| 1. |
- Johansson, Karl-Axel, et al.
(författare)
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The quality assurance process for the ARTSCAN head and neck study - a practical interactive approach for QA in 3DCRT and IMRT.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 87:2, s. 290-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: This paper describes the quality assurance (QA) work performed in the Swedish multicenter ARTSCAN (Accelerated RadioTherapy of Squamous cell CArcinomas in the head and Neck) trial to guarantee high quality in a multicenter study which involved modern radiotherapy such as 3DCRT or IMRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was closed in June 2006 with 750 randomised patients. Radiation therapy-related data for every patient were sent by each participating centre to the QA office where all trial data were reviewed, analysed and stored. In case of any deviation from the protocol, an interactive process was started between the QA office and the local responsible clinician and/or physicist to increase the compliance to the protocol for future randomised patients. Meetings and workshops were held on a regular basis for discussions on various trial-related issues and for the QA office to report on updated results. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review covers the 734 patients out of a total of 750 who had entered the study. Deviations early in the study were corrected so that the overall compliance to the protocol was very high. There were only negligible variations in doses and dose distributions to target volumes for each specific site and stage. The quality of the treatments was high. Furthermore, an extensive database of treatment parameters was accumulated for future dose-volume vs. endpoint evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive QA programme increased the probability to draw firm conclusions from our study and may serve as a concept for QA work in future radiotherapy trials where comparatively small effects are searched for in a heterogeneous tumour population.
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| 2. |
- Mårtensson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Deletion of the G protein-coupled receptor 30 impairs glucose tolerance, reduces bone growth, increases blood pressure, and eliminates estradiol-stimulated insulin release in female mice.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7170 .- 0013-7227. ; 150:2, s. 687-98
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In vitro studies suggest that the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 30 is a functional estrogen receptor. However, the physiological role of GPR30 in vivo is unknown, and it remains to be determined whether GPR30 is an estrogen receptor also in vivo. To this end, we studied the effects of disrupting the GPR30 gene in female and male mice. Female GPR30((-/-)) mice had hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance, reduced body growth, increased blood pressure, and reduced serum IGF-I levels. The reduced growth correlated with a proportional decrease in skeletal development. The elevated blood pressure was associated with an increased vascular resistance manifested as an increased media to lumen ratio of the resistance arteries. The hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance in vivo were associated with decreased insulin expression and release in vivo and in vitro in isolated pancreatic islets. GPR30 is expressed in islets, and GPR30 deletion abolished estradiol-stimulated insulin release both in vivo in ovariectomized adult mice and in vitro in isolated islets. Our findings show that GPR30 is important for several metabolic functions in female mice, including estradiol-stimulated insulin release.
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| 3. |
- Nilsson Ekdahl, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Innate immunity activation on biomaterial surfaces: A mechanistic model and coping strategies
- 2011
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Ingår i: Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-409X .- 1872-8294. ; 63:12, s. 1042-1050
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- When an artificial biomaterial (e.g., a stent or implantable pump) is exposed to blood, plasma proteins immediately adhere to the surface, creating a new interface between the biomaterial and the blood. The recognition proteins within the complement and contact activation/coagulation cascade systems of the blood will be bound to, or inserted into, this protein film and generate different mediators that will activate polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes, as well as platelets. Under clinical conditions, the ultimate outcome of these processes may be thrombotic and inflammatory reactions, and consequently the composition and conformation of the proteins in the initial layer formed on the surface will to a large extent determine the outcome of a treatment involving the biomaterial, affecting both the functionality of the material and the patient's life quality. This review presents models of biomaterial-induced activation processes and describes various strategies to attenuate potential adverse reactions by conjugating bioactive molecules to surfaces or by introducing nanostructures.
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| 4. |
- Wierup, Per, et al.
(författare)
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The prevalence of moderate mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing CABG.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-2006 .- 1401-7431. ; 43:1, s. 46-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) in the contemporary CABG population. We also aimed to correlate the effective regurgitant orifice area (ERO) of any regurgitant mitral valve in patients with coronary artery disease with the semiquantitative integrated scale of IMR. DESIGN: From March 15 through June 15, 2006, 510 consecutive CABG patients in three tertiary centres were included in the study. All patients showing any sign of mitral regurgitation (MR) at the referring hospital underwent a preoperative transthoracic echocardiographic estimation of the degree of MR using the integrated scale (1-4) and ERO. RESULTS: IMR was found in 141 patients (28%). The prevalence of moderate 2+ or worse IMR was 4% (95% CI; 2.5-6.1%) and the ERO corresponding to 2+ IMR or more ranged from 5 to 30 mm(2). Fourteen patients had an ERO between 15-30 mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, patients with moderate IMR, defined as an ERO between 15-30 mm(2), account for only 2.7% (95% CI; 1.5-4.7%) of a non-emergency CABG population.
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| 5. |
- Barbosa, Edna J L, 1961, et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular water and blood pressure in adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency: a genotype-phenotype association study.
- 2014
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Ingår i: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with decreased extracellular water volume (ECW). In response to GH replacement therapy (GHRT), ECW increases and blood pressure (BP) reduces or remains unchanged. Our primary aim was to study the association between polymorphisms in genes related to renal tubular function with ECW and BP before and 1 year after GHRT. The ECW measures using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) were validated against a reference method, the sodium bromide dilution method (Br(-)).
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| 6. |
- Barbosa, Edna J L, 1961, et al.
(författare)
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Genotypes associated with lipid metabolism contribute to differences in serum lipid profile of GH-deficient adults before and after GH replacement therapy.
- 2012
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Ingår i: European journal of endocrinology / European Federation of Endocrine Societies. - 1479-683X .- 0804-4643. ; 167:3, s. 353-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- bjective: GH deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with an altered serum lipid profile that responds to GH replacement therapy (GHRT). This study evaluated the influence of polymorphisms in genes related to lipid metabolism on serum lipid profile before and after 1 year of GHRT in adults. Design and methods: In 318 GHD patients, total cholesterol (TC) serum concentrations, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides (TG) were assessed. Using a candidate gene approach, 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. GH dose was individually titrated to obtain normal serum IGF1 concentrations. Results: At baseline, the minor alleles of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene SNPs rs708272 and rs1800775 were associated with higher serum TC and apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene SNP rs7412 with lower TC concentrations; CETP SNPs rs708272, rs1800775, and rs3764261 and apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene SNP rs693 with higher serum HDL-C; APOE SNP rs7412, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) gene SNP rs10865710 with lower LDL-C, and CETP SNP rs1800775 with higher LDL-C; and APOE/C1/C4/C2 cluster SNP rs35136575 with lower serum TG. After treatment, APOB SNP rs676210 GG genotype was associated with larger reductions in TC and LDL-C and PPARG SNP rs10865710 CC genotype with greater TC reduction. All associations remained significant when adjusted for age, sex, and BMI. Conclusions: In GHD adults, multiple SNPs in genes related to lipid metabolism contributed to individual differences in baseline serum lipid profile. The GH treatment response in TC and LDL-C was influenced by polymorphisms in the APOB and PPARG genes.
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| 7. |
- Beecham, Ashley H, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 45:11, s. 1353-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using the ImmunoChip custom genotyping array, we analyzed 14,498 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 24,091 healthy controls for 161,311 autosomal variants and identified 135 potentially associated regions (P < 1.0 × 10(-4)). In a replication phase, we combined these data with previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from an independent 14,802 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 26,703 healthy controls. In these 80,094 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 48 new susceptibility variants (P < 5.0 × 10(-8)), 3 of which we found after conditioning on previously identified variants. Thus, there are now 110 established multiple sclerosis risk variants at 103 discrete loci outside of the major histocompatibility complex. With high-resolution Bayesian fine mapping, we identified five regions where one variant accounted for more than 50% of the posterior probability of association. This study enhances the catalog of multiple sclerosis risk variants and illustrates the value of fine mapping in the resolution of GWAS signals.
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| 8. |
- Brodin, N Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Radiobiological risk estimates of adverse events and secondary cancer for proton and photon radiation therapy of pediatric medulloblastoma.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden). - 1651-226X. ; 50:6, s. 806-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Introduction. The aim of this model study was to estimate and compare the risk of radiation-induced adverse late effects in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma (MB) treated with either three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT), inversely-optimized arc therapy (RapidArc(®) (RA)) or spot-scanned intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). The aim was also to find dose-volume toxicity parameters relevant to children undergoing RT to be used in the inverse planning of RA and IMPT, and to use in the risk estimations. Material and methods. Treatment plans were created for all three techniques on 10 pediatric patients that have been treated with craniospinal irradiation (CSI) at our institution in 2007-2009. Plans were generated for two prescription CSI doses, 23.4 Gy and 36 Gy. Risk estimates were based on childhood cancer survivor data when available and secondary cancer (SC) risks were estimated as a function of age at exposure and attained age according to the organ-equivalent dose (OED) concept. Results. Estimates of SC risk was higher for the RA plans and differentiable from the estimates for 3D CRT at attained ages above 40 years. The risk of developing heart failure, hearing loss, hypothyroidism and xerostomia was highest for the 3D CRT plans. The risks of all adverse effects were estimated as lowest for the IMPT plans, even when including secondary neutron (SN) irradiation with high values of the neutron radiation weighting factors (WR(neutron)). Conclusions. When comparing RA and 3D CRT treatment for pediatric MB it is a matter of comparing higher SC risk against higher risks of non-cancer adverse events. Considering time until onset of the different complications is necessary to fully assess patient benefit in such a comparison. The IMPT plans, including SN dose contribution, compared favorably to the photon techniques in terms of all radiobiological risk estimates.
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| 9. |
- Brånemark, Per-Ingvar, et al.
(författare)
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Zygoma fixture in the management of advanced atrophy of the maxilla: technique and long-term results.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery / Nordisk plastikkirurgisk forening [and] Nordisk klubb for handkirurgi. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-4311. ; 38:2, s. 70-85
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite refinements in surgical technique, including bone grafting and sophisticated prosthetic reconstructions, there are limitations to what can be achieved with bone-anchored fixed prostheses in patients with advanced atrophy of the maxillae. A new approach was suggested by a long-term study on onlay bone grafting and simultaneous placement of a fixture based on a new design: the zygoma fixture, and the aim of this study was to assess its potential. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae were included, 13 of whom had previously had multiple fixture surgery in the jawbone that had failed. A total of 52 zygoma fixtures and 106 conventional fixtures were installed. Bone grafting was deemed necessary in 17 patients. All patients have been followed for at least five years, and nine for up to 10 years. All patients were followed up with clinical and radiographic examinations, and in some cases rhinoscopy and sinoscopy as well. Three zygoma fixtures failed; two at the time of connection of the abutment and the third after six years. Of the conventional fixtures placed at the time of the zygoma fixture, 29 (27%) were lost. The overall prosthetic rehabilitation rate was 96% after at least five years of function. There were no signs of inflammatory reaction in the surrounding antral mucosa. Four patients with recurrent sinusitis recovered after inferior meatal antrostomy. To conclude, the zygoma fixture seems to be a valuable addition to our repertoire in the management of the compromised maxilla.
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| 10. |
- Bümming, Per, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Can the early reduction of tumour markers predict outcome in surgically treated sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma?
- 2008
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Ingår i: Langenbeck's archives of surgery / Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Chirurgie. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1435-2443. ; 393:5, s. 699-703
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have a variable clinical course. Our aim was to analyse the reduction of tumour markers after thyroidectomy with meticulous dissection and relate it to clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with palpable sporadic MTC underwent thyroidectomy with central and uni- or bilateral modified radical neck dissection; three were subjected to mediastinal dissection. Basal (b-) and stimulated (s-) calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-levels were measured before and 6-8 weeks after primary surgery, and the reduction of these tumour markers was determined. RESULTS: Median CT (b- and s-) were markedly reduced after surgery (98.5% and 99.1%, respectively), and CEA decreased 11 times. CT (b-) fell >99% in seven patients after surgery; in these and four additional patients, CT (s-) showed a similar reduction. During follow-up (median 52.5 months), two patients (stages IV B and C) died of MTC; they had <95% reduction of CT. Four patients (stage IV A) are alive with verified metastases. Eight patients (one stage III, seven stage IV A) are alive with hypercalcitoninemia. Five stages I-III patients and one stage IV A patient are disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroidectomy and meticulous dissection caused a pronounced reduction of tumour markers. A postoperative reduction of CT (s-) >/=97% seems to be associated with less aggressive clinical course, while CEA had lower predictive value.
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