| 1. |
- Bäck, Torbjörn, et al.
(författare)
-
Lifetime measurement of the first excited 2(+) state in (108)Te
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Physical Review C. Nuclear Physics. - 0556-2813 .- 1089-490X. ; 84:4, s. 041306-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The lifetime of the first excited 2(+) state in the neutron deficient nuclide (108)Te has been measured for the first time, using a combined recoil decay tagging and recoil distance Doppler shift technique. The deduced reduced transition probability is B(E2;0(g.s.)(+) -> 2(+)) = 0.39(-0.04)(+0.05)e(2)b(2). Compared to previous experimental data on neutron deficient tellurium isotopes, the new data point constitutes a large step (six neutrons) toward the N = 50 shell closure. In contrast to what has earlier been reported for the light tin isotopes, our result for tellurium does not show any enhanced transition probability with respect to the theoretical predictions and the tellurium systematics including the new data is successfully reproduced by state-of-the-art shell model calculations.
|
|
| 2. |
- Edholm, T., et al.
(författare)
-
Differential incretin effects of GIP and GLP-1 on gastric emptying, appetite, and insulin-glucose homeostasis
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Neurogastroenterology and Motility. - : Wiley. - 1350-1925 .- 1365-2982. ; 22:11, s. 1191-e315
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are major incretins with important effects on glucoregulatory functions. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of GIP and GLP-1 on gastric emptying and appetite after a mixed meal, and effects on insulin secretion and glucose disposal in humans. Methods Randomized crossover single-blind study in 17 healthy volunteers receiving GIP (2 or 5 pmol kg−1 min−1, n = 8), GLP-1 (0.75 pmol kg−1 min−1, n = 9) or NaCl for 180 min with a radionuclide-labeled omelette and fruit punch (370 kcal). Outcome measures were gastric emptying rate, insulinogenic index, hunger, satiety, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption. Blood was analyzed for GIP, GLP-1, glucagon, C-peptide, peptide YY (PYY) and ghrelin. Key Results Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide 2 and 5 pmol kg−1 min−1 decreased gastric half-emptying time from 128.5 ± 34.0 min in controls to 93.3 ± 6.3 and 85.2 ± 11.0 min (P < 0.05). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide 5 pmol kg−1 min−1 decreased postprandial glucose (P < 0.001) and insulin (P < 0.05) with increased insulinogenic index. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide had no effects on hunger, desire to eat, satiety or prospective consumption. Glucagon-like peptide-1 0.75 pmol kg−1 min−1 increased half-emptying time from 76.6 ± 7.6 min to 329.4 ± 71.6 (P < 0.01). Glucagon-like peptide-1 decreased plasma glucose and insulin (both P < 0.05–0.001), and increased insulinogenic index markedly. Hunger, desire to eat and prospective consumption were decreased (P < 0.05), and satiety borderline increased (P < 0.06). Conclusion & Inferences The incretin effect of GIP and GLP-1 differs as GLP-1 exerts a strong glucoregulatory incretin through inhibition of gastric emptying, which GIP does not. Thus, GLP-1 as incretin mimetic may offer unique benefits in terms of weight loss in treatment of type 2 diabetes.
|
|
| 3. |
- Jacobsson, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
-
Sociodemographic and disease-related factors are associated with patient-reported anxiety and depression in spondyloarthritis patients in the Swedish SpAScania cohort
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Clinical Rheumatology. - London : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0770-3198 .- 1434-9949. ; 33:11, s. 1649-1656
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anxiety and depression are common among patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aims to explore which factors are associated with self-reported anxiety and depression in a well-defined cohort of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. In 2009, 3,711 patients from the SpAScania cohort were sent a postal questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical and mental functioning. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale measured anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), subscales 0-21, best-worst. HADS a parts per thousand yen8 indicates possible cases of anxiety or depression. One-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) tested for differences among the SpA subtypes in HADS scores. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, and disease duration was used to test for associations between HADS and independent variables. In total, 2,167 (58 %) patients (52 % females, mean age 55.4 years) returned the questionnaire. In total, 683 (32 %) cases were classified as "possible anxiety" and 305 (14 %) as "possible depression" cases with mean (SD) HADS-A 5.9 (4.3) and HADS-D 4.4 (3.6). There were no differences among the SpA subtypes in HADS-A and HADS-D. HADS-A and HADS-D were associated with lower education, lower physical activity (HADS-D only), chronic pain problems, more fatigue, lower general health, lower HRQoL, lower level of functioning, higher disease activity, and lower self-efficacy. Associations with anxiety and/or depression appear multifactorial in patients with SpA including both personal and disease-related factors. Since these comorbidities are increased in SpA and treatable, they should be screened for in clinical practice, possibly with instruments like the HADS.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Tyrrell, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
-
Genetic variation in the 15q25 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene cluster (CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4) interacts with maternal self-reported smoking status during pregnancy to influence birth weight.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Human molecular genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2083 .- 0964-6906. ; 21:24, s. 5344-5358
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight. Common variation at rs1051730 is robustly associated with smoking quantity and was recently shown to influence smoking cessation during pregnancy, but its influence on birth weight is not clear. We aimed to investigate the association between this variant and birth weight of term, singleton offspring in a well-powered meta-analysis. We stratified 26 241 European origin study participants by smoking status (women who smoked during pregnancy versus women who did not smoke during pregnancy) and, in each stratum, analysed the association between maternal rs1051730 genotype and offspring birth weight. There was evidence of interaction between genotype and smoking (P = 0.007). In women who smoked during pregnancy, each additional smoking-related T-allele was associated with a 20 g [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 4-36 g] lower birth weight (P = 0.014). However, in women who did not smoke during pregnancy, the effect size estimate was 5 g per T-allele (95% CI: -4to 14 g; P = 0.268). To conclude, smoking status during pregnancy modifies the association between maternal rs1051730 genotype and offspring birth weight. This strengthens the evidence that smoking during pregnancy is causally related to lower offspring birth weight and suggests that population interventions that effectively reduce smoking in pregnant women would result in a reduced prevalence of low birth weight.
|
|
| 9. |
- Ahlin, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Non-infectious risk factors for different types of cerebral palsy in term-born babies: a population-based, case-control study.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. - : Wiley. - 1471-0528 .- 1470-0328. ; 120:6, s. 724-731
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To identify non-infectious antenatal and perinatal risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) and its subtypes in children born at term. DESIGN: A population-based, case-control study. SETTING: The western healthcare region of Sweden. POPULATION: A population-based series of children with CP born at term during 1983-94 (n=309) was matched with a control group (n=618). METHODS: A total of 62 variables, maternal characteristics, and prepartal, intrapartal and postpartal variables were retrieved from obstetric records. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for spastic and dyskinetic CP, and for the total CP group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cerebral palsy (CP) and subtypes. RESULTS: Univariate analysis resulted in 26 significant risk factors for CP. Birthweight (OR0.54, 95%CI0.39-0.74), not living with the baby's father (OR2.58, 95%CI 1.11-5.97), admittance to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (OR 4.43, 95% CI 3.03-6.47), maternal weight at 34weeks of gestation (OR1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.03) and neonatal encephalopathy (OR69.2, 95%CI 9.36-511.89) were found to be risk factors for CP in the totalCP group in our multivariate analysis. Factors during the periods before, during and after delivery were all shown to increase the risk of spastic diplegia and tetraplegia, whereas mostly factors during the period before delivery increased the risk of spastic hemiplegia, and only factors during delivery increased the risk of dyskinetic CP. Admittance to an NICU was a risk factor for all CP subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factor pattern differed by CP subtype. The presented risk factors may be useful indicators for identifying children at risk of developing CP, and helpful for targeting individuals for early intervention programmes.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
| 11. |
- Brantsæter, A. L., et al.
(författare)
-
Diet matters, particularly in pregnancy – Results from MoBa studies of maternal diet and pregnancy outcomes
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Norsk Epidemiologi. - 0803-2491. ; 24:1-2, s. 63-77
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Awareness that maternal diet may influence the outcome of pregnancy as well as the long-term health of mother and child has increased in recent years. A new food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed and validated specifically for the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). The MoBa FFQ is a semi-quantitative tool which covers the average intake of food, beverages and dietary supplements during the first 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. It includes questions about intakes of 255 foods and dishes and was used from 2002 onwards. Data assessed by the MoBa FFQ is available for 87,700 pregnancies. Numerous sub-studies have examined associations between dietary factors and health outcomes in MoBa. The aim of this paper is to summarize the results from 19 studies of maternal diet and pregnancy outcomes, which is the complete collection of studies based on the MoBa FFQ and published before September 2014. The overall research question is whether maternal diet – from single substances to dietary patterns – matters for pregnancy outcome. The pregnancy outcomes studied till now include birth size measures, infants being small and large for gestational age, pregnancy duration, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, as well as maternal gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. As a whole, the results from these studies corroborate that the current dietary recommendations to pregnant women are sound and that maternal diet during pregnancy is likely to contribute to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, preeclampsia, and reduced foetal growth. The results provide supporting evidence for recommending pregnant women to consume vegetables, fruit, whole grain, fish, dairy, and water regularly and lower the intake of sugar sweetened beverages, processed meat products and salty snacks. The results showing negative impact of even low levels of environmental contaminants support the precautionary advice on consumption of foods containing these. New findings are that particularly lean fish explained the positive association between seafood intake and foetal growth, and the indications of a protective effect of probiotic and antimicrobial foods on pregnancy outcomes. This points to the importance of diet composition for a healthy gut flora and the body’s immune response. Although these studies are observational and cannot infer causality, the results identify diet as an important modifiable lifestyle factor, suggesting that healthy eating, defined as following the official recommendations, is particularly important in pregnancy.
|
|
| 12. |
- Bremander, Ann, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
Smoking Is Associated with Worse and More Widespread Pain, Worse Disease Activity, Function, Fatigue and Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis : Results From a Population Based Cohort
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 64:S10, s. S43-S43
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In subjects with early axial Spondyloarthritis (SpA) smoking has recently been associated with earlier onset of disease, worse lesions of the sacroiliac joints and in later stages syndesmophyte progression. The aim was to study associations of smoking habits with self-reported information in a large population based cohort of patients with axial SpA.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey performed in 2009 included all health care seeking subjects aged >18 years with a diagnosis of SpA according to ICD 10 codes identified by a regional health care register (n=3711). Smoking habits were studied in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS, ICD M45) and in patients who fulfilled criteria for “non AS axial SpA” (without having one of AS). Criteria for non AS axial SpA were based on data from the questionnaire: pain for 3 months or more during the last 12 months together with 2 or more features out of 5 (inflammatory back pain, history of psoriasis, uveitis/tendinitis, inflammatory bowel disease or heredity). The questionnaire included data on smoking (never smokers vs. ever smokers), disease activity (BASDAI) physical function (BASFI), general health (BAS-G) all measured with numerical rating scales 0-10 (best to worst), health related quality of life (EQ-5D, 0-1 worst to best), pain, fatigue (numerical rating scales 0-10 best to worst) and number of painful regions noted on a pain mannequin (0-16 best to worst). Linear regression analysis was performed and all data were controlled for sex and age.Results: Response rate was 76% whereof 2167 (58%) returned the questionnaire and 18% declined participation in the study. 598 subjects had an AS diagnose and 572 fulfilled the criteria for non AS axial SpA.The AS group had a mean age of 54 (SD14) years and 35% were women. Never smokers constituted 48% of the AS group. Ever smokers had worse scores in all studied variables compared with never smokers.The linear regression analysis showed that ever smokers in the AS group had worse self-reported scores in BASDAI with age-sex adjusted parameter estimate (B) = 0.60 (95% CI 0.21 ; 1.00), BASFI B = 0.51 (95% CI 0.11 ; 0.91) and fatigue B = 0.51 (95% CI 0.06 ; 1.00) . There was a tendency to worse scores for ever smokers also in EQ-5D B = -0.04 (95% CI -0.09 ; 0.001)Mean age in the non AS axial SpA group was 55 (SD 14) years and 68% were women. Never smokers constituted 38% of this group. Also in the non AS axial SpA group the linear regression analysis showed that ever smokers had worse self-reported scores in BASDAI with age-sex adjusted parameter estimate (B) = 0.59 (95% CI 0.23 ; 0.94), BASFI B = 0.59 (95% CI 0.17 ; 1.00), pain B = 0.45 (95% CI 0.08 ; 0.82) and fatigue B = 0.43 (95% CI 0.03 ; 0.83), no of painful areas B = 0.73 (95% CI 0.06 ; 1.46) and also in EQ-5D B = -0.06 (95% CI -0.11 ; -0.002). Conclusion: In a large population based axial SpA cohort, both patients with AS and non AS axial SpA who were ever smokers reported worse clinical features compared with never smokers. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand cause and effect. However, smoking cessation should be recommended not only due to general health perspectives but also due to disease specific issues.References1Smokers in early axial spondyloarthritis have earlier disease onset, more disease activity, inflammation and damage, and poorer function and health-related quality of life: results from the DESIR cohort. Chung HY, Machado P, van der Heijde D, D'Agostino MA, Dougados M. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Jun;71(6):809-16.
|
|
| 13. |
- Bremander, Ann, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
Smoking is Associated with Worse and More Widespread Pain, Worse Fatigue, General Health and Quality of Life in a Swedish population Based Cohort of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 64:S10, s. S777-S778
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/Purpose: Smoking has been found to be associated with an increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA)1. The purpose of this study was analyse possible associations of smoking habits with self-reported clinical features in a large population based cohort of patients with a diagnosis of PsA.Methods: All health care seeking subjects with a diagnose of PsA according to ICD 10 codes (given at least once by a rheumatologist/internist or twice by any other physician) were identified by a regional health care register during 2003-20072. In 2009 all identified subjects aged 18 years or older (n=2003) were invited to participate in a cross sectional questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included self-reported data on smoking (never smokers or ever smokers), age at disease onset, physical function (HAQ, 0-3 best to worst), pain, fatigue and global health (numerical rating scales 0-10 best to worst) health related quality of life (EQ-5D, 0-1 worst to best), and number of painful regions noted on a pain mannequin (0-16, best to worst). Linear regression analysis was performed and all data were controlled for sex and age.Results: Response rate was 77% whereof 369 patients (18%) declined participation and 1185 (59%) returned the questionnaire, mean age 57.5 (SD 13.5) years and 58% were women. 1173 subjects responded to the smoking question whereof 448 (38%) were never smokers and 725 (62%) were ever smokers. Mean age at disease onset was 42.3 (SD 13.4) years in never smokers vs. 46.0 (SD 13.2) in ever smokers. Never smokers vs. ever smokers had mean HAQ 0.59 (SD 0.6) vs. 0.71 (SD 0.6), mean pain 3.9 (SD 2.4) vs.4.4 (SD 2.5), mean fatigue 4.4 (SD 2.8) vs. 5.0 (SD 2.7), mean global health 3.9 (SD 2.4) vs. 4.4 (SD 2.3), mean EQ-5D 0.68 (SD 0.23) vs. 0.63 (SD 0.26) and mean no of painful regions were 7.2 (SD 4.0) vs. 7.9 (SD 4.3).The regression analysis showed that ever smokers had worse pain with age-sex adjusted parameter estimates (B) = 0.38 (95% CI 0.09 ; 0.67), worse fatigue B = 0.34 (95% CI 0.02 ; 0.66), worse global health B = 0.36 (95% CI 0.09 ; 0.64), worse EQ-5D B = -0.04 (95% CI -0.07 ; -0.01) and an increased no of painful regions B = 0.54 (95% CI 0.02 ; 1.07) compared with never smokers.Conclusion: In this population based PsA cohort, patients who were ever smokers reported worse clinical features compared with never smokers. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand cause and effect. However, smoking cessation should be recommended due to general health perspectives and also due to disease specific issues.
|
|
| 14. |
|
|
| 15. |
- Englund, Martin, et al.
(författare)
-
Prevalence and incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in southern Sweden 2008 and their relation to prescribed biologics.
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Rheumatology (Oxford, England). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 49, s. 1563-1569
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. To gain updated estimates of prevalence and incidence of RA and proportion on biological treatment in southern Sweden. Methods. Inpatient and outpatient health care provided to residents in the southernmost county of Sweden (1.2 million inhabitants) is registered in the Skåne Health Care Register (SHCR). We identified residents aged >/=20 years who had received a diagnosis of RA at least twice during 2003-08. Valid point prevalence estimates by 31 December 2008 were obtained by linkage to the Swedish population register, and information on biological treatment was obtained from the South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group register. We also tested our estimates of RA occurrence in a series of sensitivity analyses to investigate the effect of altered case criteria and the uncertainty generated by clinical visits without diagnoses. Results. The prevalence of RA in adults was estimated to 0.66% (women = 0.94%, men = 0.37%). The prevalence peaked at age 70-79 years (women = 2.1%, men = 1.1%) before dropping in those aged >/=80 years. Of prevalent cases, 20% had ongoing biological treatment, a percentage that was highest in women aged 40-49 years (36%). The incidence of RA in 2008 was estimated as 50/100 000 (women = 68/100 000, men = 32/100 000). Conclusions. When compared with a previous report from southern Sweden, the prevalence of RA seems not to have declined in the last decade. The proportion of patients with ongoing biological treatment was slightly higher in women than men. SHCR data are promising additions to other methods to gain frequency estimates of clinically important disease in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
|
|
| 16. |
- Engstrand, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
-
Development of a bioactive implant for repair and potential healing of cranial defects
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Journal of Neurosurgery. - 0022-3085 .- 1933-0693. ; 120:1, s. 273-277
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The repair of complex craniofacial bone defects is challenging and a successful result is dependent on the size of the defect, quality of the soft tissue covering the defect, and choice of reconstruction method. The objective of this study was to develop a bioactive cranial implant that could provide a permanent reconstructive solution to the patient by stimulating bone healing of the defect. In this paper the authors report on the feasibility and clinical results of using such a newly developed device for the repair of a large traumatic and therapy-resistant cranial bone defect. The patient had undergone numerous attempts at repair, in which established methods had been tried without success. A mosaic-designed device was manufactured and implanted, comprising interconnected ceramic tiles with a defined calcium phosphate composition. The clinical outcome 30 months after surgery revealed a restored cranial vault without postoperative complications. Computed tomography demonstrated signs of bone ingrowth. Examination with combined 18F-fluoride PET and CT provided further evidence of bone healing of the cranial defect.
|
|
| 17. |
|
|
| 18. |
- Feldthusen, Caroline, 1977, et al.
(författare)
-
Variations of fatigue in persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis- a 1 year longitudinal study.
- 2014
-
Ingår i: DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3502. Ann Rheum Dis. ; 73:Suppl2
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Beside pain, fatigue is expressed as the most prominent symptom in RA [1,2] and has been described as having a greater impact on daily life than pain [2]. Persons with RA experience that their fatigue vary over time concerning duration and frequency [3]. Longitudinal studies assessing change in fatigue after a period of one year have reported relatively stable fatigue [4] or considerable variations of fatigue [5]. More knowledge is needed about how fatigue in persons with RA vary over time. Objectives: To study variations of fatigue during one year in persons with RA of working age. Methods: Sixty-five participants having RA and being of working age (20-65 years) were recruited from a rheumatology clinic in West Sweden. Questionnaires assessing fatigue were given to the participants every other month during 1 year, in total seven times. Fatigue was assessed using both single-item and multidimensional measures: – VAS for global fatigue (0-100 mm) (endpoints no fatigue and worst imaginable fatigue) – The Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire, (BRAF-MDQ) consisting a global score (Total) and four subscales (Physical, Living, Cognition, Emotion) [6-7]. Results: The fatigue showed statistically significant variation over time for the outcome measures VAS fatigue (p<0.01), BRAF-MDQ Total and the subscales Living, Cognition (p<0.001) and Physical (p<0.05), when analyzed by mixed models. For the subscale Emotion (p=0.08) the variation of fatigue over time was not statistically significant. A statistically significant seasonal variation was shown for global fatigue (VAS p<0.01 and BRAF-MDQ Total p<0.001) and physical aspects of fatigue (BRAF-MDQ Physical and Living p<0.01) indicating less physical fatigue in the summer. No statistical differences over time were seen in fatigue between women and men or between age-groups. Conclusions: This study show that fatigue in persons with RA vary significantly during one year and further acknowledges the dynamic nature of fatigue and the complexity of its different facets. References: Wolfe, F., D.J. Hawley, and K. Wilson, The prevalence and meaning of fatigue in rheumatic disease. J Rheumatol, 1996. 23(8): p. 1407-17. Repping-Wuts, H., et al., Fatigue as experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): a qualitative study. Int J Nurs Stud, 2008. 45(7): p. 995-1002. Hewlett, S., et al., Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored. Arthritis Rheum, 2005. 53(5): p. 697-702. Mancuso, C.A., et al., Psychosocial variables and fatigue: a longitudinal study comparing individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls. J Rheumatol, 2006. 33(8): p. 1496-502. Treharne, G.J., et al., Predictors of fatigue over 1 year among people with rheumatoid arthritis. Psychol Health Med, 2008. 13(4): p. 494-504. Nicklin, J., et al., Measuring fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study to evaluate the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi-Dimensional questionnaire, visual analog scales, and numerical rating scales. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2010. 62(11): p. 1559-68. Dures, E.K., et al., Reliability and sensitivity to change of the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Scales. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2013.
|
|
| 19. |
- Fondell, Mattis, et al.
(författare)
-
Optical quantum confinement in low dimensional hematite
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488. ; 2:10, s. 3352-3363
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hematite is considered to be a promising material for various applications, including for example photoelectrochemical cells for solar hydrogen production. Due to limitations in the charge transport properties hematite needs to be in the form of low-dimensional particles or thin films in several of these applications. This may however affect the optical properties, introducing additional complications for efficient design of photo-active devices. In this paper the optical absorption is analyzed in detail as a function of film thickness for 35 thin films of hematite ranging between 2 and 70 nm. Hematite was deposited by atomic layer deposition on FTO-substrates using Fe(CO)(5) and O-2 as precursors. It was found that for film thicknesses below 20 nm the optical properties are severely affected as a consequence of quantum confinement. One of the more marked effects is a blue shift of up to 0.3 eV for thinner films of both the indirect and direct transitions, as well as a 0.2 eV shift of the absorption maximum. The data show a difference in quantum confinement for the indirect and the direct transitions, where the probability for the indirect transition decreases markedly and essentially disappears for the thinnest films. Raman measurements showed no peak shift or change in relative intensity for vibrations for the thinnest films indicating that the decrease in indirect transition probability could not be assigned to depression of any specific phonon but instead seems to be a consequence of isotropic phonon confinement. The onset of the indirect transition is found at 1.75 eV for the thickest films and shifted to 2.0 eV for the thinner films. Two direct transitions are found at 2.15 eV and 2.45 eV, which are blue shifted 0.3 and 0.45 eV respectively, when decreasing the film thickness from 20 to 4 nm. Low dimensional hematite, with dimensions small enough for efficient charge transport, thus has a substantially lower absorption in the visible region than expected from bulk values. This knowledge of the intrinsic optical behavior of low dimensional hematite will be of importance in the design of efficient photo-active devices.
|
|
| 20. |
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
- Haglund, Emma, et al.
(författare)
-
Work productivity in a population-based cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Rheumatology. - Oxford : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332. ; 52:9, s. 1708-1714
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To assess work productivity and associated factors in patients with SpA. Methods. This cross-sectional postal survey included 1773 patients with SpA identified in a regional health care register. Items on presenteeism (reduced productivity at work, 0-100%, 0 = no reduction) were answered by 1447 individuals. Absenteeism was defined as register-based sick leave using data from a national register. Disease duration, disease activity (BASDAI), physical function (BASFI), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), anxiety (HAD-a), depression (HAD-d), self-efficacy [Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale (ASES) pain and symptom], physical activity and education were also measured. Results. Forty-five per cent reported reduced productivity at work with a mean reduction of 20% (95% CI 18, 21) and women reported a higher mean reduction than men (mean 23% vs 17%, P < 0.001). Worse quality of life, disease activity, physical function and anxiety all correlated with reduced productivity (r = 0.52-0.66, P < 0.001), while sick leave did not. Worse outcomes on the EQ-5D (beta-est -9.6, P < 0.001), BASDAI (beta-est 7.8, P < 0.001), BASFI (beta-est 7.3, P < 0.001), ASES pain (beta-est -0.5, P < 0.001) and HAD-d (beta-est 3.4, P < 0.001) were associated with reduced productivity at work in patients with SpA regardless of age, gender and disease subgroup. ASES symptoms, HAD-a and education level < 12 years were associated with reduced productivity but were not significant in all strata for age, gender and disease subgroup. Conclusion. Work productivity was reduced in patients with SpA and more so in women. Worse quality of life, disease activity, physical function, self-efficacy and depression were all associated with reduced productivity at work in patients with SpA.
|
|
| 23. |
- Hekmat, Korosh, et al.
(författare)
-
Decrease in the incidence of total hip arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - results from a well defined population in south Sweden
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Arthritis research & therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 13:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: One aim of modern pharmacologic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to prevent joint destruction and reduce the need for surgery. Our purpose was to investigate secular trends in the incidence of primary total hip and knee arthroplasties in a well defined sample of patients with RA. METHODS: Prevalent cases with RA in 1997 and incident cases from 1997 to 2007 in a community based register in Malmö, south Sweden, were included. Based on a structured review of the medical records, patients were classified according to the 1987 ACR criteria for RA. This cohort was linked to the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register (through December 2006) and the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register (through October 2007). Patients with a registered total hip or knee arthroplasty before 1997 or before RA diagnosis were excluded. Incidence rates for the period of introduction of TNF inhibitors (1998 to 2001) were compared to the period when biologics were part of the established treatment for severe RA (2002 to 2006/2007). RESULTS: In the cohort (n = 2,164; 71% women) a primary hip arthroplasty was registered for 115 patients and a primary knee arthroplasty for 82 patients. The incidence of primary total hip arthroplasties decreased from the period 1998 to 2001 (12.6/1,000 person-years (pyr)) to 2002 to 2006 (6.6/1,000 pyr) (rate ratio (RR) 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.76). There was a trend towards an increase of primary knee arthroplasties (incidence 4.8/1,000 pyr vs. 6.8/1,000 pyr; RR 1.43; 95% CI 0.89 to 2.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation shows a significant decrease in the incidence of total hip arthroplasties in patients with RA after 2001. Possible explanations include a positive effect on joint damage from more aggressive pharmacological treatment.
|
|
| 24. |
|
|
| 25. |
- Jacobsson, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
-
Particle-assisted GaxIn1-xP nanowire growth for designed bandgap structures
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Nanotechnology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 23:24
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-tapered vertically straight GaxIn1-xP nanowires were grown in a compositional range from Ga0.2In0.8P to pure GaP in particle-assisted mode by controlling the trimethylindium, trimethylgallium and hydrogen chloride flows in metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy in transmission electron microscopy revealed homogeneous radial material composition in single nanowires, whereas variations in the material composition were found along the nanowires. High-resolution x-ray diffraction indicates a variation of the material composition on the order of about 19% measuring an entire sample area, i.e., including edge effects during growth. The non-capped nanowires emit room temperature photoluminescence strongly in the energy range of 1.43-2.16 eV, correlated with the bandgap expected from the material composition.
|
|
| 26. |
- Jacobsson, Jesper T., et al.
(författare)
-
A monolithic device for solar water splitting based on series interconnected thin film absorbers reaching over 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Energy & Environmental Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1754-5692 .- 1754-5706. ; 6:12, s. 3676-3683
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Efficient production of hydrogen from solar energy is anticipated to be an important component in a future sustainable post-carbon energy system. Here we demonstrate that series interconnected absorbers in a PV-electrolysis configuration based on the compound semiconductor CIGS, CuInxGa1-xSe2, are a highly interesting concept for solar water splitting applications. The band gap energy of CIGS can be adjusted to a value close to optimum for efficient absorption of the solar spectrum, but is too low to drive overall water splitting. Therefore we connect three cells in series, into a monolithic device, which provides sufficient driving force for the full reaction. Integrated with a catalyst this forms a stable PV/photo-electrochemical device, which when immersed in water reaches over 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency for unassisted water splitting. The results show that series interconnected device concepts, which enable use of a substantial part of the solar spectrum, provide a simple route towards highly efficient water splitting and could be used also for other solar absorbers with similar electro-optical properties. We discuss how the efficiency could be increased for this particular device, as well as the general applicability of the concepts used in this work. We also briefly discuss advantages and disadvantages of photo-electrochemical cells in relation to PV-electrolysis with respect to our results.
|
|
| 27. |
- Jacobsson, Jesper T, et al.
(författare)
-
A size dependent discontinuous decay rate for the exciton emission in ZnO quantum dots
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 16:27, s. 13849-13857
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The time resolved UV-fluorescence in ZnO quantum dots has been investigated using femtosecond laser spectroscopy. The measurements were performed as a function of particle size for particles between 3 and 7 nm in diameter, which are in the quantum confined regime. A red shift in the fluorescence maximum is seen while increasing the particle size, which correlates with the shift in band gap due to quantum confinement. The energy difference between the UV-fluorescence and the band gap does, however, increase for the smaller particles. For 3.7 nm particles the fluorescence energy is 100 meV smaller than the band gap energy, whereas it is only 20 meV smaller for the largest particles. This indicates a stabilization of the excitons in the smallest particles. The lifetime of the UV fluorescence is in the picosecond time scale and interestingly, it is discontinuous with respect to particle size. For the smallest particles, the exciton emission life time reaches 30 ps, which is three times longer than that for the largest particles. This demonstrates a transition between two different mechanisms for the UV-fluorescence. We suggest that this is an effect of surface trapping and stabilization of the excitons occurring in the smallest particles but not in the larger ones. We also discuss the time scale limit for slowed hot carrier dynamics in ensembles of quantum confined ZnO particles.
|
|
| 28. |
- Jacobsson, Jesper T., et al.
(författare)
-
CuInxGa1-xSe2 as an efficient photocathode for solar hydrogen generation
- 2013
-
Ingår i: International journal of hydrogen energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0360-3199 .- 1879-3487. ; 38:35, s. 15027-15035
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Utilizing the energy in the sun to efficiently split water into hydrogen and oxygen can have a huge beneficial impact on a future post-carbon energy system. There is still, however, some way to go before this concept will be fully competitive. At the heart of the problem is finding and designing materials that can drive the photoreaction in an efficient and stable way. In this work we demonstrate how CIGS (CuInxGa1-xSe2), can be used for photo reduction of water into hydrogen. CIGS, which is a proven good solar cell material, does not in itself have the appropriate energetics to drive the reaction to any larger extent. Here we show that by utilizing a solid state pn-junction for charge separation and a catalyst deposited on the surface, the efficiency is significantly improved and photocurrents of 6 mA/cm(2) are demonstrated for the reduction reaction in the configuration of a photo-electrochemical cell. The stability of CIGS in water under illumination turns out to be a problem. In our present set-up, we demonstrate that separation between the charge carrier generation, which takes place in the solar cell, from the catalysis, which takes place in the electrolyte leads to improved stability, while keeping the essential functions of the processes. By incorporating appropriate charge separation layers and optimizing the catalytic conditions at the surface of the electrodes, photocurrents in excess of 20 mA/cm2 are reached for the reduction half reaction, demonstrating how essentially the full potential of GIGS as an efficient absorber material can be utilized in photocatalytic reduction of water into hydrogen.
|
|
| 29. |
- Jacobsson, T. Jesper, et al.
(författare)
-
A Spectroelectrochemical Method for Locating Fluorescence Trap States in Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots
- 2013
-
Ingår i: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 117:10, s. 5497-5504
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We here devise an electrochemical method for determining the absolute energetic position of trap levels involved in fluorescence. The method utilizes potentiostatic control of the Fermi level in the material, and thereby also the electronic population of the energy states involved in the fluorescence. The method is especially useful for nanoparticle semiconductor electrodes. Here we exemplify the method by determining the position of the trap levels involved in the green fluorescence in thin films of ZnO quantum dots. The exact mechanism and the absolute positions of these states have been debated in the literature. Here we show that the visible fluorescence is caused by a transition from energy levels slightly below the conduction band edge to a deep trap within the band gap. We further pinpoint the location of the upper trap level to be at 0.35 +/- 0.03 eV below the conduction band edge. Particles between 5 and 8 nm in diameter have been analyzed, which is in the quantum confined region of ZnO. We also show that the position of the upper trap level shifts with the size of the quantum dots in the same way as the conduction band.
|
|
| 30. |
- Jacobsson, T. Jesper, et al.
(författare)
-
Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Growing ZnO Quantum Dots : Size and Band Gap Correlation and Evidence of Mobile Trap States
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Inorganic Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0020-1669 .- 1520-510X. ; 50:19, s. 9578-9586
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ZnO nanoparticles constitute a convenient model system for fundamental studies with many possible technical applications in, for example, sensors and the field of catalysis and optoelectronics. A large set of ZnO quantum dots in the size range 2.5-7 nm have been synthesized and analyzed in detail. Time resolved in situ UV-vis absorption measurements were used to monitor the growth of these particles in solution by correlating the optical band gap to particle size given from X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The particles formed were isotropic in shape, but small initial deviations gave indications of a transition from thermodynamic to kinetically controlled growth for particles around 4 nm in diameter. On the basis of this, the behavior and mechanisms for the particle growth are discussed. The fluorescence dependence on particle size was investigated by combining fluorescence and UV-vis measurements on growing particles. This revealed that the positions of the fluorescence trap states are mobile toward the conduction- and valence band. A broadening of the trap states was also found, and a surface dependent mechanism of the trap state shift and broadening is proposed.
|
|
| 31. |
- Jacobsson, T. Jesper, 1984-
(författare)
-
Highly Efficient CIGS Based Devices for Solar Hydrogen Production and Size Dependent Properties of ZnO Quantum Dots
- 2014
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Materials and device concepts for renewable solar hydrogen production, and size dependent properties of ZnO quantum dots are the two main themes of this thesis.ZnO particles with diameters less than 10 nm, which are small enough for electronic quantum confinement, were synthesized by hydrolysis in alkaline zinc acetate solutions. Properties investigated include: the band gap - particle size relation, phonon quantum confinement, visible and UV-fluorescence as well as photocatalytic performance. In order to determine the absolute energetic position of the band edges and the position of trap levels involved in the visible fluorescence, methods based on combining linear sweep voltammetry and optical measurements were developed.The large band gap of ZnO prevents absorption of visible light, and in order to construct devices capable of utilizing a larger part of the solar spectrum, other materials were also investigated, like hematite , Fe2O3, and CIGS, CuIn1-xGaxSe2.The optical properties of hematite were investigated as a function of film thickness on films deposited by ALD. For films thinner than 20 nm, a blue shift was observed for both the absorption maximum, the indirect band gap as well as for the direct transitions. The probability for the indirect transition decreased substantially for thinner films due to a suppressed photon/phonon coupling. These effects decrease the visible absorption for films thin enough for effective charge transport in photocatalytic applications.CIGS was demonstrated to be a highly interesting material for solar hydrogen production. CIGS based photocathodes demonstrated high photocurrents for the hydrogen evolution half reaction. The electrode stability was problematic, but was solved by introducing a modular approach based on spatial separation of the basic functionalities in the device. To construct devices capable of driving the full reaction, the possibility to use cells interconnected in series as an alternative to tandem devices were investigated. A stable, monolithic device based on three CIGS cells interconnected in series, reaching beyond 10 % STH-efficiency, was finally demonstrated. With experimental support from the CIGS-devices, the entire process of solar hydrogen production was reviewed with respect to the underlying physical processes, with special focus on the similarities and differences between various device concepts.
|
|
| 32. |
- Jacobsson, T. Jesper, et al.
(författare)
-
Photoelectrochemical Determination of the Absolute Band Edge Positions as a Function of Particle Size for ZnO Quantum Dots
- 2012
-
Ingår i: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 116:29, s. 15692-15701
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The absolute position of the conduction and the valence band edges of ZnO quantum dots (Qdots) has been determined as a function of particle size with potential dependent absorption spectroscopy. The absolute position of the band edges are vital for which catalytic reactions that can occur at the surface. They are also crucial parameters for charge injection and extraction in nanoparticular solar cells and other optoelectronic devices based on nanoparticles. The position of the conduction band edge was determined by potentiostatic population of the conduction band states and monitoring the resulting increase in the optical band gap. This was performed for ZnO particles in the quantum confined region with diameters ranging between 4 and 9 nm. The particles were deposited into thin films giving an ensemble of particles for which the analysis could be performed. The relevant equations were derived and their validity in terms of applied potential and kinetic considerations was quantified. We find that essentially all of the quantum size effect of increased band gap is occurring by a shift of the conduction band edge. The extent of the validity of the parabolic approximation, which is one of the assumptions in the analysis, is investigated, both experimentally and with density functional theory calculations of bulk ZnO Here, we find that the parabolic approximation only is valid in an energy range of slightly less than 0.1 eV from the conduction band edge but in that regime constitutes an excellent approximation. We also demonstrate that the validity of the parabolic approximation follows a rising Fermi level into the conduction band energy levels.
|
|
| 33. |
- Kim, Jae-Kwang, 1978, et al.
(författare)
-
A layer-built rechargeable lithium ribbon-type battery for high energy density textile battery applications
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 2:6, s. 1774-1780
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We designed a novel layer-built rechargeable lithium ribbon-type battery intended for textile or cloth based applications. The ribbon-type battery, 2.4 mm (or 1 mm) wide and 10 cm long, is composed of a double layer LiFePO4 cathode and an amorphous silicon nanofilm. The double layer LiFePO4 and amorphous silicon electrodes were prepared using the doctor blade method and a vertical deposition technique, respectively. The structure and morphology of the LiFePO4 and the silicon thin film were characterized by Rietveld refinement, SEM and TEM. At room temperature the ribbon-type battery exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 166.4 and 132.7 mA h g (1) at 0.5 and 1 C-rate, respectively. A reasonably good cycling performance and high coulombic efficiency under the high current density of 1 C-rate could be obtained with the Si/LiFePO4 ribbon-type battery. Also, a high volumetric capacity of 336 mA h cm (3) at 0.5 C-rate was achieved, which makes the ribbon-type battery suitable for practical use.
|
|
| 34. |
- Krag Jakobsen, Ane, et al.
(författare)
-
Is Nephrolithiasis an Unrecognized Extra-Articular Manifestation in Ankylosing Spondylitis? A Prospective Population-Based Swedish National Cohort Study with Matched General Population Comparator Subjects
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with several extra-articular manifestations. Nephrolithiasis (NL) has not been recognized as one of those, however, several factors known to increase the risk of NL are at play in AS patients. The objective was to estimate rates and predictors of NL in Swedish patients with AS compared to the general population. Methods and Findings: We performed a prospective population-based nationwide cohort study based on linkage of data from Swedish registries. 8,572 AS patients were followed for 49,258 person-years (py) and 39,639 matched general population comparators were followed for 223,985 py. Patients were followed prospectively together with comparator subjects from January 2001 through December 2009. The first occurrence of NL during follow-up was the primary outcome. Hazard Ratios (HR) were used to compare these rates adjusting for comorbidities and treatment, and to assess predictors for NL. Mean age at study entry was 46 years (inter quartile range 36-56 years), 65% were males. Based on 250 vs. 466 NL events, the adjusted HR of NL in AS patients was 2.1 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.4). Predictors of NL within the AS group included prior diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.3), prior diagnosis of NL (HR 16.4; 95% CI 11.5 to 23.4), and patients receiving anti-TNF treatment (HR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.1). Male sex was a risk factor for NL both in AS patients and in the general population. Limitations: The risk for residual confounding and inability to study the chemical nature of NL were considered the main limitations of the study. Conclusions: Patients with AS are at increased risk of NL, which may be considered a novel extra-articular manifestation. Previous history of NL, IBD, AS disease severity and male sex were identified as predictors of NL in AS.
|
|
| 35. |
- Kriegner, D., et al.
(författare)
-
Structural investigation of GaInP nanowires using X-ray diffraction
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Thin Solid Films. - : Elsevier BV. - 0040-6090. ; 543, s. 100-105
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work the structure of ternary GaxIn1-xP nanowires is investigated with respect to the chemical composition and homogeneity. The nanowires were grown by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy. For the investigation of ensemble fluctuations on several lateral length scales, X-ray diffraction reciprocal space maps have been analyzed. The data reveal a complicated varying materials composition across the sample and in the nanowires on the order of 20%. The use of modern synchrotron sources, where beam-sizes in the order of several 10 mu m are available, enables us to investigate compositional gradients along the sample by recording diffraction patterns at different positions. In addition, compositional variations were found also within single nanowires in X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 36. |
- Kristensen, Lars Erik, et al.
(författare)
-
Long-term work disability in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor: a population-based regional Swedish cohort study
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 72:10, s. 1675-1679
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To study long-term work disability before and after tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-antagonist therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Using the population-based South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group Register, we identified 191 patients with PsA (median age 43years, range 18-58years, 54% men), who between January 2003 and December 2007 started treatment with adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab. We linked data to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and calculated the proportion of work disability in 30-day intervals from 12months before the start of treatment until 3years after. For each patient with PsA we randomly selected four matched reference subjects from the general population. At treatment initiation 67% of the patients with PsA were work disabledthat is, either on sick leave (41.5%) or receiving a disability pension (25.3%). Patients sustaining treatment were, on average, work disabled 12.5days a month at treatment initiation declining to 10.6days a month after 3years of treatment. Patients for whom the first treatment course failed were work disabled 16.5days at treatment start decreasing to 15.6days after 3years. The background population were 2.5days and 3.0days off work each month, respectively. Regression modelling identified prior work disability status, anti-TNF treatment failure, higher age, female gender and longer disease duration as significant predictors of working disability. There was a decline in net work disability after initiation of anti-TNF treatment in patients with PsA. Patients withdrawing from treatment had a 50% increased risk of being work disabled. Prior work disability, higher age, female gender and longer disease duration were also associated with long-term work disability.
|
|
| 37. |
|
|
| 38. |
- Ljung, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
-
The risk of acute coronary syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis in relation to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and the risk in the general population: a national cohort study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 16:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The elevated risk of ischaemic heart disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been linked to inflammation and disease severity. Treatment with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) is often effective in reducing disease activity and could possibly modify cardiovascular risk. Our objective in the study was to evaluate the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with RA treated with TNFis compared with the risk among biologic-naive RA patients and the general population. Methods: By linkage of the Swedish National Patient Register and the Swedish Biologics Register, we identified a cohort of patients who were started on their first biologic, a TNFi, between 2001 and 2010 (N = 7,704), and a cohort comprising matched biologic-naive RA patient referents at a 3:1 ratio. Furthermore, a matched comparator cohort (5:1 ratio) was extracted from the Swedish population register. The incidence rates of a first ACS event were calculated and compared between cohorts using Cox proportional hazards regression in three different risk windows: 'ever-exposed', 'actively on TNFi' and 'short-term exposure' (active treatment maximized to 2 years). The models were adjusted for disease duration, joint surgery, comorbidity and socioeconomic factors, and, in a sensitivity analysis including a subpopulation started on therapy beginning 1 January 2006 or later, for dispensed drugs. Results: Based on 221 events in 7,704 patients (comprising 32,621 person-years) treated with TNFi biologics, the hazard ratio ((HR); ever-exposed) for ACS among the TNFi-exposed RA patients compared with biologic-naive RA patients was 0.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7 to 0.95). In comparison with the general population referents, statistical analysis using fully adjusted models resulted in a HR of 2.0 (95% CI = 1.8 to 2.3) for biologic-naive RA patients and a HR of 1.6 (95% CI = 1.4 to 1.9) for the TNFi-exposed group. Similar risk estimates were obtained using the other two risk windows. A sensitivity analysis in which we compared the TNFi-exposed patients included from 1 January 2006 onward with biologic-naive patients resulted in a HR (ever-exposed) of 0.7 (95% CI = 0.5 to 1.0). Conclusions: RA patients treated with TNFi had a lower risk of ACS compared with biologic-naive RA patients. Compared with the general population, the risk among patients with RA was elevated, although the difference was less pronounced among the TNFi-exposed patients. This finding could be attributable to the TNFi as such, or it could correspond to a lower degree of inflammation in the TNFi-treated group.
|
|
| 39. |
- Martinik, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of Spent Nuclear Fuel with a Differential Die-Away Instrument
- 2014
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Differential die-away instrument (DDA) is currently being investigated within the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative Spent Fuel project as one of the non-destructive assay techniques for spent nuclear fuel characterization and verification. In this paper we report on the progress of designing the first prototype to be deployed at Swedish central interim storage facility (CLAB) where a first set of measurements of 25 PWR and 25BWR spent fuel assemblies is proposed. We also present several working concepts of how the instrument can be customized for dedicated purposes, be it a light weight instrument for portable applications, a minimalist design for reliable and economic operations or a so-called “defectoscope” design for detailed inspection of spent nuclear fuel assemblies.
|
|
| 40. |
|
|
| 41. |
|
|
| 42. |
- Olofsson, Tor O, et al.
(författare)
-
Predictors of work disability during the first 3 years after diagnosis in a national rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ Publishing Group. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 73:5, s. 845-853
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To identify predictors of sick leave and disability pension in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Individuals aged 19-59 years diagnosed with early RA (=12 months symptom duration) were identified in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (1999-2007; n=3029). We retrieved days of sick leave and disability pension from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and baseline predictors of total work days lost during 3 years after RA diagnosis were investigated using linear regression. Due to effect modification by baseline work ability (defined as work days lost the month before diagnosis), analyses were stratified into three categories: full=0 work days lost the month before diagnosis; partial=1-29 work days lost; and none=30 work days lost. Results: 71% of patients with full baseline work ability still had full work ability after 3 years compared with 36% (p<0.001) and 18% (p<0.001) of those with partial and no work ability at baseline, respectively. Elevated baseline levels of HAQ and DAS28, higher age, lower education level and unemployment were associated with more work days lost during 3 years in all strata of baseline work ability (all p<0.05). In a separate analysis, more objective variables (ESR, CRP and swollen joints) were not. Generally, the largest regression coefficients were seen for patients with partial baseline work ability. Conclusions: Work ability at RA diagnosis was the most important predictor of 3-year sick leave and disability pension. Taking this into account, HAQ, DAS28, age and education level were also significant predictors, whereas ESR and CRP were not.
|
|
| 43. |
|
|
| 44. |
|
|
| 45. |
- Pikwer, Mitra, et al.
(författare)
-
Association between testosterone levels and risk of future rheumatoid arthritis in men: a population-based case-control study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 73:3, s. 573-579
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is less common among men than women, and sex hormones have been suggested to play a part in the pathogenesis. Lower levels of testosterone have been demonstrated in men with RA, but it is not known if these changes precede the disease. Methods In a nested case-control study, using information and blood samples from a population-based health survey, we identified incident cases of RA by linking the cohort to local and national RA registers. Two controls for each validated case, matched for age, sex and year of screening, were selected from the health survey. Using stored blood samples, collected between 08:00 and 10:00am after an overnight fast, we analysed levels of testosterone and other reproductive hormones. Results Serum was available from 104 cases (median time from screening to RA diagnosis 12.7years (range 1-28); 73% rheumatoid factor (RF) positive at diagnosis or later) and 174 matched controls. In conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for smoking and body mass index, lower levels of testosterone were associated with subsequent development of RF-negative RA (OR 0.31 per SD, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.85), with a weaker association with RF-positive RA (OR 0.87 per SD; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.43). Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly increased in pre-RF-negative RA (p=0.02), but decreased in pre-RF-positive RA (p=0.02). Conclusions Lower levels of testosterone were predictive of RF-negative RA, suggesting that hormonal changes precede the onset of RA and affect the disease phenotype.
|
|
| 46. |
|
|
| 47. |
- Stachura, A, et al.
(författare)
-
Transfusion of intra-operative autologous whole blood: influence on complement activation and interleukin formation.
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Vox sanguinis. - : Wiley. - 1423-0410 .- 0042-9007. ; 100:2, s. 239-46
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transfusion of autologous whole blood is one available method to reduce the need for allogenic blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety of transfusion of intra-operative autologous whole blood by monitoring plasma concentration of laboratory variables and adverse events after transfusion with the Sangvia(®) system.
|
|
| 48. |
- Svensson, Viktoria, et al.
(författare)
-
Associations between severity of obesity in childhood and adolescence, obesity onset andparental BMI : a longitudinal cohort study
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565 .- 1476-5497. ; 35:1, s. 46-52
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To explore the relationship between severity of obesity at age 7 and age 15, age at onset of obesity, and parental body mass index (BMI) in obese children and adolescents. Design:Longitudinal cohort study. Subjects:Obese children (n=231) and their parents (n=462) from the Swedish National Childhood Obesity Centre. Methods: Multivariate regression analyses were applied with severity of obesity (BMI standard deviation score (BMI SDS)) and onset of obesity as dependent variables. The effect of parental BMI was evaluated and in the final models adjusted for gender, parental education, age at onset of obesity, severity of obesity at age 7 and obesity treatment. Results: For severity of obesity at age 7, a positive correlation with maternal BMI was indicated (P=0.05). Severity of obesity at this age also showed a strong negative correlation with the age at onset of obesity. Severity of obesity at age 15 was significantly correlated with both maternal and paternal BMI (P<0.01). In addition, BMI SDS at age 15 differed by gender (higher for boys) and was positively correlated with severity of obesity at age 7 and negatively correlated with treatment. Also, a negative correlation was indicated at this age for parental education. No correlation with age at onset was found at age 15. For age at onset of obesity there was no relevant correlation with parental BMI. Children within the highest tertile of the BMI SDS range were more likely to have two obese parents. Conclusion: The impact of parental BMI on the severity of obesity in children is strengthened as the child grows into adolescence, whereas the age at onset is probably of less importance than previously thought. The influence of parental relative weight primarily affects the severity of childhood obesity and not the timing.
|
|
| 49. |
|
|
| 50. |
- Walker, Derek H.T., et al.
(författare)
-
A rationale for alliancing within a public-private partnership
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Engineering Construction and Architectural Management. - 0969-9988 .- 1365-232X. ; 21:6, s. 648-673
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This case study was chosen for its rare, if not unique, project procurement strategy. It is, to the authors’ knowledge, the only example of a project alliance (PA) being undertaken within a public-private partnership (PPP) project delivery approach. The purpose of this paper is to explore the case study from a strategic perspective to better understand if it is possible to combine a PA within a less collaborative procurement form, such as PPP or design and construct (D&C), and to determine if there were any specific prerequisite conditions needed for such an arrangement to be successfully adopted. Design/methodology/approach – A single exploratory case study was undertaken through interviewing seven of the most senior project participant executives for approximately an hour that each had a separate and unique perspective to offer relating to the organisational role they represented in the PA. These interviewees were identified as the most knowledgeable key executives participating in the PA from whom both strategic and operational insights could be gained.Findings – It is possible to design a PA approach within a PPP for large and complex infrastructure projects and this can provide a competitive advantage to do so, however, the reasons for doing so should be clear and compelling. Parties to such an arrangement should be prepared to fully engage through adopting full PA principles. In such a case as this, the PPP special purpose vehicle takes on the role of “project owner” that normally the public body part of the PPP would normally adopt. Research limitations/implications – This research reports upon a single case study within a specific project delivery culture that has extensive experience of PAs. Demonstrated positive project outcomes would not be likely to be more generally repeatable across the engineering infrastructure sector unless parties engaged within such a PA had not already experienced and understood outcomes resulting from such a close collaboration. Practical implications – This research has implications for project participants bidding for PPP projects as well as others using a D&C tending approach. It offers a potential competitive advantage because it demonstrates and explains how choices may be expanded beyond a simple single project procurement strategy approach. Social implications – Many PPP and PA infrastructure projects are delivered to provide community benefit. This paper provides a way to improve the project delivery process and thus improving value to the community. Originality/value – The paper makes three contributions. Primarily, it pioneers analysis of a PA within a PPP. Second, it provides important insights into the reasons and emergence of this phenomenon. Finally, it provides an understanding of this how this novel form of early contractor involvement with a PPP special purpose ownership vehicle that combines competition and collaboration may function operationally.
|
|
