| 1. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(författare)
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The ATLAS TRT end-cap detectors
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ATLAS TRT end-cap is a tracking drift chamber using 245,760 individual tubular drift tubes. It is a part of the TRT tracker which consist of the barrel and two end-caps. The TRT end-caps cover the forward and backward pseudo-rapidity region 1.0 < vertical bar eta vertical bar < 2.0, while the TRT barrel central eta region vertical bar eta vertical bar < 1.0. The TRT system provides a combination of continuous tracking with many measurements in individual drift tubes ( or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibers or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. Along with other two sub-systems, namely the Pixel detector and Semi Conductor Tracker (SCT), the TRT constitutes the ATLAS Inner Detector. This paper describes the recently completed and installed TRT end-cap detectors, their design, assembly, integration and the acceptance tests applied during the construction.
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| 2. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(författare)
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The ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) proportional drift tube: design and performance
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A straw proportional counter is the basic element of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT). Its detailed properties as well as the main properties of a few TRT operating gas mixtures are described. Particular attention is paid to straw tube performance in high radiation conditions and to its operational stability.
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| 3. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(författare)
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The ATLAS TRT barrel detector
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ATLAS TRT barrel is a tracking drift chamber using 52,544 individual tubular drift tubes. It is one part of the ATLAS Inner Detector, which consists of three sub-systems: the pixel detector spanning the radius range 4 to 20 cm, the semiconductor tracker (SCT) from 30 to 52 cm, and the transition radiation tracker ( TRT) from 56 to 108 cm. The TRT barrel covers the central pseudo-rapidity region |eta| < 1, while the TRT endcaps cover the forward and backward eta regions. These TRT systems provide a combination of continuous tracking with many measurements in individual drift tubes ( or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibers or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. This paper describes the recently-completed construction of the TRT Barrel detector, including the quality control procedures used in the fabrication of the detector.
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| 4. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(författare)
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The ATLAS TRT electronics
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ATLAS inner detector consists of three sub-systems: the pixel detector spanning the radius range 4cm-20cm, the semiconductor tracker at radii from 30 to 52 cm, and the transition radiation tracker (TRT), tracking from 56 to 107 cm. The TRT provides a combination of continuous tracking with many projective measurements based on individual drift tubes (or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibres or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. This paper describes the on and off detector electronics for the TRT as well as the TRT portion of the data acquisition (DAQ) system.
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| 5. |
- Connolly, Stuart J., et al.
(författare)
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Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation
- 2009
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Ingår i: New England Journal of Medicine. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 361:12, s. 1139-1151
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation but increases the risk of hemorrhage and is difficult to use. Dabigatran is a new oral direct thrombin inhibitor. METHODS: In this noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned 18,113 patients who had atrial fibrillation and a risk of stroke to receive, in a blinded fashion, fixed doses of dabigatran--110 mg or 150 mg twice daily--or, in an unblinded fashion, adjusted-dose warfarin. The median duration of the follow-up period was 2.0 years. The primary outcome was stroke or systemic embolism. RESULTS: Rates of the primary outcome were 1.69% per year in the warfarin group, as compared with 1.53% per year in the group that received 110 mg of dabigatran (relative risk with dabigatran, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.11; P<0.001 for noninferiority) and 1.11% per year in the group that received 150 mg of dabigatran (relative risk, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.82; P<0.001 for superiority). The rate of major bleeding was 3.36% per year in the warfarin group, as compared with 2.71% per year in the group receiving 110 mg of dabigatran (P=0.003) and 3.11% per year in the group receiving 150 mg of dabigatran (P=0.31). The rate of hemorrhagic stroke was 0.38% per year in the warfarin group, as compared with 0.12% per year with 110 mg of dabigatran (P<0.001) and 0.10% per year with 150 mg of dabigatran (P<0.001). The mortality rate was 4.13% per year in the warfarin group, as compared with 3.75% per year with 110 mg of dabigatran (P=0.13) and 3.64% per year with 150 mg of dabigatran (P=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with atrial fibrillation, dabigatran given at a dose of 110 mg was associated with rates of stroke and systemic embolism that were similar to those associated with warfarin, as well as lower rates of major hemorrhage. Dabigatran administered at a dose of 150 mg, as compared with warfarin, was associated with lower rates of stroke and systemic embolism but similar rates of major hemorrhage. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00262600.)
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| 6. |
- Tefferi, Ayalew, et al.
(författare)
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Proposals and rationale for revision of the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis : recommendations from an ad hoc international expert panel
- 2007
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Ingår i: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 110:4, s. 1092-1097
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Janus kinase 2 mutation, JAK2V617F, is myeloid neoplasm-specific; its presence excludes secondary polycythemia, or thrombocytosis or bone marrow fibrosis from other causes. Furthermore, JAK2V617F or a JAK2 exon 12 mutation is present in virtually all patients with polycythemia vera (PV) whereas JAK2V617F also occurs in approximately half of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Therefore, JAK2 mutation screening holds the promise of a decisive diagnostic test in PV while being complementary to histology for the diagnosis of ET and PMF; the combination of molecular testing and histological review should also facilitate diagnosis of ET associated with borderline thrombocytosis. Accordingly, revision of the current World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for PV, ET, and PMF is warranted; JAK2 mutation analysis should be listed as a major criterion for PV diagnosis and the platelet count threshold for ET diagnosis can be lowered from 600 to 450 x 109/L. The current document was prepared by an international expert panel of pathologists and clinical investigators in myeloproliferative disorders; it was subsequently presented to members of the Clinical Advisory Committee for the revision of the WHO Classification of Myeloid Neoplasms who endorsed the document and recommended its adoption by the WHO.
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| 7. |
- Assey, Vincent D., et al.
(författare)
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Improved salt iodation methods for small-scale salt producers in low-resource settings in Tanzania
- 2009
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 9, s. 187-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Universal salt iodation will prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Globally, salt-iodation technologies mostly target large and medium-scale salt-producers. Since most producers in low-income countries are small-scale, we examined and improved the performance of hand and knapsack-sprayers used locally in Tanzania. METHODS: We studied three salt facilities on the Bagamoyo coast, investigating procedures for preparing potassium-iodate solution, salt spraying and mixing. Different concentrations of solution were prepared and tested using different iodation methods, with the aim of attaining correct and homogeneous iodine levels under real-life conditions. Levels achieved by manual mixing were compared to those achieved by machine mixing. RESULTS: The overall median iodation level in samples of salt iodated using previously existing methods was 10.6 ppm (range 1.1 - 110.0 ppm), with much higher levels in the top than the bottom layers of the salt bags, p < 0.0001. Experimentation using knapsack-sprayers and manual mixing led to the reliable achievement of levels (60.9 ppm +/- 7.4) that fell within the recommended range of 40 - 80 ppm. The improved methods yielded homogenous iodine concentrations in all layers of salt-bags (p = 0.58) with 96% of the samples (n = 45) falling within 40 - 80 ppm compared to only 9% (n = 45) before the experiment and training (p < 0.0001). For knapsack-spraying, a machine mixer improved the iodine levels and homogeneity slightly compared to manual mixing (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Supervised, standardized salt iodation procedures adapted to local circumstances can yield homogeneous iodine levels within the required range, overcoming a major obstacle to universal salt iodation.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Ezekowitz, Michael D., et al.
(författare)
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Dabigatran with or without concomitant aspirin compared with warfarin alone in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (PETRO Study)
- 2007
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Ingår i: American Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9149 .- 1879-1913. ; 100:9, s. 1419-1426
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This is the first evaluation of dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients (n = 502) were randomized to receive blinded doses of 50-, 150-, or 300-mg dabigatran twice daily alone or combined with 81- or 325-mg aspirin or open-label warfarin administered to achieve an international normalized ratio of 2 to 3 for 12 weeks. Dabigatran plasma concentrations, activated partial thromboplastin time, D-dimer, urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B(2) (DTB2), and liver function were measured at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Clinical end points were assessed according to the treatment received at the time of the event. Overall, 92% of patients completed the study. Major hemorrhages were limited to the group treated with 300-mg dabigatran plus aspirin (4 of 64), and the incidence was significant versus 300-mg dabigatran alone (0 of 105, p <0.02). Total bleeding events were more frequent in the 300-mg (39 of 169, 23%) and 150-mg (30 of 169, 18%) dabigatran groups compared with the 50-mg groups (7 of 107, 7%; p = 0.0002 and p = 0.01, respectively). Thromboembolic events were limited to the 50-mg dabigatran dose groups (2 of 107, 2%). The mean trough d-dimer measurements were suppressed for the 2 highest doses of dabigatran and warfarin (international normalized ratio of 2 to 3). Aminotransferase levels >3 times the upper limit of normal were observed in 0.9% of the dabigatran recipients and in none of the warfarin recipients. Two dabigatran recipients had aminotransferase levels >5 times the upper limit of normal as a result of gallstones, which resolved. Trough activated partial thromboplastin time values were 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 times the baseline level for the 50-, 150-, and 300-mg dabigatran groups, respectively. DTB2 concentrations after 12 weeks of 50-, 150-, and 300-mg dabigatran treatment were increased by 31%, 17%, and 23%, respectively, versus baseline (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, and p = 0.0004). In conclusion, major bleeding events were limited to patients treated with dabigatran 300 mg plus aspirin and thromboembolic episodes were limited to the 50-mg dabigatran groups. The 2 highest doses of dabigatran suppress D-dimer concentrations. Serious liver toxicity was not seen. The significance of the increase of DTB2 concentrations in dabigatran-treated patients needs resolution.
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| 10. |
- Ezekowitz, Michael D., et al.
(författare)
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Rationale and design of RE-LY : randomized evaluation of long-term anticoagulant therapy, warfarin, compared with dabigatran
- 2009
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Ingår i: American Heart Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-8703 .- 1097-6744. ; 157:5, s. 805-810
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are effective for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but are difficult to use. Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug that is rapidly converted to the active direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran. It is administered in a fixed dose without laboratory monitoring and is being compared with warfarin (international normalized ratio 2-3) in the RE-LY trial. Two doses of dabigatran (110 and 150 mg BID) are being evaluated. RE-LY is a phase 3, prospective, randomized, open-label multinational (44 countries) trial of patients with nonvalvular AF and at least 1 risk factor for stroke. Recruitment concluded with a total of 18,113 patients. Patients who were VKA-naive and experienced are included in balanced proportions. The primary outcome is stroke (including hemorrhagic) or systemic embolism. Safety outcomes are bleeding, liver function abnormalities, and other adverse events. Adjudication of end points is blinded to drug assignment. The trial is expected to accrue a minimum of 450 events with a minimum 1-year of follow-up. RE-LY is the largest AF stroke prevention trial yet undertaken. It is unique because it includes equal numbers of VKA-experienced and naive patients and evaluates 2 different dosages of dabigatran, which may allow tailoring of dosing to individual patient needs. The worldwide site distribution and broad range of stroke risk further increase the general applicability of the trial. Results are expected in 2009.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Helgadottir, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The same sequence variant on 9p21 associates with myocardial infarction, abdominal aortic aneurysm and intracranial aneurysm
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 40:2, s. 217-224
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recently, two common sequence variants on 9p21, tagged by rs10757278-G and rs10811661-T, were reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD)(1-4) and type 2 diabetes (T2D)(5-7), respectively. We proceeded to further investigate the contributions of these variants to arterial diseases and T2D. Here we report that rs10757278-G is associated with, in addition to CAD, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA; odds ratio (OR) 1.31, P = 1.2 x 10(-12)) and intracranial aneurysm (OR = 1.29, P = 2.5 x 10(-6)), but not with T2D. This variant is the first to be described that affects the risk of AAA and intracranial aneurysm in many populations. The association of rs10811661-T to T2D replicates in our samples, but the variant does not associate with any of the five arterial diseases examined. These findings extend our insight into the role of the sequence variant tagged by rs10757278-G and show that it is not confined to atherosclerotic diseases.
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| 15. |
- Irwin, D. E., et al.
(författare)
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Overactive bladder is associated with erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual quality of life in men
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1743-6109 .- 1743-6095. ; 5:12, s. 2904-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED), is greater in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including overactive bladder (OAB), than in men without LUTS. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of ED, the impact of urinary symptoms on sexual activity and sexual enjoyment, and sexual satisfaction in men with OAB. Methods. A nested case-control analysis was performed on data from a subset of men with (cases) and without (controls) OAB frequency-matched for age (5-year age strata) and country from the EPIC study. Respondents were asked about OAB symptoms (using the 2002 International Continence Society [ICS] definitions) and sexual activity. Sexually active respondents were asked about ED, sexual enjoyment, and overall satisfaction with their sex lives. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with ED. Main Outcome Measures. The percentage of cases and controls reporting ED, a reduction in the frequency of sexual activity or enjoyment of sexual activity because of urinary symptoms, and overall satisfaction with their sex lives was determined for cases and controls. Results. A total of 502 cases and 502 controls were matched for age strata and country. Significantly more cases (14%) reported reduced sexual activity because of urinary symptoms compared with controls (4%; P
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| 16. |
- Irwin, D. E., et al.
(författare)
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Population-based survey of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other lower urinary tract symptoms in five countries: results of the EPIC study
- 2006
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Ingår i: Eur Urol. - : Elsevier BV. - 0302-2838. ; 50:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), overactive bladder (OAB), and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men and women in five countries using the 2002 International Continence Society (ICS) definitions. METHODS: This population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2005 in Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom using computer-assisted telephone interviews. A random sample of men and women aged >/= 18 yr residing in the five countries and who were representative of the general populations in these countries was selected. Using 2002 ICS definitions, the prevalence estimates of storage, voiding, and postmicturition LUTS were calculated. Data were stratified by country, age cohort, and gender. RESULTS: A total of 19,165 individuals agreed to participate; 64.3% reported at least one LUTS. Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS (men, 48.6%; women, 54.5%). The prevalence of storage LUTS (men, 51.3%; women, 59.2%) was greater than that for voiding (men, 25.7%; women, 19.5%) and postmicturition (men, 16.9%; women, 14.2%) symptoms combined. The overall prevalence of OAB was 11.8%; rates were similar in men and women and increased with age. OAB was more prevalent than all types of UI combined (9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The EPIC study is the largest population-based survey to assess prevalence rates of OAB, UI, and other LUTS in five countries. To date, this is the first study to evaluate these symptoms simultaneously using the 2002 ICS definitions. The results indicate that these symptoms are highly prevalent in the countries surveyed.
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| 17. |
- Irwin, D. E., et al.
(författare)
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Understanding the elements of overactive bladder: questions raised by the EPIC study
- 2008
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Ingår i: BJU International. - 1464-410X. ; 101:11, s. 1381-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of frequency and nocturia and the bother they impose in a population-based sample of men and women using current International Continence Society (ICS) definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and commonly used alternative definitions of these LUTS to emphasize the importance of standardizing the definitions when evaluating overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome; we also describe the spectrum of LUTS and bother they impose in this population with OAB. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Several validated disease-specific measures were used in a population-based, cross-sectional telephone survey of adults aged >or=18 years in five countries. The population with OAB was defined as those participants who answered 'yes' to questions about urgency or urgency urinary incontinence according to ICS standards. The prevalence of daytime frequency and nocturia within the OAB population was examined using two different criteria for each symptom. Frequency was defined using the current ICS definition (i.e. subject's perception of whether they urinated too often during the day) or more than eight daytime voids. Nocturia was defined according to the ICS definition of having to wake once or more per night to void and using the threshold of waking twice or more per night to urinate. Urinary symptom bother within the OAB population was compared using the different criteria for frequency and nocturia. RESULTS: In all, 1434 participants (502 men and 932 women) were classified as having OAB; 31% of men and 25% of women with OAB had daytime frequency consistent with the ICS definition. The ICS-defined frequency identified a population with a varied distribution of reported daytime voiding frequencies; most respondents reported frequencies below the threshold of nine daytime voids. The ICS-defined daytime frequency was reported as bothersome by more than half of the OAB population (46% of men, 66% of women). Of the OAB population, approximately 75% reported one or more nocturia episodes per night, and approximately 40% reported two or more per night. The proportion of the OAB population that was bothered by nocturia increased markedly as the number of nocturia episodes increased. Among those with OAB, the most prevalent combination of OAB symptoms was urgency and nocturia. More than half of those with OAB reported urgency combined with three or more other LUTS (including voiding and postmicturition symptoms), and the number of LUTS reported increased with age. The proportion of the population reporting symptom bother increased as the number of reported LUTS in that population increased. CONCLUSIONS: The ICS definitions for daytime frequency as 'the subject's perception of urinating too often' and for nocturia as 'one or more episodes per night' adequately described bladder symptoms within the OAB population when assessed by the level of symptom bother. Urgency was uncommon in isolation and did not alone impose as high a level of bother as when combined with other LUTS. In this population, the most predominant manifestation of OAB was a combination of urgency with one or more other OAB symptoms. Symptom bother became more common as the number of symptoms reported increased. LUTS other than the defining symptoms of OAB were also highly prevalent within the OAB population.
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| 18. |
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| 21. |
- Soranzo, Nicole, et al.
(författare)
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A genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 22 loci associated with eight hematological parameters in the HaemGen consortium
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 41:11, s. 38-1182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The number and volume of cells in the blood affect a wide range of disorders including cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious and immune conditions. We consider here the genetic variation in eight clinically relevant hematological parameters, including hemoglobin levels, red and white blood cell counts and platelet counts and volume. We describe common variants within 22 genetic loci reproducibly associated with these hematological parameters in 13,943 samples from six European population-based studies, including 6 associated with red blood cell parameters, 15 associated with platelet parameters and 1 associated with total white blood cell count. We further identified a long-range haplotype at 12q24 associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in 9,479 cases and 10,527 controls. We show that this haplotype demonstrates extensive disease pleiotropy, as it contains known risk loci for type 1 diabetes, hypertension and celiac disease and has been spread by a selective sweep specific to European and geographically nearby populations.
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