| 1. |
- Egeler, M.D., et al.
(författare)
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Understanding quality of life issues in patients with advanced melanoma : Phase 1 and 2 in the development of the EORTC advanced melanoma module
- 2024
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cancer. - : Elsevier. - 0959-8049 .- 1879-0852. ; 207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: We aimed to develop a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life (QoL) module tailored for patients with advanced (resectable or unresectable stage III/IV) melanoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted therapy.Methods: Following the EORTC QoL Group module development guidelines, we conducted phases 1 and 2 of the development process. In phase 1, we generated a list of health-related (HR)QoL issues through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients with advanced melanoma. In phase 2, these issues were converted into questionnaire items to create the preliminary module.Results: Phase 1: we retrieved 8006 articles for the literature review, of which 35 were deemed relevant, resulting in 84 HRQoL issues being extracted to create the initial issue list. Semi-structured interviews with 18 HCPs and 28 patients with advanced melanoma resulted in 28 issues being added to the initial issue list. Following EORTC module development criteria, 26 issues were removed, and two issues were added after review by patient advocates.Phase 2: To ensure uniformity and avoid duplication, 16 issues were consolidated into eight items. Additionally, an independent expert contributed one new item, resulting in a preliminary module comprising 80 HRQoL items.Conclusion: We identified a range of HRQoL issues (dry skin, xerostomia, and arthralgia) relevant to patients with stage III/IV melanoma. Future module development phases will refine the questionnaire. Once completed, this module will enable standardized assessment of HRQoL in patients with (locally) advanced melanoma.
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| 3. |
- Engblom, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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A new automatic algorithm for quantification of myocardial infarction imaged by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance : Experimental validation and comparison to expert delineations in multi-center, multi-vendor patient data
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1097-6647 .- 1532-429X. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using magnitude inversion recovery (IR) or phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) has become clinical standard for assessment of myocardial infarction (MI). However, there is no clinical standard for quantification of MI even though multiple methods have been proposed. Simple thresholds have yielded varying results and advanced algorithms have only been validated in single center studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an automatic algorithm for MI quantification in IR and PSIR LGE images and to validate the new algorithm experimentally and compare it to expert delineations in multi-center, multi-vendor patient data. Methods: The new automatic algorithm, EWA (Expectation Maximization, weighted intensity, a priori information), was implemented using an intensity threshold by Expectation Maximization (EM) and a weighted summation to account for partial volume effects. The EWA algorithm was validated in-vivo against triphenyltetrazolium-chloride (TTC) staining (n = 7 pigs with paired IR and PSIR images) and against ex-vivo high resolution T1-weighted images (n = 23 IR and n = 13 PSIR images). The EWA algorithm was also compared to expert delineation in 124 patients from multi-center, multi-vendor clinical trials 2-6 days following first time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 124 IR and n = 49 PSIR images). Results: Infarct size by the EWA algorithm in vivo in pigs showed a bias to ex-vivo TTC of -1 ± 4%LVM (R = 0.84) in IR and -2 ± 3%LVM (R = 0.92) in PSIR images and a bias to ex-vivo T1-weighted images of 0 ± 4%LVM (R = 0.94) in IR and 0 ± 5%LVM (R = 0.79) in PSIR images. In multi-center patient studies, infarct size by the EWA algorithm showed a bias to expert delineation of -2 ± 6 %LVM (R = 0.81) in IR images (n = 124) and 0 ± 5%LVM (R = 0.89) in PSIR images (n = 49). Conclusions: The EWA algorithm was validated experimentally and in patient data with a low bias in both IR and PSIR LGE images. Thus, the use of EM and a weighted intensity as in the EWA algorithm, may serve as a clinical standard for the quantification of myocardial infarction in LGE CMR images. Clinical trial registration: CHILL-MI: NCT01379261. MITOCARE: NCT01374321.
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| 4. |
- Högman, Marieann, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of growth and aging on the reference values of pulmonary nitric oxide dynamics in healthy subjects
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Breath Research. - : IOP Publishing. - 1752-7155 .- 1752-7163. ; 11:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The lung just like all other organs is affected by age. The lung matures by the age of 20 and age-related changes start around middle age, at 40-50 years. Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) has been shown to be age, height and gender dependent. We hypothesize that the nitric oxide (NO) parameters alveolar NO (CANO), airway flux (JawNO), airway diffusing capacity (DawNO) and airway wall content (CawNO) will also demonstrate this dependence. Data from healthy subjects were gathered by the current authors from their earlier publications in which healthy individuals were included as control subjects. Healthy subjects (n = 433) ranged in age from 7 to 78 years. Age-stratified reference values of the NO parameters were significantly different. Gender differences were only observed in the 20-49 age group. The results from the multiple regression models in subjects older than 20 years revealed that age, height and gender interaction together explained 6% of variation in FENO at 50 ml s-1 (FENO50), 4% in JawNO, 16% in CawNO, 8% in DawNO and 12% in CANO. In conclusion, in this study we have generated reference values for NO parameters from an extended NO analysis of healthy subjects. This is important in order to be able to use these parameters in clinical practice.
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| 7. |
- Malmström, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Proteome annotations and identifications of the human pulmonary fibroblast.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3893 .- 1535-3907. ; 3:3, s. 525-537
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We hereby report on a three year project initiative undertaken by our research team encompassing large-scale protein expression profiling and annotations of human primary lung fibroblast cells. An overview is given of proteomic studies of the fibroblast target cell involved in several diseases such as asthma, idiopatic pulmonary disease, and COPD. It has been the objective within our research team to map and identify the protein expressions occurring in both activated-, as well as resting cell states. The JGGL database www.2DDB.org has been built around these data, allowing advanced hypothesis building using the interactive query bioinformatic tools developed. Gene ontology has been applied to these annotations, classifying and correlating protein expressions to function. The localization as well as the biological processes involved for the annotations are being presented including an annotation-, and sequence-identification strategy, resulting in close to 2000 protein identities. Both gel based, high resolution 2D-gels, and liquid-phase separation (three-dimensional HPLC), as well as the combination of gel- and LC-based approaches (1D-gels and nano-capillary LC, reversed-phase) were utilized. Protein sequencing and structure identities were acquired by a combination of MALDI-, and electrospray-mass spectrometry techniques. Phenotypical and morphological characterizations were also made for this human disease target cell in both stimulated- and resting-cell states. The use of functional assays that demonstrate the key regulating role of growth factors and cytokine stimuli such as PDGF, TGF-, and EGF and the effect of ECM molecules such as Biglycan, are also presented and discussed.
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| 8. |
- Stenberg, H., et al.
(författare)
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Small airway involvement in the late allergic response in asthma
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894. ; 47:12, s. 1555-1565
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Allergy and asthma are closely linked. Inhalation of allergen induces an early allergic response (EAR) within the airways of allergic asthmatic subjects, which is followed by a late allergic response (LAR) in approximately 50% of the subjects. The LAR is defined as a drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) from baseline usually occurring 4-8 hours after exposure and is believed to affect small airways. However, FEV1 is insensitive to changes in small airway physiology. Objective: Our aim was to investigate and compare the pathophysiological processes in large and small airways during the EAR and the LAR and to characterize subjects with both an EAR and a LAR (dual responders) versus those with an EAR only (single responders). Methods: Thirty-four subjects with allergic asthma underwent an inhaled allergen challenge. Lung physiology was assessed by spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS), body plethysmography, inert gas washout, single breath methane dilution carbon monoxide diffusion and exhaled breath temperature (EBT), at baseline and repeatedly for 23 hours post-allergen challenge. Results: Peripheral airway resistance, air trapping and ventilation heterogeneity were significantly increased in dual responders (n = 15) compared to single responders (n = 19) 6-8 hours post-challenge. Parameters of peripheral airway resistance and ventilation heterogeneity, measured with IOS and inert gas washout, respectively, correlated at baseline and during the allergic airway response in all subjects. Conclusion: The LAR involves increased resistance and ventilation defects within the peripheral airways. Alternative definitions of the LAR including small airways pathophysiology could be considered. Clinical relevance: Small airway dysfunction during the LAR suggests that dual responders may have more extensive airway pathology and underscores the relevance of small airways assessment in asthma.
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| 9. |
- Thunwall, M., et al.
(författare)
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Processing and properties of mineral-interfaced cellulose fibre composites
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Polymer Science. - : Wiley. - 0021-8995 .- 1097-4628. ; 107:2, s. 918-929
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polypropylene (PP) or, in some cases, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were compounded with cellulosic fibres. The amount of fibres used was in the range 10-30 vol % and, in case of PP, a series of compounds was prepared with a minor amount of maleated PP as a compatibiliser. This matrix was denoted MAPP. Before compounding the polymers and the fibres, undelaminated bentonite (industrial scale) or delaminated clay (nanoclay) was deposited on the fibres in different amounts to improve the dispersion of the fibres in the polymer matrix, i. e., to avoid detrimental fibre bundles. The PP-based compounds were either extruded or injection moulded, whereas the PLA-compounds were only injection moulded. The mechanical properties were primarily evaluated for the injection moulded specimens. In general, the fibres had a strong effect on the mechanical behaviour of the materials, especially in the case of PLA and MAPP. Treating the fibres with undelaminated clay or nanoclay improved to some extent the dispersion of the fibres and the mechanical performance of the composites, but further optimization of the function of the mineral in this respect is probably required. The combination of the mineral treatment with a debonding agent appeared to be an interesting route here. With such a combination, a visually very good dispersion of the fibres in the PP-based matrix could be obtained, partly at the expense of the mechanical performance. The compounding of the cellulosic fibres with PP led in this case to a marked decrease in the fibre length. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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| 11. |
- Tärneberg, William, et al.
(författare)
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The 6G Computing Continuum (6GCC) : Meeting the 6G computing challenges
- 2022
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Ingår i: 2022 1st International Conference on 6G Networking, 6GNet 2022. - : IEEE Computer Society. - 9781665467636
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- 6G systems, such as Large Intelligent Surfaces, will require distributed, complex, and coordinated decisions through-out a very heterogeneous and cell free infrastructure. This will require a fundamentally redesigned software infrastructure accompanied by massively distributed and heterogeneous computing resources, vastly different from current wireless networks. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose and motivate the concept of a 6G Computing Continuum (6GCC) and two research testbeds, to advance the rate and quality of research. 6G Computing Continuum is an end-to-end compute and software platform for realizing large intelligent surfaces and its tenant users and applications. One for addressing the challenges or orchestrating shared computational resources in the wireless domain, implemented on a Large Intelligent Surfaces testbed. Another simulation-based testbed is intended to address scalability and global-scale orchestration challenges.
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| 12. |
- van der Burg, Nicole M D, et al.
(författare)
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Bronchodilator Responsiveness Measured by Spirometry and Impulse Oscillometry in Patients with Asthma After Short Acting Antimuscarinic and/or Beta-2-Agonists Inhalation
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Asthma and Allergy. - 1178-6965. ; 17, s. 21-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in asthma involves both the central and peripheral airways but is primarily relieved with beta-2-agonists and evaluated by spirometry. To date, antimuscarinics can be added as a reliever medication in more severe asthma. We hypothesize that combining both short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) and short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA) could also improve the responsiveness in mild-moderate asthma. Therefore, we aimed to compare the direct effects of inhaling SABA alone, SAMA alone or combining both SABA and SAMA on the central and peripheral airways in asthma.METHODS: Twenty-three patients with mild-moderate BDR in asthma performed dynamic spirometry and impulse oscillometry before (baseline) and multiple timepoints within an hour after inhalation of SABA (salbutamol), SAMA (ipratropium bromide), or both SABA and SAMA at three different visits.RESULTS: The use of SAMA alone did not show any improvement compared to the use of SABA alone. Inhalation of SABA+SAMA, however, averaged either similar or better BDR than SABA alone in FEV 1, MMEF, FVC, R5, R20 and R5-R20. Inhaling SABA+SAMA reached a stable BDR in more patients within 0-10 minutes and also reached the FEV 1 (Δ%)>12% faster (3.5 minutes) than inhaling SABA alone (5.1 minutes). Inhaling SABA+SAMA was significantly better than SAMA alone in FEV 1 ( p = 0.015), MMEF ( p = 0.0059) and R20 ( p = 0.0049). Using these three variables highlighted a subgroup (30%, including more males) of patients that were more responsive to inhaling SABA+SAMA than SABA alone. CONCLUSION: Overall, combining SAMA with SABA was faster and more consistent at increasing the lung function than SABA alone or SAMA alone, and the additive effect was best captured by incorporating peripheral-related variables. Therefore, SAMA should be considered as an add-on reliever for mild-moderate patients with BDR in asthma.
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| 14. |
- Weidner, Julie, et al.
(författare)
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Sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1) is associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- 2017
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Ingår i: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: It has been observed that mice lacking the sulfatase modifying factor (Sumf1) developed an emphysema-like phenotype. However, it is unknown if SUMF1 may play a role in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in humans. The aim was to investigate if the expression and genetic regulation of SUMF1 differs between smokers with and without COPD. Methods: SUMF1 mRNA was investigated in sputum cells and whole blood from controls and COPD patients (all current or former smokers). Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was used to investigate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SUMF1 were significantly associated with SUMF1 expression. The association of SUMF1 SNPs with COPD was examined in a population based cohort, Lifelines. SUMF1 mRNA from sputum cells, lung tissue, and lung fibroblasts, as well as lung function parameters, were investigated in relation to genotype. Results: Certain splice variants of SUMF1 showed a relatively high expression in lung tissue compared to many other tissues. SUMF1 Splice variant 2 and 3 showed lower levels in sputum cells from COPD patients as compared to controls. Twelve SNPs were found significant by eQTL analysis and overlapped with the array used for genotyping of Lifelines. We found alterations in mRNA expression in sputum cells and lung fibroblasts associated with SNP rs11915920 (top hit in eQTL), which validated the results of the lung tissue eQTL analysis. Of the twelve SNPs, two SNPs, rs793391 and rs308739, were found to be associated with COPD in Lifelines. The SNP rs793391 was also confirmed to be associated with lung function changes. Conclusions: We show that SUMF1 expression is affected in COPD patients compared to controls, and that SNPs in SUMF1 are associated with an increased risk of COPD. Certain COPD-associated SNPs have effects on either SUMF1 gene expression or on lung function. Collectively, this study shows that SUMF1 is associated with an increased risk of developing COPD.
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