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| 2. |
- Absil, Olivier, et al.
(author)
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An update on the VORTEX project
- 2015
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In: Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VII. - : SPIE.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this talk, we will review the on-going activities within the VORTEX teamat the University of Liège and Uppsala University. The VORTEX project aimsto design, manufacture, test, and exploit vector vortex phase masks madeof sub-wavelength gratings (aka the Annular Groove Phase Mask, AGPM)for the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets. This talkwill specifically report on the commissioning of several AGPMs on infraredcameras equipping 10-m class telescopes, including the VLT, the LBT andthe Keck. We will describe the in-lab and on-sky performance of the AGPMs,and discuss first scientific observations. We will also report on the lessonslearned from the on-sky operation of our vortices, and discuss ways toimprove their performance. The potential of our coronagraphic devices inthe context of future extremely large telescopes and space missions will alsobe addressed.
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| 3. |
- Absil, Oliver, et al.
(author)
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Three years of harvest with the vector vortex coronagraph in the thermal infrared
- 2016
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In: Ground-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510601963 ; , s. 1-14
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For several years, we have been developing vortex phase masks based on sub-wavelength gratings, known as Annular Groove Phase Masks. Etched onto diamond substrates, these AGPMs are currently designed to be used in the thermal infrared (ranging from 3 to 13 μm). Our AGPMs were first installed on VLT/NACO and VLT/VISIR in 2012, followed by LBT/LMIRCam in 2013 and Keck/NIRC2 in 2015. In this paper, we review the development, commissioning, on-sky performance, and early scientific results of these new coronagraphic modes and report on the lessons learned. We conclude with perspectives for future developments and applications.
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| 4. |
- Benatar, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Safety and efficacy of arimoclomol in patients with early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ORARIALS-01) : a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 trial
- 2024
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In: Lancet Neurology. - : Elsevier. - 1474-4422 .- 1474-4465. ; 23:7, s. 687-699
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to muscle weakness and respiratory failure. Arimoclomol, a heat-shock protein-70 (HSP70) co-inducer, is neuroprotective in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with multiple mechanisms of action, including clearance of protein aggregates, a pathological hallmark of sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of arimoclomol in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Methods: ORARIALS-01 was a multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial done at 29 centres in 12 countries in Europe and North America. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older and met El Escorial criteria for clinically possible, probable, probable laboratory-supported, definite, or familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; had an ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score of 35 or more; and had slow vital capacity at 70% or more of the value predicted on the basis of the participant's age, height, and sex. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) in blocks of 6, stratified by use of a stable dose of riluzole or no riluzole use, to receive oral arimoclomol citrate 1200 mg/day (400 mg three times per day) or placebo. The Randomisation sequence was computer generated centrally. Investigators, study personnel, and study participants were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was the Combined Assessment of Function and Survival (CAFS) rank score over 76 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome and safety were analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03491462, and is completed.Findings: Between July 31, 2018, and July 17, 2019, 287 patients were screened, 245 of whom were enrolled in the trial and randomly assigned. The modified intention-to-treat population comprised 239 patients (160 in the arimoclomol group and 79 in the placebo group): 151 (63%) were male and 88 (37%) were female; mean age was 57·6 years (SD 10·9). CAFS score over 76 weeks did not differ between groups (mean 0·51 [SD 0·29] in the arimoclomol group vs 0·49 [0·28] in the placebo group; p=0·62). Cliff's delta comparing the two groups was 0·039 (95% CI –0·116 to 0·194). Proportions of participants who died were similar between the treatment groups: 29 (18%) of 160 patients in the arimoclomol group and 18 (23%) of 79 patients in the placebo group. Most deaths were due to disease progression. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal. Adverse events were more often deemed treatment-related in the arimoclomol group (104 [65%]) than in the placebo group (41 [52%]) and more often led to treatment discontinuation in the arimoclomol group (26 [16%]) than in the placebo group (four [5%]).Interpretation: Arimoclomol did not improve efficacy outcomes compared with placebo. Although available biomarker data are insufficient to preclude future strategies that target the HSP response, safety data suggest that a higher dose of arimoclomol would not have been tolerated.Funding: Orphazyme.
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| 5. |
- Carlbring, Per, et al.
(author)
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Behavioral Activation vs. Physical Exercise in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression
- 2015
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Despite their potential as low-threshold, low-cost and high-flexibility treatments of depression, behavioral activation and physical exercise have not yet been directly compared. This study has examined the effects of these interventions, administered via the Internet. In this randomized controlled trial a total of 312 participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate major depression, recruited in multiple cycles and randomized to either a waiting list control group with delayed treatment, or one of the four active treatment groups: (1) physical exercise without a clear psychological treatment rationale; (2) physical exercise with a psychological treatment rationale; (3) behavioral activation a la Lewinsohn; or (4) behavioral activation a la Martel. A total of 72% were women and the average age of the participants were M=42.3 years (SD=13,5). More than half (53,9%) had a history of previous psychological treatment. Primary outcome measure was the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Assessments were made on a weekly basis for the full duration of the acute treatment which was 12 weeks. The preliminary results are in line with previous online studies showing that all active treatment groups were superior to the waitlist (large effect sizes) and that only minor differences could be identified between the four active groups (large within effect sizes). At the time of the conference 6-month follow-up data will be available in addition to the already collected post-assessment data (analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle).
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Carlbring, Per, et al.
(author)
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The effects on depression of Internet-administered behavioral activation vs. physical exercise
- 2015
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Despite their potential as low-threshold, low-cost and high-flexibility treatments of depression, behavioral activation and physical exercise have not yet been directly compared. This study has examined the effects of these interventions, administered via the Internet. In this randomized controlled trial a total of 312 participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate major depression, recruited in multiple cycles and randomized to either a waiting list control group with delayed treatment, or one of the four active treatment groups: (1) physical exercise without a clear psychological treatment rationale; (2) physical exercise with a psychological treatment rationale; (3)behavioral activation a la Lewinsohn; or (4) behavioral activation a la Martel. A total of 72% were women and the average age of the participants were M=42.3 years (SD=13,5). More than half (53,9%) had a history of previous psychological treatment. Primary outcome measure was the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Assessments were made on a weekly basis for the full duration of the acute treatment which was 12 weeks. The preliminary results are in line with previous online studies showing that all active treatment groups were superior to the waitlist (large effect sizes) and that only minor differences could be identified between the four active groups (large within effect sizes). At the time of the conference 6-month follow-up data will be available in addition to the already collected post-assessment data (analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle).
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| 8. |
- Carlbring, Per, et al.
(author)
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The effects on depression of Internet-administered behavioural activation and physical exercise with treatment rationale and relapse prevention : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- 2013
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In: Trials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6215. ; 14, s. 35-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Despite their potential as low-threshold, low-cost and high-flexibility treatments of depression, behavioural activation and physical exercise have not yet been directly compared. This study will examine the effects of these interventions, administered via the Internet. The added effect of providing a treatment rationale will also be studied, as well as a relapse prevention program featuring cognitive behavioural therapy components.Methods/Design: This randomised controlled trial will include 500 participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression, recruited in multiple cycles and randomised to either a waiting list control group with delayed treatment, or one of the four treatment groups: (1) physical exercise without a clear treatment rationale; (2) physical exercise with treatment rationale; (3) behavioural activation with treatment rationale; or (4) behavioural activation without a clear treatment rationale. Post treatment, half of the participants will be offered a relapse prevention program. Primary outcome measure will be the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item. Secondary measures include diagnostic criteria for depression, as well as self-reported anxiety, physical activity and quality of life. Measurements - done via telephone and the Internet - will be collected pre-treatment, weekly during treatment period, immediately post treatment and then monthly during a 24-month follow-up period.Discussion: The results of this study will constitute an important contribution to the body of knowledge of the respective interventions. Limitations are discussed.
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| 10. |
- Masrori, Pegah, et al.
(author)
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Respiratory onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a pregnant woman with a novel SOD1 mutation
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Neurology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 29:4, s. 1279-1283
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With the advent of gene therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the importance of gene testing in ALS is increasing. This will likely lead to the identification of new variants for which the pathogenicity is not established. We aimed to study the pathogenicity of a newly identified variant in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1).METHODS: Gene testing was performed using Sanger sequencing. SOD1 activity in erythrocytes was measured using spectrophotometry. Postmortem brain and spinal cord sections were stained with antibodies against phospho-TDP-43 and SOD1.RESULTS: We identified a novel c.416G>T (p.Gly139Val) mutation in SOD1, which caused a rapidly progressive respiratory onset form of ALS. The mutation resulted in a 50% drop of SOD1 activity. Postmortem examination confirmed the absence of TDP-43 pathology and displayed typical SOD1 inclusions in remaining motor neurons, confirming the pathogenic nature of the mutation.CONCLUSIONS: Novel variants of unknown pathogenicity will be identified as a result of a surge in gene testing in people with ALS. An in-depth study of a newly identified p.Gly139Val mutation in SOD1 confirmed the pathogenicity of this mutation. Future patients with this particular mutation should qualify for SOD1 silencing or editing therapies.
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