| 1. |
- Al-Alawi, Ahmed Ali, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of Carrageenan Extracted from Hypnea bryoides in Oman.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1436-2236 .- 1436-2228. ; 10:1007
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carrageenophyte red seaweed from Oman, Hypnea bryoides, extracted using three different processes: an aqueous, a mild alkaline, and a more vigorous alkaline extraction was investigated. The resulting extract precipitated by alcohol was subject to chemical and rheological measurements. The total carbohydrate [ranged from 36.78 to 41.65g/100g], and ash [39.04 to 43.11 g/100 g] were the most abundant components in H. bryoides and contrary to the two, lipid content was found at a minimum [ranging from 2.95 to 3.38g/100g]. Alkali treatment with NaOH allowed complete conversion of kappa (κ) carrageenan form as detected by FTIR analysis. Total yield by alkali treatments gave higher yields (33%) compared with aqueous treatments (12%). However, subsequent aqueous treatment produced mixed carrageenan (μ and κ) with higher molecular weight compared with the alkali treatments which produced single carrageenan form (κ) with molecular weight of 4.1×10(5)Da. The effects of thermal history on gel-sol and sol-gel transition were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and rheology on a pure sample and 1.5% κ-carrageenan mixture added with 30mM KCl. Transition temperatures from DSC and rheology showed comparable results and were in good agreement with those previously reported.
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| 2. |
- Bhattacharya, Prosun, et al.
(författare)
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Temporal and seasonal variability of arsenic in drinking water wells in Matlab, southeastern Bangladesh : A preliminary evaluation on the basis of a 4 year study
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part A. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1093-4529 .- 1532-4117. ; 46:11, s. 1177-1184
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Temporal and seasonal variability of As concentrations in groundwater were evaluated in As-affected areas of Matlab, southeastern Bangladesh. Groundwater samples from 61 randomly selected tubewells were analyzed for As concentrations over a period of three years and four months (from July 2002 to November 2005) and monitored seasonally (three times a year). The mean As concentrations in the sampled tubewells decreased from 153 to 123 mu g/L during July 2002 to November 2005. Such changes were pronounced in tubewells with As concentration >50 mu g/L than those with As concentrations <50 mu g/L. Similarly, individual wells revealed temporal variability, for example some wells indicated a decreasing trend, while some other wells indicated stable As concentration during the monitoring period. The mean As concentrations were significantly higher in Matlab North compared with Matlab South. The spatial variations in the mean As concentrations may be due to the differences in local geological conditions and groundwater flow patterns. The variations in mean As concentrations were also observed in shallow (<40 m) and deep (>40 m) wells. However, to adequately evaluate temporal and seasonal variability of As concentration, it is imperative to monitor As concentrations in tubewells over a longer period of time. Such long-term monitoring will provide important information for the assessment of human health risk and the sustainability of safe drinking water supplies.
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| 3. |
- Mojaddidi, Moaz A., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular and pathological studies in the posterior interosseous nerve of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
- 2014
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Ingår i: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0428 .- 0012-186X. ; 57:8, s. 1711-1719
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims/hypothesis We sought to establish the molecular and pathological changes predisposing diabetic and non-diabetic patients to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) was biopsied in 25 diabetic and 19 non-diabetic patients undergoing carpal tunnel decompression for CTS. Detailed morphometric and immunohistological analyses were performed in the nerve biopsy. Results In diabetic patients median nerve distal motor latency was prolonged (p < 0.05 vs non-diabetic patients), PIN myelinated fibre density (p < 0.05), fibre area (p < 0.0001) and axon area (p < 0.0001) were reduced, the percentage of unassociated Schwann cell profiles (p < 0.0001) and unmyelinated axon density (p < 0.0001) were increased and the axon diameter was reduced (p < 0.0001). Endoneurial capillary basement membrane area was increased (p < 0.0001) in diabetic patients, but endothelial cell number was increased (p < 0.01) and luminal area was reduced (p < 0.05) in non-diabetic patients with CTS. There was no difference in the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CTS. However, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) (p < 0.05) and its receptors VEGFR-1 (p < 0.01) and VEGFR-2 (p < 0.05) was significantly increased in diabetic patients, particularly those with type 1 diabetes, and related to the severity of nerve fibre pathology. Conclusions/interpretation This study demonstrates increased nerve fibre and microvascular pathology in relation to enhanced expression of VEGF and its receptors in a non-compressed nerve in diabetic compared with non-diabetic patients with CTS. It therefore provides a potential molecular and pathological basis for the predisposition of diabetic patients to the development of CTS.
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| 4. |
- Omar, Mohammed Taher Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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A systematic review of the effect of low-level laser therapy in the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema
- 2012
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 20:11, s. 2977-2984
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to review the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). A systematic review of seven databases for clinical trials for LLLT in the management of BCRL published between 1990 and 2011 was performed. A total of eight studies on 230 patients were found. The methodological qualities of the selected studies were assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and the studies were categorized according to Sackett's levels of evidence. Five studies were graded at evidence level II. Two studies were graded at evidence level III, and the remaining study was graded at evidence level V. There is moderate to strong evidence for the effectiveness of LLLT for the management of BCRL from five small studies of acceptable methodological quality. A dose of 1-2 J/cm(2) per point applied to several points covering the fibrotic area can reduce limb volume following BCRL. Further well-designed, large-scale studies are required to determine more precisely how effective LLLT may be in BCRL.
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| 5. |
- Sandhi, Arifin, et al.
(författare)
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Arsenic levels in soil, water, and rice in Southeastern region of Bangladesh
- 2010
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The presence of high level of arsenic (As) in soil and water is one of the most significant environmental disasters in the world and most affected countries are located in South Asia specifically in the Bengal Delta region. In Bangladesh the source of arsenic in soil is geogenic and dependence on well water for irrigation leads to an increase in the level of arsenic in food stuffs also. This study presents the preliminary overview of As level in soil, water and rice in the Matlab located southeastern region of Bangladesh. During this study, an evaluation of the irrigation water sources, soils and food stuffs are analyzed in the laboratory and questionnaire system for dietary survey has been followed. The level of arsenic in irrigation well water ranged from (6 – 513 µg/L As, n = 10) and correlated with their depth. In contrary compared to irrigation water high level of arsenic (1.85 - 5.02 mg/kg As, n =36) present in agricultural soil. Cultivation on contaminated sediment and application of arsenic contained water, expand arsenic pathway towards food chain. The amount of arsenic in rice significantly depends on the husk of rice grain, those collected from local fields, found (0.01 to 0.15 mg/kg As, n =20) and 0.02 mg/kg of As in with husk and without husk grain respectively. The analysis of As in soil, water and rice was done with help of hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry and field As test kit. Based on the results of the questionnaire survey, inhabitants of Matlab area are exposed to 0.2 to 0.4 mg of As/day and 0.01 to 0.16 mg/kg As through drinking water and rice consumption respectively. It is important to note that the level of As intake through drinking water is higher than the exposure of As due to the consumption of food stuffs in Bangladesh. Llong term future research initiatives are needed for understanding the dynamics of As in the soil-water system and food chain of the community in As affected areas coupled with the execution of various mitigation strategies.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Al-Rubaei, Ahmed Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Treatment Efficiency of a Constructed Stormwater Wetland: Preliminary Results
- 2014
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Constructed stormwater wetlands (CSWs) are commonly used in Sweden and worldwide because of their high efficiency in urban stormwater management. However, questions have been raised about the long-term performance of CSWs. This study investigated the performance of a 19-year-old constructed wetland, which was designed to treat the stormwater from a 320-ha catchment located in the city of Växjö, southern Sweden. The system has not been maintained since its construction in 1994. The results of the present study were compared with results obtained from a previous study conducted by Växjö Municipality in 1997. The results showed that the CSW significantly reduced peak flows by 72%. High concentration reductions were found for Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, TSS and TP (90, 89, 91, 90, 96, 96 and 86%, respectively). TN concentrations were reduced by 61%. The results indicated that lack of maintenance had no effect on the performance of wetland system during this long period of operation (19 years). In contrast, especially the removal of Cu and nitrogen was enhanced compared to 1997, which may be due to maturing of the system. The results show that CSWs are resilient systems, which (provided that design is sufficient) can work efficiently for at least two decades.
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| 8. |
- Bhattacharya, Prosun, et al.
(författare)
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Groundwater arsenic pollution : A conceptual framework for sustainable mitigation strategy
- 2014
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Ingår i: One Century of the Discovery of Arsenicosis in Latin America (1914-2014). - : CRC Press. - 9781138001411 ; , s. 881-885
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tubewells installed by local drillers, provide access of drinking water in rural Bangladesh. Significant proportion of these wells contains arsenic (As) above the WHO guideline and the Bangladesh Drinking Water Standard. Various attempts for mitigation at household and community scale have resulted in limited success, but through the local driller's initiatives, the tubewells are the source of priority drinking water supply. We have developed a concept of Sustainable Arsenic Mitigation (SASMIT) to identify and target the safe aquifers through detailed hydrogeological studies for scientific validation of the water quality with respect to the color of the shallow sediments as perceived by local drillers. Together with water quality monitoring, we have also targeted the Intermediate Depth Aquifers (IDA) for providing As-safe and low manganese (Mn) water. SASMIT intervention logic also considered the relevant socio-economic scenario, such as household distribution, poverty issues and available safe water access for prioritizing safe well installation.
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| 9. |
- Eriksson, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Non-invasive investigations of potential renal artery stenosis in renal insufficiency
- 2010
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Ingår i: Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press. - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 25:11, s. 3607-3614
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The diagnostic value of non-invasive methods for diagnosing renal artery stenosis in patients with renal insufficiency is incompletely known. Methods. Forty-seven consecutive patients with moderately impaired renal function and a clinical suspicion of renal artery stenosis were investigated with computed tomography angiography (CTA), gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound and captopril renography. The primary reference standard was stenosis reducing the vessel diameter by at least 50% on CTA, and an alternative reference standard (‘morphological and functional stenosis’) was defined as at least 50% diameter reduction on CTA or MRA, combined with a positive finding from ultrasound or captopril renography. Results. The frequency of positive findings, calculated on the basis of individual patients, was 70% for CTA, 60% for MRA, 53% for ultrasound and 30% for captopril renography. Counting kidneys rather than patients, corresponding frequencies were 53%, 41%, 29% and 15%, respectively. In relation to the CTA standard, the sensitivity (and specificity) at the patient level was 0.81 (0.79) for MRA, 0.70 (0.89) for ultrasound and 0.42 (1.00) for captopril renography, and at the kidney level 0.76 (0.82), 0.53 (0.81) and 0.30 (0.86), respectively. Relative to the alternative reference standard, corresponding values at the patient level were 1.00 (0.62) for CTA, 0.90 (0.69) for MRA, 0.91 (1.00) for ultrasound and 0.67 (1.00) for captopril renography, and at the kidney level 0.96 (0.76), 0.85 (0.79), 0.71 (0.97) and 0.50 (0.97), respectively. Conclusions. CTA and MRA are superior to ultrasound and captopril renography at diagnosing morphological stenosis, but ultrasound may be useful as a screening method and captopril renography for verifying renin-dependent hypertension.
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| 10. |
- Hossain, Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Sediment color tool for targeting arsenic-safe aquifers for the installation of shallow drinking water tubewells
- 2014
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 493, s. 615-625
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In rural Bangladesh, drinking water supply mostly comes from shallow hand tubewells installed manually by the local drillers, the main driving force in tubewell installation. This study was aimed at developing a sediment color tool on the basis of local driller's perception of sediment color, arsenic (As) concentration of tubewell waters and respective color of aquifer sediments. Laboratory analysis of 521 groundwater samples collected from 144 wells during 2009 to 2011 indicate that As concentrations in groundwater were generally higher in the black colored sediments with an average of 239 mu g/L. All 39 wells producing water from red sediments provide safe water following the Bangladesh drinking water standard for As (50 mu g/L) where mean and median values were less than the WHO guideline value of 10 mu g/L. Observations for off-white sediments were also quite similar. White sediments were rare and seemed to be less important for well installations at shallow depths. A total of 2240 sediment samples were collected at intervals of 1.5 m down to depths of 100 m at 15 locations spread over a 410 km(2) area in Matlab, Bangladesh and compared with the Munsell Color Chart with the purpose of direct comparison of sediment color in a consistent manner. All samples were assigned with Munsell Color and Munsell Code, which eventually led to identify 60 color shade varieties which were narrowed to four colors (black, white, off-white and red) as perceived and used by the local drillers. During the process of color grouping, participatory approach was considered taking the opinions of local drillers, technicians, and geologists into account. This simplified sediment color tool can be used conveniently during shallow tubewell installation and thus shows the potential for educating local drillers to target safe aquifers on the basis of the color characteristics of the sediments.
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