| 11. |
- Lu, Zexun, et al.
(författare)
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In vivo study of Trichoderma-pathogen-plant interactions, using constitutive and inducible green fluorescent protein reporter systems
- 2004
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Ingår i: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 70:5, s. 3073-3081
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant tissue colonization by Trichoderma atroviride plays a critical role in the reduction of diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, but this process has not been thoroughly studied in situ. We monitored in Situ interactions between gfp-tagged biocontrol strains of T. atroviride and soilborne plant pathogens that were grown in cocultures and on cucumber seeds by confocal scanning laser microscopy and fluorescence stereomicroscopy. Spores of T. atroviride adhered to Pythium ultimum mycelia in coculture experiments. In mycoparasitic interactions of T. atroviride with P. ultimum or Rhizoctonia solani, the mycoparasitic hyphae grew alongside the pathogen mycelia, and this was followed by coiling and formation of specialized structures similar to hooks, appressoria, and papillae. The morphological changes observed depended on the pathogen tested. Branching of T. atroviride mycelium appeared to be an active response to the presence of the pathogenic host. Mycoparasitism of P. ultimum by T. atroviride occurred on cucumber seed surfaces while the seeds were germinating. The interaction of these fungi on the cucumber seeds was similar to the interaction observed in coculture experiments. Green fluorescent protein expression under the control of host-inducible promoters was also studied. The induction of specific Trichoderma genes was monitored visually in cocultures, on plant surfaces, and in soil in the presence of colloidal chitin or Rhizoctonia by confocal microscopy and fluorescence stereomicroscopy. These tools allowed initiation of the mycoparasitic gene expression cascade to be monitored in vivo.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Svenmarker, S., et al.
(författare)
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Neurological and general outcome in low-risk coronary artery bypass patients using heparin coated circuits
- 2001
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - Oxford : Oxford University Press. - 1010-7940 .- 1873-734X. ; 19:1, s. 47-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The clinical significance of heparin coating in cardiopulmonary bypass has previously been investigated. However, few studies have addressed the possible influence on brain function and memory disturbances. Methods: Three hundred low-risk patients exposed to coronary bypass surgery were randomised into three groups according to type of heparin coating: Carmeda Bioactive Surface, Baxter Duraflo II and a control group. Outcome was determined from a number of clinically oriented parameters, including a detailed registry of postoperative deviations from the normal postoperative course. Brain damage was assessed through S100 release and memory tests, including a questionnaire follow-up. Results: Clinical outcome was similar for all groups. Blood loss (Duraflo only), transfusion requirements and postoperative creatinine elevation were reduced in the heparin-coated groups. A lower incidence of atrial fibrillation was noted in the Duraflo group. Heparin coating did not uniformly attenuate the release of S100 or the degree of memory impairment. Conclusions: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with heparin coating and a reduced dose of heparin seems to be safe. Clinical outcome and neurological injury seem not to be associated with type of heparin coating used for CPB. However, blood loss and transfusion requirements may be reduced.
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| 14. |
- Svenmarker, S., et al.
(författare)
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Use of heparin-bonded circuits in cardiopulmonary bypass improves clinical outcome
- 2002
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Ingår i: Scand Cardiovasc J. ; 36:4, s. 241-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The use of heparin-coated surfaces in cardiopulmonary bypass has been shown to decrease the inflammatory response imposed by the contact between blood and artificial surfaces. One would expect this reaction to improve clinical outcome. However, this has been difficult to verify. This investigation is based on an aggregation of two randomized studies from our institution and highlights possible effects of heparin coating on a number of clinically oriented parameters. DESIGN: Departmental analysis of patients subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery using heparin-coated circuits. Cardiopulmonary bypass was employed using either the Carmeda or Duraflo heparin coatings compared with a control. The systemic heparin dose was reduced in the heparin-coated groups (ACT > 250 s) vs control group patients (ACT > 480 s). The effects of heparin coating related to clinical outcome were studied. RESULTS: The use of heparin-coated circuits reduced the mean length of stay in hospital from 7.8 +/- 2.5 to 7.3 +/- 1.8 days (p = 0.040) and postoperative ventilation time from 9.7 +/- 9.2 to 8.2 +/- 8.5 h (p = 0.018), blood loss 8 h post surgery from 676 +/- 385 to 540 +/- 245 ml (p = 0.001), individual perioperative change of haemoglobin loss (p = 0.001), leukocyte count (p = 0.000) and creatinine elevation (p = 0.000), proportion of patients exposed to allogenous blood transfusions 39.2 vs 23.9% (p = 0.001), postoperative coagulation disturbances 4.4 vs 0.4% (p = 0.006), postoperative deviations from the normal postoperative course 47.2 vs 36.7% (p = 0.035), neurological deviations 9.4 vs 3.9% (p = 0.021) and atrial fibrillation 26.4 vs 18.0% (p = 0.041). No effects were found with respect to perioperative platelet count, postoperative fever reaction and 5-year survival. CONCLUSION: Based on several indicators, the use of heparin coating in cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with improved clinical results.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Andersson, F, et al.
(författare)
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The costs of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- 2002
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 96:9, s. 700-708
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exacerbations are the key drivers in the costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective was to examine the costs of COPD exacerbations in relation to differing degrees of severity of exacerbations and of COPD. We identified 202 subjects with COPD, defined according to the BTS and ERS criteria. Exacerbations were divided into mild (self-managed), mild/moderate (telephone contact with a health-care centre and/or the use of anti biotics/systemic corticosteroids), moderate (health-care centre visits) and severe (emergency care visit or hospital admission). Exacerbations were identified by sending the subjects a letter inquiring whether they had any additional respiratory problems or influenza the previous winter. At least one exacerbation was reported by 61 subjects, who were then interviewed about resource use for these events. The average health-care costs per exacerbation were SEK 120(95% CI = 39-246), SEK 354 (252-475), SEK 2111 (1673-2612) and SEK 21852 (14436-29825) for mild, mild/moderate, moderate and severe exacerbations, respectively. Subjects with impaired lung function experienced more severe exacerbations, which was also reflected in the cost of exacerbations per severity of the disease during the 41 month study period (ranging from SEK 224 for mild to SEK 13708 for severe cases, median SEK 940). Exacerbations account for 35-45% of the total per capita health-care costs for COPD. In conclusion, costs varied considerably with the severity of the exacerbation as well as with the severity of COPD. The prevention of moderate-to-severe exacerbations could be very cost-effective and improve the quality of life.
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| 17. |
- Bailey, S, et al.
(författare)
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Acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana to the light environment : the existence of separate low light and high light responses
- 2001
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Ingår i: Planta. - 0032-0935 .- 1432-2048. ; 213:5, s. 794-801
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The capacity for photosynthetic acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. cv. Landsberg erecta was assessed during growth over a broad range of irradiance. Discontinuities in the response to growth irradiance were revealed for the light- and CO2-saturated rate of photosynthesis (P-max) and the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b (Chl a/b). Three separate phases in the response of P-max and Chl a/b to growth light were evident, with increases at low and high irradiance ranges and a plateau at intermediate irradiance. By measuring all chlorophyll-containing components of the thylakoid membrane that contribute to Chl alb we reveal that distinct strategies for growth at low and high irradiance underlie the discontinuous response. These strategies include, in addition to changes in the major light-harvesting complexes of photosystem II (LHCII) , large shifts in the amounts of both reaction centres as well as significant changes in the levels of minor LHCII and LHCI components.
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| 18. |
- Berg, Gertrud, 1944, et al.
(författare)
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Radioiodine ablation and therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer under stimulation with recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone
- 2002
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Ingår i: J Endocrinol Invest. - 0391-4097. ; 25:1, s. 44-52
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated whether recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) safely and effectively induces uptake of high-dose 131-iodine (131I) to ablate thyroid remnant or treat disease, in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Eleven consecutive patients unable to tolerate thyroid hormone withdrawal received one im injection of 0.9 mg rhTSH on 2 consecutive days before receiving 4000 MBq (approximately 108 mCi) radioiodine orally. Eight patients received one, and 3 patients 2 courses. Our series comprised 7 women and 4 men (mean age, 78 yr, range: 56-87 yr). Ten patients had undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy up to 19 yr earlier. rhTSH-stimulated single course radioiodine with the intention to ablate thyroid remnant was performed in 3 patients, with following estimation of radioiodine uptake and TG measurements. Of another 8 patients given this treatment palliatively, 5 had radiological, clinical and/or laboratory response, including: 80% decreased pathological uptake between treatment courses; pronounced decrease in bone pain; diminished symptoms; improved physical condition and quality of life; lower serum TG concentration; and/or normalization of TG recovery test. Two patients with small lung metastases on computed tomography had no detectable radioiodine uptake or other response; they also lacked uptake after withdrawal-stimulated radioiodine treatment. Despite being elderly and frail, patients generally tolerated treatment well; rhTSH caused nausea in one patient and transiently increased pain in bone and soft tissue lesions in another. We conclude that rhTSH-stimulated high-dose radioiodine for remnant ablation or tumor treatment is safe, feasible and seemingly effective, enhancing quality of life and offering reasonable palliation in patients with advanced disease.
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