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| 2. |
- Blom, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis and characterization of scVEGF-PEG-[68Ga]NOTA and scVEGF-PEG-[68Ga]DOTA PET tracers
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of labelled compounds & radiopharmaceuticals. - : Wiley. - 0362-4803 .- 1099-1344. ; 54:11, s. 685-692
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) on tumor endothelial cells is a critical driver of tumor angiogenesis. Novel anti-angiogenic drugs target VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling and induce changes in VEGFR-2 prevalence. To monitor VEGFR-2 prevalence in the course of treatment, we are evaluating (68)Ga positron emission tomography imaging agents based on macrocyclic chelators, site-specifically conjugated via polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers to engineered VEGFR-2 ligand, single-chain (sc) VEGF. The (68)Ga-labeling was performed at room temperature with NOTA (2,2', 2 ''-(1,4,7-triazonane-1,4,7-triyl) triacetic acid) conjugates or at 90 degrees C by using either conventional or microwave heating with NOTA and DOTA (2,2', 2 '', 2'''-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrayl) tetraacetic acid) conjugates. The fastest (similar to 2min) and the highest incorporation (>90%) of (68)Ga into conjugate that resulted in the highest specific radioactivity (similar to 400MBq/nmol) was obtained with microwave heating of the conjugates. The bioactivity of the NOTA-and DOTA-containing tracers was validated in 3-D tissue culture model of 293/KDR cells engineered to express high levels of VEGFR-2. The NOTA-containing tracer also displayed a rapid accumulation (similar to 20s after intravenous injection) to steady-state level in xenograft tumor models. A combination of high specific radioactivity and maintenance of functional activity suggests that scVEGF-PEG-[(68)Ga] NOTA and scVEGF-PEG-[(68)Ga] DOTA might be promising tracers for monitoring VEGFR-2 prevalence and should be further explored.
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| 3. |
- Bullock, A, et al.
(författare)
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International standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine in Europe
- 2011
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Ingår i: Intensive Care Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0342-4642 .- 1432-1238. ; 37:3, s. 385-393
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE:To develop internationally harmonised standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine (ICM).METHODS:Standards were developed by using consensus techniques. A nine-member nominal group of European intensive care experts developed a preliminary set of standards. These were revised and refined through a modified Delphi process involving 28 European national coordinators representing national training organisations using a combination of moderated discussion meetings, email, and a Web-based tool for determining the level of agreement with each proposed standard, and whether the standard could be achieved in the respondent's country.RESULTS:The nominal group developed an initial set of 52 possible standards which underwent four iterations to achieve maximal consensus. All national coordinators approved a final set of 29 standards in four domains: training centres, training programmes, selection of trainees, and trainers' profiles. Only three standards were considered immediately achievable by all countries, demonstrating a willingness to aspire to quality rather than merely setting a minimum level. Nine proposed standards which did not achieve full consensus were identified as potential candidates for future review.CONCLUSIONS:This preliminary set of clearly defined and agreed standards provides a transparent framework for assuring the quality of training programmes, and a foundation for international harmonisation and quality improvement of training in ICM.
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| 6. |
- Andersen, JH, et al.
(författare)
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Getting the measure of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea: towards improved assessment principles and methods
- 2011
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Ingår i: Biogeochemistry. - 0168-2563. ; 106:2, s. 137-156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The eutrophication status of the entire Baltic Sea is classified using a multi-metric indicator-based assessment tool. A total of 189 areas are assessed using indicators where information on reference conditions (RefCon), and acceptable deviation (AcDev) from reference condition could be combined with national monitoring data from the period 2001–2006. Most areas (176) are classified as ‘affected by eutrophication’ and only two open water areas and 11 coastal areas are classified as ‘unaffected by eutrophication’. The classification is made by application of the recently developed HELCOM Eutrophication Assessment Tool (HEAT), which is described in this paper. The use of harmonized assessment principles and the HEAT tool allows for direct comparisons between different parts of the Baltic Sea despite variations in monitoring activities. The impaired status of 176 areas is directly related to nutrient enrichment and elevated loads from upstream catchments. Baltic Sea States have implemented nutrient management strategies since years which have reduced nutrient inputs. However, eutrophication is still a major problem for large parts of the Baltic Sea. The 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan is projected to further reduce nutrient inputs aiming for a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication by 2021.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Fietze, I, et al.
(författare)
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Management of obstructive sleep apnea in Europe
- 2011
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Ingår i: Sleep Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1389-9457 .- 1878-5506. ; 12:2, s. 190-197
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: In Europe, the services provided for the investigation and management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) varies from country to country. The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to investigate the current status of diagnostic pathways and therapeutic approaches applied in the treatment of OSA in Europe, qualification requirements of physicians involved in diagnosis and treatment of OSA, and reimbursement of these services. Methods: Two questionnaires were sent to 39 physicians in 22 countries in Europe. In order to standardize the responses, the questionnaire was accompanied by an example. Results: Sleep centers from 21 countries (38 physicians) participated. A broad consistency among countries with respect to the following was found: pathways included referral to sleep physicians/sleep laboratories, necessity for objective diagnosis (primarily by polysomnography), use of polygraphic methods, analysis of polysomnography (PSG), indications for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, application of standard continuous PAP (CPAP) therapy (100% with an CPAP/APAP ratio of 2.24:1), and the need (90.5%) and management of follow-up. Differences were apparent in reimbursement of the diagnostic procedures and follow-up, in the procedures for PAP titration from home APAP titration with portable sleep apnea monitoring (38.1%) up to hospital monitoring with PSG and APAP (85.7%), and in the qualification requirements of sleep physicians. Conclusions: Management of OSA in different European countries is similar except for reimbursement rules, qualification of sleep specialists and procedures for titration of the CPAP treatment. A European network (such as the one accomplished by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology [COST] B26 Action) could be helpful for implementing these findings into health-service research in order to standardize management in a cost effective perspective.
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| 9. |
- Hostrup, M., et al.
(författare)
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β2-Adrenergic stimulation enhances Ca2+ release and contractile properties of skeletal muscles, and counteracts exercise-induced reductions in Na+-K+-ATPase Vmax in trained men
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Physiology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3751 .- 1469-7793. ; 592:24, s. 5445-5459
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of β2-adrenergic stimulation on skeletal muscle contractile properties, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rates of Ca2+ release and uptake, and Na+-K+-ATPase activity before and after fatiguing exercise in trained men. The study consisted of two experiments (EXP1, n = 10 males, EXP2, n = 20 males), where β2-adrenoceptor agonist (terbutaline) or placebo was randomly administered in double-blinded crossover designs. In EXP1, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of m. quadriceps was measured, followed by exercise to fatigue at 120% of maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2, max ). A muscle biopsy was taken after MVC (non-fatigue) and at time of fatigue. In EXP2, contractile properties of m. quadriceps were measured with electrical stimulations before (non-fatigue) and after two fatiguing 45 s sprints. Non-fatigued MVCs were 6 ± 3 and 6 ± 2% higher (P < 0.05) with terbutaline than placebo in EXP1 and EXP2, respectively. Furthermore, peak twitch force was 11 ± 7% higher (P < 0.01) with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue. After sprints, MVC declined (P < 0.05) to the same levels with terbutaline as placebo, whereas peak twitch force was lower (P < 0.05) and half-relaxation time was prolonged (P < 0.05) with terbutaline. Rates of SR Ca2+ release and uptake at 400 nm [Ca2+] were 15 ± 5 and 14 ± 5% (P < 0.05) higher, respectively, with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue, but declined (P < 0.05) to similar levels at time of fatigue. Na+-K+-ATPase activity was unaffected by terbutaline compared with placebo at non-fatigue, but terbutaline counteracted exercise-induced reductions in maximum rate of activity (Vmax) at time of fatigue. In conclusion, increased contractile force induced by β2-adrenergic stimulation is associated with enhanced rate of Ca2+ release in humans. While β2-adrenergic stimulation elicits positive inotropic and lusitropic effects on non-fatigued m. quadriceps, these effects are blunted when muscles fatigue.
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| 12. |
- Krohn, I. K., et al.
(författare)
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Cultured Mast Cells from Patients with Asthma and Controls Respond with Similar Sensitivity to Recombinant Der P2-Induced, IgE-Mediated Activation
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 1365-3083 .- 0300-9475. ; 78:4, s. 352-356
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The function of cultured mast cells may depend on genetic or environmental influence on the stem cell donor. This study investigates whether asthma or atopy in the donor influenced the growth and sensitivity of mast cells cultured from patients with asthma and healthy controls under identical conditions. Mast cells were cultured from peripheral blood from twelve patients with an objectively confirmed asthma diagnosis and eight healthy subjects. During the last 2weeks of culture, mast cells were incubated with IL-4 and 80kU/l recombinant human IgE containing two clones (7%+7%) specific for mite allergen Der p2. The sensitivity of IgE-mediated activation of mast cells was investigated as Fc epsilon RI-mediated upregulation of CD63. Ten subjects were atopic, defined as a positive skin prick test (>3mm) to at least one of ten common allergens. After activation with recombinant Der p2, the maximum CD63 median fluorescence intensity was 20 456 +/- 1640 (SE) for patients with asthma and 22 275 +/- 1971 (SE) for controls (ns). The fraction of CD63 positive cells was 54.4% in patients with asthma and 48.4% in controls (ns). The allergen concentration inducing 50% of the maximal CD63 response was similar in patients with asthma [-0.4795 log ng/ml +/- 0.092 (SE)] and controls (-0.6351 log ng/ml +/- 0.083, ns) and in atopic and non-atopic subjects. When cultured, sensitized and activated under identical conditions, mast cells from allergic asthmatics and healthy controls respond similar. Activation of cultured mast cells appears to depend on culture conditions (IL-4, IgE) rather than on donor status as atopy and asthma.
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| 14. |
- Sverrild, A., et al.
(författare)
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Predicting airway hyperreactivity to mannitol using exhaled nitric oxide in an unselected sample of adolescents and young adults
- 2013
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 107:1, s. 150-152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled mannitol are related to allergic inflammation characterized by eosinophil infiltration and a clinical response to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents in subjects with asthma. This study determines the diagnostic accuracy of FeNO using absolute and normalized values to predict the presence of AHR to inhaled mannitol in an unselected population. Levels of FeNO and AHR to inhaled, dry-powder mannitol was measured in 180 unselected, steroid-naïve, non-smoking adolescents and young adults. The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristics curve for FeNO to identify a positive response to mannitol was 91.9% (CI95: 87.7-96.2). The optimal cut-off was 25 ppb (185% predicted) and a sensitivity of 100% (CI95: 83.9-100.0) was achieved below 20 ppb (165% predicted). FeNO is a sensitive and specific tool for predicting the response to inhaled mannitol in an unselected sample of non-smoking, steroid-naïve subjects, and a low FeNO indicates that extra diagnostic work-up using inhaled mannitol will add very little extra information.
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