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- Aamodt, K., et al.
(författare)
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The ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:S08002
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries, Its overall dimensions are 16 x 16 x 26 m(3) with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.
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| 3. |
- Clark, Andrew G., et al.
(författare)
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Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 450:7167, s. 203-218
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species.
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| 6. |
- Dahl, O. E., et al.
(författare)
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Major joint replacement. A model for antithrombotic drug development: from proof-of-concept to clinical use
- 2008
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Ingår i: International angiology. - 0392-9590. ; 27:1, s. 60-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: Development of antithrombotic compounds has traditionally been performed in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement surgery. A high number of asymptomatic deep-vein thromboses are radiologically detectable, and bleeding and other adverse events (AE) are easy to observe. However, standardization of study procedures and endpoints in early proof-of-concept studies and late pure clinical endpoint studies has been lacking. This has made comparison between studies difficult, economic analyses speculative and potential benefits of applying the drug regimen in non-selected patients uncertain. In this paper, the International Surgical Thrombosis Forum proposes a strategy for the clinical investigation of new pharmacological agents for the prophylaxis of postoperative thrombotic events. METHODS: First, dose titration safety studies of short duration, in highly selected patients using objective venographic endpoints are recommended. Bleeding should be divided into the quantified volume of surgical bleeding and other adjudicated clinical bleeding events. The number of AE should be described for each dose step and classified according to International Coding of Diagnoses (ICD). Second, a dose confirmatory study of moderate exposure period and sufficient follow-up time is recommended. The exclusion criteria should be restricted to contraindications of the compared drugs and technical procedure. RESULTS: The efficacy, bleeding and AE should be similar to those used in dose-titration studies. In addition, the failure rate of the drug to exert its effect and the net clinical benefit should be calculated. CONCLUSION: Finally, trials with simple clinical endpoints and long follow-up should be conducted to evaluate the potential benefits of the drug-regimen in non-selected populations.
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| 7. |
- Butler, Geraldine, et al.
(författare)
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Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 459:7247, s. 657-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key components of the mating and meiosis pathways are missing from several species. These include major differences at the mating-type loci (MTL); Lodderomyces elongisporus lacks MTL, and components of the a1/2 cell identity determinant were lost in other species, raising questions about how mating and cell types are controlled. Analysis of the CUG leucine-to-serine genetic-code change reveals that 99% of ancestral CUG codons were erased and new ones arose elsewhere. Lastly, we revise the Candida albicans gene catalogue, identifying many new genes.
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| 9. |
- de Groot, Kirsten, et al.
(författare)
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Pulse Versus Daily Oral Cyclophosphamide for Induction of Remission in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis A Randomized Trial
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annals of Internal Medicine. - 0003-4819. ; 150:10, s. 3-670
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Current therapies for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis are limited by toxicity. Objective: To compare pulse cyclophosphamide with daily oral cyclophosphamide for induction of remission. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Random assignments were computer-generated; allocation was concealed by faxing centralized treatment assignment to providers at the time of enrollment. Patients, investigators, and assessors of outcomes were not blinded to assignment. Setting: 42 centers in 12 European countries. Patients: 149 patients who had newly diagnosed generalized ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement but not immediately life-threatening disease. Intervention: Pulse cyclophosphamide, 15 mg/kg every 2 to 3 weeks (76 patients), or daily oral cyclophosphamide, 2 mg/kg per day (73 patients), plus prednisolone. Measurement: Time to remission (primary outcome); change in renal function, adverse events, and cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide (secondary outcomes). Results: Groups did not differ in time to remission (hazard ratio, 1.098 [95% CI, 0.78 to 1.55]; P = 0.59) or proportion of patients who achieved remission at 9 months (88.1% vs. 87.7%). Thirteen patients in the pulse group and 6 in the daily oral group achieved remission by 9 months and subsequently had relapse. Absolute cumulative cyclophosphamide dose in the daily oral group was greater than that in the pulse group (15.9 g [interquartile range, 11 to 22.5 g] vs. 8.2 g [interquartile range, 5.95 to 10.55 g]; P < 0.001). The pulse group had a lower rate of leukopenia (hazard ratio, 0.41 [CI, 0.23 to 0.71]). Limitations: The study was not powered to detect a difference in relapse rates between the 2 groups. Duration of follow-up was limited. Conclusion: The pulse cyclophosphamide regimen induced remission of ANCA-associated vasculitis as well as the daily oral regimen at a reduced cumulative cyclophosphamide dose and caused fewer cases of leukopenia. Primary Funding Source: The European Union.
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| 10. |
- Eklund, Arne, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
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Low Recurrence Rate After Laparoscopic (TEP) and Open(Lichtenstein) Inguinal Hernia RepairA Randomized, Multicenter Trial With 5-Year Follow-Up
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annals of Surgery. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0003-4932 .- 1528-1140. ; 249:1, s. 33-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To compare a laparoscopic (totally extraperitoneal patch (TEP)) and an open technique (Lichtenstein) for inguinal hernia repair regarding recurrence rate and possible risk factors for recurrence. Summary Background Data: Laparoscopic hernia repair has been introduced as an alternative to open repair. Short-term follow-up suggests benefits for those patients operated with a laparoscopic approach compared with open techniques; ie, less postoperative pain and a shorter convalescence period. Long-term results, however, are less well known. Methods: The study was conducted as a multicenter randomized trial with a 5-year follow-up. A total of 1512 men aged 30 to 70 years, with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia, were randomized to either TEP or Lichtenstein repair. Results: Overall, 665 patients in the TEP group and 705 patients in the Lichtenstein group were evaluable. The cumulative recurrence rate was 3.5% in the TEP group and 1.2% in the Lichtenstein group (P = 0.008). Test for heterogeneity revealed significant differences between individual surgeons. The exclusion of 1 surgeon, who was responsible for 33% (7 of 21) of all recurrences in the TEP group, lowered the cumulative recurrence rate to 2.4% in this group, which was not statistically different from that of the Lichtenstein group. Conclusions: The recurrence rate for both TEP and Lichtenstein repair was low. A higher cumulative recurrence rate in the TEP group was seen at 5 years. Further analysis revealed that this could be attributable to incorrect surgical technique.
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