| 1. |
- Carlsson, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Off-equilibrium response of grafted polymer chains subject to a variable rate of compression
- 2011
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 13:24, s. 11757-11765
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present Brownian dynamics simulations of single grafted semiflexible chains (i.e., "polymer mushrooms'') with varying persistence lengths, intra-chain interactions, and subject to confinement. The results from different rates of compression are presented in the cases of an approaching infinite plane and a paraboloid tip. We discuss the different behaviour observed for grafted chains with strong and weak self-attraction (i.e., "hard'' and "soft'' polymer mushrooms). In both cases the effect on the size and shape is more pronounced for a slow compression rate, especially for "hard mushrooms''. We have also studied the relaxation of the chain while the compressing plane is maintained, and when it is removed suddenly. We find that the response depends strongly on the time allowed for relaxation in the compressed state. When using instead a paraboloid tip, the overall effects are similar yet less pronounced because the chain can dodge the confining object via an "escape transition.''
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| 2. |
- Echternach, Matthias, et al.
(författare)
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Vocal tract area functions and formant frequencies in opera tenors' modal and falsetto registers
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. - : Acoustical Society of America (ASA). - 0001-4966 .- 1520-8524. ; 129:6, s. 3955-3963
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- According to recent model investigations, vocal tract resonance is relevant to vocal registers. However, no experimental corroboration of this claim has been published so far. In the present investigation, ten professional tenors' vocal tract configurations were analyzed using MRI volumetry. All subjects produced a sustained tone on the pitch F4 (349 Hz) on the vowel /a/(1) in modal and (2) in falsetto register. The area functions were estimated from the MRI data and their associated formant frequencies were calculated. In a second condition the same subjects repeated the same tasks in a sound treated room and their formant frequencies were estimated by means of inverse filtering. In both recordings similar formant frequencies were observed. Vocal tract shapes differed between modal and falsetto register. In modal as compared to falsetto the lip opening and the oral cavity were wider and the first formant frequency was higher. In this sense the presented results are in agreement with the claim that the formant frequencies differ between registers.
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| 3. |
- Sundberg, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Evidence-informed integrative care systems-The way forward
- 2014
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Ingår i: European Journal of Integrative Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1876-3820 .- 1876-3839. ; 6:1, s. 12-20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The concept of integrative medicine/care - often referred to as the new medicine - typically signifies a sound combination of safe and effective ancient traditional medicine or complementary and alternative medicine, and state-of-the-art conventional medicine. In this opinion article, we draw on a decade of research and development including our own experiences in low-, middle- and high-income countries, by means of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and explore trends vital to the development of evidence-informed integrative care and communication systems. Discussion: Proponents suggest that an integrative health care system with a diversity of therapeutic options - and no particular differentiation between any evidence-informed health care paradigms - might be the best way to revitalize health care and reduce societal health care costs. Opponents argue - based on reasoning common to followers of scientism - that such developments constitute pseudoscience and will effectively overburden the healthcare system. Integrating insights from medicine, the humanities, ethics and philosophy in a health care model, which combines high-tech conventional health care with ancient health care systems and therapies, with the aim to achieve a pluralistic, accessible, affordable, safe and effective health system is clearly a challenge, but one which in fact has been recommended by the Director General of the WHO. Conclusion: To maintain a polarized situation in the light of the growing demand for person-centred health care services, is unhelpful to nations and patients alike, detrimental to therapeutic relationships and may even occasionally be dangerous. (C) 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Sundberg, Tobias
(författare)
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Exploring integrative medicine for back and neck pain : on the integration of manual and complementary therapies in Swedish primary care
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: The integration of complementary therapies (CTs) with an emerging evidence base into conventional care services is common, despite limited evidence as to the clinical effectiveness of comprehensive models delivering such care, i.e. integrative medicine (IM). Low back and neck pain (LBP/NP) are two of the most common reasons for people to use CTs. The objectives of this thesis were to develop, implement and explore the relevance of IM as a potential health service option in Swedish primary care. Methods: Acknowledging IM as a complex health care intervention, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used in this thesis. During the development of the IM model, an action research approach with focus groups and key informant meetings with multiple conventional and CT stakeholders was utilised. The development progressed through iterative cycles of data collection, analysis, refinement of strategies and actions following research group consensus, followed by further data collection (immersion/crystallisation). Perceived facilitators, barriers and strategies were identified and findings were categorised within a public health science framework of IM model structures, processes and outcomes. The feasibility and comparative effectiveness of IM vs. conventional primary care was investigated in a pragmatic pilot randomised clinical trial (RCT) of 80 patients with LBP/NP. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to explore outcome changes between groups after four months: SF-36 (main); self-rated disability, stress and well-being (0-10 scales), days in pain and the use of health care resources including analgesics, conventional care and CTs. Perspectives on receiving care were explored through focus group discussions with patients from the RCT and analysed by content analysis. A health economic evaluation was conducted alongside the RCT to explore the likelihood of the IM model being a cost-effective health service option. Results: The developed IM model adhered to standard clinical practice procedures and involved active partnership between a gatekeeping general practitioner collaborating with a team of certified/licensed CT providers (Swedish massage therapy, manipulative therapy/naprapathy, shiatsu, acupuncture and qigong) in a consensus case conference model of care. The implementation of the IM model was feasible and most patients were women with chronic (≥3 months) LBP/NP. The conventional care mainly consisted of pain management advice (stay active) and analgesics, occasionally complemented by short-term sick leave or a physiotherapy referral. In addition to this, the IM model integrated seven sessions of two different CTs over 10 weeks on average. It was found that the pilot RCT was underpowered to detect statistically significant differences between groups, and that a full-scale RCT would require a minimum of 120 patients. However, the trend in the clinical quantitative results with an increase in the SF-36 domain Vitality and a decrease in the use of analgesics favoured IM. In addition, the qualitative findings indicated that the interviewed patients valued the IM combination of conventional biomedical diagnostic procedures with empowering CT self-help strategies. There was a conservative likelihood (67%) of the IM model being cost-effective at a threshold of EUR 50,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Conclusion: Identification of IM facilitators, barriers and strategies by the different stakeholders contributed to feasible implementation within Swedish primary care. Triangulation of the various results suggests that IM is at least as effective as conventional care, with potential clinical benefits including empowerment and reduced need for analgesics. To verify the relevance of IM in Swedish primary care, future research should prioritise larger trials considering large variability, chronic pain duration, small to moderate effects, indirect costs and longer-term follow-up while adopting a mixed methods approach considering both general and disease-specific outcomes.
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| 5. |
- Veitonmäki, Niina, et al.
(författare)
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A human icam-1 antibody isolated by a function-first approach has potent macrophage-dependent antimyeloma activity in vivo.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Cancer Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-3686 .- 1535-6108. ; 23:4, s. 502-515
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We isolated a tumor B-cell-targeting antibody, BI-505, from a highly diversified human phage-antibody library, using a pioneering "function-first" approach involving screening for (1) specificity for a tumor B cell surface receptor, (2) induction of tumor programmed cell death, and (3) enhanced in vivo antitumor activity compared to currently used treatments. BI-505 bound to intercellular adhesion molecule-1, identifying a previously unrecognized role for this receptor as a therapeutic target in cancer. The BI-505 epitope was strongly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells from both newly diagnosed and relapsed patients. BI-505 had potent macrophage-dependent antimyeloma activity and conferred enhanced survival compared to currently used treatments in advanced experimental models of multiple myeloma.
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