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- Sandholm, Niina, et al.
(författare)
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New susceptibility loci associated with kidney disease in type 1 diabetes
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS Genetics. - San Francisco, USA : Public Library of Science, PLOS. - 1553-7390 .- 1553-7404. ; 8:9, s. e1002921-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy (DN), is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that requires dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation. In addition to the decrease in the quality of life, DN accounts for a large proportion of the excess mortality associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whereas the degree of glycemia plays a pivotal role in DN, a subset of individuals with poorly controlled T1D do not develop DN. Furthermore, strong familial aggregation supports genetic susceptibility to DN. However, the genes and the molecular mechanisms behind the disease remain poorly understood, and current therapeutic strategies rarely result in reversal of DN. In the GEnetics of Nephropathy: an International Effort (GENIE) consortium, we have undertaken a meta-analysis of genomewide association studies (GWAS) of T1D DN comprising similar to 2.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) imputed in 6,691 individuals. After additional genotyping of 41 top ranked SNPs representing 24 independent signals in 5,873 individuals, combined meta-analysis revealed association of two SNPs with ESRD: rs7583877 in the AFF3 gene (P = 1.2 x 10(-8)) and an intergenic SNP on chromosome 15q26 between the genes RGMA and MCTP2, rs12437854 (P = 2.0 x 10(-9)). Functional data suggest that AFF3 influences renal tubule fibrosis via the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) pathway. The strongest association with DN as a primary phenotype was seen for an intronic SNP in the ERBB4 gene (rs7588550, P = 2.1 x 10(-7)), a gene with type 2 diabetes DN differential expression and in the same intron as a variant with cis-eQTL expression of ERBB4. All these detected associations represent new signals in the pathogenesis of DN.
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- Hietala, Maiju, et al.
(författare)
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Bionanocomposites of thermoplastic starch and cellulose nanofibers manufactured using twin-screw extrusion
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 49:4, s. 950-956
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate if cellulose nanofiber (CNF) gels with high water contents can be processed to nanocomposites with starch powder using continuous twin-screw extrusion and to improve the mechanical properties and moisture sensitivity of thermoplastic starch. Nanocomposites with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% cellulose nanofiber content were prepared. The characterization methods were conventional tensile testing, UV/Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and moisture absorption. The cellulose nanofiber gel with high water content was mixed with starch powder, fed to the extruder as powder, performing the gelatinization of starch as well as the mixing of CNF in one step. The microscopy study showed that the CNF aggregated during the process and that the screw configuration needs to be more distributive and dispersive to get homogeneous material. The results showed that the addition of CNF improved the mechanical properties and had a positive effect on moisture uptake of the thermoplastic starch. Also, the translucency of the TPS/CNF composite films remained, even with high CNF content (20 wt%).
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| 4. |
- Oksman, Kristiina, et al.
(författare)
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Cellulose nanocomposites processing using extrusion
- 2013
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Ingår i: Production and Applications of Cellulose Nanomaterials. - : TAPPI Press. - 9781595102249 ; , s. 99-102
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have been working with development of compounding extrusion process for cellulose nanocomposites, since 2003. Feeding and dispersion of the nanocellulose materials are the main challenges and we have developed two specific processing routes; i) liquid feeding of the nanomaterials into the extruder and ii) dry feeding of nanomaterials as a master batch, to address the feeding problem. Composites with aggregated, partially dispersed or fully dispersed nanocellulose crystals or fibers have been obtained depending on the extent of the separation of cellulose nanocrystals or nanofibers in the liquid medium or in the master batch and the interaction of nanocelluloses with the polymer matrix. We aim to produce nanocomposites with good mechanical properties, thermal stability and transparency and at the same time develop an energy efficient and cost effective processing methodology, which can be up-scaled in industrial level.
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| 5. |
- Oksman, Kristiina, et al.
(författare)
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Cellulose nanofiber isolated from industrial side-streams
- 2013
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Ingår i: Production and Applications of Cellulose Nanomaterials. - : TAPPI Press. - 9781595102249 ; , s. 187-190
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Isolation of cellulose nanofibers from industrial side-streams as raw material is interesting from several reasons; it will not only result in lower overall cost of the nanofibers but also add value for many different processes and products. We have used sludge, a residue from pulp production, carrot residue from juice production, and several agricultural waste products as the starting material to isolate nanofibers. The isolation process was made using a Masuko ultra fine friction grinder and our aim have been to optimize the processing parameters for the lowest energy consumption. In addition to developing the isolation process, the isolated nanofibers structure and properties were characterized. Typically, the isolated nanofibers are bundles with diameters lower than 100 nm. In particular, we found that carrot nanofibers have a uniform fiber size less than 50 nm. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed entangled nanofiber networks and the mechanical properties of nanofiber networks demonstrated a positive impact on modulus and strength when compared to networks with microsized fibers. The improvement is increased with decreased fiber size indicating more efficient fibrillation. From these studies, we have shown that industrial side-streams are excellent raw material sources for nanofiber preparation, being cheaper than other raw materials and consuming less energy for isolation while showing good properties.
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