| 1. |
- Harmat, László, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Physiological correlates of the flow experience during computer game playing
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Psychophysiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8760 .- 1872-7697. ; 97:1, s. 1-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Flow is the subjective experience of effortless attention, reduced self-awareness, and enjoyment that typically occurs during optimal task performance. Previous studies have suggested that flow may be associated with a non-reciprocal coactivation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and, on a cortical level, with a state of hypofrontality and implicit processing. Here, we test these hypotheses, using the computer game TETRIS as model task. The participants (n = 77) played TETRIS under three conditions that differed in difficulty (Easy < Optimal < Difficult). Cardiac and respiratory activities, and the average oxygenation changes of the prefrontal cortex were measured continuously with functional near infrared spectroscopy (INIRS) during performance. The Optimal condition was characterized by the highest levels of state flow, positive affect, and effortless attention. The associations between self-reported psychological flow and physiological measures were investigated using a series of repeated measures linear mixed model analyses. The results showed that higher flow was associated with larger respiratory depth and lower LF. The higher respiratory depth during high flow is indicative of a more relaxed state with an increased parasympathetic activity, and thus provides partial support for the main hypotheses. There was no association between frontal cortical oxygenation and flow, even at liberal thresholds; i.e. we found no support that flow is related to a state of hypofrontality.
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| 2. |
- Aeinehband, Shahin, et al.
(författare)
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Complement Component C3 and Butyrylcholinesterase Activity Are Associated with Neurodegeneration and Clinical Disability in Multiple Sclerosis
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dysregulation of the complement system is evident in many CNS diseases but mechanisms regulating complement activation in the CNS remain unclear. In a recent large rat genomewide expression profiling and linkage analysis we found co-regulation of complement C3 immediately downstream of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), an enzyme hydrolyzing acetylcholine (ACh), a classical neurotransmitter with immunoregulatory effects. We here determined levels of neurofilament-light (NFL), a marker for ongoing nerve injury, C3 and activity of the two main ACh hydrolyzing enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BuChE, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with MS (n = 48) and non-inflammatory controls (n = 18). C3 levels were elevated in MS patients compared to controls and correlated both to disability and NFL. C3 levels were not induced by relapses, but were increased in patients with >= 9 cerebral lesions on magnetic resonance imaging and in patients with progressive disease. BuChE activity did not differ at the group level, but was correlated to both C3 and NFL levels in individual samples. In conclusion, we show that CSF C3 correlates both to a marker for ongoing nerve injury and degree of disease disability. Moreover, our results also suggest a potential link between intrathecal cholinergic activity and complement activation. These results motivate further efforts directed at elucidating the regulation and effector functions of the complement system in MS, and its relation to cholinergic tone.
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| 3. |
- Ozanne, Anneli, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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Symptom relief during last week of life in neurological diseases
- 2019
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Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 9:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate symptom prevalence, symptom relief, and palliative care indicators during the last week of life, comparing them for patients with motor neuron disease (MND), central nervous system tumors (CNS tumor), and other neurological diseases (OND). Material & Methods Data were obtained from the Swedish Register for Palliative Care, which documents care during the last week of life. Logistic regression was used to compare patients with MND (n = 419), CNS tumor (n = 799), and OND (n = 1,407) as the cause of death. Results The most prevalent symptoms for all neurological disease groups were pain (52.7% to 72.2%) and rattles (58.1% to 65.6%). Compared to MND and OND, patients with CNS tumors were more likely to have totally relieved pain, shortness of breath, rattles, and anxiety. They were also more likely to have their pain assessed with a validated tool; to receive symptom treatment for anxiety, nausea, rattles, and pain; to have had family members receive end-of-life discussions; to have someone present at death; and to have had their family members offered bereavement support. Both patients with CNS tumor and MND were more likely than patients with OND to receive consultation with a pain unit and to have had end-of-life discussions. Conclusions The study reveals high symptom burden and differences in palliative care between the groups during the last week of life. There is a need for person-centered care planning based on a palliative approach, focused on improving symptom assessments, relief, and end-of-life conversations.
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| 4. |
- Blixt Wojciechowski, Anita, et al.
(författare)
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Subretinal Transplantation of Brain-derived Precursor Cells to Young RCS Rats Promotes Photoreceptor Cell Survival☆
- 2002
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Ingår i: Experimental Eye Research. - : Elsevier. - 0014-4835 .- 1096-0007. ; 75:1, s. 23-37
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The potential use of in vitro-expanded precursor cells or cell lines in brain repair includes transplantation of such cells for cell replacement purposes and the activation of host cells to provide 'self-repair'. Recently, it has been reported that the immortalized brain-derived cell line RN33B (derived from the embryonic rat medullary raphe) survive, integrate and differentiate after subretinal grafting to normal adult rats. Here, it is demonstrated that grafts of these cells survive for at least 6 weeks after implantation into postnatal days 21 and 35 retinas of normal and Royal College of Surgeons rats, a model of retinal degeneration. Implanted cells integrate into the retinal pigment epithelium and the inner retinal layers, and the anterior part of the optic nerve of both normal and Royal College of Surgeons rats. The RN33B cells migrate within the retina, occupying the whole retina from one eccentricity to the other. A significant number of the grafted cells differentiate into glial cells, as shown by the double labelling of the reporter genes LacZ or green fluorescent protein, with several glial markers, including oligodendrocytic markers. Many implanted cells in the host retina were in a proliferative stage judging from proliferative cell nuclear antigen and SV40 large T-antigen immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, there was a promotion of photoreceptor survival, extending over more than 2/3 of the superior hemisphere, in Royal College of Surgeons rats transplanted at postnatal day 21, but not at postnatal day 35. In addition, grafted cells were found in the surviving photoreceptor layer in these rats.
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| 5. |
- Englund Johansson, Ulrica, et al.
(författare)
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In Vivo Properties of In Vitro-Propagated Neural Stem Cells After Transplantation to the Neonatal and Adult Rat Brain
- 2004
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Ingår i: Stem Cells in the Nervous System: Functional and Clinical Implications. Research and Perspectives in Neurosciences. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer. - 9783642623394 - 9783642188831
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ability to isolate neural stem and precursor cells and expand them in culture has provided researchers a new tool, not only assisting studies of neural development but also providing a new source of defined and expandable cells for in vivo studies using transplantation. The purposes of this chapter are, first, to review available protocols for in vitro expansion of neural precursor cells, either epigenetically using growth factors or genetically by inserting immortalizing genes; and, second, to discuss the in vivo properties of in vitro-propagated neural stem and progenitor cells, as assessed by grafting to the developing or adult rodent brain. This discussion will focus on our own recent studies using growth factor-expanded neurosphere cells of mouse and human origin and a particularly interesting, conditionally immortalized neural cell line, RN33B.
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| 6. |
- Jakobsson, Albin, et al.
(författare)
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Three-dimensional functional human neuronal networks in uncompressed low-density electrospun fiber scaffolds
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nanomedicine. - : Elsevier. - 1549-9634 .- 1549-9642. ; 13:4, s. 1563-1573
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate an artificial three-dimensional (3D) electrical active human neuronal network system, by the growth of brain neural progenitors in highly porous low density electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fiber scaffolds. In neuroscience research cell-based assays are important experimental instruments for studying neuronal function in health and disease. Traditional cell culture at 2D-surfaces induces abnormal cell–cell contacts and network formation. Hence, there is a tremendous need to explore in vivo-resembling 3D neural cell culture approaches. We present an improved electrospinning method for fabrication of scaffolds that promote neuronal differentiation into highly 3D integrated networks, formation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses and extensive neurite growth. Notably, in 3D scaffolds in vivo-resembling intermixed neuronal and glial cell network were formed, whereas in parallel 2D cultures a neuronal cell layer grew separated from an underlying glial cell layer. Hence, the use of the 3D cell assay presented will most likely provide more physiological relevant results.
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| 7. |
- Mohlin, Camilla, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of Congo Red Staining in Degenerating Porcine Photoreceptors In Vitro : Protective Effects by Structural and Trophic Support
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. - : Sage Publications. - 0022-1554 .- 1551-5044. ; 66:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Congo red (CR) is a histological stain used for the detection of extracellular amyloids mediating various neurodegenerative diseases. Given that damaged photoreceptors appear to degenerate similarly to other nerve cells, CR staining was evaluated in experimentally injured porcine retina. CR staining appeared mostly as discrete cytosolic deposits with no obvious plaque formation during the investigated time period. Increases of CR labeling coincided temporally with the known accumulation of mislocalized opsins and increases of cell death. Coculture, either with human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE) or human neural progenitor (ReN) cells, was accompanied by a significant reduction of CR labeling. Of particular interest was the reduction of CR labeling in cone photoreceptors, which are important for the perception of color and fine details and afflicted in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Electron microscopy revealed inclusions in the inner segment, cell body, and occasionally synaptic terminals of photoreceptor cells in cultured specimens. Closer examinations indicated the presence of different types of inclusions resembling protein aggregates as well as inclusion bodies. The current results indicate that injury-related response resulted in accumulation of CR deposits in photoreceptor cells, and that trophic and/or structural support attenuated this response.
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| 8. |
- Mollick, Tanzina, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Human neural progenitor cells decrease photoreceptor degeneration, normalize opsin distribution and support synapse structure in cultured porcine retina
- 2016
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Ingår i: Brain Research. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : Elsevier BV. - 0006-8993 .- 1872-6240. ; 1646, s. 522-534
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Retinal neurodegenerative disorders like retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment decrease retinal functionality leading to visual impairment. The pathological events are characterized by photoreceptor degeneration, synaptic disassembly, remodeling of postsynaptic neurons and activation of glial cells. Despite intense research, no effective treatment has been found for these disorders. The current study explores the potential of human neural progenitor cell (hNPC) derived factors to slow the degenerative processes in adult porcine retinal explants. Retinas were cultured for 3 days with or without hNPCs as a feeder layer and investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), immunohistochemical, western blot and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) techniques. TUNEL showed that hNPCs had the capacity to limit photoreceptor cell death. Among cone photoreceptors, hNPC coculture resulted in better maintenance of cone outer segments and reduced opsin mislocalization. Additionally, maintained synaptic structural integrity and preservation of second order calbindin positive horizontal cells was also observed. However, Müller cell gliosis only seemed to be alleviated in terms of reduced Müller cell density. Our observations indicate that at 3 days of coculture, hNPC derived factors had the capacity to protect photoreceptors, maintain synaptic integrity and support horizontal cell survival. Human neural progenitor cell applied treatment modalities may be an effective strategy to help maintain retinal functionality in neurodegenerative pathologies. Whether hNPCs can independently hinder Müller cell gliosis by utilizing higher concentrations or by combination with other pharmacological agents still needs to be determined.
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| 9. |
- Norrby, Marlene, et al.
(författare)
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Akt (protein kinase B) isoform phosphorylation and signaling downstream of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) in denervated atrophic and hypertrophic mouse skeletal muscle.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Signaling. - : Journal of Molecular Signaling. - 1750-2187. ; 7:June, s. Article ID: 7-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The present study examines the hypothesis that Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling is increased in hypertrophic and decreased in atrophic denervated muscle. Protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt1, Akt2, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1), 70 kD ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K1) and ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) were examined in six-days denervated mouse anterior tibial (atrophic) and hemidiaphragm (hypertrophic) muscles. RESULTS: In denervated hypertrophic muscle expression of total Akt1, Akt2, GSK-3beta, p70S6K1 and rpS6 proteins increased 2-10 fold whereas total 4EBP1 protein remained unaltered. In denervated atrophic muscle Akt1 and Akt2 total protein increased 2-16 fold. A small increase in expression of total rpS6 protein was also observed with no apparent changes in levels of total GSK-3beta, 4EBP1 or p70S6K1 proteins. The level of phosphorylated proteins increased 3-13 fold for all the proteins in hypertrophic denervated muscle. No significant changes in phosphorylated Akt1 or GSK-3beta were detected in atrophic denervated muscle. The phosphorylation levels of Akt2, 4EBP1, p70S6K1 and rpS6 were increased 2-18 fold in atrophic denervated muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with increased Akt/mTOR signaling in hypertrophic skeletal muscle. Decreased levels of phosphorylated Akt (S473/S474) were not observed in denervated atrophic muscle and results downstream of mTOR indicate increased protein synthesis in denervated atrophic anterior tibial muscle as well as in denervated hypertrophic hemidiaphragm muscle. Increased protein degradation, rather than decreased protein synthesis, is likely to be responsible for the loss of muscle mass in denervated atrophic muscles.
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| 10. |
- Zalis, Marina Castro, et al.
(författare)
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Exploration of physical and chemical cues on retinal cell fate
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. - : Elsevier BV. - 1044-7431 .- 1095-9327. ; 75, s. 122-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Identification of the key components in the physical and chemical milieu directing donor cells into a desired phenotype is a requirement in the investigation of bioscaffolds for the advancement of cell-based therapies for retinal neurodegeneration. We explore the effect of electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fiber scaffold topography and functionalization and culture medium, on the behavior of mouse retinal cells. Dissociated mouse retinal post-natal cells were seeded on random or aligned oriented fibers, with or without laminin coating and cultured with either basic or neurotrophins enriched medium for 7 days. Addition of laminin in combination with neurotrophins clearly promoted cell– morphology, fate, and neurite extension. Nanotopography per se significantly affected cell morphology, with mainly bipolar profiles on aligned fibers and more multipolar profiles on random fibers. Laminin induced a remarkable 90° switch of neurite orientation. Herewith, we demonstrate that the chemical cue is stronger than the physical cue for the orientation of retinal neurites and describe the requirement of both neurotrophins and extracellular matrix proteins for extended neurite outgrowth and formation of complex retinal neuronal networks. Therefore, tailor-made PCL fiber mats, which can be physically and chemically modified, indeed influence cell behavior and hence motivate further retinal restorative studies using this system.
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