| 1. |
- Ederle, Joerg, et al.
(author)
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Carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (International Carotid Stenting Study): an interim analysis of a randomised controlled trial
- 2010
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In: The Lancet. - 1474-547X. ; 375:9719, s. 985-997
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Stents are an alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis, but previous trials have not established equivalent safety and efficacy. We compared the safety of carotid artery stenting with that of carotid endarterectomy. Methods The International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS) is a multicentre, international, randomised controlled trial with blinded adjudication of outcomes. Patients with recently symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy. Randomisation was by telephone call or fax to a central computerised service and was stratified by centre with minimisation for sex, age, contralateral occlusion, and side of the randomised artery. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. Patients were followed up by independent clinicians not directly involved in delivering the randomised treatment. The primary outcome measure of the trial is the 3-year rate of fatal or disabling stroke in any territory, which has not been analysed yet. The main outcome measure for the interim safety analysis was the 120-day rate of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction. Analysis was by intention to treat (ITT). This study is registered, number ISRCTN25337470. Findings The trial enrolled 1713 patients (stenting group, n=855; endarterectomy group, n=858). Two patients in the stenting group and one in the endarterectomy group withdrew immediately after randomisation, and were not included in the ITT analysis. Between randomisation and 120 days, there were 34 (Kaplan-Meier estimate 4.0%) events of disabling stroke or death in the stenting group compared with 27 (3.2%) events in the endarterectomy group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% CI 0.77-2.11). The incidence of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction was 8.5% in the stenting group compared with 5.2% in the endarterectomy group (72 vs 44 events; HR 1.69, 1.16-2.45, p=0.006), Risks of any stroke (65 vs 35 events; HR 1.92, 1.27-2.89) and all-cause death (19 vs seven events; HR 2.76, 1.16-6.56) were higher in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group. Three procedural myocardial infarctions were recorded in the stenting group, all of which were fatal, compared with four, all non-fatal, in the endarterectomy group. There was one event of cranial nerve palsy in the stenting group compared with 45 in the endarterectomy group. There were also fewer haematomas of any severity in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group (31 vs 50 events; p=0.0197). Interpretation Completion of long-term follow-up is needed to establish the efficacy of carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy. In the meantime, carotid endarterectomy should remain the treatment of choice for patients suitable for surgery.
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| 2. |
- De Roeck, A., et al.
(author)
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Development of a magnetometer-based search strategy for stopped monopoles at the Large Hadron Collider
- 2012
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In: European Physical Journal C. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1434-6044 .- 1434-6052. ; 72:12, s. 2212-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- If produced in high energy particle collisions at the LHC, magnetic monopoles could stop in material surrounding the interaction points. Obsolete parts of the beam pipe near the CMS interaction region, which were exposed to the products of pp and heavy ion collisions, were analysed using a SQUID-based magnetometer. The purpose of this work is to quantify the performance of the magnetometer in the context of a monopole search using a small set of samples of accelerator material ahead of the 2013 shutdown.
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| 3. |
- Ergeneman, O., et al.
(author)
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Morphology, structure and magnetic properties of cobalt-nickel films obtained from acidic electrolytes containing glycine
- 2011
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In: Electrochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-4686 .- 1873-3859. ; 56:3, s. 1399-1408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper focuses on the development and optimization of electroplated cobalt-nickel (CoNi) alloys for use in biomedical microdevices. CoNi films were electrodeposited from glycine-containing electrolyte solutions at acidic pH. The influence of pH (2.5-5), temperature (55 and 80 degrees C). current density (from -5 to -40 mA cm(-2)), glycine concentration (0.5 and 1 mol dm(-3)) and the nature of the metal salts (chlorides or sulphates) on the composition and the magnetic properties of the films were systematically analyzed. The cobalt content varied between 50 and 83 wt% depending on the applied conditions. As a result, deposits showed variable morphologies, different structures (either hexagonal close-packed (hcp) or mixed hcp and face-centered cubic phases) and tunable magnetic properties, ranging from semi-hard (18.51 kA m(-1). i.e. 233 Oe) to very soft (1.43 kA m(-1), i.e. 18 Oe). To understand the role of glycine in this system, a comparison of the electrochemical processes, and the structural and magnetic properties is made for samples produced in glycine-containing and glycine-free baths. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Jan O., et al.
(author)
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A genomic survey of the fish parasite Spironucleus salmonicida indicates genomic plasticity among diplomonads and significant lateral gene transfer in eukaryote genome evolution
- 2007
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In: BMC Genomics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2164. ; 8, s. 51-
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Comparative genomic studies of the mitochondrion-lacking protist group Diplomonadida (diplomonads) has been lacking, although Giardia lamblia has been intensively studied. We have performed a sequence survey project resulting in 2341 expressed sequence tags (EST) corresponding to 853 unique clones, 5275 genome survey sequences (GSS), and eleven finished contigs from the diplomonad fish parasite Spironucleus salmonicida (previously described as S. barkhanus). Results: The analyses revealed a compact genome with few, if any, introns and very short 3′ untranslated regions. Strikingly different patterns of codon usage were observed in genes corresponding to frequently sampled ESTs versus genes poorly sampled, indicating that translational selection is influencing the codon usage of highly expressed genes. Rigorous phylogenomic analyses identified 84 genes - mostly encoding metabolic proteins - that have been acquired by diplomonads or their relatively close ancestors via lateral gene transfer (LGT). Although most acquisitions were from prokaryotes, more than a dozen represent likely transfers of genes between eukaryotic lineages. Many genes that provide novel insights into the genetic basis of the biology and pathogenicity of this parasitic protist were identified including 149 that putatively encode variant-surface cysteine-rich proteins which are candidate virulence factors. A number of genomic properties that distinguish S. salmonicida from its human parasitic relative G. lamblia were identified such as nineteen putative lineage-specific gene acquisitions, distinct mutational biases and codon usage and distinct polyadenylation signals. Conclusion: Our results highlight the power of comparative genomic studies to yield insights into the biology of parasitic protists and the evolution of their genomes, and suggest that genetic exchange between distantly-related protist lineages may be occurring at an appreciable rate in eukaryote genome evolution.
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| 5. |
- Eckhard, A, et al.
(author)
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Regulation of the perilymphatic-endolymphatic water shunt in the cochlea by membrane translocation of aquaporin-5
- 2015
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In: Pflügers Archiv. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6768 .- 1432-2013. ; 467:12, s. 2571-2588
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Volume homeostasis of the cochlear endolymph depends on radial and longitudinal endolymph movements (LEMs). LEMs measured in vivo have been exclusively recognized under physiologically challenging conditions, such as experimentally induced alterations of perilymph osmolarity or endolymph volume. The regulatory mechanisms that adjust LEMs to the physiological requirements of endolymph volume homeostasis remain unknown. Here, we describe the formation of an aquaporin (AQP)-based "water shunt" during the postnatal development of the mouse cochlea and its regulation by different triggers. The final complementary expression pattern of AQP5 (apical membrane) and AQP4 (basolateral membrane) in outer sulcus cells (OSCs) of the cochlear apex is acquired at the onset of hearing function (postnatal day (p)8-p12). In vitro, hyperosmolar perfusion of the perilymphatic fluid spaces or the administration of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine in cochlear explants (p14) induced the translocation of AQP5 channel proteins into the apical membranes of OSCs. AQP5 membrane translocation was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine. The muscarinic M3 acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M3R) was identified in murine OSCs via mRNA expression, immunolabeling, and in vitro binding studies using an M3R-specific fluorescent ligand. Finally, the water shunt elements AQP4, AQP5, and M3R were also demonstrated in OSCs of the human cochlea. The regulation of the AQP4/AQP5 water shunt in OSCs of the cochlear apex provides a molecular basis for regulated endolymphatic volume homeostasis. Moreover, its dysregulation or disruption may have pathophysiologic implications for clinical conditions related to endolymphatic hydrops, such as Ménière's disease.
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| 6. |
- Reufer, M., et al.
(author)
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Magnetic properties of silica coated spindle-type hematite particles
- 2011
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In: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-648X .- 0953-8984. ; 23:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Magnetic properties of particles are generally determined from randomly oriented ensembles and the influence of the particle orientation on the magnetic response is neglected. Here, we report on the magnetic characterization of anisotropic spindle-type hematite particles. The easy axis of magnetization is within the basal plane of hematite, which is oriented perpendicular to the spindle axis. Two standard synthesis routes are compared and the effects of silica coating and particle orientation on the magnetic properties are investigated. Depending on the synthesis route we find fundamentally different magnetic behavior compatible with either single domain particles or superparamagnetic sub-units. Furthermore, we show that silica coating reduces the mean blocking temperature to nearly room temperature. The mechanical stress induced by the silica coating appears to reduce the magnetic coupling between the sub-units.
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| 7. |
- Sotiriou, Georgios A., et al.
(author)
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Thermal Energy Dissipation by SiO2-Coated Plasmonic-Superpararnagnetic Nanoparticles in Alternating Magnetic Fields
- 2013
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In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 25:22, s. 4603-4612
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Multifunctional nanoparticles show great potential in the biomedical field and may help the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are especially attractive because of their ability to dissipate thermal energy in an alternating magnetic field. Furthermore, plasmonic nanoparticles can be effectively used in non- or minimally invasive therapy of tumors exploiting their plasmonic photothermal effect. Here, hybrid plasmonicmagnetic Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles are made by flame aerosol technology. These nanoparticles can be in situ encapsulated with an amorphous nanothin SiO2 film to facilitate their dispersion and block any toxicity from Ag/Fe2O3. Detailed physicochemical characterization, including electron microscopy, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, is performed. Furthermore, their magnetic properties are characterized in detail by monitoring their hysteresis, first-order-reversal-curves, and isothermal remanent magnetization. Finally, the effect of SiO2 and Agcontent on the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the hybrid Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles is investigated. The obtained understanding will help the rational design and engineering of multifunctional hybrid nanoprobes targeting specific biomedical applications.
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| 8. |
- Bendtz, Katarina, et al.
(author)
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Search for Magnetic Monopoles in Polar Volcanic Rocks
- 2013
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In: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 110:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For a broad range of values of magnetic monopole mass and charge, the abundance of monopoles trapped inside Earth would be expected to be enhanced in the mantle beneath the geomagnetic poles. A search for magnetic monopoles was conducted using the signature of an induced persistent current following the passage of igneous rock samples through a SQUID-based magnetometer. A total of 24.6 kg of rocks from various selected sites, among which 23.4 kg are mantle-derived rocks from the Arctic and Antarctic areas, was analyzed. No monopoles were found, and a 90% confidence level upper limit of 9.8 x 10(-5)/g is set on the monopole density in the search samples.
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| 9. |
- Hirt, Ann M., et al.
(author)
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Effect of size, composition, and morphology on magnetic performance : First-order reversal curves evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticles
- 2014
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 115:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are employed in a broad range of applications that demand detailed magnetic characterization for superior performance, e. g., in drug delivery or cancer treatment. Magnetic hysteresis measurements provide information on saturation magnetization and coercive force for bulk material but can be equivocal for particles having a broad size distribution. Here, first-order reversal curves (FORCs) are used to evaluate the effective magnetic particle size and interaction between equally sized magnetic iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles with three different morphologies: (i) pure Fe2O3, (ii) Janus-like, and (iii) core/shell Fe2O3/SiO2 synthesized using flame technology. By characterizing the distribution in coercive force and interaction field from the FORC diagrams, we find that the presence of SiO2 in the core/shell structures significantly reduces the average coercive force in comparison to the Janus-like Fe2O3/SiO2 and pure Fe2O3 particles. This is attributed to the reduction in the dipolar interaction between particles, which in turn reduces the effective magnetic particle size. Hence, FORC analysis allows for a finer distinction between equally sized Fe2O3 particles with similar magnetic hysteresis curves that can significantly influence the final nanoparticle performance. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.
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| 10. |
- Hirt, B., et al.
(author)
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The subcellular distribution of aquaporin 5 in the cochlea reveals a water shunt at the perilymph-endolymph barrier
- 2010
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In: Neuroscience. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4522 .- 1873-7544. ; 168:4, s. 957-970
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aquaporins are membrane water channel proteins that have also been identified in the cochlea. Auditory function critically depends on the homeostasis of the cochlear fluids perilymph and endolymph. In particular, the ion and water regulation of the endolymph is essential for sensory transduction. Within the cochlear duct the lateral wall epithelium has been proposed to secrete endolymph by an aquaporin-mediated flow of water across its epithelial tight junction barrier. This study identifies interspecies differences in the cellular distribution of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in the cochlear lateral wall of mice, rats, gerbils and guinea pigs. In addition the cellular expression pattern of AQP5 is described in the human cochlea. Developmental changes in rats demonstrate longitudinal and radial gradients along the cochlear duct. During early postnatal development a pancochlear expression is detected. However a regression to the apical quadrant and limitation to outer sulcus cells (OSCs) is observed in the adult. This developmental loss of AQP5 expression in the basal cochlear segments coincides with a morphological loss of contact between OSCs and the endolymph. At the subcellular level, AQP5 exhibits polarized expression in the apical plasma membrane of the OSCs. Complementary, the basolateral membrane in the root processes of the OSCs exhibits AQP4 expression. This differential localization of AQP5 and AQP4 in the apical and basolateral membranes of the same epithelial cell type suggests a direct aquaporin-mediated transcellular water shunt between the perilymph and endolymph in the OSCs of the cochlear lateral wall. In the human cochlea these findings may have pathophysiological implications attributed to a dysfunctional water regulation by AQP5 such as endolymphatic hydrops (i.e. in Meniere's disease) or sensorineural hearing loss (i.e. in Sjögren's syndrome).
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