| 21. |
- Alkhori, Liza
(författare)
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Mechanisms of sensory neuron diversification during development and in the adult Drosophila : How to make a difference
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The nervous system contains a vast number of neurons and displays a great diversity in cell types and classes. Even though this has been known for a long time, the exact mechanism of cell specification is still poorly understood. How does a cell know what type of neuron to which it should be specified? It is important to understand cellular specification, not only for our general understanding of biological processes, but also to allow us to develop treatments for patients with destructive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson, cancer or stroke. To address how neuronal specification and thereby diversification is evolved, we have chosen to study a complex but defined set of neurons, the Drosophila olfactory system. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) detect an enormous variety of small volatile molecules with extremely high specificity and sensitivity. The adult Drosophila olfactory system contains 34 OSN classes each defined by their expression of a specific odorant receptor (OR). In both insects and vertebrates, each OSN expresses only one OR. In mouse there are approximately 1200 and in Drosophila 60 different OR genes. Despite the range of mechanisms known to determine cell identity and that the olfactory system is remarkably conserved across the phyla, it is still unclear how an OSN chooses to express a particular OR from a large genomic repertoire. In this thesis, the specification and diversification of the final steps establishing an OSN identity is addressed. We find seven transcription factors that are continuously required in different combinations for the expression of all ORs. The TFs can in different gene context both activate and repress OR expression, making the regulation more economical and indicating that repression is crucial for correct gene expression. We further identified a repressor complex that is able to segregate OR expression between OSN classes and propose a mechanism on how one single co-repressor can specify a large number of neuron classes.Exploring the OSN we found the developmental Hh signalling pathway is expressed in the postmitotic neuron. We show several fundamental similarities between the canonical Drosophila Hh pathway and the cilia mediated Hh transduction in component function. Further investigation revealed a function of cilia mediated Hh signalling in sensory neuron modulator. The results generated here will create a greater in vivo understanding of how postmitotic processes generate neurons with different fates and contribute to the maintaining of neuron function.
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| 22. |
- Almer, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Ischemic QRS prolongation as a biomarker of myocardial injury in STEMI patients
- 2019
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Ingår i: Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology. - : Wiley. - 1082-720X. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary occlusion (ACO) may not only have ischemia-related ST-segment changes but also changes in the QRS complex. It has recently been shown in dogs that a greater ischemic QRS prolongation (IQP) during ACO is related to lower collateral flow. This suggests that greater IQP could indicate more severe ischemia and thereby more rapid infarct development. Therefore, the purpose was to evaluate the relationship between IQP and measures of myocardial injury in patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with first-time STEMI were retrospectively included from the recently published SOCCER trial. All patients underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examination 2-6 days after the acute event. Infarct size (IS), myocardium at risk (MaR), and myocardial salvage index (MSI) were assessed and related to IQP. IQP measures assessed were; computer-generated QRS duration, QRS duration at maximum ST deviation, absolute IQP and relative IQP, all derived from a pre-PCI, 12-lead ECG.RESULTS: Median absolute IQP was 10 ms (range 0-115 ms). There were no statistically significant correlations between measures of IQP and any of the CMR measures of myocardial injury (absolute IQP vs IS, r = 0.03, p = 0.80; MaR, r = -0.01, p = 0.89; MSI, r = -0.05, p = 0.68).CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous experimental studies, the IQP was limited in patients presenting at the emergency room with first-time STEMI and no correlation was found between IQP and CMR variables of myocardial injury in these patients. Therefore, IQP does not seem to be a suitable biomarker for triaging patients in this clinical context.
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| 23. |
- Almer, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of manual Strauss LBBB criteria in patients diagnosed with the automated Glasgow LBBB criteria.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Electrocardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-8430 .- 0022-0736. ; 48:4, s. 558-564
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- About one-third of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy because of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and heart failure do not improve. Strauss et al. have developed strict criteria to more accurately define complete LBBB in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the manual application of the Strauss criteria for LBBB (QRS≥140ms in men, ≥130ms in women, along with mid-QRS notching/slurring) in consecutive patients who have been diagnosed with LBBB by the automated Glasgow criteria (QRS≥120ms).
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Atar, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Rationale and Design of the 'MITOCARE' Study: A Phase II, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of TRO40303 for the Reduction of Reperfusion Injury in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction
- 2012
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Ingår i: Cardiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9751 .- 0008-6312. ; 123:4, s. 201-207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by reperfusion using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolysis has provided clinical benefits; however, it also induces considerable cell death. This process is called reperfusion injury. The continuing high rates of mortality and heart failure after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) emphasize the need for improved strategies to limit reperfusion injury and improve clinical outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess safety and efficacy of TRO40303 in limiting reperfusion injury in patients treated for STEMI. TRO40303 targets the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, a promising target for the prevention of reperfusion injury. This multicenter, double-blind study will randomize patients with STEMI to TRO40303 or placebo administered just before balloon inflation or thromboaspiration during PCI. The primary outcome measure will be reduction in infarct size (assessed as plasma creatine kinase and troponin I area under the curve over 3 days). The main secondary endpoint will be infarct size normalized to the myocardium at risk (expressed by the myocardial salvage index assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance). The study is being financed under an EU-FP7 grant and conducted under the auspices of the MITOCARE research consortium, which includes experts from clinical and basic research centers, as well as commercial enterprises, throughout Europe. Results from this study will contribute to a better understanding of the complex pathophysiology underlying myocardial injury after STEMI. The present paper describes the rationale, design and the methods of the trial. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
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| 26. |
- Axelsson, Jimmy, et al.
(författare)
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Ejection fraction in left bundle branch block is disproportionately reduced in relation to amount of myocardial scar
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Electrocardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-0736 .- 1532-8430. ; 51:6, s. 1071-1076
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The relationship between left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and LV myocardial scar can identify potentially reversible causes of LV dysfunction. Left bundle branch block (LBBB) alters the electrical and mechanical activation of the LV. We hypothesized that the relationship between LVEF and scar extent is different in LBBB compared to controls. Methods: We compared the relationship between LVEF and scar burden between patients with LBBB and scar (n = 83), and patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and scar but no electrocardiographic conduction abnormality (controls, n = 90), who had undergone cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at one of three centers. LVEF (%) was measured in CMR cine images. Scar burden was quantified by CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and expressed as % of LV mass (%LVM). Maximum possible LVEF (LVEFmax) was defined as the function describing the hypotenuse in the LVEF versus myocardial scar extent scatter plot. Dysfunction index was defined as LVEFmax derived from the control cohort minus the measured LVEF. Results: Compared to controls with scar, LBBB with scar had a lower LVEF (median [interquartile range] 27 [19–38] vs 36 [25–50] %, p < 0.001), smaller scar (4 [1–9] vs 11 [6–20] %LVM, p < 0.001), and greater dysfunction index (39 [30–52] vs 21 [12–35] % points, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Among LBBB patients referred for CMR, LVEF is disproportionately reduced in relation to the amount of scar. Dyssynchrony in LBBB may thus impair compensation for loss of contractile myocardium.
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| 27. |
- Aziz, Abdul Maruf Asif
(författare)
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Neuropeptide Receptors as Treatment Targets in Alcohol Use Disorders
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex disorder with multiple pathophysiological processes contributing to the initiation, progression and development of the disease state. AUD is a chronic relapsing disease with escalation of alcohol-intake over time in repeated cycles of tolerance, abstinence and relapse and hence, it is very difficult to treat. There are only a few currently available treatments with narrow efficacy and variable patient response. Thus it is important to find new, more effective medications to increase the number of patients who can benefit from pharmacological treatment of AUD.The research presented in this thesis work focuses on the critical involvement of central neuropeptides in alcohol-related behaviors. The overall aim was to evaluate the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor, the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptor and the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor 1 as novel and potential pharmacological treatment targets for AUD by testing the NOP receptor agonist SR-8993, the NPY-Y2 receptor antagonist CYM-9840 and the MCH1 receptor antagonist GW803430 in established animal models.In the first study (Paper I), the novel and selective NOP agonist SR-8993 was assessed in rat models of motivation to obtain alcohol and relapse to alcohol seeking behavior using the operant self-administration (SA) paradigm. Firstly, treatment with SR-8993 (1 mg/kg) showed a mildly anxiolytic effect and reversed acute alcohol withdrawal-induced “hangover” anxiety in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Next, it potently attenuated alcohol SA and motivation to obtain alcohol in the progressive ratio responding (PRR) and reduced both alcohol cue-induced and yohimbine stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, without affecting the pharmacology and metabolism of alcohol nor other control behaviors. To extend these findings, SR-8993 was evaluated in escalated alcohol-intake in rats. Treatment with SR-8993 significantly suppressed alcohol-intake and preference in rats that were trained to consume high amounts of alcohol in the two-bottle free choice intermittent access (IA) paradigm. SR-8993 also blocked operant SA of alcohol in rats that showed robust escalation in operant alcohol SA following chronic IA exposure to alcohol.In the second study (Paper II), SR-8993 was further evaluated in a model for escalated alcohol-intake induced by long-term IA exposure to alcohol. The effect of previous experience on operant alcohol SA on two-bottle free choice preference drinking was evaluated and sensitivity to treatment with SR-8993 was tested in rats selected for escalated and non-escalated alcohol seeking behavior. We found that rats exposed to the combined SA-IA paradigm showed greater sensitivity to SR-8993 treatment. In addition, acute escalation of alcohol SA after a three-week period of abstinence was completely abolished by pretreatment with SR-8993.In the third study (Paper III), the effects of the novel, small molecule NPY-Y2 antagonist CYM-9840 were tested in operant alcohol SA, PRR which is a model for motivation to work for alcohol and reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior. Treatment with CYM-9840 (10 mg/kg) potently attenuated alcohol SA, progressive ratio responding and stress-induced reinstatement using yohimbine as the stressor, while alcohol cue-induced reinstatement was unaffected. Moreover, a range of control behaviors including taste sensitivity, locomotor and pharmacological sensitivity to the sedative effects of alcohol remained unaffected by CYM-9840 pretreatment, indicating that its effects are specific to the rewarding and motivational aspects of alcohol-intake and related behaviors. CYM-9840 also reversed acute alcohol withdrawal-induced “hangover” anxiety measured in the EPM and reduced alcohol-intake in the 4 hour limited access two-bottle free choice preference drinking model.Finally, in the fourth study (Paper IV), the selective MCH1-R antagonist GW803430 was tested in rat models of escalated alcohol-intake. Pretreatment with GW803430 (effective at 10 & 30 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced alcohol and food-intake in rats that consumed high amounts of alcohol during IA, while it only decreased food-intake in rats that consumed low amounts of alcohol during IA, likely due to a floor effect. Upon protracted abstinence following IA, GW803430 significantly reduced operant alcohol SA and this was associated with adaptations in MCH and MCH1-R gene-expression. In contrast, GW803430 did not affect escalated alcohol SA induced by chronic alcohol vapor exposure and this was accompanied by no change in MCH or MCH1-R gene expression. Overall, these results suggest that the MCH1-R antagonist affects alcohol-intake through regulation of both motivation for caloric-intake and the rewarding properties of alcohol.In conclusion, our results suggest critical roles for these central neuropeptides in the regulation of anxiety and of alcohol reward, making them potential pharmacological targets in the treatment of AUD.
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| 28. |
- Bagheri, Maryam
(författare)
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Neuroprotective Effect of Genistein : Studies in Rat Models of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are neurodegenerative disorders that mainly affect the elderly population. It is believed that oxidative stress is involved in development of both these diseases and that estrogen deficiency is a risk factor for development of AD. Genistein is a plant-derived compound that is similar in structure to estrogen and has anti-oxidative properties. The general objective of the present research was to evaluate the effects of genistein on neurodegeneration in rat models of PD and AD.Using a rat model of PD, we found that a single intraperitoneal dose of genistein 1 h before intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) attenuated apomorphine-induced rotational behavior and protected the neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta against 6-OHDA toxicity.To produce an animal model of AD, we injected Aβ1–40 into the hippocampus of rats. Using groups of these Aβ1–40-lesioned animals, the involvement of estrogen receptors (ERs) was evaluated by intracerebroventricular injection of the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant, and the role of oxidative stress was studied by measuring levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The results showed that intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1–40 caused the following: lower spontaneous alternation score in Y-maze tasks, impaired retention and recall capability in the passive avoidance test, and fewer correct choices and more errors in a radial arm maze (RAM task), elevated levels of MDA and nitrite, and a signiHcant reduction in SOD activity in the brain tissue. Furthermore, hippocampus in theses rats exhibited Aβ1–40 immunoreactive aggregates close to the lateral blade of the dentate gyrus (DGlb), extensive neuronal degeneration in the DGlb, high intracellular iNOS+ and nNOS+ immunoreactivity, and extensive astrogliosis.Genistein pretreatment ameliorated the Aβ-induced impairment of short-term spatial memory, and this effect occurred via an estrogenic pathway and through attenuation of oxidative stress. Genistein also ameliorated the degeneration of neurons, inhibited the formation of Aβ1–40-positive aggregates, and alleviated Aβ1–40-induced astrogliosis in the hippocampus.
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| 29. |
- Bashkanov, M., et al.
(författare)
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Double-Pionic Fusion of Nuclear Systems and the "ABC" Effect : Approaching a Puzzle by Exclusive and Kinematically Complete Measurements
- 2009
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Ingår i: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 102:5, s. 052301-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ABC effect-a puzzling low-mass enhancement in the pi pi invariant mass spectrum, first observed by Abashian, Booth, and Crowe-is well known from inclusive measurements of two-pion production in nuclear fusion reactions. Here we report on the first exclusive and kinematically complete measurements of the most basic double-pionic fusion reaction pn -> d pi(0)pi(0) at beam energies of 1.03 and 1.35 GeV. The measurements, which have been carried out at CELSIUS-WASA, reveal the ABC effect to be a (pi pi)(I=L=0) channel phenomenon associated with both a resonancelike energy dependence in the integral cross section and the formation of a Delta Delta system in the intermediate state. A corresponding simple s-channel resonance ansatz provides a surprisingly good description of the data.
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| 30. |
- Bergström, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Acetaminophen Attenuates Pulmonary Vascular Resistance and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure and Inhibits Cardiovascular Collapse in a Porcine Model of Endotoxemia
- 2023
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Ingår i: Shock. - : Shock Society. - 1073-2322 .- 1540-0514. ; 59:3, s. 442-448
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is often used in critically ill patients with fever and pain; however, little is known about the effects of acetaminophen on cardiovascular function during systemic inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of acetaminophen on changes in the systemic and pulmonary circulation induced by endotoxin (0.5 μg/kg/h) in anesthetized pigs. Endotoxin infusion led to a rapid increase in pulmonary artery (PA)-pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI). Acetaminophen delayed and attenuated this increase. Furthermore, acetaminophen reduced tachycardia and decreased stroke volume, accompanied by systemic inflammation, without affecting inflammatory parameters such as white blood cell count and TNF-α in blood. As a proof of concept, we injected a high dose of endotoxin (100 μg), which induced rapid cardiovascular collapse in pigs. Pigs treated with acetaminophen survived with no obvious hemodynamic instability during the 50 min observation period. In conclusion, acetaminophen attenuates the effects of endotoxin on pulmonary circulation in anesthetized pigs. This may play a role in severe systemic inflammation.
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