to significantly reduced costs of CV hospitalizations and procedures. The reduction in associated costs for major CV events was found to offset partially (by 44%) the cost of rosuvastatin treatment in patients with systolic heart failure.
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| 43. |
- Lourdudoss, Sebastian, et al.
(author)
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Heteroepitaxy and selective epitaxy for discrete and integrated devices
- 2006
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In: 2006 CONFERENCE ON OPTOELECTRONIC AND MICROELECTRONIC MATERIALS & DEVICES. - NEW YORK : IEEE. - 9781424405770 ; , s. 309-311
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present first results on heteroepitaxy of InP on silicon on insulator (SOI). We also demonstrate InP nanopillar fabrication by means of selective epitaxy. Selective epitaxy is also exploited to fabricate advanced photonic integrated devices for Optical Code Division Multiplex Access (OCDMA) networking applications.
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
- Santana-Garrido, A, et al.
(author)
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Hypertension secondary to nitric oxide depletion produces oxidative imbalance and inflammatory/fibrotic outcomes in the cornea of C57BL/6 mice
- 2022
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In: Journal of physiology and biochemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1877-8755 .- 1138-7548. ; 78:4, s. 915-932
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Arterial hypertension (AH) leads to oxidative and inflammatory imbalance that contribute to fibrosis development in many target organs. Here, we aimed to highlight the harmful effects of severe AH in the cornea. Our experimental model was established by administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) to C57BL/6 mice, which were monitored weekly for arterial blood pressure and intraocular pressure (IOP). Morphological studies of ocular tissues were accompanied by analyses of reactive oxygen species generation, and localization/expression of NAPDH oxidase isoforms (NOX1, NOX2, NOX4) and inflammatory biomarkers (PPARα, PPARγ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and COX-2). Masson’s trichrome and Sirius Red staining were used to explore the fibrotic status of the cornea. The expression of collagen isoforms (COL1α1, COL1α2, COL3α1, COL4α1, COL4α2) and relevant metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) were also quantified to evaluate the participation of collagen metabolism in AH-related corneal damage. Hypertensive animals showed an increase in IOP values, and a thinner cornea compared with normotensive controls. Moreover, AH increased NADPH oxidase activity and reactive oxygen species generation in the cornea, which was accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of NOX isoforms and inflammatory biomarkers, while reducing PPAR expression. L-NAME-treated animals also developed corneal fibrosis with overexpression of collagen isoforms and reduction of factors responsible for collagen degradation. This is the first study reporting structural changes in the cornea and elevated IOP in L-NAME-treated mice. Overexpression of the NADPH oxidase system and collagen deposition might play a substantial role in the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to ocular disturbances in a context of severe hypertension.
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| 46. |
- Stephan, Astrid, et al.
(author)
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Barriers and facilitators to the access to and use of formal dementia care : findings of a focus group study with people with dementia, informal carers and health and social care professionals in eight European countries
- 2018
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In: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 18:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: People with dementia and informal carers often access formal care late in the process of dementia. The barriers and facilitators to service use from the perspectives of different stakeholders involved are not well understood. Thus, we aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of access to and utilisation of formal care from the perspectives of people with dementia, their informal carers and health and social care professionals.METHOD: Focus groups with people with dementia, informal carers and professionals were conducted in eight European countries. Recruitment targeted people with dementia, informal carers with experience of formal care and professionals involved in providing (access to) formal care. Qualitative content analysis using open coding was used on a national level. Cross-national synthesis was based on the translated national reports.RESULTS: Overall, 55 focus groups with 261 participants were conducted, involving 51 people with dementia, 96 informal carers and 114 professionals. Sixteen categories describing barriers and facilitators were identified, referring to three global themes: Aspects related to 1) individuals involved, 2) the system or 3) overarching aspects. The attitudes and beliefs of people with dementia and their carers may have a major impact, and they often serve as barriers. Formal care was perceived as a threat to the individual independence of people with dementia and was thus avoided as long as possible. A healthcare professional serving as a constant key contact person could be an essential facilitator to overcome these barriers. Contact should be initiated proactively, as early as possible, and a trusting and consistent relationship needs to be established. Beyond that, the findings largely confirm former research and show that barriers to accessing and using formal care still exist across Europe despite a number of national and European initiatives.CONCLUSION: Further investigations are needed to elaborate how the concept of a key contact person could be integrated with existing case management approaches and how the independence and autonomy of people with dementia can be strengthened when formal care needs to be accessed and used. These may be meaningful facilitators regarding enhanced access to formal care for people with dementia and their families.
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