| 1. |
- Engert, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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The European Hematology Association Roadmap for European Hematology Research : a consensus document
- 2016
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Ingår i: Haematologica. - Pavia, Italy : Ferrata Storti Foundation (Haematologica). - 0390-6078 .- 1592-8721. ; 101:2, s. 115-208
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The European Hematology Association (EHA) Roadmap for European Hematology Research highlights major achievements in diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and identifies the greatest unmet clinical and scientific needs in those areas to enable better funded, more focused European hematology research. Initiated by the EHA, around 300 experts contributed to the consensus document, which will help European policy makers, research funders, research organizations, researchers, and patient groups make better informed decisions on hematology research. It also aims to raise public awareness of the burden of blood disorders on European society, which purely in economic terms is estimated at (sic)23 billion per year, a level of cost that is not matched in current European hematology research funding. In recent decades, hematology research has improved our fundamental understanding of the biology of blood disorders, and has improved diagnostics and treatments, sometimes in revolutionary ways. This progress highlights the potential of focused basic research programs such as this EHA Roadmap. The EHA Roadmap identifies nine 'sections' in hematology: normal hematopoiesis, malignant lymphoid and myeloid diseases, anemias and related diseases, platelet disorders, blood coagulation and hemostatic disorders, transfusion medicine, infections in hematology, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These sections span 60 smaller groups of diseases or disorders. The EHA Roadmap identifies priorities and needs across the field of hematology, including those to develop targeted therapies based on genomic profiling and chemical biology, to eradicate minimal residual malignant disease, and to develop cellular immunotherapies, combination treatments, gene therapies, hematopoietic stem cell treatments, and treatments that are better tolerated by elderly patients.
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| 2. |
- Lorenzano, Svetlana, et al.
(författare)
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SiPP (Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum) : A prospective, observational, international, multicentre study on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical profile, management and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant and postpartum women
- 2020
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Ingår i: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 5:2, s. 193-203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: Cerebrovascular diseases associated with pregnancy and postpartum period are uncommon; however, they can have an important impact on health of both women and foetus or newborn. Aims: To evaluate the frequency, characteristics and management of cerebrovascular events in pregnant/postpartum women, to clarify pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the occurrence of these events including biomolecular aspects, and to assess the short- and long-term cerebrovascular and global cardiovascular outcome of these patients, their predictors and infant outcome. Methods and design: This is an observational, prospective, multicentre, international case–control study. The study will include patients with cerebrovascular events during pregnancy and/or within six months after delivery. For each included case, two controls will be prospectively recruited: one pregnant or puerperal subject without any history of cerebrovascular event and one non-pregnant or non-puerperal subject with a recent cerebrovascular event. All controls will be matched by age, ethnicity and type of cerebrovascular event with their assigned cases. The pregnant controls will be matched also by pregnancy weeks/trimester. Follow-up will last 24 months for the mother and 12 months for the infant. Summary: To better understand causes and outcomes of uncommon conditions like pregnancy/postpartum-related cerebrovascular events, the development of multisite, multidisciplinary registry-based studies, such as the Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum study, is needed in order to collect an adequate number of patients, draw reliable conclusions and give definite recommendations on their management.
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| 3. |
- Ratajczak-Tretel, Barbara, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke and transient ischaemic attack – The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (NOR-FIB) Study : Rationale and design
- 2019
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Ingår i: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 4:2, s. 172-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is often suspected as a probable cause of cryptogenic stroke. Continuous long-term ECG monitoring using insertable cardiac monitors is a clinically effective technique to screen for atrial fibrillation and superior to conventional follow-up in cryptogenic stroke. However, more studies are needed to identify factors which can help selecting patients with the highest possibility of detecting atrial fibrillation with prolonged rhythm monitoring. The clinical relevance of short-term atrial fibrillation, the need for medical intervention and the evaluation as to whether intervention results in improved clinical outcomes should be assessed. Method: The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Study is an international, multicentre, prospective, observational trial evaluating the occurrence of occult atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Patients with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischaemic attack from the Nordic countries are included and will have the Reveal LINQ® Insertable cardiac monitor system implanted for 12 months for atrial fibrillation detection. Biomarkers which can be used as predictors for atrial fibrillation and may identify patients, who could derive the most clinical benefit from the detection of atrial fibrillation by prolonged monitoring, are being studied. Conclusion: The primary endpoint is atrial fibrillation burden within 12 months of continuous rhythm monitoring. Secondary endpoints are atrial fibrillation burden within six months, levels of biomarkers predicting atrial fibrillation, CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score, incidence of recurrent stroke or transient ischaemic attack, use of anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic drugs, and quality of life measurements. The clinical follow-up period is 12 months. The study started in 2017 and the completion is expected at the end of 2020.
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| 4. |
- Afshangian, Fazlallah, et al.
(författare)
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Coprolalia in aphasic patients with stroke : a longitudinal observation from the BLAS2T database
- 2017
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Ingår i: Neurocase. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1355-4794 .- 1465-3656. ; 23:5-6, s. 249-262
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The BLAS2T (bilingual aphasia in stroke-study team) initiative has been a multi-center attempt to investigate longitudinal changes in language function in a cohort of stroke subjects. This report discusses linguistic performance in four cases from the BLAS2T database who demonstrated coprolalia as an irresistible urge to say obscene words. Coprolalia was found to partly resolve in a 30-day follow-up in three cases. Recognition of coprolalia and language recovery patterns in bilingual aphasic patients with stroke would potentially lead to their even better individualized care and neurolinguistic/cognitive rehabilitation.
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| 5. |
- Apostolaki-Hansson, Trine, et al.
(författare)
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Diverging Trends in Survival and Functional Outcome between Males and Females after Intracerebral Hemorrhage
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Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - 1423-0208. ; , s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Compared to ischemic stroke, sex differences in patient outcomes following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are underreported. We aimed to determine sex differences in mortality and functional outcomes in a large, unselected Swedish cohort.METHODS: In this observational study, data on 22,789 patients with spontaneous ICH registered in the Swedish Stroke Register between 2012 and 2019 were used to compare sex differences in 90-day mortality and functional outcome using multivariable Cox and logistic regression analyses, adjusting for relevant confounders. Multiple imputation was used to impute missing data.RESULTS: The crude 90-day mortality rate was 36.7% in females (3,820/10,405) and 31.7% in males (3,929/12,384) (female hazard ratio [HR] 1.20 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.25). In multivariable analysis, the HR for 90-day mortality following ICH in females was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.94). Age was an important driving factor for the effect of sex on mortality. After adjustment for age, vascular risk factors, and stroke severity, the 90-day functional outcome in pre-stroke independent patients was worse in females compared to males (odds ratio: 1.27 95% CI: 1.16-1.40).CONCLUSION: In this large observational study, despite lower 90-day mortality, the female sex was independently associated with a worse functional outcome compared to males after ICH, even after adjusting for significant covariates. These diverging trends have not been previously reported for ICH. Given the observational design, our findings should be interpreted with caution, thus further external validation is warranted.
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| 6. |
- Baumgartner, R W, et al.
(författare)
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Microembolic signal counts increase during hyperbaric exposure in patients with prosthetic heart valves
- 2001
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Ingår i: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-685X .- 0022-5223. ; 122:6, s. 1142-1146
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with prosthetic heart valves have an increased risk of thromboembolic events, and transcranial Doppler sonography reveals microembolic signals. Whereas microembolic signals were initially assumed to be of particulate matter, recent studies suggest that they are partially gaseous in origin. If this is true, alteration of environmental pressure should change microembolic signal counts. We undertook this study to evaluate the influence of hyperbaric exposure on microembolic signal counts in persons with prosthetic heart valves. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microembolic signal counts were monitored by transcranial Doppler sonography of both middle cerebral arteries under normobaria (normobaria 1), 2 subsequent periods of hyperbaria (2.5 and 1.75 bar), and a second period of normobaria (normobaria 2) in 15 patients with prosthetic heart valves. Each monitoring period lasted 30 minutes. Compression and decompression rates were 0.1 bar/min. Microembolic signal counts increased from 20 (12-78) at normobaria 1 to 79 (30-165) at 2.5 bar (P <.01 vs normobaria 1 and 2), decreased to 44 (18-128) at 1.75 bar (P <.01 vs normobaria 1 and 2.5 bar; P <.001 vs normobaria 2), and returned to 20 (8-96) at normobaria 2 (values are medians and 95% confidence intervals). CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest that gaseous bubbles are underlying material for part of the microembolic signals detected in patients with prosthetic heart valves.
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| 7. |
- Benninger, D H, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanism of ischemic infarct in spontaneous carotid dissection
- 2004
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Ingår i: Stroke: a journal of cerebral circulation. - 1524-4628. ; 35:2, s. 482-482
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is unclear whether stroke in patients with spontaneous dissection of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICAD) is due to thromboembolism or impaired hemodynamics. This study investigated the mechanism of stroke in ICAD by examining brain imaging and cerebrovascular findings of such patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the prospectively collected brain CT, MR, and ultrasound findings of 141 consecutive patients with 143 ICADs causing ischemic stroke. Eleven patients were not included because they had an inappropriate temporal bone window (n=6) or were treated with thrombolysis (n=5). Thus, the data of 130 patients (76 men, 54 women) with 131 ICADs were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients had territorial infarcts; 6 patients (5%) also had border-zone infarct patterns. Territorial infarcts affected the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 130 of 131 cases (99%) and the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in 1 case (1%). Additional vascular territories were affected in 8 patients with MCA infarcts (ACA, n=5 [4%]; posterior cerebral artery, n=3 [2%]). The pattern (hemodynamic versus thromboembolic) and extent of infarction were not influenced by vascular findings (MCA stenosis or occlusion, ACA occlusion, degree of obstruction in the dissected ICA, pattern of cross-flow in 115 patients with >80% ICA stenosis or occlusion). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that thromboembolism, not hemodynamic infarction, is the essential stroke mechanism in ICAD.
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| 8. |
- Björck, Fredrik, 1974-
(författare)
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Warfarin treatment quality in stroke prevention
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- BackgroundIschemic stroke is a serious condition often associated to presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Use of anticoagulants for AF patients greatly reduces the risk of stroke. Warfarin is the most commonly used anticoagulant in Sweden. The aim of this thesis was to study the impact of warfarin treatment quality in Swedish stroke prevention.MethodsStudy I, II and IV were relatively large multicentre, retrospective, cohort studies based on Swedish registries, especially AuriculA, a quality register for AF and anticoagulation. Background data as well as bleeding and thromboembolic complications were retrieved from the National Patient Register. The Cause of Death Register was used in study II and IV. The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register was used in study IV, for data on concomitant acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use. Study period was January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2011. Study III enrolled all warfarin treated AF patients in Sundsvall, registered in AuriculA on January 1, 2010. This smaller cohort was followed until discontinuation or study-stop December 31, 2013. All used data were collected from each patient’s medical record.ResultsThe annual risk of major bleedings and thromboembolic events for warfarin treated patients, including all different indications for warfarin, was relatively low (2.24% and 2.66%), with incidence of intracranial bleeding of 0.37% per treatment year. The overall mean time in therapeutic range (TTR) was 76.5%. Patients started on warfarin due to AF had a mean TTR of 68.6%, with an annual risk of major bleeding and thromboembolic events of 2.23% and 2.95%, and with 0.44% annual risk of intracranial bleeding. No significant differences in overall complications were found when comparing treatment monitored in anticoagulation clinics (ACC) with treatment monitored in primary health care centers (PHCC). There were significantly increased risk of both overall major bleedings and thromboembolic events for those warfarin treated AF patients receiving additional ASA treatment, having individual TTR (iTTR) below 70%, or having high international normalized ratio (INR) variability. AF patients with low INR variability had generally lower complication rates, compared with patients with high INR variability. There were however no alteration on cumulative incidence of complications due to INR variability, for AF patients with iTTR ≥70%. The overall proportion of persistence to warfarin treatment for stroke patients with AF was found to be 0.69 after 2 years treatment and 0.47 after 5 years. Stroke patients with diagnosed dementia at baseline were more than two-times likely of discontinuing warfarin than others. Excessive alcohol use, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and chronic heart failure were baseline diagnoses each associated with over 20% increased risk of treatment discontinuation. Lower persistence to treatment was linked to increasing start-age and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. As documented reasons for warfarin treatment discontinuation in AF patients, we found regained sinus rhythm as the most common addressed cause (31.2%), followed by problematic monitoring and bleedings. We estimated that only half (49.5%) of the treatment discontinuations were clinically well motivated.ConclusionsQuality of Swedish warfarin treatment in initiated stroke prevention is high, with generally low rates of complications and high TTRs, no matter treatment in ACC or PHCC, including high long time persistence to warfarin in secondary stroke prevention. For better outcome in future warfarin stroke prophylactic treatment clinicians should aim for iTTRs above 70%, avoid additional ASA therapy, support fragile patients like those with excessive alcohol use and dementia, and base decisions on treatment discontinuations on solid medical arguments.
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| 9. |
- Dreier, J. P., et al.
(författare)
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Migraine and delayed ischaemic neurological deficit after subarachnoid haemorrhage in women: a case-control study
- 2007
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Ingår i: European Journal of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 1351-5101. ; 14:12, s. 1363-1368
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present case-control study was to investigate the role of migraine as a potential risk factor for a delayed ischaemic neurological deficit (DIND) after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). A telephone interview was performed in patients or their relatives to determine the prevalence of migraine. Thirty-six women aged < 60 years had SAH with Hunt & Hess grade I-III and DIND (group A). This group was compared with an age-matched group of 36 female SAH patients, Hunt & Hess grade I-III without DIND (group B). The two populations were also characterized regarding hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and alcohol use. A significant difference was only found for the prevalence of migraine with 47% in group A and 25% in group B (P < 0.05; odds ratio: 2.68, confidence interval: 0.99-7.29). Migraineurs revealed similar prevalences of risk factors independently of the presence of DINDs. This retrospective study suggests that women with migraine have a higher risk to develop a DIND than women without migraine.
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| 10. |
- Gdovinova, Zuzana, et al.
(författare)
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Aspirin for Primary Stroke Prevention; : Evidence for a Differential Effect in Men and Women
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Neurology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-2295. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in men and women remains controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the role of aspirin in primary stroke prevention in men and women and the effect of aspirin on risk of ischemic stroke in patients with covert cerebral small vessel disease (ccSVD).Methods: We performed systematic searches of the PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from the inception of each database to May 2021. The incidence of any ischemic stroke (IS) or hemorrhagic stroke (HS) was the main outcome. The incidence of stroke overall, both ischemic (IS) and hemorrhagic (HS), was the main outcome.Results: From 531 abstracts, 11 randomized control trials which assessed primary prevention of cardiovascular events in men and women were included. Only one study assessed the risk of aspirin in people with ccSVD. In women, there was significant decrease in the risk of stroke (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.73, 0.99], p = 0.03) and IS (OR 0.76 [0.63, 0.93], p = 0.008) with aspirin compared to placebo while no increase in the risk of HS was found (OR 1.78 [0.61, 5.19], p = 0.29). In men, aspirin did not affect the risk of stroke (OR 1.13 [0.97, 1.31], p = 0.12) and IS (OR 0.94 [0.67, 1.32], p = 0.72) but increased the risk of HS with borderline statistical significance (OR 1.99 [0.99, 4.03], p = 0.05) compared to placebo. Aspirin significantly increased major bleedings in both sexes (p < 0.05). We found no evidence to support the use of aspirin in patients with ccSVD.Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggests aspirin is effective in primary prevention of stroke and IS in women with no clear increased risk of HS. However, it was associated with an overall increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin is not recommended in ccSVD.
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| 11. |
- Heffernan, Megan, et al.
(författare)
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Sex and gender publications in brain health : a mapping review of the Asia-Pacific region
- 2024
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Ingår i: Cerebrovascular Diseases. - 1421-9786.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Reporting of sex and gender analysis in medical research has been shown to improve quality of the science and ensures findings are applicable to women and men. There is conflicting evidence on whether efforts by funding agencies and medical journals to encourage reporting of sex and gender analysis has resulted in tangible improvements. This study mapped the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in stroke and dementia research conducted in the Asia-Pacific region.METHODS: A systematic search for Asia-Pacific stroke and dementia research was conducted in PubMed and papers included from the period 2012 to 2022. Eligible studies were reviewed for inclusion of a primary sex or gender focus and categorized by type of sex and gender analysis. Author gender was determined using an algorithm and its associations with inclusion of sex and gender analysis examined.RESULTS: Total Asia-Pacific publications increased from 109 in 2012 to 313 in 2022, but the rate of studies with a primary sex or gender focus did not increase significantly (R2 = 0.06, F(1,9) = 0.59, p = 0.46). Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea produced the most publications over the study period and were the only countries with at least 50 publications. The impact of author gender was mixed, with female first authorship associated with inclusion of sex or gender analysis and last female authorship associated with studies having a primary sex or gender focus.CONCLUSIONS: In the Asia-Pacific, brain health research is currently centered around high income countries and efforts are needed to ensure research findings are applicable through out the region. While there was a general increase in brain health publications over the last decade, the rate of sex and gender analysis was unchanged. This demonstrates that even with efforts in some countries in place, there is currently a lack of progress in the Asia-Pacific region to produce more research focusing on sex and gender analysis.
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| 12. |
- Jashari, Fisnik, 1985-
(författare)
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Carotid artery disease : plaque features and vulnerability
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Atherosclerosis is an important cause of stroke. Ultrasound offers the convenience of real-time and detailed assessment of carotid plaque features as well as arterial wall thickening and composition. Evaluation of these features is important for determining patients’ risk of suffering vascular events and also contributes to selecting the best treatment strategy.Methods: Using ultrasound data analysis we have determined plaque features in the bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA), including: surface plaque irregularities, calcification, echogenicity (grey scale median-GSM) and other textural plaque features (Juxtaluminal black area, entropy, coarseness). In addition, intima media thickens (IMT) and its grey scale median (IM-GSM) was measured in common carotid artery (CCA). Using Cone Beam CT (CBCT) we have quantified calcification volume of the carotid plaques extracted after carotid endarterectomy procedure. For the meta-analysis we have used comprehensive meta-analysis software version 3. Study I: We have included 39 patients and we compared carotid plaque features of the contralateral arteries with those located ipsilateral to symptomatic side and arteries of asymptomatic patients.Study II: The accuracy of US to detect atherosclerosis calcification was assessed against CBCT in 88 patients. Study III: Based on the previous vascular events in coronary, carotid and lower extremity arterial system, 87 patients were divided into three groups: asymptomatic, symptoms in one vascular system and symptoms in more that one vascular system. IMT, IM-GSM and plaque features were compared between groups.Study IV: We have meta-analyzed ten cohort prospective studies evaluating carotid plaque echogenicity for cerebrovascular symptoms prediction. Results: Study I. Plaques of the contralateral to symptomatic arteries had similar features to those in symptomatic and more vulnerable than asymptomatic arteries.Study II. Carotid ultrasound was accurate in detecting calcification volumes of ≥8mm3 with very high sensitivity but it was less accurate in detecting lower calcification volumes (<8mm3). Carotid calcification was not different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Study III. Echogenicity of the intima-media complex (IM-GSM), but not its thickness (IMT), was significantly decreased with increasing number of arterial systems affected by atherosclerosis. IM-GSM was lower in patients with prior myocardial infarction and stroke.Study IV. Carotid plaque echogenicity evaluated by US could predict future cerebrovascular events in patients with asymptomatic, relative risk RR 2.72 (95% CI, 1.86 to 3.96), and recurrent symptoms in symptomatic patients, RR 2.97 (95% CI, 1.85-4.78). Conclusion: Plaques located in the contralateral to symptomatic arteries have similar features assymptomatic side and more vulnerable than asymptomatic arteries. Carotid ultrasound could accurately detect larger but not smaller carotid plaque calcification volumes (<8 mm3). Low IM- GSM could identify patients with multi-system atherosclerosis disease, suggesting a better marker for determining systemic atherosclerosis disease burden compared to conventional IMT. Finally, carotid plaque echogenicity predicts future cerebrovascular events in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Johansson, Elias, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Vaskulärt ultraljud vid stroke
- 2013
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Den senaste tidens framsteg inom strokesjukvården ställer höga krav på snabb och säker diagnostik och monitorering av patienter som drabbats av stroke. Patienter med symtomgivande karotisstenos ska opereras kort tid efter att symtomen debuterat, och där kan ultraljudsteknik vara till hjälp i diagnostiken. Huruvida personer med asymtomatisk karotisstenos ska opereras är ett debatterat ämne, men ultraljudsteknik kan vara en framkomlig väg för att selektera vilka personer med asymtomatisk karotisstenos som ska opereras. Denna artikel är en översikt över vad vi i dag känner till om ultraljudets användbarhet och begränsning inom strokesjukvården, med fokus på patienter med karotisstenos.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Jönsson, Ann-Cathrin, et al.
(författare)
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Outcome of men and women after atrial fibrillation and stroke.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1600-0404 .- 0001-6314. ; 132:2, s. 125-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known risk factor for ischaemic stroke. The aim was to examine long-term outcome of men and women after stroke related to AF.
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| 17. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Dissociation of severity of stroke and aphasia recovery early after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator thrombolysis.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-2653 .- 0967-5868. ; 21:10, s. 1828-1830
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Clinical observation suggested to us that aphasia recovers relatively better than other deficits early after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) treatment in stroke patients with minor deficits, while the reverse seemed the case in those with severe deficits. Retrospective analysis of acute ischemic stroke patients with aphasia admitted within 3hours from symptom onset and treated with IV-rtPA was carried out. Stroke severity, aphasia and global neurological impairment were assessed at admission and 24hours after thrombolysis. Improvement of aphasia (gain of ⩾1 point on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] aphasia score) and global neurological improvement (gain of ⩾4 points on the NIHSS) were compared in minor strokes (NIHSS ⩽7), moderate strokes (NIHSS 8-15), and major strokes (NIH ⩾16). Sixty-nine of 243 stroke patients suffered from aphasia. Improvement of aphasia occurred in 7/16 minor strokes, 11/25 moderate strokes, and 7/28 severe strokes. Improvement of ⩾4 points on the NIHSS occurred in 3/16 minor strokes, 17/25 moderate strokes and 15/28 severe strokes. There is a significant (X(2)=4.073, p<0.05) dissociation of recovery of aphasia and that of other neurological deficits between minor versus severe strokes. This confirms the clinically suspected dissociation between a good early recovery from aphasia in minor strokes relative to recovery of other neurological deficits, as opposed to a better recovery from other neurological deficits than from aphasia in patients with severe strokes.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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European Stroke Organisation guidelines on stroke in women : Management of menopause, pregnancy and postpartum
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 7:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pregnancy, postpartum and menopause are regarded as periods women are more vulnerable to ischaemic events. There are conflicting results regarding stroke risk and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Stroke in pregnancy is generally increasing with serious consequences for mother and child; therefore, recommendations for acute treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are needed. The aim of this guideline is to support and guide clinicians in treatment decisions in stroke in women. Following the “Grading of Recommendations and Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)” approach, the guidelines were developed according to the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Standard Operating Procedure. Systematic reviews and metanalyses were performed. Based on available evidence, recommendations were provided. Where there was a lack of evidence, an expert consensus statement was given. Low quality of evidence was found to suggest against the use of HRT to reduce the risk of stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) in postmenopausal women. No data was available on the outcome of women with stroke when treated with HRT. No sufficient evidence was found to provide recommendations for treatment with IVT or MT during pregnancy, postpartum and menstruation. The majority of members suggested that pregnant women can be treated with IVT after assessing the benefit/risk profile on an individual basis, all members suggested treatment with IVT during postpartum and menstruation. All members suggested treatment with MT during pregnancy. The guidelines highlight the need to identify evidence for stroke prevention and acute treatment in women in more vulnerable periods of their lifetime to generate reliable data for future guidelines.
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| 20. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Prognosis of aphasia in stroke patients early after iv thrombolysis.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-6968 .- 0303-8467. ; 115:3, s. 289-292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Stroke patients with aphasia have a high long-term morbidity. Intravenous rt-PA (iv) thrombolysis is given more deliberately to these patients. Early outcome data is lacking. Aim of this study was to determine early benefit from rt-PA in patients with aphasia. METHODS: Data of stroke patients treated by iv thrombolysis was scrutinized for the presence of aphasia defined as ≥1 point for aphasia on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Improvement was defined as a gain of ≥1 point within 24h. Cranial computed tomography (CT) scans were evaluated regarding early ischemic changes (EICs), infarct volume and localization. RESULTS: Fifty patients with aphasia were included. 16 (32%) of patients improved (4 (36%) minor, 7 (41%) moderate, 5 (23%) major stroke patients), while 44 (62%) remained unchanged. Of 28 patients with EICs, 10 (36%) improved compared to 7 out of 22 (32%) patients without (p=0.773). Aphasia outcome was significantly associated with infarct volume at admission and at 24h (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.033, p≤0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: EICs are not predictive of aphasia outcome and patients with improvement showed smaller infarct volumes. One third improved within 24h, while two thirds remained unchanged. This might justify a closer follow-up of aphasia in stroke patients at the acute stage.
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| 21. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Prognosis of asymptomatic stenosis of the middle cerebral artery
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. - : BMJ. - 1468-330X .- 0022-3050. ; 75:9, s. 1300-1303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The risk of ischaemic events in asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To follow up patients with asymptomatic atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery stenosis (MCAS) to evaluate the long term stroke risk in its territory. METHODS: Consecutive white patients with asymptomatic atherosclerotic MCAS were enrolled. Patients with MCAS of possible or proven non-atherosclerotic origin were excluded. MCAS was assessed by transcranial colour duplex sonography according to published angiography validated criteria. Medical treatment was given at the discretion of the treating physician. RESULTS: 50 patients were included and followed for (mean (SD)) 815 (351) days; three were lost to follow up. MCAS was < 50% in 38 and > or = 50% in 12. No patient suffered an ischaemic event in the MCAS territory; one had a transient ischaemic attack in the contralateral hemisphere. Three patients died, one from a subdural haematoma in the contralateral hemisphere, and two from non-stroke-related causes. Medical treatment at baseline included antithrombotic drugs in 42 cases (antiplatelet agent, n = 39; warfarin, n = 3), and statins in 22; at the end of follow up 45 of the 47 survivors were on antithrombotic drugs (antiplatelet agent, n = 37; warfarin, n = 8), and 30 were on statins. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic MCAS of atherosclerotic origin appears to have a benign long term prognosis with a low risk of ipsilateral stroke in medically treated white patients.
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| 22. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Reduction of flow velocities in patients with ischemic events in the middle cerebral artery--long-term follow-up with ultrasound.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Belgica. - 2240-2993. ; 111:2, s. 111-115
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Data concerning the persistent reduction of flow velocities measured by transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) in relation to the clinical and radiological outcome among patients with ischemic events in middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory is scarce. Patients with > or = 50% reduction of peak systolic velocities (PSV-MCA) as compared to the contralateral MCA were prospectively included in follow-up by TCCS (mean 404 days). Out of 849 patients with stroke admitted to our stroke unit, 25 patients showed reduced PSV-MCA and included in the analyses of this study. Ten (40%) survivors showed persistent reduction of PSV-MCA. None of the patients with normalized PSV-MCA suffered an ischemic event compared with three patients with persistent reduction of PSV-MCA (all had ipsilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery caused by dissection). Patients with persistently reduced PSV-MCA exhibited significantly (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.02) larger infarct volumes on CT (mean +/- SD 38 +/-50 cm3) compared to those with normalized PSV-MCA (6 +/- 7 cm3). The functional outcome were, however, similar in patients with normalized and those with persistently reduced PSV-MCA. We found that a relatively high percentage (40%) of patients suffered ischemic event in the MCA territory with initial reduction of flow velocity on TCCS showed persistent reduction on long term follow-up.
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| 23. |
- Kremer, Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Sex differences in Outcome after Carotid Revascularization in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular Surgery. - 1097-6809. ; 78:3, s. 10-827
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveSex differences regarding the safety and efficacy of carotid revascularization in carotid artery stenosis have been addressed in several studies with conflicting results. Moreover, women are underrepresented in clinical trials leading to limited conclusions regarding the safety and efficacy of acute stroke treatments.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by literature search including 4 databases from January 1985 to December 2021. Sex differences in the efficacy and safety of revascularization procedures, including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS), for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenoses were analyzed.ResultsRegarding carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, the stroke risk in men (3.6%) and women (3.9%) based on 99,495 patients (30 studies) did not differ (p=0.16). There was also no difference in the stroke risk by different time frames up to 10 years. Compared with men, women treated with CEA had a significantly higher stroke or death rate at 4 months (2 studies, 2565; 7.2% vs 5.0%; OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04-2.12; I2=0%; p=0.03), and a significantly higher rate of restenosis (1 study, 615; 17.2% vs. 6.7%; OR 2.81,95% CI 1.66-4.75; p=0.0001). For carotid stenting (CAS) in symptomatic artery stenosis data showed a non-significant tendency toward higher peri-procedural stroke in women. Whereas, for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, data based on 332,344 patients showed that women compared to men after CEA had similar rates of stroke, stroke or death and the composite outcome stroke/death/myocardial infarction. The rate of restenosis at 1 year was significantly higher in women compared to men (1 study, 372 patients; 10.8% vs 3.2%; OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.49-9.2; p=0.005).Furthermore, carotid stenting in asymptomatic patients was associated with low risk of a postprocedural stroke in both sexes, but a significantly higher risk of in-hospital myocardial infarction in women than men (8445 patients, 1.2% vs. 0.6%, OR 2.01, 95%CI 1.23-3.28, I2=0%, p=0.005).ConclusionsA few sex-differences in short term outcomes after carotid revascularization for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis were found, although there were no significant differences in the overall stroke. This indicates a need for larger multicenter prospective studies to evaluate these sex-specific differences. More women, including those aged over 80 years, need to be enrolled in RCTs, to better understand if sex differences exist and to tailor carotid revascularization accordingly.
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| 24. |
- Kremer, Peleg, et al.
(författare)
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Key insights for the future of urban ecosystem services research
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ecology and Society. - 1708-3087. ; 21:No.2, s. 29-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding the dynamics of urban ecosystem services is a necessary requirement for adequate planning, management, and governance of urban green infrastructure. Through the three-year Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (URBES) research project, we conducted case study and comparative research on urban biodiversity and ecosystem services across seven cities in Europe and the United States. Reviewing > 50 peer-reviewed publications from the project, we present and discuss seven key insights that reflect cumulative findings from the project as well as the state-of-the-art knowledge in urban ecosystem services research. The insights from our review indicate that cross-sectoral, multiscale, interdisciplinary research is beginning to provide a solid scientific foundation for applying the ecosystem services framework in urban areas and land management. Our review offers a foundation for seeking novel, nature-based solutions to emerging urban challenges such as wicked environmental change issues.
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| 25. |
- Lagebrant, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Sex Differences in Collateral Circulation and Outcome After Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Neurology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-2295. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Collateral circulation is known to lead to smaller infarct volume and better functional outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT), but studies examining sex differences in collateral circulation are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate if collateral circulation has a different impact on outcome in women and men.Methods: A single-center retrospective study of 487 patients (230 men and 257 women) treated with MT for acute ischemic stroke in the anterior cerebral circulation. Collateral circulation was assessed on computed tomography angiography images. The outcome was evaluated at 90 days according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Results: Women were older, median age 76 years (IQR 68-83) vs. 71 years (IQR 63–78). Stroke severity and time to recanalization were comparable. More women had moderate or good collaterals in 58.4 vs. 47.0% for men (p = 0.01). Among patients with moderate and good collaterals significantly more men (61%) were functionally independent (mRS 0–2) than women (41.5%) (p = < 0.01). This difference remained significant after correcting for age by linear weighting, 60.4 vs. 46.8% (p = 0.03).Conclusion: Women had better collateral flow but showed worse functional outcomes, while good collateral flow led to better outcomes in men, even after correcting for age. Further clinical studies on peri- and post-interventional care, factors affecting recovery after hospital discharge as well as basic research on the neurovascular unit are needed to find modifiable targets to improve clinical outcomes for women.
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| 26. |
- Lederman, Judith, et al.
(författare)
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An international collaborative investigation of beginning seventh grade students' understandings of scientific inquiry : Establishing a baseline
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Research in Science Teaching. - : Wiley. - 0022-4308 .- 1098-2736. ; 56:4, s. 486-515
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although understandings of scientific inquiry (as opposed to conducting inquiry) are included in science education reform documents around the world, little is known about what students have learned about inquiry during their elementary school years. This is partially due to the lack of any assessment instrument to measure understandings about scientific inquiry. However, a valid and reliable assessment has recently been developed and published, Views About Scientific Inquiry (VASI; Lederman et al. [2014], Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 51, 65-83). The purpose of this large-scale international project was to collect the first baseline data on what beginning middle school students have learned about scientific inquiry during their elementary school years. Eighteen countries/regions spanning six continents including 2,634 students participated in the study. The participating countries/regions were: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Mainland China, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. In many countries, science is not formally taught until middle school, which is the rationale for choosing seventh grade students for this investigation. This baseline data will simultaneously provide information on what, if anything, students learn about inquiry in elementary school, as well as their beginning knowledge as they enter secondary school. It is important to note that collecting data from all of the approximately 200 countries globally was not humanly possible, and it was also not possible to collect data from every region of each country. The results overwhelmingly show that students around the world at the beginning of grade seven have very little understandings about scientific inquiry. Some countries do show reasonable understandings in certain aspects but the overall picture of understandings of scientific inquiry is not what is hoped for after completing 6 years of elementary education in any country.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Perren, Fabienne, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Right-to-Left Cardiac Shunt in the Absence of Transcranial Acoustic Bone.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Neuroimaging. - : Wiley. - 1552-6569 .- 1051-2284.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Paradoxical thrombotic embolism via right-to-left cardiac shunt (RLS) is a risk factor of cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Transtemporal Doppler (TTD) is a valid method used in the detection of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Temporal acoustic bone windows are missing with increasing age and in some younger subjects. We studied prospectively whether Doppler ultrasound of the cervical arteries (submandibular internal carotid artery [ICA] and vertebral artery [VA]) is an alternative, when compared to TTD, in the detection and quantification of PFO.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Plomion, Christophe, et al.
(författare)
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Oak genome reveals facets of long lifespan
- 2018
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Ingår i: NATURE PLANTS. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2055-026X .- 2055-0278. ; 4:7, s. 440-452
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oaks are an important part of our natural and cultural heritage. Not only are they ubiquitous in our most common landscapes' but they have also supplied human societies with invaluable services, including food and shelter, since prehistoric times(2). With 450 species spread throughout Asia, Europe and America(3), oaks constitute a critical global renewable resource. The longevity of oaks (several hundred years) probably underlies their emblematic cultural and historical importance. Such long-lived sessile organisms must persist in the face of a wide range of abiotic and biotic threats over their lifespans. We investigated the genomic features associated with such a long lifespan by sequencing, assembling and annotating the oak genome. We then used the growing number of whole-genome sequences for plants (including tree and herbaceous species) to investigate the parallel evolution of genomic characteristics potentially underpinning tree longevity. A further consequence of the long lifespan of trees is their accumulation of somatic mutations during mitotic divisions of stem cells present in the shoot apical meristems. Empirical(4) and modelling(5) approaches have shown that intra-organismal genetic heterogeneity can be selected for(6) and provides direct fitness benefits in the arms race with short-lived pests and pathogens through a patchwork of intra-organismal phenotypes(7). However, there is no clear proof that large-statured trees consist of a genetic mosaic of clonally distinct cell lineages within and between branches. Through this case study of oak, we demonstrate the accumulation and transmission of somatic mutations and the expansion of disease-resistance gene families in trees.
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| 32. |
- Psychogios, Marios, et al.
(författare)
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European Stroke Organisation guidelines on treatment of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9881 .- 2396-9873.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present European Stroke Organisation guideline is to provide clinically useful evidence-basedrecommendations on the management of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The guidelines wereprepared following the Standard Operational Procedure of the European Stroke Organisation guidelines and accordingto GRADE methodology. ICAD represents a major cause of ischemic stroke worldwide, and patients affected by thiscondition are exposed to a high risk for future strokes and other major cardiovascular events, despite best medicaltherapy available. We identified 11 relevant clinical problems affecting ICAD patients and formulated the correspondingPopulation Intervention Comparator Outcomes (PICO) questions. The first two questions refer to the asymptomaticstage of the disease, which is being increasingly detected thanks to the routine use of noninvasive vascular imaging. Wewere not able to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the optimal detection strategy and management ofasymptomatic ICAD, and further research in the field is encouraged as subclinical ICAD may represent a big opportunityto improve primary stroke prevention. The second block of PICOs (3–5) is dedicated to the management of acutelarge vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic stroke caused by ICAD, a clinical presentation of this disease that is becomingincreasingly relevant and problematic, since it is associated with more refractory endovascular reperfusion procedures.An operational definition of probable ICAD-related LVO is proposed in the guideline. Despite the challenging context,no dedicated randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were identified, and therefore the guideline can only provide withsuggestions derived from observational studies and our expert consensus, such as the escalated use of glycoproteinIIb-IIIa inhibitors and angioplasty/stenting in cases of refractory thrombectomies due to underlying ICAD. The last blockof PICOs is devoted to the secondary prevention of patients with symptomatic ICAD. Moderate-level evidence wasfound to recommend against the use of oral anticoagulation as preferred antithrombotic drug, in favor of antiplatelets.Low-level evidence based our recommendation in favor of double antiplatelet as the antithrombotic treatment of choicein symptomatic ICAD patients, which we suggest to maintain during 90days as per our expert consensus. Endovasculartherapy with intracranial angioplasty and or stenting is not recommended as a treatment of first choice in high-gradesymptomatic ICAD (moderate-level evidence). Regarding neurosurgical interventions, the available evidence does notsupport their use as front line therapies in patients with high-grade ICAD. There is not enough evidence as to provideany specific recommendation regarding the use of remote ischemic conditioning in ICAD patients, and further RCTsare needed to shed light on the utility of this promising therapy. Finally, we dedicate the last PICO to the importanceof aggressive vascular risk factor management in ICAD, although the evidence derived from RCTs specifically addressingthis question is still scarce
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| 33. |
- Sandset, Else Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
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Women in the European Stroke Organisation : One, two, many… – A Top Down and Bottom Up approach
- 2019
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Ingår i: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 4:3, s. 247-253
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: An increasing proportion of physicians are women, yet they still face challenges with career advancement. In 2014, the European Stroke Organisation established the goal of increasing the number and participation of women within the society using a Top Down and Bottom Up approach. The ‘Women’s Initiative for Stroke in Europe’ was created the same year by a group of women active within the organisation. We aimed to assess the current status of women in European Stroke Organisation, and to explore the change in sex differences after the introduction of focused approaches to address disparities in 2014. Methods: Using organisational records, we collected data on sex differences in core activities from 2008 up to 2017 including membership, participation in conferences, courses and in the official journal of the society, and positions of seniority and leadership. We estimated sex distribution differences in each of the activities from 2014 to date. Results: In 2017, the proportion of female members was 40%, while 24% of fellows, 22% of the executive board and 19% of the editorial board in the official journal of the society were women. From 2014 to 2017, there was a significant increase in the proportion of female members (p = 0.0002) and in women participating in the annual conference as faculty (p = 0.001). There was no significant change in the sex distribution among the faculty members in junior educational activities (≤27%) or fellows. Interpretation: In 2017, the proportion of women holding positions of seniority and leadership is still significantly lower to the proportion of women attending educational activities. Transparent data on sex distribution will assist implementing tailored programmes to achieve progress against sex-based barriers.
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| 34. |
- Stiehm, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Management of the Treatment Delay in Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis.
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Neurology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9913 .- 0014-3022. ; 70:3-4, s. 179-184
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Saving time to intervention is crucial in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCAS). We introduced a fast-track protocol (FTP). Time frames from the onset of symptoms to intervention before and after the introduction of an FTP were analyzed. SCAS patients (403 patients/405 procedures) were evaluated according to whether surgery was performed before (group 1) or after (group 2) the introduction of the FTP. Time frames to surgery, causes of delay and frequency of recurrent events are reported. The median time delay decreased from 17 to 12 days (p < 0.001), but time to ultrasound examination remained unchanged. Surgery was within 2 weeks in 41% in group 1 and in 57% in group 2 (p = 0.001). Of 181 (30%) patients treated according to the FTP, 54 were operated within 7 days (median), and 80% had the intervention within 2 weeks. Time to surgery decreased significantly after the introduction of the FTP. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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| 35. |
- Tancin Lambert, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Biomarkers Predictive of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke. Insights from The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (NOR-FIB) Study
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Journal of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 30:5, s. 1352-1363
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: There are currently no biomarkers used to select cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients for monitoring with insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs), the most effective tool for diagnosing atrial fibrillation (AF) in CS. The purpose of this study was to assess clinically available biomarkers as predictors of AF.METHODS: Eligible CS and cryptogenic transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients underwent 12-month monitoring with ICMs, clinical follow-up, and biomarker sampling. Levels of cardiac and thromboembolic biomarkers, taken within 14 days from symptom onset, were compared between patients diagnosed with AF (n=74) during monitoring and those without AF (n=185). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created. Biomarkers reaching area under ROC curve (AUC) ≥ 0.7 were dichotomized by finding optimal cut-off values and used in logistic regression establishing their predictive value for increased risk of AF in unadjusted and adjusted models.RESULTS: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase, D-dimer, high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I and T were significantly higher in the AF than non-AF group. BNP and NT-proBNP reached predefined AUC level, 0.755 and 0.725 respectively. Optimal cut-off values were 33.5 ng/L for BNP, and 87 ng/L for NT-proBNP. Regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP was a predictor of AF in both unadjusted, odds ratio (OR) 7.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.16-18.87), and age and sex adjusted models, OR 4.82 (95% CI 1.79-12.96).CONCLUSION: Several clinically established biomarkers were associated with AF. NT-proBNP performed best as AF predictor and could be used for selecting patients for long-term monitoring with ICMs.
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| 36. |
- Vanoli, Davide, 1972-
(författare)
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Vascular ultrasound for the assessment of carotid atherosclerosis
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause for mortality globally, and is expected to remain the single leading cause of death as the global population ages and as life expectancy increases.Cardiovascular screening models have been developed, and continue to be developed, to identify individuals at high-risk of CVD. This is necessary to establish prevention strategies to decrease the occurrence of an acute event or debilitating syndrome. These strategies largely take the form of lifestyle modification and pharmacological intervention. The Framingham risk score, NCEP/ATP II guidelines and SCORE risk assessment protocol are widely used screening models. Ultrasound based methods are non-invasive, affordable and have been suggested to improve assessment and definition of individual patients potential risk of CVD. Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a known and established sign of early atherosclerosis. The presence of plaque and the overall burden of atherosclerosis seems to have even greater value in predicting cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Ultrasound based texture characteristics of plaques such as entropy, grey scale median, discrete white area, coarseness and juxtaluminal hypoechoic black area have been proposed as useful possible predictors of plaque vulnerability. Moreover, ultrasound contrast agents have been developed to improve visualization and subsequent quantification of an atherosclerotic plaque. Considering the current available data and research, the importance of developing tools and techniques for detection and characterization of atherosclerotic changes, to indicate risk for CVD and the subsequent early intervention and prevention, appears clearly as an effort to improve public health. In this present collection of studies (4 papers) we aim to contribute to the development of clinically useful ultrasound methods and tools for the accurate assessment, understanding and management of atherosclerosis.Methods: To validate ultrasound-based methods for assessment of early signs of atherosclerosis, measured as cIMT, a total of 144 subjects underwent bilateral carotid ultrasound. In study I, the performance of an ultrasonography software capable of fully automated on-screen cIMT measurements was tested and compared with the traditional manual measurement approach. The coefficient of variation and the intraclass correlation coefficient for both methods were compared to verify the reliability and reproducibility of results generated by the new ultrasound software. To test the accessibility and possible clinical applications of this new technology tested in study I, the new software was used by novice’s scanners in study II, and the intraobserver variability of the cIMT measurements were assessed and compared with that of an expert operator. In study III, ultrasound texture characteristics of 327 plaques including entropy, grey scale median, discrete white area, coarseness and juxtaluminal hypoechoic black area were assessed as possible predictors of future cerebrovascular events in a cohort of 133 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis waiting for carotid surgery. The reproducibility of measuring plaque area (expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient) using conventional ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound was tested in study IV in an attempt to find a simple and reproducible parameter for monitoring changes in atherosclerotic burden.Results: The technology tested in study I was found to have good inter- and intra-system reproducibility compared with conventional methods. Moreover, it was found to produce reproducible results when used by expert and novice operators after a short period of training (study II), confirming the possibility for the employment of this technology in a large screening public health programs. Although such technology may have immediate practical application, other and more sophisticated ultrasound based plaque characteristics (such as grey scale median, entropy, coarseness, juxtaluminal hypoechoic black area) were not shown to be beneficial in predicting plaque vulnerability (study III). Contrast enhanced ultrasound technic tested in study IV did not improve quantification of atherosclerotic plaque burden. Conclusion: Medical ultrasound technology by using a automatically measure of carotid intima media thickness can be used with high reproducibility and also possible to be transferred to primary care by a well designed training program. Plaque characteristic using carotid ultrasound was not found to be useful in risk stratifying symptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis. Furthermore, contrast enhanced ultrasound technique was found to have high reproducibility in plaque area assessment but not better than conventional b-mode based method in quantifying the atherosclerotic burden. Therefore, more sophisticated ultrasound based methods for assessment plaque characteristics was not found to be beneficial in predicting plaque vulnerability.
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| 37. |
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