| 1. |
- Fridén, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Effects of a low-carbohydrate high polyunsaturated fat diet or a healthy Nordic diet versus usual care on liver fat content and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial (NAFLDiet)
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Previous trials have shown that plant-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in place of saturated fat reduces liver fat, a prerequisite for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effect on liver fat from a novel “anti-lipogenic diet” replacing carbohydrates with PUFA or a healthy Nordic diet (HND) higher in whole-grains but lower in saturated fat has not yet been examined. Objectives: To investigate the effects on changes in liver fat (primary outcome) and other cardiometabolic risk factors after 12 months of follow-up in individuals with prediabetes or T2D from three different diet comparisons: a low carbohydrate high PUFA (LCPUFA) diet versus a HND, a LCPUFA diet versus usual care (UC) and a HND versus UC. Methods: A three-arm parallel ad libitum randomized trial was conducted. Adult men and women (n=148) were randomized to one of the three diet groups. Participants in all groups received key food items on a monthly/bimonthly basis. Liver fat and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Dietary adherence was assessed using weighed food diaries and objective biomarkers. General linear models were employed to estimate the intention-to-treat (ITT) effect. Results: Dietary adherence was high for all diet groups. Liver fat was reduced to a similar extent in the LCPUFA and the HND group compared to UC (-1.46% (95% CI: -2.42, -0.51)) and -1.76 % (95% CI: -2.96, -0.57), respectively. No difference in liver fat between LCPUFA and HND was observed. Body weight and HbA1c decreased more in the HND compared to the other diet groups whereas no differences were observed between LCPUFA and UC. Similar reductions in LDL-cholesterol were observed for the HND and the LCPUFA group compared to UC, but only the HND reduced triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP) compared with UC. No differences were observed for any other secondary outcomes.Conclusions: A LCPUFA diet and a HND both reduced liver fat as compared with UC. Given the sustained weight loss after the HND compared to the other groups, together with improvements in other cardiometabolic markers, the HND in particular seems to be useful for the treatment of T2D and NAFLD.
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| 2. |
- Gad, Helge, et al.
(author)
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MTH1 inhibition eradicates cancer by preventing sanitation of the dNTP pool
- 2014
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In: Nature. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 508:7495, s. 215-221
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cancers have dysfunctional redox regulation resulting in reactive oxygen species production, damaging both DNA and free dNTPs. The MTH1 protein sanitizes oxidized dNTP pools to prevent incorporation of damaged bases during DNA replication. Although MTH1 is non-essential in normal cells, we show that cancer cells require MTH1 activity to avoid incorporation of oxidized dNTPs, resulting in DNA damage and cell death. We validate MTH1 as an anticancer target in vivo and describe small molecules TH287 and TH588 as first-in-class nudix hydrolase family inhibitors that potently and selectively engage and inhibit the MTH1 protein in cells. Protein co-crystal structures demonstrate that the inhibitors bindin the active site of MTH1. The inhibitors cause incorporation of oxidized dNTPs in cancer cells, leading to DNA damage, cytotoxicity and therapeutic responses in patient-derived mouse xenografts. This study exemplifies the non-oncogene addiction concept for anticancer treatment and validates MTH1 as being cancer phenotypic lethal.
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| 3. |
- Nylander, Ruta, et al.
(author)
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Relation between cardiovascular disease risk markers and brain infarcts detected by magnetic resonance imaging in an elderly population
- 2015
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In: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 1052-3057 .- 1532-8511. ; 24:2, s. 312-318
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Established cardiovascular risk markers, such as hypertension, are associated with increased risk of brain infarcts. The newer markers N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponin I, C-reactive protein, and cystatin C may affect the risk of cardiovascular events and potentially, thereby, also stroke. We investigated the association between established and new risk markers for cardiovascular disease and brain infarcts detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at age 75.METHODS: Four hundred six randomly selected subjects from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors study were examined with MRI of the brain at age 75. Blood samples, measurements, and dedicated questionnaires at age 70 were used for analysis of risk markers. A history of diseases had been obtained at age 70 and 75. MRI was evaluated regarding lacunar and cortical infarcts. Univariate associations between outcomes and risk markers were assessed with logistic regression models.RESULTS: One or more infarcts were seen in 23% of the subjects (20% had only lacunar infarcts, 1% had only cortical infarcts, and 2% had both). Hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 4.7) and obesity (OR 1.3; CI 1.0, 1.8) were significantly associated with increased risk of brain infarction. The newer risk markers were not significantly associated with the brain infarcts.CONCLUSIONS: The new markers were not associated with the predominantly lacunar infarcts in our 75-year-old population, why troponin I and NT-proBNP may be associated mainly with cardioembolic infarcts as shown recently.
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| 4. |
- van Tour, Peter, 1966-
(author)
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Counterpoint and Partimento : Methods of Teaching Composition in Late Eighteenth-Century Naples
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- During the second half of the eighteenth century, the city of Naples had three music conservatories: the Conservatorio di Santa Maria di Onofrio, the Conservatorio di Santa Maria di Loreto, and the Conservatorio di Santa Maria della Pietà de’ Turchini. Through disciplines such as solfeggio, partimento, and counterpoint, the students at these institutions received highly professional training in singing, instrumental playing, and composition.This study reveals new evidence that partimenti were used not only as exercises in keyboard playing, but also as exercises in written counterpoint. As counterpoint exercises, partimenti were used either as bass lines over which students wrote one or several contrapuntal parts, or as notational devices that facilitated the sketching of fugues.Musicologists have previously encountered considerable difficulties in identifying and describing differences between the schools of Leonardo Leo and Francesco Durante, represented by the terms Leisti and Durantisti. This study shows that these schools are primarily defined through different methods of teaching counterpoint. Contemporary counterpoint notebooks show that the maestri at Sant’Onofrio and Santa Maria di Loreto followed Durante’s teaching methods, while the maestri at La Pietà followed Leo’s teaching methods. The school of Durante emphasized the writing of melodic lines over a hexachordal scale or a partimento bass, using different methods, such as the moti del basso and prescribed conditions. The school of Leo favored the use of invertible counterpoint, emphasizing skills in sketching and writing choral fugues from subjects and countersubjects.For the first time, the partimento and solfeggio repertoire used at the Neapolitan conservatories has been systematically investigated through the creation of two research tools, the databases UUPart: The Uppsala Partimento Database and UUSolf: The Uppsala Solfeggio Database, published online on two companion websites.
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| 5. |
- Wallentin, Lars, et al.
(author)
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GDF-15 for Prognostication of Cardiovascular and Cancer Morbidity and Mortality in Men
- 2013
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:12, s. e78797-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective was to evaluate the hypothesis that growth-differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is an independent marker of the long-term risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer morbidity beyond clinical and biochemical risk factors. Plasma obtained at age 71 was available from 940 subjects in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) cohort. Complete mortality and morbidity data were obtained from public registries. At baseline there were independent associations between GDF-15 and current smoking, diabetes mellitus, biomarkers of cardiac (high-sensitivity troponin-T, NT-proBNP) and renal dysfunction (cystatin-C) and inflammatory activity (C-reactive protein), and previous cardiovascular disease (CVD). During 10 years follow-up there occurred 265 and 131 deaths, 115 and 46 cardiovascular deaths, and 185 and 86 events with coronary heart disease mortality or morbidity in the respective total cohort (n=940) and non-CVD (n=561) cohort. After adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, one SD increase in log GDF-15 were, in the respective total and non-CVD populations, associated with 48% (95%CI 26 to 73%, p<0.001) and 67% (95%CI 28 to 217%, p<0.001) incremental risk of cardiovascular mortality, 48% (95%CI 33 to 67%, p<0.001) and 61% (95%CI 38 to 89%, p<0.001) of total mortality and 36% (95%CI 19 to 56%, p<0.001) and 44% (95%CI 17 to 76%, p<0.001) of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality. The corresponding incremental increase for cancer mortality in the respective total and non-cancer disease (n=882) population was 46% (95%CI 21 to 77%, p<0.001) and 38% (95%CI 12 to 70%, p<0.001) and for cancer morbidity and mortality in patients without previous cancer disease 30% (95%CI 12 to 51%, p<0.001). In conclusion, in elderly men, GDF-15 improves prognostication of both cardiovascular, cancer mortality and morbidity beyond established risk factors and biomarkers of cardiac, renal dysfunction and inflammation.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Ansari, Farhan, et al.
(author)
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Hierarchical wood cellulose fiber/epoxy biocomposites : Materials design of fiber porosity and nanostructure
- 2015
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In: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1359-835X .- 1878-5840. ; 74, s. 60-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Delignified chemical wood pulp fibers can be designed to have a controlled structure of cellulose fibril aggregates to serve as porous templates in biocomposites with unique properties. The potential of these fibers as reinforcement for an epoxy matrix (EP) was investigated in this work. Networks of porous wood fibers were impregnated with monomeric epoxy and cured. Microscopy images from ultramicrotomed cross sections and tensile fractured surfaces were used to study the distribution of matrix inside and around the fibers - at two different length scales. Mechanical characterization at different relative humidity showed much improved mechanical properties of biocomposites based on epoxy-impregnated fibers and they were rather insensitive to surrounding humidity. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of cellulose-fiber biocomposites were compared with those of cellulose-nanofibril (CNF) composites; strong similarities were found between the two materials. The reasons for this, some limitations and the role of specific surface area of the fiber are discussed.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Berglund, Eva Caroline, et al.
(author)
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A Study Protocol for Validation and Implementation of Whole-Genome and -Transcriptome Sequencing as a Comprehensive Precision Diagnostic Test in Acute Leukemias
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Medicine. - Lausanne, Switzerland : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-858X. ; 9, s. 1-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS), with the ability to provide comprehensive genomic information, have become the focal point of research interest as novel techniques that can support precision diagnostics in routine clinical care of patients with various cancer types, including hematological malignancies. This national multi-center study, led by Genomic Medicine Sweden, aims to evaluate whether combined application of WGS and WTS (WGTS) is technically feasible and can be implemented as an efficient diagnostic tool in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition to clinical impact assessment, a health-economic evaluation of such strategy will be performed. Methods and Analysis: The study comprises four phases (i.e., retrospective, prospective, real-time validation, and follow-up) including approximately 700 adult and pediatric Swedish AML and ALL patients. Results of WGS for tumor (90×) and normal/germline (30×) samples as well as WTS for tumors only will be compared to current standard of care diagnostics. Primary study endpoints are diagnostic efficiency and improved diagnostic yield. Secondary endpoints are technical and clinical feasibility for routine implementation, clinical utility, and health-economic impact. Discussion: Data from this national multi-center study will be used to evaluate clinical performance of the integrated WGTS diagnostic workflow compared with standard of care. The study will also elucidate clinical and health-economic impacts of a combined WGTS strategy when implemented in routine clinical care. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66987142], identifier [ISRCTN66987142].
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Bränström, Robert, et al.
(author)
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Electrical short-circuit in β-cells from a patient with non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemic syndrome (NIPHS) : a case report
- 2010
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In: Journal of Medical Case Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1752-1947. ; 4:1, s. 315-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemic syndrome is a rare disorder among adults, and, to our knowledge, only about 40 cases have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is a previously healthy 35-year-old Caucasian man. His symptoms began four years ago when he suddenly felt weakness in his legs and started sweating for unknown reasons. The symptoms worsened, and laboratory tests revealed hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at the time of the symptoms. All diagnostics attempts using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and endoscopic ultrasound did not reveal any abnormalities. At this stage, surgical intervention was planned, and a distal 80% pancreatectomy was performed. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical investigations of the pancreas showed an increased number of islets of different sizes, more or less evenly distributed in the gland, but no insulinoma. Patch-clamp recordings from isolated pancreatic β-cells showed that, even at a low glucose concentration (3 mmol/L), the β-cell membrane was depolarized, and action potentials were seen. Surprisingly, in patch-clamp experiments, the addition of diazoxide had a marked effect on K-ATP channel activity and membrane potential, but no effect on insulin levels in vivo before surgery. CONCLUSION: This case report adds new information on the pathogenesis of non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemic syndrome, as we performed an electrophysiologic characterization of isolated islet cells. We show, for the first time, that β-cells isolated from a non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemic syndrome patient are constantly depolarized, even at low glucose levels, but display normal K-ATP channel physiology.
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| 13. |
- Carlsson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Enhanced systolic myocardial function in elite endurance athletes during combined arm-and-leg exercise
- 2011
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In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 111:6, s. 905-913
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim here was to employ color tissue velocity imaging (TVI), to test the hypothesis that highly trained endurance athletes exhibit enhanced systolic function of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium both at rest and during combined arm-and-leg exercise in comparison with untrained subjects. For each of the ten elite male (EG) and ten matched control participants (CG), LV dimensions and systolic function were assessed at rest using echocardiography. Subsequently, these subjects exercised continuously on a combined arm-and-leg cycle ergometer for 3 min each at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100% of VO2max. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and peak contraction systolic velocities of the LV myocardium (PSV) were recorded in the end of each level. At rest, the trained and untrained groups differed with respect to LV dimensions, but not systolic function. At 60–100% VO2max, the EG group demonstrated both higher PSV and SBP. The observation that the EG athletes had higher PSV than CG during exercise at 60–100% VO2max, but not at rest or at 50% of VO2max, suggested an enhanced systolic capacity. This improvement is likely to be due to an enhanced inotropic contractility, which only becomes apparent during exercise.
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| 14. |
- Castro, Daniele Oliveira, et al.
(author)
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The use of a pilot-scale continuous paper process for fire retardant cellulose-kaolinite nanocomposites
- 2018
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In: Composites Science And Technology. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0266-3538 .- 1879-1050. ; 162, s. 215-224
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nanostructured materials are difficult to prepare rapidly and at large scale. Melt-processed polymer-clay nanocomposites are an exception, but the clay content is typically below 5 wt%. An approach for manufacturing of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)/kaolinite nanocomposites is here demonstrated in pilot-scale by continuous production of hybrid nanopaper structures with thickness of around 100 μm. The colloidal nature of MFC suspensions disintegrated from chemical wood fiber pulp offers the possibility to add kaolinite clay platelet particles of nanoscale thickness. For initial lab scale optimization purposes, nanocomposite processing (dewatering, small particle retention etc) and characterization (mechanical properties, density etc) were investigated using a sheet former (Rapid Köthen). This was followed by a continuous fabrication of composite paper structures using a pilot-scale web former. Nanocomposite morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties were measured in uniaxial tension. The fire retardancy was evaluated by cone calorimetry. Inorganic hybrid composites with high content of in-plane oriented nanocellulose, nanoclay and wood fibers were successfully produced at pilot scale. Potential applications include fire retardant paperboard for semi structural applications and as reinforcement mats in molded thermoset biocomposites.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Ciftci, Göksu Cinar, et al.
(author)
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Tailoring of rheological properties and structural polydispersity effects in microfibrillated cellulose suspensions
- 2020
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In: Cellulose. - : Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. - 0969-0239 .- 1572-882X. ; 27:16, s. 9227-9241
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract: Industrial production of low-charge microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) typically results in wide fibril size distributions. This polydispersity influences viscosity, overall colloidal stability, and rheological properties of MFC suspensions and gels in aqueous systems. In this work, a systematic rheological analysis is performed for industrially prepared MFC and fractions of different size distributions. Gel formation and flow characteristics (e.g., shear-thinning) of each fraction are examined under neutral and acidic conditions and compared with the unfractionated MFC suspension. The effects of size, aspect ratio, and surface charge on the rheology of semi-dilute MFC suspensions are discussed. The results demonstrate that particle size and aspect ratio distribution control the viscoelasticity and shear-thinning properties of MFC suspensions. An increased fraction of small diameter nanofibrils, by ex situ addition of the fine particles with high aspect ratio or removal of the coarsest particles (with lower aspect ratio) by fractionation, significantly enhances the storage modulus and the yield stress of the complex mixture, compared to the properties of the coarser fractions. New insights are also reported on the tailoring of the rheology of highly polydisperse fibrillar mixtures, where the rheological contributions of each fraction are discussed. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
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| 17. |
- Cunningham, Janet L., et al.
(author)
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Agreement between physicians' and patients' ratings on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale
- 2011
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In: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 135:1-3, s. 148-153
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Self-rating scales developed for monitoring depression severity are potentially informative and cost effective tools. There is an increasing tendency to use the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the self-rating version (MADRS-S) interchangeably. Methods: 400 patients with major depressive disorder were included. Concordance between patient and physician ratings was measured by means of repeated MADRS and MADRS-S ratings during a six-month drug trial and one-year follow-up. Results: Overall scores from patients and physicians show the same trends and both are sensitive to improvements. Our results, however, show only moderate to good agreement between patient and physician ratings. Intraclass coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.75 with highest agreement at week 8. Limitations: Generalizability is restricted to outpatients in general practice with moderate to severe depression. MADRS-S and MADRS scale definitions are similar but not identical concerning language and are scaled differently, 0-6 vs. 0-3, respectively, which may have influenced the results. The exclusion criteria restricted the range of values for the item Suicidal thoughts/Zest for life, which may have reduced the correlations. Conclusions: MADRS-S is a suitable tool for following patients' symptoms on a regular basis over time and may also be used to compensate for bias in physicians' ratings in drug trials.
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| 18. |
- Cunningham, Janet L., et al.
(author)
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Predicting disagreement between physicians and patients on depression response and remission
- 2013
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In: International Clinical Psychopharmacology. - 0268-1315 .- 1473-5857. ; 28:3, s. 134-140
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Demographic, personality, and disease-related factors all contribute when patients disagree with physicians on the severity of subjective symptoms. This study aims to create a model, on the basis of patient factors at treatment initiation, for longitudinal prediction of disagreement on treatment response and remission in depressed patients. Four hundred patients with major depressive disorder were studied during a clinical drug trial. Repeated assessments with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the self-rating version (MADRS-S) were used to indicate response or remission. Factors at baseline and week 2 were tested for inclusion in a model for the prediction of discordance on remission and response between patients and physicians at week 8. The models were then tested, in the same population, at weeks 12, 16, and 24. Model AUCs ranged from 0.71 to 0.74 for week 8. The models that were validated at weeks 12, 16, and 24 indicated stability in the predictive value of the models. The risk for longitudinal disagreement in the evaluation of depression treatment response and remission in clinical practice and drug trials can be predicted using factors at study initiation and at week 2.
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| 19. |
- Dunder, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of a scoring scheme, including proinsulin and the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, for the risk of acute coronary events in middle-aged men : Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM)
- 2004
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In: American Heart Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-8703 .- 1097-6744. ; 148:4, s. 596-601
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In recent years, the importance of circulating levels of proinsulin and apolipoproteins as risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) has been highlighted. The aims of the current study were to investigate whether introduction of these new markers of coronary risk could improve the performance of a risk prediction score and to compare this new score with traditional scoring schemes, such as the Framingham Study and the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster (PROCAM) Study schemes.METHODS: From 1970 to 1973 all 50-year-old men in Uppsala, Sweden, were invited to participate in a health survey aimed at identifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease (the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men [ULSAM] cohort). The current study investigated metabolic characteristics at baseline and the incidence of fatal and nonfatal MI (n = 251) during 28.7 years of follow-up in 1108 men who were free of coronary heart disease at baseline.RESULTS: The risk prediction score was derived from one half of the population sample from the ULSAM cohort and included systolic blood pressure, smoking, family history of MI, serum proinsulin, and the ratio between apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A1. The score was highly predictive for future MI (hazard ratio, 1.77 for a 1 SD increase; 95% CI, 1.49 to 2.10, P <.0001) in the other half of the population that was not used for generating the score. The ULSAM score performed slightly better than the Framingham and PROCAM scores (evaluated as areas under the receiver operating curves; Framingham, 61%; PROCAM, 63%; ULSAM, 66%; P =.08).CONCLUSIONS: A risk prediction score for MI including proinsulin and the ratio between apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A1 was developed in middle-aged men. This score was highly predictive for future fatal and nonfatal MI and proved to be at least as good as the Framingham and the PROCAM scores, being based on traditional risk factors.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Eggers, Kai M., et al.
(author)
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High-sensitive cardiac troponin T and its relations to cardiovascular risk factors, morbidity, and mortality in elderly men
- 2013
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In: American Heart Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-8703 .- 1097-6744. ; 166:3, s. 541-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Cardiac troponin is emerging as risk indicator in community-dwelling populations. In this study, we investigated the associations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) to cardiovascular (CV) disease and outcome in elderly men. Methods Cardiac troponin T was measured using a high-sensitive assay in 940 men aged 71 years participating in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men. We assessed both the cross-sectional associations of cTnT to CV risk factors and morbidities including cancer and the longitudinal associations to outcomes over 10 years of follow-up. Results Cardiac troponin T levels were measurable in 872 subjects (92.8%). In the cross-sectional analyses, cTnT was associated to CV risk factors (diabetes, smoking, and obesity), renal dysfunction, CV disease including atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, and biomarkers of inflammation and left ventricular dysfunction. In the longitudinal analyses, cTnT independently predicted total mortality and CV events including stroke. The standardized adjusted hazard ratio regarding the composite CV end point was 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.8), P < .001, for men with prevalent CV disease and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.4), P = .02, for men without. Cardiac troponin T improved discrimination metrics for all outcomes in the total population. This was mainly driven by the prognostic value of cTnT in subjects with prevalent CV disease. Conclusions In community-dwelling men, cTnT levels are associated to CV risk factors and morbidities and predict both fatal and nonfatal CV events. The relations to outcome are mainly seen in men with prevalent CV disease indicating that the prognostic value of cTnT in subjects free from CV disease is limited.
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| 22. |
- Engström, Gunnar, et al.
(author)
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Blood pressure increase and incidence of hypertension in relation to inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins.
- 2002
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In: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. - 1524-4636. ; 22:12, s. 2054-2058
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective— The reasons for the relationship between inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins (ISPs) and incidence of cardiovascular diseases are poorly understood. This study explored the hypothesis that ISPs are associated with future hypertension and age-related blood pressure increase. Method and Results— Blood pressure and plasma levels of fibrinogen, {alpha}1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and orosomucoid were determined in 2262 healthy men aged 35 to 50 years, initially without treatment for hypertension. The cohort was re-examined after 15.7 (±2.2) years. Incidence of hypertension and blood pressure increase was studied in relation to number of elevated proteins (ie, in the top quartile) at baseline. Among men without treatment for hypertension at follow-up, mean (±SD) increase in systolic blood pressure was 18.8±17, 19.2±17, 19.3±17, and 22.1±18 mm Hg, respectively, for men with 0, 1, 2, and >=3 elevated proteins (P for trend=0.02, adjusted for confounders). The corresponding values for pulse pressure increase was 15.5±14, 15.8±14, 17.4±14, and 17.8±15 mm Hg, respectively (P=0.02). Incidence of hypertension (>=160/95 mm Hg or treatment) and future blood pressure treatment showed similar associations with ISPs. Increase in diastolic blood pressure showed no association with ISPs. Conclusions— Plasma levels of ISPs are associated with a future increase in blood pressure. This could contribute to the relationship between ISP levels and cardiovascular disease.
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| 23. |
- Engström, Gunnar, et al.
(author)
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The Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study : objectives and design
- 2015
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 278:6, s. 645-659
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cardiopulmonary diseases are major causes of death worldwide, but currently recommended strategies for diagnosis and prevention may be outdated because of recent changes in risk factor patterns. The Swedish CArdioPulmonarybioImage Study (SCAPIS) combines the use of new imaging technologies, advances in large-scale 'omics' and epidemiological analyses to extensively characterize a Swedish cohort of 30 000 men and women aged between 50 and 64 years. The information obtained will be used to improve risk prediction of cardiopulmonary diseases and optimize the ability to study disease mechanisms. A comprehensive pilot study in 1111 individuals, which was completed in 2012, demonstrated the feasibility and financial and ethical consequences of SCAPIS. Recruitment to the national, multicentre study has recently started.
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| 24. |
- Eriksson, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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MAX-IV Design: Pushing the Envelope
- 2007
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In: 2007 IEEE Particle Accelerator Conference, vols 1-11. - 9781424409167 ; , s. 1277-1279
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The proposed MAX IV facility is meant as a successor to the existing MAX-lab. The accelerator part will consist of three storage rings, two new ones operated at 3 and 1.5 GeV respectively and the existing 700 MeV MAX III ring. The two new rings have identical lattices and are placed on top of each other. Both these rings have a very small emittance, 0.86 and 0.4 nm rad respectively, and offer synchrotron radiation of very high mean brilliance. As an injector, a 3 GeV linear accelerator is planned. The design philosophy and the special technical solutions called for are presented in this paper.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Eriksson, Niclas, et al.
(author)
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Genetic determinants of warfarin maintenance dose and time in therapeutic treatment range : a RE-LY genomics substudy
- 2016
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In: Pharmacogenomics (London). - : Future Medicine Ltd. - 1462-2416 .- 1744-8042. ; 17:13, s. 1425-1439
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: We investigated associations between genetic variation in candidate genes and on a genome-wide scale with warfarin maintenance dose, time in therapeutic range (TTR), and risk of major bleeding. Materials & methods: In total, 982 warfarin-treated patients from the RE-LY trial were studied. Results: After adjusting for SNPs in VKORC1 and CYP2C9, SNPs in DDHD1 (rs17126068) and NEDD4 (rs2288344) were associated with dose. Adding these SNPs and CYP4F2 (rs2108622) to a base model increased R-2 by 2.9%. An SNP in ASPH (rs4379440) was associated with TTR (-6.8% per minor allele). VKORC1 was associated with time less than INR 2.0. VKORC1 and CYP2C9 were associated with time more than INR 3.0, but not with major bleeding. Conclusions: We identified two novel genes associated with warfarin maintenance dose and one gene associated with TTR. These genes need to be replicated in an independent cohort.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Eriksson, Niclas, 1978-
(author)
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On the Prediction of Warfarin Dose
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Warfarin is one of the most widely used anticoagulants in the world. Treatment is complicated by a large inter-individual variation in the dose needed to reach adequate levels of anticoagulation i.e. INR 2.0 – 3.0. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate which factors, mainly genetic but also non-genetic, that affect the response to warfarin in terms of required maintenance dose, efficacy and safety with special focus on warfarin dose prediction.Through candidate gene and genome-wide studies, we have shown that the genes CYP2C9 and VKORC1 are the major determinants of warfarin maintenance dose. By combining the SNPs CYP2C9 *2, CYP2C9 *3 and VKORC1 rs9923231 with the clinical factors age, height, weight, ethnicity, amiodarone and use of inducers (carbamazepine, phenytoin or rifampicin) into a prediction model (the IWPC model) we can explain 43 % to 51 % of the variation in warfarin maintenance dose. Patients requiring doses < 29 mg/week and doses ≥ 49 mg/week benefitted the most from pharmacogenetic dosing. Further, we have shown that the difference across ethnicities in percent variance explained by VKORC1 was largely accounted for by the allele frequency of rs9923231. Other novel genes affecting maintenance dose (NEDD4 and DDHD1), as well as the replicated CYP4F2 gene, have small effects on dose predictions and are not likely to be cost-effective, unless inexpensive genotyping is available.Three types of prediction models for warfarin dosing exist: maintenance dose models, loading dose models and dose revision models. The combination of these three models is currently being used in the warfarin treatment arm of the European Pharmacogenetics of Anticoagulant Therapy (EU-PACT) study. Other clinical trials aiming to prove the clinical validity and utility of pharmacogenetic dosing are also underway.The future of pharmacogenetic warfarin dosing relies on results from these ongoing studies, the availability of inexpensive genotyping and the cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetic driven warfarin dosing compared with new oral anticoagulant drugs.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Gunnlaugsson, Adalsteinn, et al.
(author)
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Multicentre phase II trial of capecitabine and oxaliplatin in combination with radiotherapy for unresectable colorectal cancer : The CORGI-L study
- 2009
-
In: European Journal of Cancer. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-8049 .- 1879-0852. ; 45:5, s. 807-813
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: This study assessed radiotherapy combined with capecitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with primary, inextirpable colorectal adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients entered the trial. Two cycles of XELOX (capecitabine 1000mg/m(2) bid d1-14+oxaliplatin 130mg/m(2) d1, q3w) were followed by radiotherapy (50.4Gy), combined with capecitabine 825mg/m(2) bid every radiotherapy day and oxaliplatin 60mg/m(2) once weekly. The primary end-point was objective response. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were evaluable. Twenty-nine (62% [95% CI: 46-75%]) achieved complete or partial response. Thirty-eight (81%) went through surgery of whom 37 (97%) had an R0 resection and five (13%) had a pathological complete response. Seventy-eight percent were alive and estimated local progression rate was 11% at 2 years. The most common grade 3+ toxicity during chemoradiotherapy was diarrhoea (24%). CONCLUSIONS: XELOX-RT was feasible and showed promising efficacy when treating patients with primary inextirpable colorectal cancer, establishing high local control rate.
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| 32. |
- Haglund Åsa, Johansson Lisbeth, Berglund Lars, Dahlstedt Lars
(author)
-
Sensory evaluation of carrots from ecological and conventional growing systems
- 1999
-
In: FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0950-3293. ; 10:1, s. 23-29
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this study was to establish whether there are sensory differences between conventionally and ecologically grown carrots. The results showed that year, growing system and variety had an impact on sensory quality. A consistent trend for two conse
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| 33. |
- Hagström, Emil, et al.
(author)
-
Plasma parathyroid hormone and risk of congestive heart failure in the community
- 2010
-
In: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 12:11, s. 1186-1192
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In experimental studies parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been associated with underlying causes of heart failure (HF) such as atherosclerosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis. Individuals with increased levels of PTH, such as primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism patients, have increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and HF. Moreover, increasing PTH is associated with worse prognosis in patients with overt HF. However, the association between PTH and the development HF in the community has not been reported. In a prospective, community-based study of 864 elderly men without HF or valvular disease at baseline (mean age 71 years, the ULSAM study) the association between plasma (P)-PTH and HF hospitalization was investigated adjusted for established HF risk factors (myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes, electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, smoking, and hypercholesterolaemia) and variables reflecting mineral metabolism (S-calcium, S-phosphate, P-vitamin D, S-albumin, dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity, glomerular filtration rate, and blood draw season). During follow-up (median 8 years), 75 individuals were hospitalized due to HF. In multivariable Cox-regression analyses, higher P-PTH was associated with increased HF hospitalization (hazard ratio for 1-SD increase of PTH, 1.41, 95% CI 1.12-1.77, P = 0.003). Parathyroid hormone also predicted hospitalization in participants without apparent ischaemic HF and in participants with normal P-PTH. In a large community-based sample of elderly men, PTH predicted HF hospitalizations, also after accounting for established risk factors and mineral metabolism variables. Our data suggest a role for PTH in the development of HF even in the absence of overt hyperparathyroidism.
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| 34. |
- Hagström, Emil, et al.
(author)
-
Plasma parathyroid hormone and the risk of cardiovascular mortality in the community
- 2009
-
In: Circulation. - : American Heart Association. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 119:21, s. 2765-2771
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Diseases with elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) such as primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism are associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and death. However, data on the prospective association between circulating PTH levels and cardiovascular mortality in the community are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM), a community-based cohort of elderly men (mean age, 71 years; n=958), was used to investigate the association between plasma PTH and cardiovascular mortality. During follow-up (median, 9.7 years), 117 participants died of cardiovascular causes. In Cox proportional-hazards models adjusted for established cardiovascular risk factors (age, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, antihypertensive treatment, lipid-lowering treatment, and history of cardiovascular disease), higher plasma PTH was associated with higher risk for cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio for 1-SD increase in PTH, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 1.60; P<0.001). This association remained essentially unaltered in participants without previous cardiovascular disease and in participants with normal PTH (<6.8 pmol/L) with no other signs of a disturbed mineral metabolism (normal serum calcium, 2.2 to 2.6 mmol/L; normal glomerular filtration rate, >50 mL . min(-1) . 1.73 m(-2) and without vitamin D deficiency, plasma 25-OH vitamin D >37.5 nmol/L). Interestingly, elevated plasma PTH (>5.27 pmol/L) accounted for 20% (95% confidence interval, 10 to 26) of the population-attributable risk proportion for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma PTH levels predict cardiovascular mortality in the community, even in individuals with PTH within the normal range. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical implications of measuring PTH in cardiovascular risk prediction and to elucidate whether PTH is a modifiable risk factor.
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Hamedi, Mahiar M., et al.
(author)
-
Highly Conducting, Strong Nanocomposites Based on Nanocellulose-Assisted Aqueous Dispersions of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
- 2014
-
In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 8:3, s. 2467-2476
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is challenging to obtain high-quality dispersions of single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) in composite matrix materials, in order to reach the full potential of mechanical and electronic properties. The most widely used matrix materials are polymers, and the route to achieving high quality dispersions of SWNT is mainly chemical functionalization of the SWNT. This leads to increased cost, a loss of strength and lower conductivity. In addition full potential of colloidal self-assembly cannot be fully exploited in a polymer matrix. This may limit the possibilities for assembly of highly ordered structural nanocomposites. Here we show that nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) can act as an excellent aqueous dispersion agent for as-prepared SWNTs, making possible low-cost exfoliation and purification of SWNTs with dispersion limits exceeding 40 wt %. The NFC:SWNT dispersion may also offer a cheap and sustainable alternative for molecular self-assembly of advanced composites. We demonstrate semitransparent conductive films, aerogels and anisotropic microscale fibers with nanoscale composite structure. The NFC:SWNT nanopaper shows increased strength at 3 wt % SWNT, reaching a modulus of 133 GPa, and a strength of 307 MPa. The anisotropic microfiber composites have maximum conductivities above 200 S cm(-1) and current densities reaching 1400 A cm(-2).
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| 37. |
- Hänni, Arvo, et al.
(author)
-
The alterations in insulin sensitivity during angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment are related to changes in the calcium/magnesium balance
- 1997
-
In: American Journal of Hypertension. - 0895-7061 .- 1941-7225. ; 10:2, s. 145-151
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The present analysis was undertaken to investigate the relations between alterations in mineral factors, especially the balance between serum calcium and magnesium concentrations (S-Ca and S-Mg, respectively), and variables reflecting glucose and lipid metabolism during angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment. A total of 96 patients with essential hypertension, participating in four double-blind studies with four different ACE inhibitors and similar protocols, were included. At the end of the initial placebo period and at the end of the period of active drug treatment, a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test was carried out, lipoprotein status was assessed, and the concentrations of serum electrolytes were measured. The serum ACE activity was determined in the group treated with fosinopril. Changes in insulin sensitivity index (M/I) were directly correlated to alterations in S-Mg (r = 0.24, P < .02), and inversely correlated to changes in S-Ca (r = -0.19, P = .07) and the ratio between serum calcium and magnesium concentrations (Ca/Mg) (r = -0.27, P < .008). The change in total serum triglycerides (S-Tg) was inversely correlated to the change in S-Mg (r = -0.35, P < .0005), and directly correlated to the change in Ca/Mg ratio (r = 0.36, P < .0004). The reduction in serum ACE activity correlated to a more pronounced increase in S-Mg r = -0.62, P < .002), and decrease in the Ca/Mg ratio (r = 0.73, P = .0002). We conclude that the changes in the studied metabolic variables and serum ACE activity during ACE inhibitor treatment are related to alterations in mineral status and the balance between calcium and magnesium concentrations in serum.
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| 38. |
- Joby Kochumalayil, Jose, et al.
(author)
-
Bioinspired and highly oriented clay nanocomposites with a xyloglucan biopolymer matrix : Extending the range of mechanical and barrier properties
- 2013
-
In: Biomacromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 14:1, s. 84-91
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The development of clay bionanocomposites requires processing routes with nanostructural control. Moreover, moisture durability is a concern with water-soluble biopolymers. Here, oriented bionanocomposite coatings with strong in-plane orientation of clay platelets are for the first time prepared by continuous water-based processing. Montmorillonite (MTM) and a "new" unmodified biological polymer (xyloglucan (XG)) are combined. The resulting nanocomposites are characterized by FE-SEM, TEM, and XRD. XG adsorption on MTM is measured by quartz crystal microbalance analysis. Mechanical and gas barrier properties are measured, also at high relative humidity. The reinforcement effects are modeled. XG dimensions in composites are estimated using atomistic simulations. The nanostructure shows highly oriented and intercalated clay platelets. The reinforcement efficiency and effects on barrier properties are remarkable and are likely to be due to highly oriented and well-dispersed MTM and strong XG-MTM interactions. Properties are well preserved in humid conditions and the reasons for this are discussed.
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| 39. |
- Karim, Zoheb, et al.
(author)
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Forming a cellulose based nanopaper using XPM
- 2017
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In: International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials 2017. - : TAPPI Press. - 9781510850897 ; , s. 399-407
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Larsson, Per A., 1980-
(author)
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Dimensional Stability of Paper : Influence of Fibre-Fibre Joints and Fibre Wall Oxidation
- 2008
-
Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Papper är ett mycket mångsidigt material. Trots detta finns det ett flertal egenskaper som begränsar papperets användbarhet. Ett av de större problemen med cellulosa- och lignocellulosafibrer är att de sänker sin fria energi genom att sorbera vatten, och denna sorption förändrar papperets dimensioner. Detta fenomen kallas vanligtvis för bristfällig dimensionsstabilitet och uppträder i form av registerfel vid flerfärgstryck eller som krullning, buckling och vågiga papperskanter vid utskrift, kopiering och lagring, eller med en vidare definition som förkortad livslängd hos lådor på grund av mekanosorptivt kryp. Avsikten med denna avhandling har varit att studera och kvantifiera vilka egenskaper som styr, och hur de påverkar, den vatteninducerade dimensionsförändringen som sker hos ett fibernätverk, samt hur dess dimensionsstabilitet kan förbättras. Detta har studerats både genom att ändra fiberns fuktsorptionsegenskaper och genom att förändra adhesionen och kontaktgraden mellan fibrerna i fiber-fiberfogarna. Fogegenskaperna har också varierats genom att tillverka laboratorieark torkade under inspänning samt ark torkade fritt för att minimera mängden inbyggda spänningar i arket. Blekt kraftmassa har behandlats med polyelektrolytmultilager (PEM) för att förbättra adhesionen mellan fibrerna och för att öka kontaktgraden mellan fibrerna i fogen. Kontaktgraden har även minskats genom förhorning av fibrerna före arkformning. För de ark som fick torka fritt gav PEM-behandlingen en ökad hygroexpansionskoefficient, det vill säga dimensionsförändringen normaliserad mot förändringen i fuktinnehåll, vid samma förändring i relativ luftfuktighet medan förhorningen minskade hygroexpansionskoefficienten något. Om arken emellertid torkades under inspänning observerades ingen skillnad i hygroexpansionskoefficient mellan de olika fibermodifieringarna. Detta tolkades som ett resultat av en ökad kontaktzon och en större utbredning ut ur fogens plan, när arken torkades utan inspänning. En utbredning som medför att en större del av fiberns transversella expansion överförs som expansion i pappersplanet. Fibrernas fuktsorptionsegenskaper förändrades genom natriumperjodatoxidering av 1,4-glukanernas C2-C3-bindning. Detta skapade sannolikt tvärbindningar i fiberväggen som förbättrade fiberväggens tålighet både genom att låsa fibrillerna närmare varandra och genom att ta bort potentiella adsorptionssäten som annars är tillgängliga för vattenadsorption. Perjodatoxidationen minskar också fibrernas kristallinitet och således frigjorde oxidationen hydroxylgrupper där vattenmolekyler kan adsorbera. Detta innebar att oxidationen både minskade och ökade interaktionen mellan vatten och fibervägg, men dock på olika strukturell nivå. Tvärbindningarna visade sig också märkbart reducera sorptionshastigheten när arken utsattes för en förändrad luftfuktighet så länge de inte tidigare utsatts för relativa luftfuktigheter nära mättnad. Som ett resultat av den lägre förändringen i fuktinnehåll vid en förändring i luftfuktighet från 20 till 85 % RF minskade dimensionsförändringens amplitud för de tvärbundna arken upp till 30 %. Emellertid uppvisade de tvärbundna arken en högre hygroexpansionskoefficeint, vilket innebär att de blev mer känsliga för absoluta förändringar i fuktinnehåll.
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| 42. |
- Larsson, Per A., et al.
(author)
-
Ductile All-Cellulose Nanocomposite Films Fabricated from Core-Shell Structured Cellulose Nanofibrils
- 2014
-
In: Biomacromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 15:6, s. 2218-2223
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cellulosic materials have many desirable properties such as high mechanical strength and low oxygen permeability and will be an important component in a sustainable biomaterial-based society, but unfortunately they often lack the ductility and formability offered by petroleum-based materials. This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite films made of core-shell modified cellulose nanofibrils (CNEs) surrounded by a shell of ductile dialcohol cellulose, created by heterogeneous periodate oxidation followed by borohydride reduction of the native cellulose in the external parts of the individual fibrils. The oxidation with periodate selectively produces dialdehyde cellulose, and the process does not increase the charge density of the material. Yet the modified cellulose fibers could easily be homogenized to CNFs. Prior to film fabrication, the CNF was shown by atomic force microscopy to be 0.5-2 mu m long and 4-10 nm wide. The films were fabricated by filtration, and besides uniaxial tensile testing at different relative humidities, they were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and oxygen permeability. The strength-at-break at 23 degrees C and 50% RH was 175 MPa, and the films could, before rupture, be strained, mainly by plastic deformation, to about 15% and 37% at 50% RH and 90% RH, respectively. This moisture plasticization was further utilized to form a demonstrator consisting of a double-curved structure with a nominal strain of 24% over the curvature. At a relative humidity of 80%, the films still acted as a good oxygen barrier, having an oxygen permeability of 5.5 mL-mu L/(m(2).24 h.kPa). These properties indicate that this new material has a potential for use as a barrier in complex-shaped structures and hence ultimately reduce the need for petroleum-based plastics.
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| 43. |
- Larsson, Per A., 1980-, et al.
(author)
-
Ductile cellulose nanocomposite films fabricated from nanofibrillated cellulose after partial conversion to dialcohol cellulose
- 2013
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ductile nanofibrillar nanocomposite films with a strain at break of 18%, and a tensile strength of 185 MPa, have been fabricated from nanofibrillated bleached kraft fibres partially converted to dialcohol cellulose prior to homogenisation. The conversion to dialcohol cellulose was performed by oxidation with sodium periodate to a degree of oxidation of ca. 30%, followed by reduction with sodium borohydride, and the fabricated films consequentially had one stiff cellulose phase and one flexible dialcohol cellulose phase. The liberated nanofibrils were characterised by AFM, after adsorption onto a silica surface, and imaging in tapping mode showed a blend of elementary fibrils with a width of 5 nm and inter-entangled fibril aggregates with a width of 15-20 nm. Besides good mechanical properties, the films also provided good barrier properties; at 0% RH the oxygen permeability was 2 ml·µm/(m2·d·kPa).
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| 44. |
- Larsson, Per A., et al.
(author)
-
Highly ductile fibres and sheets by core-shell structuring of the cellulose nanofibrils
- 2014
-
In: Cellulose. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0969-0239 .- 1572-882X. ; 21:1, s. 323-333
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A greater ductility of cellulosic materials is important if they are to be used in increasingly advanced applications. This study explores the potential for using chemical core-shell structuring on the nanofibril level to alter the mechanical properties of cellulose fibres and sheets made thereof. The structuring was achieved by a selective oxidation of the cellulose C2-C3 bonds with sodium periodate, followed by a reduction of the aldehydes formed with sodium borohydride, i.e. locally transforming cellulose to dialcohol cellulose. The resulting fibres were morphologically characterised and the sheets made of these modified fibres were mechanically tested. These analyses showed a minor decrease in the degree of polymerisation, a significantly reduced cellulose crystal width and a greater ductility. At 27 % conversion of the available C2-C3 bonds, sheets could be strained 11 %, having a stress at break of about 90 MPa, and consequently a remarkable tensile energy absorption at rupture of about 9 kJ/kg, i.e. 3-4 times higher than a strong conventional paper. Zero-span tensile measurements indicated that the treatment increased the ductility not only of sheets but also of individual fibres. This suggests that the amorphous and molecularly more mobile dialcohol cellulose is located as a shell surrounding the crystalline core of the cellulose fibrils, and that, at deformations beyond the yield point, this facilitates plastic deformation both within and between individual fibres.
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| 45. |
- Larsson, Per A., 1980-, et al.
(author)
-
Towards optimised size distribution in commercial microfibrillated cellulose : a fractionation approach
- 2019
-
In: Cellulose. - : Springer. - 0969-0239 .- 1572-882X. ; 26:3, s. 1565-1575
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For the successful commercialisation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) it is of utmost importance to carefully characterise the constituent cellulose particles. This could for instance lead to the development of MFC grades with size distributions tailored for specific applications. Characterization of MFC is challenging due to the heterogeneous chemical and structural nature of MFC. This study describes a fractionation approach that combines two steps of physical sieving of larger particles and a final centrifugation step to separate out the smallest, colloidally stable particles, resulting in four distinctly different size fractions. The properties, such as size and charge, of each fraction were studied, as well as MFC filtration time, film formation, and film properties (mechanical and optical). It was found that virtually all surface charges, determined by polyelectrolyte adsorption, are located in the colloidally stable fraction of the MFC. In addition, the amount of available surface charges can be used as an estimate of the degree of fibrillation of the MFC. The partly fibrillated particles frequently displayed a branching, fringed morphology. Mechanical testing of films from the different fractions revealed that the removal of large particles may be more important for strength than achieving full fibrillation. Overall, this study demonstrates that by controlling the size distribution in MFC grades, property profiles including dewatering time to make films by filtration, rheology, film strength and optical transmittance could be optimised. [GRAPHICS] .
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| 46. |
- Li, Lengwan, et al.
(author)
-
Ultrastrong Ionotronic Films Showing Electrochemical Osmotic Actuation
- 2023
-
In: Advanced Materials. - : Wiley. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 35:45
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A multifunctional soft material with high ionic and electrical conductivity, combined with high mechanical properties and the ability to change shape can enable bioinspired responsive devices and systems. The incorporation of all these characteristics in a single material is very challenging, as the improvement of one property tends to reduce other properties. Here, a nanocomposite film based on charged, high-aspect-ratio 1D flexible nanocellulose fibrils, and 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene is presented. The self-assembly process results in a stratified structure with the nanoparticles aligned in-plane, providing high ionotronic conductivity and mechanical strength, as well as large water uptake. In hydrogel form with 20 wt% liquid, the electrical conductivity is over 200 S cm−1 and the in-plane tensile strength is close to 100 MPa. This multifunctional performance results from the uniquely layered composite structure at nano- and mesoscales. A new type of electrical soft actuator is assembled where voltage as low as ±1 V resulted in osmotic effects and giant reversible out-of-plane swelling, reaching 85% strain.
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| 47. |
- Liljedahl, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
-
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B and low density lipoprotein receptor genes affect response to antihypertensive treatment
- 2004
-
In: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2261 .- 1471-2261. ; 4:1, s. 16-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia has been associated with hypertension. The present study explored if polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in lipid metabolism could be used as predictors for the individual response to antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes related to lipid metabolism were analysed by a microarray based minisequencing system in DNA samples from ninety-seven hypertensive subjects randomised to treatment with either 150 mg of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker irbesartan or 50 mg of the beta1-adrenergic receptor blocker atenolol for twelve weeks. RESULTS: The reduction in blood pressure was similar in both treatment groups. The SNP C711T in the apolipoprotein B gene was associated with the blood pressure response to irbesartan with an average reduction of 19 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele, but not to atenolol. The C16730T polymorphism in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene predicted the change in systolic blood pressure in the atenolol group with an average reduction of 14 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in the lipid metabolism are associated with the response to antihypertensive treatment in a drug specific pattern. These results highlight the potential use of pharmacogenetics as a guide for individualised antihypertensive treatment, and also the role of lipids in blood pressure control.
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| 48. |
- Lind, Lars, et al.
(author)
-
Endothelial Function in Resistance and Conduit Arteries and 5-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
- 2011
-
In: Circulation. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 123:14, s. 1545-1551
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background-Impaired endothelial function has been implicated as a cause of cardiovascular disease. Little is known of the relations of measures of endothelial function in resistance and conduit arteries to incident cardiovascular disease in the general population, and available techniques have not been compared. Methods and Results-In 1016 participants (70 years of age) of the population-based Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (52% women), we measured endothelium-dependent vasodilation using the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine given in the brachial artery, the brachial artery ultrasound technique with measurement of flow-mediated dilatation, and the pulse-wave analysis-based method with beta-2-agonist terbutaline provocation. During 5 years of follow-up, 101 participants experienced a composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death, excluding the 85 persons with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke at baseline. In logistic regression models adjusted for several established and novel cardiovascular disease risk factors and medications, endothelium-dependent vasodilation by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine was associated with risk of the end point (odds ratio, 0.72 per SD; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 0.93; P = 0.01). Endothelial function by the other 2 methods was not related to risk of the end point. Addition of endothelium-dependent vasodilation to the Framingham risk score improved discrimination of risk of the end point. Conclusions-Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in resistance arteries, but not in the brachial conduit artery (flow-mediated dilatation), was associated with 5-year risk of a composite end point of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke independently of major cardiovascular disease risk factors. This vascular measurement improved risk discrimination when added to an established risk score in an elderly population.
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| 49. |
- Lindhagen, Lars, et al.
(author)
-
Level-adjusted funnel plots based on predicted marginal expectations : an application to prophylactic antibiotics in gallstone surgery
- 2014
-
In: Statistics in Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0277-6715 .- 1097-0258. ; 33:21, s. 3655-3675
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Funnel plots are widely used to visualize grouped data, for example, in institutional comparison. This paper extends the concept to a multi-level setting, displaying one level at a time, adjusted for the other levels, as well as for covariates at all levels. These level-adjusted funnel plots are based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo fit of a random effects model, translating the estimated model parameters to predicted marginal expectations. Working within the estimation framework, we accommodate outlying institutions using heavy-tailed random effects distributions. We also develop computer-efficient methods to compute predicted probabilities in the case of dichotomous outcome data and various random effect distributions. We apply the method to a data set on prophylactic antibiotics in gallstone surgery.
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| 50. |
- Lu, Ming, et al.
(author)
-
Expression and association of TRPC subtypes with Orai1 and STIM1 in human parathyroid
- 2010
-
In: Journal of Molecular Endocrinology. - 0952-5041 .- 1479-6813. ; 44:5, s. 285-294
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The mechanism behind Ca2+ entry into the parathyroid cells has been widely debated, and the molecular identities of the responsible ion channels have not been established yet. In this study, we show that the parathyroid cells lack voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. Passive store depletion by thapsigargin, on the other hand, induces a large non-voltage-activated non-selective cation current. The increase in intracellular Ca2+ caused by thapsigargin is attenuated by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, a blocker of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Candidate molecules for non-voltage-operated Ca2+ signaling were investigated. These included members of the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) ion channel family, as well as Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ modulator 1 (Orai1) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) that are key proteins in the SOCE pathway. Using RT-PCR screening, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot, we showed expression of TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC6; Orai1; and STIM1 genes and proteins in normal and adenomatous human parathyroid tissues. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a ternary complex of TRPC1-Orai1-STIM1, supporting a physical interaction between these molecules in human parathyroid.
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