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- Sirevåg, Kristine, et al.
(author)
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Physical exercise augmented cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with generalised anxiety disorder (PEXACOG) : a feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial.
- 2023
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In: BioPsychoSocial Medicine. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1751-0759. ; 17:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a frequent and severe disorder among older adults. For older adults with GAD the effect of the recommended treatment, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), is reduced. Physical exercise (PE) may enhance the effect of CBT by improving cognitive function and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a predictor of the effect of CBT in patients with anxiety. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating treatment effect of the combination of CBT and PE for GAD in a sample of older adults, including procedures for assessment and treatment.METHODS: Four participants aged 62-70 years (M = 65.5, SD = 3.2) with a primary diagnosis of GAD were included. Participants received 15 weeks of PE in combination with 10 weeks of CBT. Participants completed self-report measures, and clinical, biological, physiological and neuropsychological tests at pre-, interim- and post-treatment.RESULTS: Procedures, protocols, and results are presented. One participant dropped out during treatment. For the three participants completing, the total adherence to PE and CBT was 80% and 100%, respectively. An independent assessor concluded that the completers no longer fulfilled the criteria for GAD after treatment. Changes in self-report measures suggest symptom reduction related to anxiety and worry. The sample is considered representative for the target population.CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that combining CBT and PE for older adults with GAD is feasible, and that the procedures and tests are suitable and manageable for the current sample.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02690441. Registered on 24 February 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02690441 .
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| 3. |
- Wortman, J. R., et al.
(author)
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The 2008 update of the Aspergillus nidulans genome annotation: A community effort
- 2009
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In: Fungal Genetics and Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1096-0937 .- 1087-1845. ; 46, s. S2-S13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The identification and annotation of protein-coding genes is one of the primary goals of whole-genome sequencing projects, and the accuracy of predicting the primary protein products of gene expression is vital to the interpretation of the available data and the design of downstream functional applications. Nevertheless, the comprehensive annotation of eukaryotic genomes remains a considerable challenge. Many genomes submitted to public databases, including those of major model organisms, contain significant numbers of wrong and incomplete gene predictions. We present a community-based reannotation of the Aspergillus nidulans genome with the primary goal of increasing the number and quality of protein functional assignments through the careful review of experts in the field of fungal biology. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Forner, L. E., et al.
(author)
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Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis: Combined data from the two randomized clinical trials DAHANCA-21 and NWHHT2009-1
- 2022
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In: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140. ; 166, s. 137-144
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible is a serious complication of head and neck radiotherapy. This study aims to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on ORN in two randomized, controlled multicentre trials. Methods and materials: Patients with ORN with indication for surgical treatment were randomised to either group 1: surgical removal of necrotic mandibular bone supplemented by 30 pre- and 10 postoperative HBO exposures at 243 kPa for 90 min each, or group 2: surgical removal of necrotic bone only. Primary outcome was healing of ORN one year after surgery evaluated by a clinically adjusted version of the Common Toxicity Criteria of Adverse Events (CTCAE) v 3.0. Secondary outcomes included xerostomia, unstimulated and stimulated whole salivation rates, trismus, dysphagia, pain, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and quality of life according to EORTC. Data were combined from two separate trials. Ninety-seven were enrolled and 65 were eligible for the intent-to-treat analysis. The 33% drop-out was equally distributed between groups. Results: In group 1, 70% (21/30) healed compared to 51% (18/35) in group 2. HBO was associated with an increased chance of healing independent of baseline ORN grade or smoking status as well as improved xerostomia, unstimulated whole salivary flow rate, and dysphagia. Due to insufficient recruitment, none of the endpoints reached a statistically significant difference between groups. ADL data could only be obtained from 50 patients. Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen did not significantly improve the healing outcome of osteoradionecrosis after surgical removal of necrotic bone as compared to standard care (70% vs. 51%). This effect is not statistically significant due to the fact that the study was underpowered and is therefore prone to type II error. © 2021 The Authors
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| 7. |
- Sirevåg, K, et al.
(author)
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Physical EXercise Augmented COGnitive Behaviour Therapy for Older Adults with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (PEXACOG)
- 2018
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most prevalent severe anxiety disorder among older adults. The disorder has a pervasive influence on the lives of those affected, and is a risk factor for other severe disorders such as depression, dementia and coronary heart disease. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for this disorder, but older adults have shown reduced effect of treatment compared to working age adults. Physical exercise has been suggested as intervention to improve the effects of treatment for GAD, via its demonstrated positive effect on cognitive functioning, increased plasticity in the brain, and increased availability of neurotrophins important for extinction of fear associations. The aim of the current research project is to investigate whether augmenting CBT with physical exercise will lead to improved effects of CBT on GAD in older adults in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants between 60-75 years of age with a primary diagnosis of GAD will be randomised to one of two treatment conditions. The effects of treatment will be assessed on outcome measures, biological, physiological and cognitive measures at pre- interim-, and post-treatment, and follow-up assessments at 6- and 12-months post intervention. Participants in both groups will receive five weeks of pre-treatment intervention consisting of either physical exercise or weekly telephone contact. Participants thereafter receive either ten weeks of manualised CBT for GAD combined with manualised physical exercise or ten weeks of manualised CBT for GAD combined with weekly telephone contact. We expect that the treatment effect of the physical exercise augmented CBT will be greater than that of CBT combined with weekly telephone contact, as measured by a reduction in GAD symptoms on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and in the proportion of remitted patients. The study also aims to determining the possible beneficial and augmenting properties of physical exercise in combination with CBT, and our understanding of clinical characteristics of GAD and mechanisms involved in treatment effect. Treatment rationale, procedures and protocols will be presented in detail together with preliminary results from the initial feasibility study comprises eight participants
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| 8. |
- Sirivåg, K, et al.
(author)
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Physical EXercise Augmented COGnitive Behaviour Therapy for Older Adults with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (PEXACOG)
- 2016
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most prevalent severe anxiety disorder among older adults. The disorder has a pervasive influence on the lives of those affected, and is a risk factor for other severe disorders such as depression, dementia and coronary heart disease. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for this disorder, but older adults have shown reduced effect of treatment compared to working age adults. Physical exercise has been suggested as intervention to improve the effects of treatment for GAD, via its demonstrated positive effect on cognitive functioning, increased plasticity in the brain, and increased availability of neurotrophins important for extinction of fear associations. The aim of the current research project is to investigate whether augmenting CBT with physical exercise will lead to improved effects of CBT on GAD in older adults in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants between 60-75 years of age with a primary diagnosis of GAD will be randomised to one of two treatment conditions. The effects of treatment will be assessed on outcome measures, biological, physiological and cognitive measures at pre- interim-, and post-treatment, and follow-up assessments at 6- and 12-months post intervention. Participants in both groups will receive five weeks of pre-treatment intervention consisting of either physical exercise or weekly telephone contact. Participants thereafter receive either ten weeks of manualised CBT for GAD combined with manualised physical exercise or ten weeks of manualised CBT for GAD combined with weekly telephone contact. We expect that the treatment effect of the physical exercise augmented CBT will be greater than that of CBT combined with weekly telephone contact, as measured by a reduction in GAD symptoms on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and in the proportion of remitted patients. The study also aims to determining the possible beneficial and augmenting properties of physical exercise in combination with CBT, and our understanding of clinical characteristics of GAD and mechanisms involved in treatment effect. Treatment rationale, procedures and protocols will be presented in detail together with preliminary results from the initial feasibility study comprises eight participants.
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| 9. |
- Baron, J. S., et al.
(author)
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Synthesis Centers as Critical Research Infrastructure
- 2017
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In: Bioscience. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-3568 .- 1525-3244. ; 67:8, s. 750-759
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synthesis centers offer a unique amalgam of culture, infrastructure, leadership, and support that facilitates creative discovery on issues crucial to science and society. The combination of logistical support, postdoctoral or senior fellowships, complex data management, informatics and computing capability or expertise, and most of all, opportunity for group discussion and reflection lowers the "activation energy" necessary to promote creativity and the cross-fertilization of ideas. Synthesis centers are explicitly created and operated as community-oriented infrastructure, with scholarly directions driven by the ever-changing interests and needs of an open and inclusive scientific community. The last decade has seen a rise in the number of synthesis centers globally but also the end of core federal funding for several, challenging the sustainability of the infrastructure for this key research strategy. Here, we present the history and rationale for supporting synthesis centers, integrate insights arising from two decades of experience, and explore the challenges and opportunities for long-term sustainability.
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| 10. |
- Iles, W. J. D., et al.
(author)
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The phylogeny of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) and the evolution of floral presentation
- 2017
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In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903. ; 117, s. 150-167
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heliconia (Heliconiaceae, order Zingiberales) is among the showiest plants of the Neotropical rainforest and represent a spectacular co-evolutionary radiation with hummingbirds. Despite the attractiveness and ecological importance of many Heliconia, the genus has been the subject of limited molecular phylogenetic studies. We sample seven markers from the plastid and nuclear genomes for 202 samples of Heliconia. This represents ca. 75% of accepted species and includes coverage of all taxonomic subgenera and sections. We date this phylogeny using fossils associated with other families in the Zingiberales; in particular we review and evaluate the Eocene fossil Ensete oregonense. We use this dated phylogenetic framework to evaluate the evolution of two components of flower orientation that are hypothesized to be important for modulating pollinator discrimination and pollen placement: resupination and erect versus pendant inflorescence habit. Our phylogenetic results suggest that the monophyletic Melanesian sub-genus Heliconiopsis and a small Glade of Ecuadorian species are together the sister group to the rest of Heliconia. Extant diversity of Heliconia originated in the Late Eocene (39 Ma) with rapid diversification through the Early Miocene, making it the oldest known Glade of hummingbird-pollinated plants. Most described subgenera and sections are not monophyletic, though closely related groups of species, often defined by shared geography, mirror earlier morphological cladistic analyses. Evaluation of changes in resupination and inflorescence habit suggests that these characters are more homoplasious than expected, and this largely explains the non-monophyly of previously circumscribed subgenera, which were based on these characters. We also find strong evidence for the correlated evolution of resupination and inflorescence habit. The correlated model suggests that the most recent common ancestor of all extant Heliconia had resupinate flowers and erect inflorescences. Finally, we note our nearly complete species sampling and dated phylogeny allow for an assessment of taxonomic history in terms of phylogenetic diversity. We find approximately half of the currently recognized species, corresponding to half of the phylogenetic diversity, have been described since 1975, highlighting the continued importance of basic taxonomic research and conservation initiatives to preserve both described and undiscovered species of Heliconia. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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