| 1. |
- Ekstrand-Hammarström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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TiO2 nanoparticles tested in a novel screening whole human blood model of toxicity trigger adverse activation of the kallikrein system at low concentrations
- 2015
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In: Biomaterials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0142-9612 .- 1878-5905. ; 51, s. 58-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a compelling need to understand and assess the toxicity of industrially produced nanoparticles (NPs). In order to appreciate the long-term effects of NPs, sensitive human-based screening tests that comprehensively map the NP properties are needed to detect possible toxic mechanisms. Animal models can only be used in a limited number of test applications and are subject to ethical concerns, and the interpretation of experiments in animals is also distorted by the species differences. Here, we present a novel easy-to-perform highly sensitive whole-blood model using fresh non-anticoagulated human blood, which most justly reflects complex biological cross talks in a human system. As a demonstrator of the tests versatility, we evaluated the toxicity of TiO2 NPs that are widely used in various applications and otherwise considered to have relatively low toxic properties. We show that TiO2 NPs at very low concentrations (50 ng/mL) induce strong activation of the contact system, which in this model elicits thromboinflammation. These data are in line with the finding of components of the contact system in the protein corona of the TiO2 NPs after exposure to blood. The contact system activation may lead to both thrombotic reactions and generation of bradykinin, thereby representing fuel for chronic inflammation in vivo and potentially long-term risk of autoimmunity, arteriosclerosis and cancer. These results support the notion that this novel whole-blood model represents an important contribution to testing of NP toxicity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Eriksson, Oskar, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Mannose-Binding Lectin is Associated with Thrombosis and Coagulopathy in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
- 2020
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In: Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0340-6245 .- 2567-689X. ; 120:12, s. 1720-1724
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as profound effects on society. COVID-19 patients have an increased risk of thromboembolic (TE) complications, which develop despite pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. The mechanism behind COVID-19-associated coagulopathy remains unclear. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a pattern recognition molecule that initiates the lectin pathway of complement activation, has been suggested as a potential amplifier of blood coagulation during thromboinflammation. Here we describe data from a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients ( n =65) treated at a tertiary hospital center intensive care unit (ICU). A subset of patients had strongly elevated MBL plasma levels, and activity upon ICU admission, and patients who developed symptomatic TE (14%) had significantly higher MBL levels than patients without TE. MBL was strongly correlated to plasma D-dimer levels, a marker of COVID-19 coagulopathy, but showed no relationship to degree of inflammation or other organ dysfunction. In conclusion, we have identified complement activation through the MBL pathway as a novel amplification mechanism that contributes to pathological thrombosis in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Pharmacological targeting of the MBL pathway could be a novel treatment option for thrombosis in COVID-19. Laboratory testing of MBL levels could be of value for identifying COVID-19 patients at risk for TE events.
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| 3. |
- Haghighi, Mona, et al.
(author)
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A Comparison of Rule-based Analysis with Regression Methods in Understanding the Risk Factors for Study Withdrawal in a Pediatric Study
- 2016
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regression models are extensively used in many epidemiological studies to understand the linkage between specific outcomes of interest and their risk factors. However, regression models in general examine the average effects of the risk factors and ignore subgroups with different risk profiles. As a result, interventions are often geared towards the average member of the population, without consideration of the special health needs of different subgroups within the population. This paper demonstrates the value of using rule-based analysis methods that can identify subgroups with heterogeneous risk profiles in a population without imposing assumptions on the subgroups or method. The rules define the risk pattern of subsets of individuals by not only considering the interactions between the risk factors but also their ranges. We compared the rule-based analysis results with the results from a logistic regression model in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. Both methods detected a similar suite of risk factors, but the rule-based analysis was superior at detecting multiple interactions between the risk factors that characterize the subgroups. A further investigation of the particular characteristics of each subgroup may detect the special health needs of the subgroup and lead to tailored interventions.
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| 4. |
- Hällgren, Anita, 1963-, et al.
(author)
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Genetic relatedness among Enterococcus faecalis with transposon-mediated high-level gentamicin resistance in Swedish intensive care units
- 2003
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In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 52:2, s. 162-167
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied 45 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis with high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR), all but one concomitantly resistant to ciprofloxacin, and 25 ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates without HLGR for genetic relatedness using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). E. faecalis were isolated from patients admitted to intensive care units at eight hospitals in southern Sweden from December 1996 through December 1998. Genomic analysis by PFGE resulted in three clusters of genetically related isolates (designated clusters I, II and III) and 23 unique clones. Cluster I was found predominantly in the eastern and central parts of southern Sweden and clusters II and III in south-western Sweden. Among the 45 isolates with HLGR, 69% belonged to cluster I, 20% to cluster II, and 11% had unique PFGE patterns, which suggests that the majority of isolates with HLGR are closely related. Among the 25 ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates without HLGR, 68% had unique PFGE patterns, 12% belonged to cluster I and 20% to cluster III, which suggests the ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates are not related. All isolates with HLGR contained the aac(6′)Ie-aph(2″)Ia gene, which was carried on a Tn5281-like transposon in all isolates except one. We conclude that HLGR in E. faecalis was mainly due to dissemination of genetically related clones during the time studied, and that HLGR in these isolates was due to the presence of the aac(6′)Ie-aph(2″)Ia gene.
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| 5. |
- Hällgren, Anita, 1963-, et al.
(author)
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Rectal colonization and frequency of enterococcal cross-transmission among prolonged-stay patients in two Swedish intensive care units
- 2005
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 37:8, s. 561-571
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims of this study were to gain insight into the dynamics of the rectal flora during prolonged ICU stay, with a particular focus on colonization and cross-transmission with resistant pathogens, and to evaluate methods for the rapid isolation of relevant bacteria from rectal swabs. Patients admitted to a general intensive care unit (GICU) or a cardiothoracic ICU (TICU) at the University Hospital of Linköping, Sweden, between 1 November 2001 and January 2002 with a length of stay > 5 d were included (n = 20). Chromogenic UTI agar medium was used for discrimination of different species, and appropriate antibiotics were added to detect resistance. Direct plating was compared to enrichment broth for a subset of specimens. The study showed an early alteration in rectal flora, with a dramatic decrease in Gram-negative rods in favour of Gram-positive bacteria. An ampicillin- and high-level gentamicin resistant clone of Enterococcus faecium was found in 6 of 10 patients in the GICU and 2 of 11 patients in the TICU. Enrichment broth did not enhance the detection of Gram-negative bacteria compared to direct plating on Chromogenic UTI medium, but enrichment broths were needed for optimal detection of resistant Gram-positive bacteria.
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| 6. |
- Isaksson, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Postantibiotic effect of aminoglycosides on staphylococci.
- 1993
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In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 32:2, s. 215-222
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The postantibiotic effects (PAEs) of amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin on Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis were determined in vitro by a bioluminescence assay of bacterial ATP. Five strains of S. aureus and two strains of S. epidermidis were exposed for 1 h to varying concentrations of these aminoglycosides. Following removal of the antibiotics by dilution, bacterial regrowth was monitored at hourly intervals. The duration of the PAE increased with increasing aminoglycoside concentration. The mean PAEs for the five S. aureus strains ranged from 5-10 h at clinically achievable aminoglycoside concentrations (16-32 mg/L of amikacin and 4-8 mg/L of gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin). The results for one of the strains of S. epidermidis were similar to those observed for the S. aureus strains, while the PAEs on the other less susceptible S. epidermidis strain were shorter (0.5-2.5 h). For comparison, two of the S. aureus strains were exposed for 1 and 2 h to a range of concentrations of dicloxacillin (0.25-32 mg/L); this agent induced a much shorter PAE (0-2.3 h). It may be important to take account of the PAE when designing dosing regimens.
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| 7. |
- Isaksson, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Synergic post-antibiotic effect of amikacin in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics on gram-negative bacteria.
- 1991
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In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 28:1, s. 25-34
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of amikacin alone and in combination with ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and piperacillin was studied for two strains each of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens using a bioluminescent assay of bacterial ATP. Two models were used for combining beta-lactam antibiotics and amikacin: in one model the cultures were incubated with 32 mg/L of ceftazidime, 128 mg/L of ceftriaxone or 32 mg/L of piperacillin for 1 h. Different concentrations of amikacin (0.5-64 mg/L) were then added. Incubation of the combinations continued for one more hour. The antibiotics were eliminated by dilution. In the second model tested, one strain of S. marcescens was simultaneously exposed to amikacin and a beta-lactam antibiotic for 2 h. The PAEs produced by the drugs in combination were longer than the sum of the individual effects of the drugs when they were used alone. Results were equally good with both models. A synergic PAE was also found with amikacin concentrations close to the MIC in combination with low concentrations of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and piperacillin.
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| 8. |
- Isaksson, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Synergistic post-antibiotic effect of amikacin and beta-lactam antibiotics on Enterococcus faecalis.
- 1991
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In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 27, s. 9-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The in-vitro post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of amikacin alone and in combination with ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and piperacillin was studied for two strains of Enterococcus faecalis using a bioluminescent assay of bacterial ATP. The two strains of E. faecalis were resistant to amikacin, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone but sensitive to piperacillin. The bacterial cultures were incubated with the beta-lactam antibiotics for 1 h and concentrations of amikacin between 2-64 mg/l were then added. Thereafter, incubation continued with the combinations for one more hour. After dilution, regrowth was monitored by measuring bacterial ATP every hour. Increasing concentrations of amikacin (2-64 mg/l), ceftazidime (8-32 mg/l) and ceftriaxone (32-128 mg/l) resulted in little or no PAE (0-0.3 h) on these strains. PAEs of 0.5 to 1.6 h resulted from exposure to piperacillin (4-32 mg/l). In combination amikacin and piperacillin increased the PAE to 5.5 h. A synergistic PAE was also seen when the enterococci were exposed to amikacin combined with ceftazidime or ceftriaxone in concentrations close to the MICs of the latter antibiotics.
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| 9. |
- Lagedal, Rickard, et al.
(author)
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Impaired Antibody Response Is Associated with Histone-Release, Organ Dysfunction and Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
- 2022
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 11:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: the pathophysiologic mechanisms explaining differences in clinical outcomes following COVID-19 are not completely described. This study aims to investigate antibody responses in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in relation to inflammation, organ failure and 30-day survival. Methods: All patients with PCR-verified COVID-19 and gave consent, and who were admitted to a tertiary Intensive care unit (ICU) in Sweden during March-September 2020 were included. Demography, repeated blood samples and measures of organ function were collected. Analyses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM, IgA and IgG) in plasma were performed and correlated to patient outcome and biomarkers of inflammation and organ failure. Results: A total of 115 patients (median age 62 years, 77% male) were included prospectively. All patients developed severe respiratory dysfunction, and 59% were treated with invasive ventilation. Thirty-day mortality was 22.6% for all included patients. Patients negative for any anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in plasma during ICU admission had higher 30-day mortality compared to patients positive for antibodies. Patients positive for IgM had more ICU-, ventilator-, renal replacement therapy- and vasoactive medication-free days. IgA antibody concentrations correlated negatively with both SAPS3 and maximal SOFA-score and IgM-levels correlated negatively with SAPS3. Patients with antibody levels below the detection limit had higher plasma levels of extracellular histones on day 1 and elevated levels of kidney and cardiac biomarkers, but showed no signs of increased inflammation, complement activation or cytokine release. After adjusting for age, positive IgM and IgG antibodies were still associated with increased 30-day survival, with odds ratio (OR) 7.1 (1.5-34.4) and 4.2 (1.1-15.7), respectively. Conclusion: In patients with severe COVID-19 requiring intensive care, a poor antibody response is associated with organ failure, systemic histone release and increased 30-day mortality.
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| 10. |
- Lipcsey, Miklós, et al.
(author)
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The Outcome of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Is Linked to Thromboinflammation Dominated by the Kallikrein/Kinin System
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An important manifestation of severe COVID-19 is the ARDS-like lung injury that is associated with vascular endothelialitis, thrombosis, and angiogenesis. The intravascular innate immune system (IIIS), including the complement, contact, coagulation, and fibrinolysis systems, which is crucial for recognizing and eliminating microorganisms and debris in the body, is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 ARDS. Biomarkers for IIIS activation were studied in the first 66 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU in Uppsala University Hospital, both cross-sectionally on day 1 and in 19 patients longitudinally for up to a month, in a prospective study. IIIS analyses were compared with biochemical parameters and clinical outcome and survival. Blood cascade systems activation leading to an overreactive conjunct thromboinflammation was demonstrated, reflected in consumption of individual cascade system components, e.g., FXII, prekallikrein, and high molecular weight kininogen and in increased levels of activation products, e.g., C4d, C3a, C3d,g, sC5b-9, TAT, and D-dimer. Strong associations were found between the blood cascade systems and organ damage, illness severity scores, and survival. We show that critically ill COVID-19 patients display a conjunct activation of the IIIS that is linked to organ damage of the lung, heart, kidneys, and death. We present evidence that the complement and in particular the kallikrein/kinin system is strongly activated and that both systems are prognostic markers of the outcome of the patients suggesting their role in driving the inflammation. Already licensed kallikrein/kinin inhibitors are potential drugs for treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19.
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