| 1. |
- Axelsen, M. B., et al.
(författare)
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Responsiveness of different dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging approaches: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial of certolizumab pegol in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2020
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 49:2, s. 105-111
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim was to explore dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as an early marker of therapeutic response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting treatment with certolizumab pegol (CZP). Method: In 40 RA patients initiating CZP (27 patients) or 2 weeks of placebo (PCB) followed by CZP (13 patients), DCE-MRI of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was performed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. Using semi-automated software, three methods for drawing volume regions of interest (ROIs) in MCP2-5 and PIP2-5 were applied: 'Standard' (slices: all; joints: MCP2-5 together and PIP2-5 together), 'Detailed' (slices: slices with high-quality visualization; joints: as Standard), and 'Single-joint' (slices: as Detailed; joints: each joint separately). The number of enhancing voxels (Nvoxel), initial rate of enhancement (IRE), and maximum enhancement (ME) were extracted and analysed for each method. Results: Nvoxel in MCP2-5, and IRE and ME in PIP2-5 decreased statistically significantly (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p < 0.02-0.03) after 16 weeks of treatment for the Standard method. Nvoxel and ME decreased significantly more in the CZP group than in the PCB group after 1 week of treatment, but not at later time-points. There were no significant changes for DCE-MRI parameters for the Detailed and Single-joint methods. Conclusions: Certain DCE-MRI parameters detected decreased inflammation during CZP treatment in RA patients. Using specific criteria for ROIs, as in the Detailed and Single-joint methods, decreased the statistical power and could not show any changes over time.
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| 3. |
- Daugaard, C. L., et al.
(författare)
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The effects of weight loss on imaging outcomes in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee in people who are overweight or obese : a systematic review
- 2020
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 28:1, s. 10-21
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate the structural effects of weight loss on hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to summarize which structural joint pathologies have been examined and the evidence for the outcome measurement instruments applied. Design: Based on a pre-specified protocol (available: PROSPERO CRD42017065263), we conducted a systematic search of the bibliographic databases, Medline, Embase and Web of Science identifying longitudinal articles reporting the effects of weight loss on structural imaging outcomes in OA of the hip or knee in people who are overweight or obese. Results: From 1625 potentially eligible records, 14 articles (from 6 cohorts) were included. 2 cohorts were derived from RCTs. Evaluated pathologies were: articular cartilage (n = 7), joint space width (n = 3), bone marrow lesions (n = 5), synovitis (n = 2), effusion (n = 1), meniscus (n = 3), bone marrow density (n = 1) and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP; n = 2). Cartilage showed conflicting results when evaluating cartilage thickness by direct thickness measurements. Compositional dGEMRIC and T2 mapping measures in early knee OA showed trends towards reduced cartilage degeneration. Joint space width on conventional radiographs showed no change. Weight loss reduced the size of the IPFP. Synovitis and effusion were not affected. Following weight loss DXA showed bone loss at the hip. Conclusion: We did not find consistent evidence of the effects of weight loss on OA structural pathology in people who are overweight or obese. There is a need to achieve consensus on which structural pathologies and measurements to apply in weight loss and OA research.
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| 4. |
- Gudbergsen, H., et al.
(författare)
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Weight loss is effective for symptomatic relief in obese subjects with knee osteoarthritis independently of joint damage severity assessed by high-field MRI and radiography
- 2012
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 20:6, s. 495-502
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: With an increasing prevalence of older and obese citizens, the problems of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) will escalate. Weight loss is recommended for obese KOA patients and in a majority of cases this leads to symptomatic relief. We hypothesized that pre-treatment structural status of the knee joint, assessed by radiographs, 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and knee-joint alignment, may influence the symptomatic changes following a significant weight reduction. Design: Patients were recruited from a Department of Rheumatology. Eligibility criteria were age above 50 years, body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2), primary KOA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and having verified structural damage. Patients underwent a 16 weeks dietary programme with formula products and counselling. MRI and radiographs of the most symptomatic knee were obtained at baseline and assessed for structural damage using the Boston-Leeds Osteoarthritis of the Knee Score, minimum joint space width and Kellgren Lawrence score. Imaging variables, muscle strength and degree of alignment, were examined as predictors of changes in Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) - Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Responder Criterion. Results: Structural damage at baseline assessed by imaging, muscle strength or knee-joint alignment showed no statistically significant association to changes in KOOS pain and function in daily living (r <= 0.13; P > 0.05) or the OMERACT-OARSI Responder Criterion (OR 0.48-1.68; P-values > 0.13). Conclusions: Presence of joint damage did not preclude symptomatic relief following a clinically relevant weight loss in older obese patients with KOA. Neither muscle strength nor knee-joint alignment was associated with the degree of symptomatic relief. (C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 8. |
- Gudbergsen, H., et al.
(författare)
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Correlations between radiographic assessments and MRI features of knee osteoarthritis - a cross-sectional study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 21:4, s. 535-543
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To assess correlations between Kellgren & Lawrence (KL) gradings, minimum joint space width (mJSW) measurements and the Boston Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score (BLOKS) within a cohort of obese patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: 192 Participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00655941). Inclusion criteria were age >= 50 years, body mass index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m(2) plus symptomatic and verified KOA. 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were assessed using BLOKS and bi-plane radiography by mJSW and KL. Statistics used were Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results: The average patient was 63 years of age, female and had a BMI of 37. KL gradings correlated to cartilage damage, bone marrow lesions and meniscus pathology (r = 0.15-0.76) and similar results were found for the relationship between BLOKS and mJSW. BLOKS assessed knee joint pathology co-segregated with compartment and grade specific KL (P < 0.0001). BLOKS variables were statistically significant correlated, particularly in the medial tibiofemoral compartment (r = 0.42-0.80). Adjusting for age, gender and BMI did not alter these associations. Conclusion: Extensive pathological damage is present even in mild radiographic KOA and BLOKS gradings and KL scores increase together. Analyses of compartment specific KL scores revealed differences in their relationship to the assessed MRI variables. Our study displays the segregation of MRI gradings with respect to location and level of radiographic scores, reveals a high inter-dependency of MRI-assessed structures, and describes some redundancy of specific BLOKS variables. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International.
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| 9. |
- Henriksen, M., et al.
(författare)
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Is increased joint loading detrimental to obese patients with knee osteoarthritis? A secondary data analysis from a randomized trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 21:12, s. 1865-1875
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To investigate whether increased knee joint loading due to improved ambulatory function and walking speed following weight loss achieved over 16 weeks accelerates symptomatic and structural disease progression over a subsequent 1 year weight maintenance period in an obese population with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Data from a prospective study of weight loss in obese patients with knee OA (the CARtilage in obese knee OsteoarThritis (CAROT) study) were used to determine changes in knee joint compressive loadings (model estimated) during walking after a successful 16 week weight loss intervention. The participants were divided into 'Unloaders' (participants that reduced joint loads) and 'Loaders' (participants that increased joint loads). The primary symptomatic outcome was changes in knee symptoms, measured with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire, during a subsequent 52 weeks weight maintenance period. The primary structural outcome was changes in tibiofemoral cartilage loss assessed semi-quantitatively (Boston Leeds Knee Osteoarthritis Score (BLOKS) from MRI after the 52 weight maintenance period. Results: 157 participants (82% of the CAROT cohort) with medial and/or lateral knee OA were classified as Unloaders (n = 100) or Loaders (n = 57). The groups showed similar significant changes in symptoms (group difference: 2.4 KOOS points [95% CI 6.8:1.91) and cartilage loss (group difference: 0.06 BLOKS points [95% CI 0.22:0.11) after 1 year, with no statistically significant differences between Loaders and Unloaders. Conclusion: For obese patients undergoing a significant weight loss, increased knee joint loading for 1 year was not associated with accelerated symptomatic and structural disease progression compared to a similar weight loss group that had reduced ambulatory compressive knee joint loads. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00655941. (C) 2013 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 12. |
- Andersen, Niels S., et al.
(författare)
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Pre-Emptive Treatment With Rituximab of Molecular Relapse After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Oncology. - 0732-183X .- 1527-7755. ; 27:26, s. 4365-4370
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose Minimal residual disease (MRD) is predictive of clinical progression in mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). According to the Nordic MCL-2 protocol we prospectively analyzed the efficacy of pre-emptive treatment using rituximab to MCL patients in molecular relapse after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients and Materials MCL patients enrolled onto the study, who had polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detectable molecular markers and underwent ASCT, were followed with serial PCR assessments of MRD in consecutive bone marrow and peripheral blood samples after ASCT. In case of molecular relapse with increasing MRD levels, patients were offered pre-emptive treatment with rituximab 375 mg/m(2) weekly for 4 weeks. Results Of 160 MCL patients enrolled, 145 underwent ASCT, of whom 78 had a molecular marker. Of these, 74 were in complete remission (CR) and four had progressive disease after ASCT. Of the CR patients, 36 underwent a molecular relapse up to 6 years (mean, 18.5 months) after ASCT. Ten patients did not receive pre-emptive treatment mainly due to a simultaneous molecular and clinical relapse, while 26 patients underwent pre-emptive treatment leading to reinduction of molecular remission in 92%. Median molecular and clinical relapse-free survival after pre-emptive treatment were 1.5 and 3.7 years, respectively. Of the 38 patients who remain in molecular remission for now for a median of 3.3 years (range, 0.4 to 6.6 years), 33 are still in clinical CR. Conclusion Molecular relapse may occur many years after ASCT in MCL, and PCR based pre-emptive treatment using rituximab is feasible, reinduce molecular remission, and may prevent clinical relapse.
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| 13. |
- Christensen, Robin, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of Weight Maintenance on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis in Obese Patients: A Twelve-Month Randomized Controlled Trial 1
- 2015
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Ingår i: Arthritis Care and Research. - : Wiley. - 2151-4658 .- 2151-464X. ; 67:5, s. 640-650
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To compare results of obese patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who, after an intensive weight loss regimen, received 1 year of either dietary support (D), a knee-exercise program (E), or "no attention" (C; control group). Methods. We conducted a randomized, 2-phase, parallel-group trial. A total of 192 obese participants with knee OA were enrolled; the mean age was 62.5 years and 81% were women with a mean entry weight of 103.2 kg. In phase 1, all participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups and began a dietary regimen of 400-810 and 1,250 kcal/day for 16 weeks (2 8-week phases) to achieve a major weight loss. Phase 2 consisted of 52 weeks' maintenance in either group D, E, or C. Outcomes were changes from randomization in pain on a 100-mm visual analog scale, weight, and response according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology-Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. Results. Mean weight loss for phase 1 was 12.8 kg. After 1 year on maintenance therapy, the D group sustained a lower weight (11.0 kg, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 9.0, 12.8 kg) than those in the E (6.2, 95% CI 4.4, 8.1 kg) and C (8.2, 95% CI 6.4, 10.1 kg) groups (P = 0.002 by analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]). Adherence was low in the E group. All groups had statistically significant pain reduction (D: 6.1; E: 5.6; and C: 5.5 mm) with no difference between groups (P = 0.98 by ANCOVA). In each group 32 (50%), 26 (41%), and 33 (52%) participants responded to treatment in the D, E, and C groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference in the number of responders (P = 0.41). Conclusion. A significant weight reduction with a 1-year maintenance program improves knee OA symptoms irrespective of maintenance program.
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| 14. |
- Fuchs, Boris, et al.
(författare)
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High concentrations of lead (Pb) in blood and milk of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Scandinavia
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to lead (Pb) is a global health problem for both humans and wildlife. Despite a dramatic decline in human Pb exposure following restrictions of leaded gasoline and industry and thereby an overall reduction of Pb entering the environment, Pb exposure continues to be a problem for wildlife species. Literature on scavenging terrestrial mammals, including interactions between Pb exposure and life history, is however limited.We quantified Pb concentration in 153 blood samples from 110 free-ranging Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos), 1–25 years old, using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. We used generalized linear models to test effects of age, body mass, reproduction status and spatial distribution on the blood Pb concentrations of 56 female bears. We sampled 28 females together with 56 dependent cubs and paired their blood Pb concentrations. From 20 lactating females, we measured the Pb concentration in milk.The mean blood Pb concentration was 96.6 μg/L (range: 38.7.0–220.5 μg/L). Both the mean and range are well above established threshold concentrations for developmental neurotoxicity (12 μg/L), increased systolic blood pressure (36 μg/L) and prevalence of kidney disease in humans (15 μg/L). Lactating females had higher Pb blood concentrations compared to younger, non-lactating females. Blood Pb concentrations of dependent cubs were correlated with their mother's blood Pb concentration, which in turn was correlated with the Pb concentration in the milk.Life-long Pb exposure in Scandinavian brown bears may have adverse effects both on individual and population levels. The high blood Pb concentrations found in brown bears contrast the general reduction in environmental Pb contamination over the past decades in Scandinavia and more research is needed to identify the sources and pathways of Pb exposure in the brown bears.
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| 16. |
- Ling, M. L., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Ice Nucleation Protein Repeat Number and Oligomerization Level on Ice Nucleation Activity
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. - 2169-8996. ; 123:3, s. 1802-1810
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ice nucleation active bacteria have attracted particular attention due to their unique ability to produce specific ice nucleation proteins (INpros), which are the most efficient ice nuclei known as they induce nucleation at temperatures close to 0°C. Our model bacterium Pseudomonas syringae strain R10.79 produced INpros containing 67 tandem repeats, forming the proposed ice-binding surface. To understand the role of the INpro repeats as well as the role of intermolecular interactions between INpros for their ice nucleation behavior, we produced a truncated version of the protein with only 16 tandem repeats (INpro16R). The purified INpro16R produced oligomers of varying sizes. Immersion freezing ice nucleation behavior of purified INpro16R was characterized by droplet-freezing assays and in the Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator. Predominant INpro16R oligomers introduced into Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator as single particles with diameters of 50 nm or 70 nm were ice nucleation active at temperatures of -26°C and -24°C, respectively. These are much lower temperatures compared to that of intact INpros (-12°C). The data clearly indicated that the number of repeats determines the ice nucleation temperature. In addition, ice nucleation between -9°C and -10°C, comparable to the activity of intact INpro, was caused by higher-order INpro16R oligomers. This supported previous observations that INpro oligomerization increases the ice-binding surface, thereby affecting ice nucleation activity. In conclusion, both repeat number and oligomerization contribute in a seemingly independent manner to the nucleation mechanism of INpros.
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| 17. |
- Riecke, B. F., et al.
(författare)
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Comparing two low-energy diets for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms in obese patients: a pragmatic randomized clinical trial
- 2010
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 18:6, s. 746-754
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To evaluate in a prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT), symptom response among obese knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients following a feasible. intensive weight-loss program for 16 weeks Methods Eligible patients were obese [body mass index (BMI)> 30 kg/m(2)], >50 years old, with primary knee OA Participants were randomized to either a very-low-energy diet (VLED) or a low-energy diet (LED) (415 kcal/day and 810 kcal/clay, respectively), using commercially available formula foods only for the first 8 weeks, managed by dieticians The 8 weeks were followed by an additional 8-week period of a hypo-energetic diet consisting of normal food plus meal replacements (1200 kcal/day) The primary endpoint was the number of patients responding according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OMERACT-OARSI) responder criterion The statistical analysis was based on a non-responder intention-to-treat gro population (baseline observation carried forward) Results One hundred and ninety two patients (155 (80 7%) females) with a mean age 62 5 years [standard deviation (SD) 64, range 50-78 years), average BMI 37.3 (SD 4 8) were included At 16 weeks, similar proportions of the VLED and LED groups, 59 (61 5%). and 63 (65.6%) patients, respectively, met the OMERACT-OARSI responder criteria, with no statistical significant difference between the groups (P=0 55) Combining the groups the pooled estimate was 64% meeting the responder criteria [95% confidence interval (CI) 57%. 70%] There was an overall reduction in pain, corresponding to an average pain reduction on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of 111 (95%CI 13 6, 8 5) in the combined groups At week 16 weight loss in the combined groups was 128 kg (95%CI 11 84-13 66, P < 0 001) 71% lost >= 10% body weight in both diet groups, with a pooled estimate of 74% (95%CI 68-80%) Conclusion No clinically significant differences were found between the 415 kcal/day and 810 kcal/clay diets A 16-week formula-diet weight-loss program resulted in a fast and effective weight loss with very few adverse events resulting in a highly significant improvement in symptoms in overweight patients with knee OA ChnicalTrials gov Identifier NCT00655941 (C) 2010 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
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