| 1. |
- Horvath, I., et al.
(författare)
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Exhaled breath condensate: methodological recommendations and unresolved questions
- 2005
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Ingår i: Eur Respir J. ; 26:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method for obtaining samples from the lungs. EBC contains large number of mediators including adenosine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isoprostanes, leukotrienes, nitrogen oxides, peptides and cytokines. Concentrations of these mediators are influenced by lung diseases and modulated by therapeutic interventions. Similarly EBC pH also changes in respiratory diseases. The aim of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Task Force on EBC was to identify the important methodological issues surrounding EBC collection and assay, to provide recommendations for the measurements and to highlight areas where further research is required. Based on the currently available evidence and the consensus of the expert panel for EBC collection, the following general recommendations were put together for oral sample collection: collect during tidal breathing using a noseclip and a saliva trap; define cooling temperature and collection time (10 min is generally sufficient to obtain 1-2 mL of sample and well tolerated by patients); use inert material for condenser; do not use resistor and do not use filter between the subject and the condenser. These are only general recommendations and certain circumstances may dictate variation from them. Important areas for future research involve: ascertaining mechanisms and site of exhaled breath condensate particle formation; determination of dilution markers; improving reproducibility; employment of EBC in longitudinal studies; and determining the utility of exhaled breath condensate measures for the management of individual patients. These studies are required before recommending this technique for use in clinical practice.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Nafari, A., et al.
(författare)
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A micromachined nanoindentation force sensor
- 2005
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Ingår i: Sensors and Actuators A-Physical. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. - 0924-4247 .- 1873-3069. ; 123-124, s. 44-49
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A capacitive force sensor for in situ nanoindentation experiments in TEM has been designed, manufactured and evaluated. The confined space of the TEM specimen holder restricts the size of the fabricated sensor to 2 turn x 1.5 mm x 2 mm to allow mounting. A unique feature of the sensor is an integrated fixture for interchangeable tips, e.g. diamond tips. The sensor is fabricated in silicon anodically bonded to glass and the device is formed by DRIE. To improve the control of spring thickness and circumvent problems during fabrication a SOI wafer and slightly altered design was used in conjunction to an improved process, which resulted in a yield near 100%. The sensor is characterized by a force application using a piezoelectric positioning system, an electrostatic evaluation and a resonance frequency test using a scanning laser doppler vibrometer. The capacitance is measured with an off-chip read-out circuit. The resonance frequency test yielded a spring constant of 750 N/m, which results in a sensitivity of 0.27 pF/0.1 μN for small deflections. The evaluation shows that the force sensor is suitable for in situ nanoindentation for measurements in the range of 0-100 μN.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Eva A., et al.
(författare)
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Physical activity for persons with obesity—a health project reported
- 2008
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Ingår i: Forum on Public Policy Online. - : Oxford Round Table. - 1938-9809. ; 4:Spring
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In public health contexts, increased physical activity habits and fitness (aerobic and strength capacities) are positively related for promoting health and preventing and treating common diseases/problems, including obesity and overweight. A strongly graded inverse association between physical activity and obesity has been shown both for adults and children. However, a lower mortality risk has been shown for those with greater weight but good aerobic capacity than for those of recommended weight but less fit. On the basis of a health project with physical activity for persons with or without obesity, the paper discusses evidence-based methods for promoting physical activity. General guidelines for the amount of physical activity for persons are described, as are the numerous physiological and medical advantages of physical activity. The economic benefits are also illustrated. The paper exemplifies methods of measuring physical activity habits and physical fitness. These two factors must be observed when showing improvements in public-health contexts, including groups with obesity.
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| 6. |
- Mehta, A J, et al.
(författare)
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Airflow limitation and changes in pulmonary function among bleachery workers.
- 2005
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Ingår i: The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 0903-1936. ; 26:1, s. 133-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated whether chronic airflow limitation and rapid decline in pulmonary function were associated with peak exposures to ozone and other irritant gases in pulp mills. Bleachery workers potentially exposed to irritant gassings (n = 178) from three Swedish pulp mills, and a comparison group of workers not exposed to irritant gassings (n = 54) from two paper mills, were studied. Baseline surveys occurred in 1995-1996, with follow-up surveys in 1998-1999. Participants performed spirometry and answered questions regarding ozone, chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) gassings. From regression models controlling for potential confounders, declines in both the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (-24 mL x yr(-1)) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) (-19 mL x yr(-1)) were associated with ClO2/SO2 gassings. At follow-up, the prevalence of chronic airflow limitation (i.e. FEV1/FVC less than the lower limit of normal) was elevated for participants with only pre-baseline ozone gassings and with both pre-baseline and interval ozone gassings, after controlling for potential confounders. These findings suggest that obstructive effects among bleachery workers are associated with ozone gassings, and that adverse effects on spirometry might also accompany chlorine dioxide/sulphur dioxide gassings. Peak exposures to irritant gases in pulp mills should be prevented.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Nafari, A., et al.
(författare)
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MEMS Sensor for< emphasis emphasistype
- 2008
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Ingår i: Microelectromechanical Systems, Journal of. - Philadelphia : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 1057-7157. ; 17:2, s. 328-333
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here, we present a MEMS atomic force microscope sensor for use inside a transmission electron microscope ITEM). This enables direct in situ TEM force measurements in the nanonewton range and thus mechanical characterization of nanosized structures. The main design challenges of the system and sensor are to reach a high sensitivity and to make a compact design that allows the sensor to be fitted in the narrow dimensions of the pole gap inside the TEM. In order to miniaturize the sensing device, an integrated detection with piezoresistive elements arranged in a full Wheatstone bridge was used. Fabrication of the sensor was done using standard micromachining techniques, such as ion implantation, oxide growth and deep reactive ion etch. We also present in situ TEM force measurements on nanotubes, which demonstrate the ability to measure spring constants of nanoscale systems
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| 10. |
- Odlund Olin, A, et al.
(författare)
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Minimal effect on energy intake by additional evening meal for frail elderly service flat residents : a pilot study
- 2008
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Ingår i: The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. - Paris, France : Springer. - 1279-7707 .- 1760-4788. ; 12:5, s. 295-301
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Nutritional problems are common in frail elderly individuals receiving municipal care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if an additional evening meal could improve total daily food intake, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in frail elderly service flat (SF) residents. DESIGN: Out of 122 residents in two SF complexes, 60 subjects agreed to participate, of which 49 subjects (median 84 (79-90) years, (25th-75th percentile)) completed the study. For six months 23 residents in one SF complex were served 530 kcal in addition to their regular meals, i.e. intervention group (I-group). Twenty-six residents in the other SF building were controls (C-group). Nutritional status, energy and nutrient intake, length of night time fast, cognitive function and HRQOL was assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: At the start, the Mini Nutritional Assessment classified 27% as malnourished and 63% as at risk for malnutrition, with no difference between the groups. After six months the median body weight was unchanged in the I-group, +0.6 (-1.7-+1.6) kg (p=0.72) and the C-group -0.6 (-2.0-+0.5) kg (p=0.15). Weight change ranged from -13% to +15%. The evening meal improved the protein and carbohydrate intake (p<0.01) but the energy intake increased by only 180 kcal/day (p=0.15). The night time fast decreased in the I-group from 15.0 (13.0-16.0) to 13.0 (12.0-14.0) hours (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in cognitive function or HRQOL between the groups. CONCLUSION: Nine out of ten frail elderly SF residents had nutritional problems. Serving an additional evening meal increased the protein and carbohydrate intake, but the meal had no significant effect on energy intake, body weight or HRQOL. The variation in outcome within each study group was large.
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