| 1. |
- Aaen, J., et al.
(författare)
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Clinical and MRI findings in lumbar spinal stenosis: baseline data from the NORDSTEN study
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:6, s. 1391-1398
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose The aim was to describe magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients planned for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Further, to describe possible associations between MRI findings and patient characteristics with patient reported disability or pain. Methods The NORDSTEN spinal stenosis trial included 437 patients planned for surgical decompression of LSS. The following MRI findings were evaluated before surgery: morphological (Schizas) and quantitative (cross-sectional area) grade of stenosis, disk degeneration (Pfirrmann), facet joint tropism and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle. Patients were dichotomized into a moderate or severe category for each radiological parameter classification. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between MRI findings and preoperative scores for Oswestry Disability Index, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and Numeric rating scale for back and leg pain. The following patient characteristics were included in the analysis: gender, age, smoking and weight. Results The percentage of patients with severe scores was as follows: Schizas (C + D) 71.3%, cross-sectional area (< 75 mm(2)) 86.8%, Pfirrmann (4 + 5) 58.1%, tropism (>= 15 degrees) 11.9%, degeneration of multifidus muscle (2-4) 83.7%. Regression coefficients indicated minimal changes in severity of symptoms when comparing the groups with moderate and severe MRI findings. Only gender had a significant and clinically relevant association with ODI score. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, the majority of the patients had MRI findings classified as severe LSS changes, but the findings had no clinically relevant association with patient reported disability and pain at baseline. Patient characteristics have a larger impact on disability and pain than radiological findings.
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| 2. |
- Aaen, J., et al.
(författare)
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The association between preoperative MRI findings and clinical improvement in patients included in the NORDSTEN spinal stenosis trial
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:10, s. 2777-2785
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose To investigate potential associations between preoperative MRI findings and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods The NORDSTEN trial included 437 patients. We investigated the association between preoperative MRI findings such as morphological grade of stenosis (Schizas grade), quantitative grade of stenosis (dural sac cross-sectional area), disc degeneration (Pfirrmann score), facet joint tropism and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle, and improvement in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) 2 years after surgery. We dichotomized each radiological parameter into a moderate or severe category. PROMs i.e., Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) and Numeric rating scale (NRS) for back and leg pain were collected before surgery and at 2 year follow-up. In the primary analysis, we investigated the association between MRI findings and ODI score (dichotomized to >= 30% improvement or not). In the secondary analysis, we investigated the association between MRI findings and the mean improvement on the ODI-, ZCQ- and NRS scores. We used multivariable regression models adjusted for patients' gender, age, smoking status and BMI. Results The primary analysis showed that severe disc degeneration (Pfirrmann score 4-5) was significantly associated with less chance of achieving a 30% improvement on the ODI score (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34, 0.88). In the secondary analysis, we detected no clinical relevant associations. Conclusion Severe disc degeneration preoperatively suggest lesser chance of achieving 30% improvement in ODI score after surgery for LSS. Other preoperative MRI findings were not associated with patient reported outcome.
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| 3. |
- Abbott, Allan, et al.
(författare)
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Leg pain and psychological variables predict outcome 2-3 years after lumber fusion surgery
- 2011
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Ingår i: European spine journal. - : Springer. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 20:10, s. 1626-1634
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Prediction studies testing a thorough range of psychological variables in addition to demographic, work-related and clinical variables are lacking in lumbar fusion surgery research. This prospective cohort study aimed at examining predictions of functional disability, back pain and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 2-3 years after lumbar fusion by regressing nonlinear relations in a multivariate predictive model of pre-surgical variables. Before and 2-3 years after lumbar fusion surgery, patients completed measures investigating demographics, work-related variables, clinical variables, functional self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, fear of movement/(re)injury, mental health and pain coping. Categorical regression with optimal scaling transformation, elastic net regularization and bootstrapping were used to investigate predictor variables and address predictive model validity. The most parsimonious and stable subset of pre-surgical predictor variables explained 41.6, 36.0 and 25.6% of the variance in functional disability, back pain intensity and HRQOL 2-3 years after lumbar fusion. Pre-surgical control over pain significantly predicted functional disability and HRQOL. Pre-surgical catastrophizing and leg pain intensity significantly predicted functional disability and back pain while the pre-surgical straight leg raise significantly predicted back pain. Post-operative psychomotor therapy also significantly predicted functional disability while pre-surgical outcome expectations significantly predicted HRQOL. For the median dichotomised classification of functional disability, back pain intensity and HRQOL levels 2-3 years post-surgery, the discriminative ability of the prediction models was of good quality. The results demonstrate the importance of pre-surgical psychological factors, leg pain intensity, straight leg raise and post-operative psychomotor therapy in the predictions of functional disability, back pain and HRQOL-related outcomes.
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| 4. |
- Abdalla, Mohammed Altigani, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of pharmacological interventions on biochemical hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- 2022
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Ingår i: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. - : Springer. - 0932-0067 .- 1432-0711.
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease that affects women of reproductive age and is characterised by biochemical and clinical androgen excess.Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological interventions used to decrease androgen hormones in women with PCOS.Data source: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane library and the Web of Science from inception up to March 2021. Data synthesis Two reviewers selected eligible studies and extracted data, and the review is reported according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).Results: Of the 814 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) located in the search, 92 met the eligibility criteria. There were significant reductions in total testosterone level with metformin versus (vs) placebo (SMD: - 0.33; 95% CI - 0.49 to - 0.17, p < 0.0001, moderate grade evidence) and dexamethasone vs placebo (MD:-0.86 nmol/L; 95% CI - 1.34 to - 0.39, p = 0.0004, very low-grade evidence). Significant reductions in the free testosterone with sitagliptin vs placebo (SMD: - 0.47; 95% CI - 0.97 to 0.04, p = 0.07, very low-grade evidence), in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) with flutamide vs finasteride (MD: - 0.37 mu g/dL; 95% CI - 0.05 to - 0.58, p = 0.02, very low-grade evidence), a significant reduction in androstenedione (A4) with rosiglitazone vs placebo (SMD: - 1.67; 95% CI - 2.27 to - 1.06; 59 participants, p < 0.00001, very low-grade evidence), and a significant increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with oral contraceptive pill (OCP) (35 mu g Ethinyl Estradiol (EE)/2 mg cyproterone acetate (CPA)) vs placebo (MD: 103.30 nmol/L; 95% CI 55.54-151.05, p < 0.0001, very low-grade evidence) were observed.Conclusion: Metformin, OCP, dexamethasone, flutamide, and rosiglitazone use were associated with a significant reduction in biochemical hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS, though their individual use may be limited due to their side effects.PROSPERO registration No CRD42020178783.
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| 5. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(författare)
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Dural ectasia in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: quantitative assessment on magnetic resonance imaging.
- 2010
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; Apr 7, s. 754-759
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To our knowledge, the assessment of dural sac diameters in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is not reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to find out if, dural ectasia occurs more frequently among patients with AIS, to define cut-off values for dural sac ratio and test the validity of such values. A total of 126 spine MRIs (79 patients with AIS and 47 control subjects) were included in this retrospective analysis (age range 7-25 years, 62% were females). Dural sac diameter (DSD) and vertebral body diameter (VBD) were estimated and dural sac ratio (DSR = DSD/VBD) was calculated at T5 and L3. DSR at T5 and L3 were 0.69 +/- 0.12, and 0.52 +/- 0.10, respectively, in patients with AIS compared with 0.62 +/- 0.11, and 0.44 +/- 0.07, respectively, in controls (P = 0.001 at T5 and <0.001 at L3). Our estimated cut-off values for DSR were 0.84 and 0.58 at T5 and L3, respectively. This resulted in 100% sensitivity compared with 74% when using the cut-off values proposed by Oosterhof et al. No statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of dural sac enlargement in patients with AIS and the severity of scoliotic deformity, the apical vertebral rotation, epidural fat thickness, occurrence of pain, neurological deficit, atypical scoliosis or rapid curve progression. Females were affected more frequently than males. As dural sac enlargement means thinning of the pedicles, we believe that the findings of this study have important clinical implications on the preoperative workup of AIS.
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| 6. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(författare)
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Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type-1 curve exhibit specific pedicle width pattern.
- 2012
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 21, s. 57-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Study aim was to find out if patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and specific pedicle width pattern compared with individuals with no scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4,828 pedicle width measurements (T1-L5) in 61 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type 1 curve, 61 control subjects, and 20 patients with Lenke type 5 curve, were retrospectively performed by an experienced neuroradiologist. RESULTS: Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, the differences between the width of right and left upper thoracic pedicles were statistically significant; smallest at right T4 (2.6 mm). At scoliotic apex, the pedicles on the concave (left) side were significantly smaller than those on the convex (right) side; smallest at left T7 (3.2 mm). Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, 97% had pedicle width <4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and asymmetric pedicle width compared with control subjects.
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| 7. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(författare)
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Radiological and clinical outcome of screw placement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: evaluation with low-dose computed tomography.
- 2010
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 19:1, s. 96-104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Posterior corrective surgery using "all pedicle screw construct" carries risk of neurovascular complications. The study aims were to assess the screw placement in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using CT with low-radiation dose, and to evaluate the clinical outcome in patients with misplaced pedicle screws. CTs of 49 consecutive patients (873 screws, 79% thoracic) were retrospectively evaluated by two independent radiologists. A new grading system was developed to distinguish between lateral, medial and anterior cortical perforations, endplate perforation and foraminal perforation. The grading system is based on whether the cortical violation is partial or total rather than on mm-basis. The overall rate of screw misplacement was 17% (n = 149): 8% were laterally placed and 6.1% were medially placed. The rates of anterior cortical, endplate and foraminal perforation were 1.5, 0.9, and 0.5%, respectively. Lateral cortical perforation was more frequent in the thoracic spine (P = 0.005), whereas other types of misplacement including medial cortical perforation were more frequent on the left and the concave side of scoliotic curves (P = 0.002 and 0.003). No neurovascular complications were reported. The association between the occurrence of screw misplacement and the Cobb angle was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Misplacements exceeding half screw diameter should be classified as unacceptable. Low-dose CT implies exposing these young individuals to a significantly lower radiation dose than do other protocols used in daily clinical practice. We recommend using low-dose CT and the grading system proposed here in the postoperative assessment of screw placement.
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| 8. |
- Adler, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Symptoms and risk factors of Cryptosporidium hominis infection in children : data from a large waterborne outbreak in Sweden
- 2017
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 116:10, s. 2613-2618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cryptosporidium is a major cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. In developing countries, this infection is endemic and in children, associated with growth faltering and cognitive function deficits, with the most severe impact on those aged <2 years. Little has been reported about symptoms and risk factors for children in industrialized countries, although the disease incidence is increasing in such regions. In November 2010, a large waterborne outbreak of C. hominis occurred in the city of Östersund in Sweden. Approximately 27,000 of the 60,000 inhabitants were symptomatic. We aimed to describe duration of symptoms and the risk factors for infection with C. hominis in children aged <15 years in a Western setting. Within 2 months after a boil water advisory, a questionnaire was sent to randomly selected inhabitants of all ages, including 753 children aged <15 years. Those with ≥3 loose stools/day were defined as cases of diarrhoea. The response rate was 70.3%, and 211 children (39.9%) fulfilled the case definition. Mean duration of diarrhoea was 7.5 days (median 6, range 1-80 days). Recurrence, defined as a new episode of diarrhoea after ≥2 days of normal stools, occurred in 52.5% of the cases. Significant risk factors for infection, besides living within the distribution area of the contaminated water plant, included a high level of water consumption, male sex, and a previous history of loose stools. The outbreak was characterized by high attack and recurrence rates, emphasizing the necessity of water surveillance to prevent future outbreaks.
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| 9. |
- Alabdallat, Yasmeen Jamal, et al.
(författare)
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How reliable is the distinction between thoracolumbar AO type A3 and A4 fractures? : a systematic literature review
- 2024
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Ingår i: European spine journal. - : Springer Nature. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932.
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The AOSpine classification divides thoracolumbar burst fractures into A3 and A4 fractures; nevertheless, past research has found inconsistent interobserver reliability in detecting those two fracture patterns. This systematic analysis aims to synthesize data on the reliability of discriminating between A3 and A4 fractures.Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science for studies reporting the inter- and intra-observer reliability of detecting thoracolumbar AO A3 and A4 fractures using computed tomography (CT). The search spanned 2013 to 2023 and included both primarily reliability and observational comparative studies. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and used the modified COSMIN checklist to assess the studies' quality. Kappa coefficient (k) values were categorized according to Landis and Koch, from slight to excellent.Results: Of the 396 identified studies, nine met the eligibility criteria; all were primarily reliability studies except one observational study. Interobserver k values for A3/A4 fractures varied widely among studies (0.19-86). The interobserver reliability was poor in two studies, fair in one study, moderate in four studies, and excellent in two studies. Only two studies reported intra-observer reliability, showing fair and excellent agreement. The included studies revealed significant heterogeneity in study design, sample size, and interpretation methods.Conclusion: Considerable variability exists in interobserver reliability for distinguishing A3 and A4 fractures from slight to excellent agreement. This variability might be attributed to methodological heterogeneity among studies, limitations of reliability analysis, or diagnostic pitfalls in differentiating between A3 and A4. Most observational studies comparing the outcome of A3 and A4 fractures do not report interobserver agreement, and this should be considered when interpreting their results.
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| 10. |
- Albrektsson, Tomas, 1945, et al.
(författare)
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Osteoinduction, osteoconduction and osseointegration
- 2001
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 10:SUPPL. 2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Osteoinduction is the process by which osteogenesis is induced. It is a phenomenon regularly seen in any type of bone healing process. Osteoinduction implies the recruitment of immature cells and the stimulation of these cells to develop into preosteoblasts. In a bone healing situation such as a fracture, the majority of bone healing is dependent on osteoinduction. Osteoconduction means that bone grows on a surface. This phenomenon is regularly seen in the case of bone implants. Implant materials of low biocompatibility such as copper, silver and bone cement shows little or no osteoconduction. Osseointegration is the stable anchorage of an implant achieved by direct bone-to-implant contact. In craniofacial implantology, this mode of anchorage is the only one for which high success rates have been reported. Osseointegration is possible in other parts of the body, but its importance for the anchorage of major arthroplasties is under debate. Ingrowth of bone in a porouscoated prosthesis may or may not represent osseointegration.
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| 11. |
- Aleix-Mata, Gael, et al.
(författare)
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Development and characterization of 15 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for two important bot flies (Diptera, Oestridae) by next-generation sequencing
- 2020
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Nature. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 119:9, s. 2829-2835
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cephenemyia stimulatorandOestrus ovisare two important parasitic bot flies (Oestridae) species causing myiasis, with a potential negative impact on the welfare of the host. Using next-generation sequencing approach and bioinformatics tools, a large panel of possible microsatellites loci was obtained in both species. Primer pairs were designed for 15 selected microsatellite loci inC. stimulatorand other 15 loci inO. ovisfor PCR amplification. Loci amplification and analysis were performed in four populations of each species. The results demonstrated that all selected loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 2 to 6 per locus inC. stimulatorand 3 to 13 per locus inO. ovis. This is the first time to describe these microsatellite loci forC. stimulatorandO. ovis. These two sets of microsatellite markers could be further used for biogeographic and population genetics studies.
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| 12. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(författare)
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Distribution patterns of transforaminal injections in the cervical spine evaluated by multi-slice computed tomography.
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:10, s. 1465-1471
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transforaminal injections are sometimes used for the diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions in the lumbar and to a lesser degree in the cervical spine. The technique is most often used when investigating/treating radiculopathy caused by degenerative disease. But how selective are the nerve root blocks? What possible structures other than the intended nerve root are affected from such injections? This study was undertaken in order to try to answer these questions, as no study focusing on the possible spread from the transforaminal selective nerve root blocks in the cervical spine has been performed earlier. In three groups of patients, each group including three patients, we injected three different volumes (0.6, 1.1 and 1.7 ml) with a transforaminal technique in the cervical spine. In all the injections, a small amount of contrast media was added. The spread of the injections were then investigated using multi-slice computed tomography with reconstructions. The imaging revealed a possible effect on other nerve roots than the intended ones when a larger volume was used for the root blocks. The spread was related to the injected volume as well as to local anatomy (size of foraminal area). In this study, only 0.6-ml injections could be accepted for being selective enough for diagnostic investigations.
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| 13. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(författare)
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Selective diagnostic nerve root block for the evaluation of radicular pain in the multilevel degenerated cervical spine.
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:6, s. 794-801
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In patients with radiculopathy due to degenerative disease in the cervical spine, surgical outcome is still presenting with moderate results. The preoperative investigations consist of clinical investigation, careful history and most often magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. When MRI shows multilevel degeneration, different strategies are used for indicating which nerve root/roots are affected. Some authors use selective diagnostic nerve root blocks (SNRB) for segregating pain mediating nerve roots from non-pain mediators in such patients. The aim of the present study is to assess the ability of transforaminal SNRB to correlate clinical symptoms with MRI findings in patients with cervical radiculopathy and a two-level MRI degeneration, on the same side as the radicular pain. Thirty consecutive patients with cervical radiculopathy and two levels MRI pathology on the same side as the radicular pain were studied with SNRBs at both levels. All patients underwent clinical investigation and neck and arm pain assessment with visual analogue scales (VAS) before and after the blocks. The results from the SNRBs were compared to the clinical findings from neurological investigation as well as the MRI pathology and treatment results. Correlation between SNRB results and the level with most severe degree of MRI degeneration were 60% and correlation between SNRB results and levels decided by neurological deficits/dermatome radicular pain distribution were 28%. Twenty-two of the 30 patients underwent treatment guided by the SNRB results and 18 reported good/excellent outcome results. We conclude that the degree of MRI pathology, neurological investigation and the pain distribution in the arm are not reliable parameters enough when deciding the affected nerve root/roots in patients with cervical radiculopathy and a two-level degenerative disease in the cervical spine. SNRB might be a helpful tool together with clinical findings/history and MRI of the cervical spine when performing preoperative investigations in patients with two or more level of degeneration presenting with radicular pain that can be attributed to the degenerative findings.
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| 14. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(författare)
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Transforaminal steroid injections for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy: a prospective and randomised study.
- 2007
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Ingår i: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 16:3, s. 321-328
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Steroid injections are often employed as an alternative treatment for radicular pain in patients with degenerative spinal disorders. Prospective randomised studies of the lumbar spine reveal contradictory results and non-randomised and most often retrospective studies of the cervical spine indicate pain reduction from steroid injections. No prospective randomised study on transforaminal steroid injections for the treatment of radicular pain in the cervical spine focusing on short-term results has been performed. Forty consecutive patients were employed for the study. The inclusion criteria were one-sided cervical radiculopathy with radicular distribution of arm pain distal to the elbow and corresponding significant degenerative pathology of the cervical spine at one or two levels on the same side as the radicular pain and visualised by MRI. A transforaminal technique was used for all injections. A positive response to a diagnostic selective nerve root block at one or two nerve roots was mandatory for all patients. The patients were randomised for treatment with steroids/local anaesthetics or saline/local anaesthetic. Only the neuroradiologist performing the blocks was aware of the content of the injection; all other persons involved in the study were blinded. Follow up was made 3 weeks after the randomised treatment by a clinical investigation and with a questionnaire focusing on the subjective effects from the injections. At follow up, there were no differences in treatment results in the two patient groups. Statistical analysis of the results confirmed the lack of difference in treatment effect. Further studies have to be performed before excluding steroids in such treatment and for evaluating the influence of local anaesthetics on radiculopathy in transforaminal injections.
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| 15. |
- Andersson, Martin O., et al.
(författare)
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Babesia, Theileria, and Hepatozoon species in ticks infesting animal hosts in Romania
- 2017
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 116:8, s. 2291-2297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Hepatozoon spp. are tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasites that cause several important diseases in animals. To increase current knowledge about the diversity of tick-transmitted pathogens in Romania, we investigated the occurrence of Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in a wide range of tick species infesting animal hosts. We collected 852 ticks from 10 different animal species from 20 counties in Romania. The assessment was based on detection of parasite DNA by PCR. Five different apicomplexan parasite species were detected; among them three different species of Babesia: B. canis, B. microti, and B. ovis. Hepatozoon canis was the most frequently detected parasite, found predominately in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from domestic dogs. It was also detected in I. ricinus collected from goat, fox, and cat. Furthermore, H. canis was found in Haemaphysalis punctata and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks. In addition, Theileria buffeli was detected in Rhipicephalus bursa ticks collected from cattle.
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| 16. |
- Andersson, Martin O., et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Cercopithifilaria bainae in western Romania
- 2017
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 116:11, s. 3235-3238
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cercopithifilaria species are tick-transmitted filarial parasites of mammals. In Europe, three Cercopithifilaria spp. are known to parasitize dogs, all occurring mainly in the Mediterranean countries. In Romania, Cercopithifilaria bainae has been reported in a single dog in eastern Romania but the occurrence in other parts of the country is not known. To further elucidate the geographic distribution of Cercopithifilaria spp. infection, 544 ticks were collected from dogs in several locations across Romania. The presence of Cercopithifilaria spp. was investigated with real-time PCR. A single Dermacentor reticulatus female tick was found to be infected with Cercopithifilaria bainae. The finding in the present study is geographically separated from the previous finding in Romania by 800 km, as well as by the Carpathian mountain range. Hence, C. bainae is more geographically widespread in Romania than previously recognized. However, the single detection does suggest that infection is rather uncommon in Romanian dogs. Nevertheless, further studies on Cercopithifilaria spp. distribution and prevalence are needed.
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| 17. |
- Andersson, Martin O., et al.
(författare)
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New records and host associations of the tick Ixodes apronophorus and the first detection of Ehrlichia sp HF in Romania
- 2018
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 117:4, s. 1285-1289
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ixodes (Ixodes) apronophorus is a neglected tick species and its geographical distribution, host associations, and role as a disease vector are not well known. We collected I. apronophorus from several locations in Romania. Morphological identification of ticks was confirmed by analysis of 16S rDNA and 12S rDNA gene sequences. We report new host associations of I. apronophorus, which was collected from dogs, foxes, and a hare-all new hosts for this tick species in Romania. Furthermore, we report for the first time occurrence of Ehrlichia sp. HF in I. apronophorus. Ehrlichia sp. HF was identified by sequencing a part of the 16S rDNA gene and was found in 16% (3/19) of the tested ticks. Ehrlichia sp. HF has not been previously reported in Eastern Europe and seems to have a much larger geographic distribution than previously known. Currently, it is unknown whether I. apronophorus is a competent vector for Ehrlichia sp. HF, or if the findings in this study represent infection in the hosts, namely dogs and fox.
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| 18. |
- Andersson, Martin O., et al.
(författare)
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Tick-borne pathogens in tick species infesting humans in Sibiu County, central Romania
- 2018
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 117:5, s. 1591-1597
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Romania has a highly diverse tick fauna. Consequently, a high diversity of tick-transmitted pathogens might be a potential threat to humans. However, only a limited number of tick species regularly infest humans, and pathogens present in such species are therefore of particular interest from a medical perspective. In this study, 297 ticks were collected from humans during 2013 and 2014. Ixodes ricinus was the predominant tick species, accounting for 272 specimens or 91.6% of the ticks in the study. Nevertheless, other tick species were also found to infest humans: Dermacentor marginatus constituted 7% of the ticks found on humans (21/297), Haemaphysalis punctata 1% (3/297), and Haemaphysalis concinna 0.3% (1/297). Ticks were tested by PCR for a wide range of tick-borne pathogens. In total, 11.8% of the ticks carried human pathogenic bacteria, while no viral or protozoan pathogens were detected. The most frequently detected pathogen was Rickettsia spp., occurring in 5.4% of the ticks (16/297) and comprising three species: Rickettsia (R.) raoultii, R. monacensis, and R. helvetica. Borrelia s.l. occurred in 3% (9/297) of the ticks. "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" occurred in 1.7% (5/297) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 1.3% (4/297). Anaplasma bovis was detected in an H. punctata and Borrelia miyamotoi in an I. ricinus. These results point to the need for further studies on the medical importance of tick-borne pathogens in Romania.
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| 19. |
- Arai, I., et al.
(författare)
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Indomethacin blocks the nucleus pulposus-induced effects on nerve root function. An experimental study in dogs with assessment of nerve conduction and blood flow following experimental disc herniation
- 2004
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Ingår i: Eur Spine J. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719. ; 13:8, s. 691-4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inflammatory mechanisms have been suggested to be involved in the basic pathophysiologic events leading to nerve root injury after local application of nucleus pulposus. To assess if these nucleus pulposus-induced effects could be blocked by anti-inflammatory treatment, 41 dogs were exposed to either incision of the L6-7 disc to induce experimental disc herniation with (n=12) or without (n=14) indomethacin treatment per os (5 mg/kg per day), and no incision with (n=5) or without (n=10) indomethacin. Intraneural blood flow and nerve conduction velocity were assessed after 7 days to evaluate the degree of nerve injury. Disc incision induced a reduction in nerve root and dorsal ganglion blood flow as well as nerve function, similarly to previous studies. However, simultaneous treatment with indomethacin efficiently blocked the negative effects on both blood flow and nerve conduction but had no effects per se. The present study thus indicates that inflammatory mechanisms may be of relevance in the pathophysiology of nucleus pulposus-induced nerve root injury and thereby also for sciatica.
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| 20. |
- Areskog, Marlene, et al.
(författare)
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PGP expression in Cooperia oncophora before and after ivermectin selection
- 2013
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 112, s. 3005-3012
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate genetic selection and P-glycoprotein (PGP) expression in three different isolates of Cooperia oncophora before treatment and after ivermectin (IVM) injection. Adult parasites were recovered from nine calves experimentally infected with the isolates represented by one IVM susceptible laboratory isolate, and two field isolates showing signs of phenotypic macrocyclic lactone resilience according to the faecal egg count reduction test. Five males and five females per isolate were examined both pre- and post-IVM treatment giving a total of 60 worms. A sequence from C. oncophora (Con-pgp) was identified, showing 83% similarity to Pgp-9 of Caenorhabditis elegans. Primers specific to putative Con-pgp-9 mRNA were designed, generating a 153-bp PCR product. Total RNA was prepared from all worms, and Con-pgp-9 expression was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. Our results showed that mean PGP concentrations were four to five times higher in female as compared to male worms. No significant differences in gene expression between experimental groups pre- and post-IVM selection were detected. However, PGP gene expression tended to be increased by IVM treatment in male worms (p = 0.091), with 70% higher mean expression in treated than in untreated male worms. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis did not demonstrate any bottleneck effect within the different isolates post-treatment. The total mean gene diversity values were 0.158 and 0.153 before and after treatment, respectively. Inbreeding coefficient in subpopulations compared to total population F ST was 0.0112, suggesting no genetic differentiation between or within the investigated isolates in relation to treatment. In conclusion, comparison of Con-pgp-9 expression showed no significant difference before and after treatment, but some tendency towards increasing expression in male worms.
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| 21. |
- Avall-Lundqvist, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Peri- and postoperative changes in serum levels of four tumor markers and three acute phase reactants in benign and malignant gynecological diseases.
- 1992
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Ingår i: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. - 0932-0067 .- 1432-0711. ; 251:2, s. 69-78
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 125, tissue polypeptide antigen, CRP, alpha 1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin were determined peri- and postoperatively in patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecological disease (n = 18) and postoperatively in women operated for cervical carcinoma (n = 23). The only significant changes seen after premedication, during anesthesia and during surgery were a decrease in serum concentrations of alpha 1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin. We found no postoperative changes in the serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen nor in carcinoembryonic antigen values. However, the latter analyte was influenced by smoking habits. Elevated levels of CA 125 and tissue polypeptide antigen were found in the cancer patients, predominantly within the first 1-3 weeks after surgery. These levels decreased to normal values within 4-6 weeks postoperatively. The median intraindividual coefficients of variation for the tumor markers ranged between 15% and 28% in 30 control women not having surgery. In general, it would seem advisable to wait 6 weeks after surgery before monitoring with CA 125 and TPA is started.
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| 22. |
- Axelsson Olsson, Diana, et al.
(författare)
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A simple method for long-term storage Acanthamoeba species
- 2009
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 104:4, s. 935-937
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a novel and simple technique for storing live Acanthamoeba for long periods of time. The amoebae are maintained at refrigerator temperatures in a peptone-yeast extract-glucose (PYG) medium normally used for cultivation. Using this method, we obtained survival rates of at least 4 years for Acanthamoeba polyphaga and 3 years for Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba rhysodes. Advantages of this storage method are: (1) it is quick and simple, (2) inexpensive, (3) does not require encystment before storage, (4) resuscitation of cysts can be achieved within a week of culture in PYG medium at 27A degrees C, and does not require co-culture with bacteria or any special equipment.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Baltrusis, Paulius, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular detection of two major gastrointestinal parasite genera in cattle using a novel droplet digital PCR approach
- 2019
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 118, s. 2901-2907
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cooperia sp. and Ostertagia sp. are two cosmopolitan parasitic nematodes often found in mixed gastrointestinal infections in cattle across temperate regions. In light of the recent increase in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance in these and other nematodes derived from cattle around the globe, and their negative impact on animal health and productivity, novel molecular assays need to be put forth in order to facilitate the monitoring of parasite burden in infected herds, using pasture and/or fecal samples. Here, we describe a novel droplet digital PCR platform-based concept for precise identification and quantification of the two most abundant and important parasite genera in grazing western European cattle. By exploiting a single nucleotide difference in the two parasites' ITS2 sequence regions, we have developed two specific hydrolysis probes labeled with FAM (TM) or HEX (TM) fluorophores, which can not only distinguish between the DNA sequences of the two, but also quantify them in mixed DNA samples. A third, newly developed universal probe was also tested along the genus-specific probes to provide a robust and accurate reference. It was evident that the universal probe displayed congruent results to those obtained by the genus-specific probes when used with DNA from both parasites in a single sample. All in all, the results of our assay suggest that this novel protocol could be used to distinguish and quantify cattle parasites belonging to the two most important genera (i.e., Cooperia and Ostertagia) in a single mixed DNA sample.
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