| 11. |
- Lalani, Tahaniyat, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of the impact of early surgery on in-hospital mortality of native valve endocarditis: use of propensity score and instrumental variable methods to adjust for treatment-selection bias.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Circulation. - 1524-4539. ; 121:8, s. 1005-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The impact of early surgery on mortality in patients with native valve endocarditis (NVE) is unresolved. This study sought to evaluate valve surgery compared with medical therapy for NVE and to identify characteristics of patients who are most likely to benefit from early surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a prospective, multinational cohort of patients with definite NVE, the effect of early surgery on in-hospital mortality was assessed by propensity-based matching adjustment for survivor bias and by instrumental variable analysis. Patients were stratified by propensity quintile, paravalvular complications, valve perforation, systemic embolization, stroke, Staphylococcus aureus infection, and congestive heart failure. Of the 1552 patients with NVE, 720 (46%) underwent early surgery and 832 (54%) were treated with medical therapy. Compared with medical therapy, early surgery was associated with a significant reduction in mortality in the overall cohort (12.1% [87/720] versus 20.7% [172/832]) and after propensity-based matching and adjustment for survivor bias (absolute risk reduction [ARR] -5.9%, P<0.001). With a combined instrument, the instrumental-variable-adjusted ARR in mortality associated with early surgery was -11.2% (P<0.001). In subgroup analysis, surgery was found to confer a survival benefit compared with medical therapy among patients with a higher propensity for surgery (ARR -10.9% for quintiles 4 and 5, P=0.002) and those with paravalvular complications (ARR -17.3%, P<0.001), systemic embolization (ARR -12.9%, P=0.002), S aureus NVE (ARR -20.1%, P<0.001), and stroke (ARR -13%, P=0.02) but not those with valve perforation or congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgery for NVE is associated with an in-hospital mortality benefit compared with medical therapy alone.
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| 12. |
- Lebzelter, T., et al.
(författare)
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Comparative modelling of the spectra of cool giants
- 2012
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 547, s. A108-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Our ability to extract information from the spectra of stars depends on reliable models of stellar atmospheres and appropriate techniques for spectral synthesis. Various model codes and strategies for the analysis of stellar spectra are available today. Aims. We aim to compare the results of deriving stellar parameters using different atmosphere models and different analysis strategies. The focus is set on high-resolution spectroscopy of cool giant stars. Methods. Spectra representing four cool giant stars were made available to various groups and individuals working in the area of spectral synthesis, asking them to derive stellar parameters from the data provided. The results were discussed at a workshop in Vienna in 2010. Most of the major codes currently used in the astronomical community for analyses of stellar spectra were included in this experiment. Results. We present the results from the different groups, as well as an additional experiment comparing the synthetic spectra produced by various codes for a given set of stellar parameters. Similarities and differences of the results are discussed. Conclusions. Several valid approaches to analyze a given spectrum of a star result in quite a wide range of solutions. The main causes for the differences in parameters derived by different groups seem to lie in the physical input data and in the details of the analysis method. This clearly shows how far from a definitive abundance analysis we still are.
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| 13. |
- Mukanga, D., et al.
(författare)
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Can lay community health workers be trained to use diagnostics to distinguish and treat malaria and pneumonia in children? : Lessons from rural Uganda
- 2011
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Ingår i: Tropical medicine & international health. - : Wiley. - 1360-2276 .- 1365-3156. ; 16:10, s. 1234-1242
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE To determine the competence of community health workers (CHWs) to correctly assess, classify and treat malaria and pneumonia among under-five children after training. METHODS Consultations of 182 under-fives by 14 CHWs in Iganga district, Uganda, were observed using standardised checklists. Each CHW saw 13 febrile children. Two paediatricians observed CHWs' assessment, classification and prescription of treatment, while a laboratory scientist assessed CHW use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The validity of CHWs' use of RDTs to detect malaria and respiratory timers to diagnose pneumonia was estimated using a laboratory scientist's RDT repeat reading and a paediatrician's repeat count of the respiratory rate, respectively. RESULTS From the 182 consultations, overall CHWs' performance was adequate in taking history (97%), use (following procedures prior to reading result) of timers (96%) and use of RDTs (96%), but inadequate in classification (87%). Breath readings (classified as fast or normal) were 85% in agreement with the paediatrician (kappa = 0.665, P < 0.001). All RDT readings were in agreement with those obtained by the laboratory scientist. Ninety-six per cent (85/89) of children with a positive RDT were prescribed an antimalarial drug, 40% (4/10) with fast breathing (gold standard) were prescribed an antibiotic and 91% (48/53) with both were prescribed both medicines. CONCLUSION Community health workers can be trained to use RDTs and timers to assess and manage malaria and pneumonia in children. We recommend integration of these diagnostics into community case management of fever. CHWs require enhanced practice in counting respiratory rates and simple job aides to enable them make a classification without thinking deeply about several assessment results.
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| 14. |
- Reddel, H. K., et al.
(författare)
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Effect of different asthma treatments on risk of cold-related exacerbations
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 1399-3003 .- 0903-1936. ; 38:3, s. 584-593
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Common colds often trigger asthma exacerbations. The present study compared cold-related severe exacerbations during budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy, and different regimens of maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with or without long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABA), and with as-needed short-acting beta(2)-agonists (SABA) or LABA. Reported colds and severe exacerbations (defined by oral corticosteroid use and/or hospitalisation/emergency room visit) were assessed for 12,507 patients during 6-12 months of double-blind treatment. Exacerbations occurring <= 14 days after onset of reported colds were analysed by a Poisson model. The incidence of colds was similar across treatments. Asthma symptoms and reliever use increased during colds. Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy reduced severe cold-related exacerbations by 36% versus pooled comparators plus SABA (rate ratio (RR) 0.64; p=0.002), and for individual treatment comparisons, by 52% versus the same maintenance dose of ICS/LABA (RR 0.48; p < 0.001); there were nonsignificant reductions versus higher maintenance doses of ICS or ICS/LABA (RR 0.83 and 0.72, respectively). As-needed LABA did not reduce cold-related exacerbations versus as-needed SABA (RR 0.96). Severe cold-related exacerbations were reduced by budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy compared with ICS with or without LABA and with as-needed SABA. Subanalyses suggested the importance of the ICS component in reducing cold-related exacerbations. Future studies should document the cause of exacerbations, in order to allow identification of different treatment effects.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Barsheshet, Alon, et al.
(författare)
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Mutations in Cytoplasmic Loops of the KCNQ1 Channel and the Risk of Life-Threatening Events Implications for Mutation-Specific Response to beta-Blocker Therapy in Type 1 Long-QT Syndrome
- 2012
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Ingår i: Circulation. - 1524-4539. ; 125:16, s. 1988-1988
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background-beta-Adrenergic stimulation is the main trigger for cardiac events in type 1 long-QT syndrome (LQT1). We evaluated a possible association between ion channel response to beta-adrenergic stimulation and clinical response to beta-blocker therapy according to mutation location. Methods and Results-The study sample comprised 860 patients with genetically confirmed mutations in the KCNQ1 channel. Patients were categorized into carriers of missense mutations located in the cytoplasmic loops (C loops), membrane-spanning domain, C/N terminus, and nonmissense mutations. There were 27 aborted cardiac arrest and 78 sudden cardiac death events from birth through 40 years of age. After multivariable adjustment for clinical factors, the presence of C-loop mutations was associated with the highest risk for aborted cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death (hazard ratio versus nonmissense mutations = 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-5.86; P=0.009). beta-Blocker therapy was associated with a significantly greater reduction in the risk of aborted cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death among patients with C-loop mutations than among all other patients (hazard ratio=0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.73; P=0.02; and hazard ratio=0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-2.13; P=0.68, respectively; P for interaction=0.04). Cellular expression studies showed that membrane spanning and C-loop mutations produced a similar decrease in current, but only C-loop mutations showed a pronounced reduction in channel activation in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Conclusions-Patients with C-loop missense mutations in the KCNQ1 channel exhibit a high risk for life-threatening events and derive a pronounced benefit from treatment with beta-blockers. Reduced channel activation after sympathetic activation can explain the increased clinical risk and response to therapy in patients with C-loop mutations. (Circulation. 2012; 125: 1988-1996.)
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Holmberg, Karin S. M., et al.
(författare)
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A two-decade perspective on mothers' experiences and feelings related to breastfeeding initiation in Sweden
- 2014
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Ingår i: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. - : Elsevier BV. - 1877-5756 .- 1877-5764. ; 5:3, s. 125-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The purpose was to examine mothers' experiences and feelings related to breastfeeding initiation from a two-decade perspective. Methods: A repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted at a maternity ward before and after introduction of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and in a follow-up survey. Women participated in 1992 (n = 83), 1993 (n = 74) and 2011 (n = 94). Results: The duration of time at the first suckling differed; in 2011, the baby sucked 24.4 minutes compared to 12.7 minutes in 1992 (p < .001) and 13.6 minutes in 1993 (p < .001). In 1992, 34.6% of the women reported using supplementary formula compared with 5.9% in 1993 and 9.3% in 2011 (p < .001). The mothers' contacts with the child or the father as well as their moods did not vary during the years. Mothers rated their feelings towards breastfeeding as being lower in 2011 than in 1992 and 1993 (p = .008). In 2011, mothers experienced breastfeeding as being more difficult and reported a higher degree of tension, insecurity and anxiety. Conclusions: Supplementation was given to healthy newborn infants, which does not conform to BFHIs intentions. Routines and support in relation to breastfeeding initiation need to be continuously evaluated in order to strengthen and sustain the BFHI.
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| 19. |
- Johansson, Daniel, 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Multi - model analyses of the economic and energy implications for China and India in a post-Kyoto climate regime
- 2012
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This paper presents a modeling comparison project on how the2°C climate target could affect economic and energy systems development in China and India. The analysis uses a framework that harmonizes baseline developments and soft-links seven national and global models being either economy wide (CGE models) or energy system models. The analysis is based on a global greenhouse gas emission pathway that aims at a radiative forcing of 2.9 W/m2 in 2100 and with a policy regime based on convergence of per capita CO2 emissions with emissions trading. Economic and energy implications for China and India vary across models. Decreased energy intensity is the most important abatement approach in the CGE models, while decreased carbon intensity is most important in the energy system models. Reliance on Coal without Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is significantly reduced in most models, while CCS is a central abatement technology in energy system models, as is renewable and nuclear energy. Concerning economic impacts China bears in general a higher cost than India, as China benefits less from emissions trading. Costs are also affected by changes in fossil fuel prices, currency appreciation from capital inflow from carbon trading and timing of emission reductions.
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| 20. |
- Karawajczyk, Malgorzata, et al.
(författare)
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An Extragranular Compartment of Blood Eosinophils Contains Eosinophil Protein X/Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin (EPX/EDN)
- 2013
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Ingår i: Inflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0360-3997 .- 1573-2576. ; 36:2, s. 320-329
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Serum and plasma profiles of eosinophil protein X (EPX/EDN) and those of other eosinophil proteins differ in various conditions, suggesting a different mobilisation from storage granules. This work studied the subcellular localisation of EPX/EDN in non-primed and in vivo primed blood eosinophils from healthy and allergic subjects, during and out of the pollen season. Primed eosinophils contain easily mobilisable secretory proteins. By fractionation on sucrose density gradients, EPX/EDN localised in the specific granules as well as in a cytoplasmic extra-granular compartment of low equilibrium density that partially overlapped with vesicular structures, cytosolic proteins and plasma membranes. This compartment was clearly separate from the low density peak of ECP that increases during the pollen season. There were no significant differences in the amounts of EPX/EDN present in the low density peak of healthy and allergic subjects. Immuno-gold labelling electron microscopy showed EPX/EDN in specific granules, cytoplasm and associated to plasma membranes. In conclusion, substantial amounts of EPX/EDN localise in an extra-granular, low equilibrium density compartment of human eosinophils.
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