1. |
- Patterson, C. C., et al.
(author)
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Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in Europe during 1989-2008 : evidence of non-uniformity over time in rates of increase
- 2012
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In: Diabetologia. - : Springer-Verlag New York. - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 55:8, s. 2142-2147
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to describe 20-year incidence trends for childhood type 1 diabetes in 23 EURODIAB centres and compare rates of increase in the first (1989-1998) and second (1999-2008) halves of the period. All registers operate in geographically defined regions and are based on a clinical diagnosis. Completeness of registration is assessed by capture-recapture methodology. Twenty-three centres in 19 countries registered 49,969 new cases of type 1 diabetes in individuals diagnosed before their 15th birthday during the period studied. Ascertainment exceeded 90% in most registers. During the 20-year period, all but one register showed statistically significant changes in incidence, with rates universally increasing. When estimated separately for the first and second halves of the period, the median rates of increase were similar: 3.4% per annum and 3.3% per annum, respectively. However, rates of increase differed significantly between the first half and the second half for nine of the 21 registers with adequate coverage of both periods; five registers showed significantly higher rates of increase in the first half, and four significantly higher rates in the second half. The incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes continues to rise across Europe by an average of approximately 3-4% per annum, but the increase is not necessarily uniform, showing periods of less rapid and more rapid increase in incidence in some registers. This pattern of change suggests that important risk exposures differ over time in different European countries. Further time trend analysis and comparison of the patterns in defined regions is warranted.
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2. |
- Langefeld, Carl D., et al.
(author)
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Transancestral mapping and genetic load in systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2017
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In: Nature Communications. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (similar to 50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (P < 5 x 10(-8)), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect. The risk allele count (genetic load) exhibits an accelerating pattern of SLE risk, leading us to posit a cumulative hit hypothesis for autoimmune disease. Comparing results across the three ancestries identifies both ancestry-dependent and ancestry-independent contributions to SLE risk. Our results are consistent with the unique and complex histories of the populations sampled, and collectively help clarify the genetic architecture and ethnic disparities in SLE.
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- Gateva, Vesela, et al.
(author)
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A large-scale replication study identifies TNIP1, PRDM1, JAZF1, UHRF1BP1 and IL10 as risk loci for systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2009
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 41:11, s. 1228-1233
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies have recently identified at least 15 susceptibility loci for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To confirm additional risk loci, we selected SNPs from 2,466 regions that showed nominal evidence of association to SLE (P < 0.05) in a genome-wide study and genotyped them in an independent sample of 1,963 cases and 4,329 controls. This replication effort identified five new SLE susceptibility loci (P < 5 x 10(-8)): TNIP1 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27), PRDM1 (OR = 1.20), JAZF1 (OR = 1.20), UHRF1BP1 (OR = 1.17) and IL10 (OR = 1.19). We identified 21 additional candidate loci with P< or = 1 x 10(-5). A candidate screen of alleles previously associated with other autoimmune diseases suggested five loci (P < 1 x 10(-3)) that may contribute to SLE: IFIH1, CFB, CLEC16A, IL12B and SH2B3. These results expand the number of confirmed and candidate SLE susceptibility loci and implicate several key immunologic pathways in SLE pathogenesis.
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6. |
- Ishigaki, Kazuyoshi, et al.
(author)
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Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses identify novel genetic mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2022
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Nature. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 54:11, s. 1640-1651
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly heritable complex disease with unknown etiology. Multi-ancestry genetic research of RA promises to improve power to detect genetic signals, fine-mapping resolution and performances of polygenic risk scores (PRS). Here, we present a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of RA, which includes 276,020 samples from five ancestral groups. We conducted a multi-ancestry meta-analysis and identified 124 loci (P < 5 × 10−8), of which 34 are novel. Candidate genes at the novel loci suggest essential roles of the immune system (for example, TNIP2 and TNFRSF11A) and joint tissues (for example, WISP1) in RA etiology. Multi-ancestry fine-mapping identified putatively causal variants with biological insights (for example, LEF1). Moreover, PRS based on multi-ancestry GWAS outperformed PRS based on single-ancestry GWAS and had comparable performance between populations of European and East Asian ancestries. Our study provides several insights into the etiology of RA and improves the genetic predictability of RA.
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8. |
- Saevarsdottir, S., et al.
(author)
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Multiomics analysis of rheumatoid arthritis yields sequence variants that have large effects on risk of the seropositive subset
- 2022
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives To find causal genes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its seropositive (RF and/or ACPA positive) and seronegative subsets. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 31 313 RA cases (68% seropositive) and similar to 1 million controls from Northwestern Europe. We searched for causal genes outside the HLA-locus through effect on coding, mRNA expression in several tissues and/or levels of plasma proteins (SomaScan) and did network analysis (Qiagen). Results We found 25 sequence variants for RA overall, 33 for seropositive and 2 for seronegative RA, altogether 37 sequence variants at 34 non-HLA loci, of which 15 are novel. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of these yielded 25 causal genes in seropositive RA and additional two overall. Most encode proteins in the network of interferon-alpha/beta and IL-12/23 that signal through the JAK/STAT-pathway. Highlighting those with largest effect on seropositive RA, a rare missense variant in STAT4 (rs140675301-A) that is independent of reported non-coding STAT4-variants, increases the risk of seropositive RA 2.27-fold (p=2.1x10(-9)), more than the rs2476601-A missense variant in PTPN22 (OR=1.59, p=1.3x10(-160)). STAT4 rs140675301-A replaces hydrophilic glutamic acid with hydrophobic valine (Glu128Val) in a conserved, surface-exposed loop. A stop-mutation (rs76428106-C) in FLT3 increases seropositive RA risk (OR=1.35, p=6.6x10(-11)). Independent missense variants in TYK2 (rs34536443-C, rs12720356-C, rs35018800-A, latter two novel) associate with decreased risk of seropositive RA (ORs=0.63-0.87, p=10(-9)-10(-27)) and decreased plasma levels of interferon-alpha/beta receptor 1 that signals through TYK2/JAK1/STAT4. Conclusion Sequence variants pointing to causal genes in the JAK/STAT pathway have largest effect on seropositive RA, while associations with seronegative RA remain scarce.
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9. |
- Berglin, Ewa, MD, PhD, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies predate symptom onset of anca-associated vasculitis : a case-control study
- 2020
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 79, s. 1065-1066
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic autoantibodies (ANCA) is important for the diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and reflects on-going immune processes. The timing of the antibody development and its contribution to disease is not well established.Objectives:To investigate the presence of proteinase 3 (PR3)- and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA in blood samples collected from healthy individuals who subsequently developed AAV.Methods:The Swedish National Patient Register of inpatient care and the Swedish Cause of Death Register were used to identify individuals assigned ICD codes for AAV (1) in the discharge summary or cause of death, respectively. The resulted cohort was then linked to the registers of 4 different biobanks to identify those with available predating blood samples. Diagnoses of AAV were confirmed and time point for onset of symptoms was identified by reviewing all available case records (1); 68 were classified as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 14 as microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and 4 as eosinophilic GPA (EGPA). The 86 cases (36 males, 50 females) had a mean (SD) age of 51.9 (16.9) years at sampling, with ≥1 sample (26% plasma, 74% serum samples). The sampling time point before onset of symptoms was mean (SD); 4.4 (3.1) years. Serum and plasma control samples (n=198; 82 males, 116 females; mean age (SD); 52.0 (16.5) years) were identified and matched for sex, age and date of sampling. The samples were first screened for ANCA using high sensitive ELISA (ORGANTEC diagnostika, Germany) and samples close to or above cut-off level were further analysed for capture PR3- and capture MPO-ANCA (ELISA; SVAR Life Science, Sweden). For each case one control sample was included for the ANCA specificity tests. Statistical calculations were performed using SPSS software.Results:In ANCA-screen 36.0% of the cases and 2.6 % of controls tested positive (p<0.001). 23/52 (44.2%) of the cases were PR3-ANCA positive (OR 56.3; 95% CI 7.26-436.62) and 8/52 (15.4%) were MPO-ANCA positive (OR 4.18; 95% CI 1.05-16.62). The mean (SD) predating time for PR3-ANCA positivity was 3.73 (3.49) years and for MPO-ANCA positivity 2.11 (1.46) years. Cases with positive predating PR3-ANCA were younger (46.0±19.4 vs 65.6±12.0 years; P<0.001) than cases with a negative predating PR3-ANCA. MPO-ANCA positive vs. MPO-ANCA negative pre-dating cases had more often severe disease (kidney/lung/peripheral nervous system) (OR 15.08; 95% CI 1.68—135.54) at disease onset. Furthermore, predating MPO-ANCA positive vs predating PR3-ANCA positive cases had significantly more often severe manifestations at disease onset (87.5% vs 28.6%; p<0.05). Cases positive vs. negative for MPO-ANCA in predating samples were less often classified as GPA (37.5% vs 86.4%; p<0.01) and more often as MPA (62.5% vs 13.6%; p<0.05).Conclusion:The production of both PR3 and MPO-ANCA starts already years before onset of symptoms of AAV. Presence of MPO-ANCA appeared closer to symptom onset and with more severe disease presentation. Differences in the disease phenotype and disease severity were evident between the two ANCA serotypes.References:[1]Watts et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2007;66:222-22Acknowledgments: :Vasculitis Foundation, USADisclosure of Interests:Ewa Berglin: None declared, Aladdin J Mohammad Speakers bureau: lecture fees from Roche and Elli Lilly Sweden, PI (GiACTA study), Johanna Dahlqvist: None declared, Catharina Eriksson: None declared, Johanna Sjöwall: None declared, Solbritt Rantapää Dahlqvist: None declared
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10. |
- Bodman-Smith, M.D., et al.
(author)
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Antibody response to the human stress protein BiP in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2004
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In: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332 .- 1460-2172. ; 43:10, s. 1283-1287
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. The human stress protein BiP (immunoglobulin binding protein) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since BiP was found to stimulate synovial T-cell proliferation and anti-BiP antibodies are present in the serum of RA patients. The aim of this study was the development of a rapid and reproducible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the specificity and sensitivity of anti-BiP antibodies in RA.Methods. An ELISA was developed that detected antibodies to BiP. The prevalence of anti-BiP antibodies was determined in sera from patients with early and established RA, sera antedating the onset of RA and sera from patients with other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and healthy controls.Results. We have confirmed the increased prevalence of antibodies to BiP in the sera of a large cohort of patients with established RA (specificity 71% and sensitivity 73%) and early RA (specificity 65% and sensitivity 66%). In pre-disease sera, median 2.5 yr (interquartile range 1.1–4.7) before symptoms of joint disease, the sensitivity for anti-BiP antibodies was 45% and the specificity was 65% for the development of RA.Conclusion. Antibodies to BiP are found in the sera of patients with RA and in sera antedating the onset of RA.
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11. |
- Burman, Pia, et al.
(author)
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Deaths Among Adult Patients With Hypopituitarism: Hypocortisolism During Acute Stress, and De Novo Malignant Brain Tumors Contribute to an Increased Mortality
- 2013
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 98:4, s. 1466-1475
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Patients with hypopituitarism have an increased standardized mortality rate. The basis for Objective: To investigate in detail the cause of death in a large cohort of patients with hypopituitarism Design and Methods: All-cause and cause-specific mortality in 1286 Swedish patients with Main Outcome Measures: Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated, with stratification for Results: An excess mortality was found, 120 deaths vs 84.3 expected, SMR 1.42 (95% confidence Conclusion: Two important causes of excess mortality were identified: first, adrenal crisis in response
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12. |
- Chapman, G, et al.
(author)
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High levels of Notch signaling down-regulate Numb and Numblike
- 2006
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In: The Journal of cell biology. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 0021-9525 .- 1540-8140. ; 175:4, s. 535-540
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inhibition of Notch signaling by Numb is critical for many cell fate decisions. In this study, we demonstrate a more complex relationship between Notch and the two vertebrate Numb homologues Numb and Numblike. Although Numb and Numblike at low levels of Notch signaling negatively regulated Notch, high levels of Notch signaling conversely led to a reduction of Numb and Numblike protein levels in cultured cells and in the developing chick central nervous system. The Notch intracellular domain but not the canonical Notch downstream proteins Hes 1 and Hey 1 caused a reduction of Numb and Numblike. The Notch-mediated reduction of Numblike required the PEST domain in the Numblike protein and was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Collectively, these observations reveal a reciprocal negative regulation between Notch and Numb/Numblike, which may be of relevance for stabilizing asymmetric cell fate switches and for tumor development.
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15. |
- Vouzouneraki, Konstantina, et al.
(author)
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Temporal relationship of sleep apnea and acromegaly: a nationwide study
- 2018
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In: Endocrine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1355-008X .- 1559-0100. ; 62:2, s. 456-463
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposePatients with acromegaly have an increased risk of sleep apnea, but reported prevalence rates vary largely. Here we aimed to evaluate the sleep apnea prevalence in a large national cohort of patients with acromegaly, to examine possible risk factors, and to assess the proportion of patients diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to acromegaly diagnosis.MethodsCross-sectional multicenter study of 259 Swedish patients with acromegaly. At patients' follow-up visits at the endocrine outpatient clinics of all seven university hospitals in Sweden, questionnaires were completed to assess previous sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, cardiovascular diseases, smoking habits, anthropometric data, and S-IGF-1 levels. Daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Patients suspected to have undiagnosed sleep apnea were referred for sleep apnea investigations.ResultsOf the 259 participants, 75 (29%) were diagnosed with sleep apnea before the study start. In 43 (57%) of these patients, sleep apnea had been diagnosed before the diagnosis of acromegaly. After clinical assessment and sleep studies, sleep apnea was diagnosed in an additional 20 patients, yielding a total sleep apnea prevalence of 37%. Higher sleep apnea risk was associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, and index finger circumference. Sleep apnea was more frequent among patients with S-IGF-1 levels in the highest quartile.ConclusionSleep apnea is common among patients with acromegaly, and is often diagnosed prior to their acromegaly diagnosis. These results support early screening for sleep apnea in patients with acromegaly and awareness for acromegaly in patients with sleep apnea.
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- Wolever, Thomas M S, et al.
(author)
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Measuring the glycemic index of foods: interlaboratory study.
- 2008
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In: The American journal of clinical nutrition. - 0002-9165 .- 1938-3207. ; 87:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many laboratories offer glycemic index (GI) services. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the performance of the method used to measure GI. DESIGN: The GI of cheese-puffs and fruit-leather (centrally provided) was measured in 28 laboratories (n=311 subjects) by using the FAO/WHO method. The laboratories reported the results of their calculations and sent the raw data for recalculation centrally. RESULTS: Values for the incremental area under the curve (AUC) reported by 54% of the laboratories differed from central calculations. Because of this and other differences in data analysis, 19% of reported food GI values differed by >5 units from those calculated centrally. GI values in individual subjects were unrelated to age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, or AUC but were negatively related to within-individual variation (P=0.033) expressed as the CV of the AUC for repeated reference food tests (refCV). The between-laboratory GI values (mean+/-SD) for cheese-puffs and fruit-leather were 74.3+/-10.5 and 33.2+/-7.2, respectively. The mean laboratory GI was related to refCV (P=0.003) and the type of restrictions on alcohol consumption before the test (P=0.006, r2=0.509 for model). The within-laboratory SD of GI was related to refCV (P<0.001), the glucose analysis method (P=0.010), whether glucose measures were duplicated (P=0.008), and restrictions on dinner the night before (P=0.013, r2=0.810 for model). CONCLUSIONS: The between-laboratory SD of the GI values is approximately 9. Standardized data analysis and low within-subject variation (refCV<30%) are required for accuracy. The results suggest that common misconceptions exist about which factors do and do not need to be controlled to improve precision. Controlled studies and cost-benefit analyses are needed to optimize GI methodology. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00260858.
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18. |
- Zhang, Yuan, et al.
(author)
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Adiponectin Associates with Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk in Overweight and Obesity Independently of Other Adipokines
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI AG. - 2077-0383. ; 10:13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We recently reported that increased serum adiponectin was associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk in subjects with obesity. We hereby aim to determine if other adipokines associate with RA risk and if the association between adiponectin and RA is independent of other adipokines. Two nested-case control studies were performed in two different cohorts: 82 participants of the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study who developed RA during follow-up matched with 410 controls, and 88 matched pairs from the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. Baseline levels of circulating adipokines were measured using ELISA. In a multivariable analysis in the SOS cohort, higher adiponectin was associated with an increased risk of RA independently of other adipokines (OR for RA risk: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, p = 0.02). No association between leptin, resistin, and visfatin levels and the risk of RA was detected. In the cohort from the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden, higher adiponectin was associated with an increased risk of RA only in participants with overweight/obesity (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36, p = 0.03), independently of other adipokines. Our results show that in individuals with overweight/obesity, higher circulating levels of adiponectin, but not leptin, resistin, or visfatin, were associated with an increased RA risk.
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19. |
- Adingupu, D. D., et al.
(author)
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SGLT2 inhibition with empagliflozin improves coronary microvascular function and cardiac contractility in prediabetic ob/ob(-/-) mice
- 2019
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In: Cardiovascular Diabetology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2840. ; 18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) is the first class of anti-diabetes treatment that reduces mortality and risk for hospitalization due to heart failure. In clinical studies it has been shown that SGLT2i's promote a general shift to fasting state metabolism characterized by reduced body weight and blood glucose, increase in glucagon/insulin ratio and modest increase in blood ketone levels. Therefore, we investigated the connection between metabolic changes and cardiovascular function in the ob/ob(-/-) mice; a rodent model of early diabetes with specific focus on coronary microvascular function. Due to leptin deficiency these mice develop metabolic syndrome/diabetes and hepatic steatosis. They also develop cardiac contractile and microvascular dysfunction and are thus a promising model for translational studies of cardiometabolic diseases. We investigated whether this mouse model responded in a human-like manner to empagliflozin treatment in terms of metabolic parameters and tested the hypothesis that it could exert direct effects on coronary microvascular function and contractile performance.MethodsLean, ob/ob(-/-) untreated and ob/ob(-/-) treated with SGLT2i were followed for 10weeks. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) and fractional area change (FAC) were monitored with non-invasive Doppler ultrasound imaging. Food intake, urinary glucose excursion and glucose control via HbA1c measurements were followed throughout the study. Liver steatosis was assessed by histology and metabolic parameters determined at the end of the study.ResultsSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors treatment of ob/ob(-/-) animals resulted in a switch to a more catabolic state as observed in clinical studies: blood cholesterol and HbA1c were decreased whereas glucagon/insulin ratio and ketone levels were increased. SGLT2i treatment reduced liver triglyceride, steatosis and alanine aminotransferase, an indicator for liver dysfunction. l-Arginine/ADMA ratio, a marker for endothelial function was increased. SGLT2i treatment improved both cardiac contractile function and coronary microvascular function as indicated by improvement of FAC and CFVR, respectively.ConclusionsSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors treatment of ob/ob(-/-) mice mimics major clinical findings regarding metabolism and cardiovascular improvements and is thus a useful translational model. We demonstrate that SGLT2 inhibition improves coronary microvascular function and contractile performance, two measures with strong predictive values in humans for CV outcome, alongside with the known metabolic changes in a preclinical model for prediabetes and heart failure.
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22. |
- Alenius, Gerd-Marie, et al.
(author)
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Interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha-markers of inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis?
- 2009
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In: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. - 0392-856X .- 1593-098X. ; 27:1, s. 120-123
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a possible systemic effect of joint inflammation in contrast to skin disease only, by measuring IL-6 and IL-2sRalpha. METHODS: Two hundred and nineteen patients (111 male / 108 female, age 50.4+/-14.5 yrs (mean+/-SD)) with psoriasis were clinically and laboratory examined. 134 patients had inflammatory joint manifestations defined as peripheral arthritis and/or axial disease, of whom 37 had measurable inflammation, defined as ESR >25 mm/h and/or CRP >15 mg/L. RESULTS: Interleukin-6 was significantly higher in patients with joint disease and measurable inflammation ((median, Q1-Q3) 4.07, 0.92-14.60), and in patients without measured inflammation (1.22, 0.70-3.46), compared to patients with skin disease only (0.70, 0.70-1.73, p<0.001 and p=0.002 respectively). The difference between the two groups of patients with inflammatory joint manifestations was significant (p=0.001). The levels of IL-6 correlated with the actual number of joints affected with arthritis (p<0.001; rs=0.248), ESR (p<0.001; rs=0.459), CRP (p<0.001; rs=0.314) and IL-2sRalpha (p=0.002; rs=0.210). The levels of IL-2sRalpha. did not differ between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis and inflammatory joint disease with or without routine measurable inflammatory activity compared with patients having psoriasis of the skin. We found that patients with psoriasis and joint inflammation may have systemic effects that could be captured by serum measurements of IL-6. Soluble IL-2Ralpha was not a marker of inflammation in this study.
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23. |
- Anasori, Babak, et al.
(author)
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Experimental and theoretical characterization of ordered MAX phases Mo2TiAlC2 and Mo2Ti2AlC3
- 2015
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AMER INST PHYSICS. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 118:9, s. 094304-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Herein, we report on the phase stabilities and crystal structures of two newly discovered ordered, quaternary MAX phases-Mo2TiAlC2 and Mo2Ti2AlC3-synthesized by mixing and heating different elemental powder mixtures of mMo:(3-m) Ti:1.1Al:2C with 1.5 less than= m less than= 2.2 and 2Mo: 2Ti:1.1Al:2.7C to 1600 degrees C for 4 h under Ar flow. In general, for m greater than= 2 an ordered 312 phase, (Mo2Ti) AlC2, was the majority phase; for mless than 2, an ordered 413 phase (Mo2Ti2)AlC3, was the major product. The actual chemistries determined from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are Mo2TiAlC1.7 and Mo2Ti1.9Al0.9C2.5, respectively. High resolution scanning transmission microscopy, XPS and Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the general ordered stacking sequence to be Mo-Ti-Mo-Al-Mo-Ti-Mo for Mo2TiAlC2 and Mo-Ti-Ti-Mo-Al-Mo-Ti-Ti-Mo for Mo2Ti2AlC3, with the carbon atoms occupying the octahedral sites between the transition metal layers. Consistent with the experimental results, the theoretical calculations clearly show that M layer ordering is mostly driven by the high penalty paid in energy by having the Mo atoms surrounded by C in a face-centered configuration, i.e., in the center of the Mn+1Xn blocks. At 331 GPa and 367 GPa, respectively, the Youngs moduli of the ordered Mo2TiAlC2 and Mo2Ti2AlC3 are predicted to be higher than those calculated for their ternary end members. Like most other MAX phases, because of the high density of states at the Fermi level, the resistivity measurement over 300 to 10K for both phases showed metallic behavior. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
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24. |
- Arlien-Soborg, Mai C., et al.
(author)
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Acromegaly management in the Nordic countries: A Delphi consensus survey
- 2024
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In: CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY. - : WILEY. - 0300-0664 .- 1365-2265.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveAcromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality if left untreated. The therapeutic options include surgery, medical treatment, and radiotherapy. Several guidelines and recommendations on treatment algorithms and follow-up exist. However, not all recommendations are strictly evidence-based. To evaluate consensus on the treatment and follow-up of patients with acromegaly in the Nordic countries.MethodsA Delphi process was used to map the landscape of acromegaly management in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. An expert panel developed 37 statements on the treatment and follow-up of patients with acromegaly. Dedicated endocrinologists (n = 47) from the Nordic countries were invited to rate their extent of agreement with the statements, using a Likert-type scale (1-7). Consensus was defined as >= 80% of panelists rating their agreement as >= 5 or <= 3 on the Likert-type scale.ResultsConsensus was reached in 41% (15/37) of the statements. Panelists agreed that pituitary surgery remains first line treatment. There was general agreement to recommend first-generation somatostatin analog (SSA) treatment after failed surgery and to consider repeat surgery. In addition, there was agreement to recommend combination therapy with first-generation SSA and pegvisomant as second- or third-line treatment. In more than 50% of the statements, consensus was not achieved. Considerable disagreement existed regarding pegvisomant monotherapy, and treatment with pasireotide and dopamine agonists.ConclusionThis consensus exploration study on the management of patients with acromegaly in the Nordic countries revealed a relatively large degree of disagreement among experts, which mirrors the complexity of the disease and the shortage of evidence-based data.
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25. |
- Arnardottir, Steinunn, et al.
(author)
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Long-term outcomes of patients with acromegaly: a report from the Swedish Pituitary Register
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : European Society of Endocrinology. - 1479-683X .- 0804-4643. ; 186:3, s. 329-339
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To describe the treatment and long-term outcomes of patients with acromegaly from all healthcare regions in Sweden. Design and methods: Analysis of prospectively reported data from the Swedish Pituitary Register of 698 patients (51% females) with acromegaly diagnosed from 1991 to 2011. The latest clinical follow-up date was December 2012, while mortality data were collected for 28.5 years until June 2019. Results: The annual incidence was 3.7/million; 71% of patients had a macroadenoma, 18% had visual field defects, and 25% had at least one pituitary hormone deficiency. Eighty-two percent had pituitary surgery, 10% radiotherapy, and 39% medical treatment. At the 5- and 10-year follow-ups, insulin-like growth factor 1 levels were within the reference range in 69 and 78% of patients, respectively. In linear regression, the proportion of patients with biochemical control including adjuvant therapy at 10 years follow-up increased over time by 1.23% per year. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) (95% CI) for all patients was 1.29 (1.11-1.49). For patients with biochemical control at the latest follow-up, SMR was not increased, neither among patients diagnosed between 1991 and 2000, SMR: 1.06 (0.85-1.33) nor between 2001 and2011, SMR: 0.87 (0.61-1.24). In contrast, non-controlled patients at the latest follow-up from both decades had elevated SMR, 1.90 (1.33-2.72) and 1.98 (1.24-3.14), respectively. Conclusions: The proportion of patients with biochemical control increased over time. Patients with biochemically controlled acromegaly have normal life expectancy, while non-controlled patients still have increased mortality. The high rate of macroadenomas and unchanged age at diagnosis illustrates the need for improvements in the management of patients with acromegaly.
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26. |
- Askling, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Cancer risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapies : does the risk change with the time since start of treatment?
- 2009
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 60:11, s. 3180-3189
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:To determine the short-term and medium-term risks of cancer in patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFalpha) therapies that have proven effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions.METHODS:By linking together data from the Swedish Biologics Register, Swedish registers of RA, and the Swedish Cancer Register, we identified and analyzed for cancer occurrence a national cohort of 6,366 patients with RA who first started anti-TNF therapy between January 1999 and July 2006. As comparators, we used a national biologics-naive RA cohort (n = 61,160), a cohort of RA patients newly starting methotrexate (n = 5,989), a cohort of RA patients newly starting disease-modifying antirheumatic drug combination therapy (n = 1,838), and the general population of Sweden. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using Cox regression analyses, examining overall RR as well as RR by time since the first start of anti-TNF therapy, by the duration of active anti-TNF therapy, and by the anti-TNF agent received.RESULTS:During 25,693 person-years of followup in 6,366 patients newly starting anti-TNF, 240 first cancers occurred, yielding an RR of 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.86-1.15) versus the biologics-naive RA cohort, and similar RRs versus the other 2 RA comparators. RRs did not increase with increasing time since the start of anti-TNF therapy, nor with the cumulative duration of active anti-TNF therapy. During the first year following the first treatment start, but not thereafter, dissimilar cancer risks for adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab were observed.CONCLUSION:During the first 6 years after the start of anti-TNF therapy in routine care, no overall elevation of cancer risk and no increase with followup time were observed.
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27. |
- Askling, J, et al.
(author)
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Haematopoietic malignancies in rheumatoid arthritis : lymphoma risk and characteristics after exposure to tumour necrosis factor antagonists
- 2005
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 64:10, s. 1414-1420
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of malignant lymphomas, and maybe also of leukaemia and multiple myeloma. The effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists on lymphoma risk and characteristics is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To assess expected rates and relative risks of haematopoietic malignancies, especially those associated with TNF antagonists, in large population based cohorts of patients with RA.METHODS:A population based cohort study was performed of patients with RA (one prevalent cohort (n = 53,067), one incident cohort (n = 3703), and one TNF antagonist treated cohort 1999 through 2003 (n = 4160)), who were linked with the Swedish Cancer Register. Additionally, the lymphoma specimens for the 12 lymphomas occurring in patients with RA exposed to TNF antagonists in Sweden 1999 through 2004 were reviewed.RESULTS:Study of almost 500 observed haematopoietic malignancies showed that prevalent and incident patients with RA were at increased risk of lymphoma (SIR = 1.9 and 2.0, respectively) and leukaemia (SIR = 2.1 and 2.2, respectively) but not of myeloma. Patients with RA treated with TNF antagonists had a tripled lymphoma risk (SIR = 2.9) compared with the general population. After adjustment for sex, age, and disease duration, the lymphoma risk after exposure to TNF antagonists was no higher than in the other RA cohorts. Lymphomas associated with TNF antagonists had characteristics similar to those of other RA lymphomas.CONCLUSION:Overall, patients with RA are at equally increased risks for lymphomas and leukaemias. Patients with RA treated with TNF antagonists did not have higher lymphoma risks than other patients with RA. Prolonged observation is needed to determine the long term effects of TNF antagonists on lymphoma risk.
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28. |
- Askling, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Risk and case characteristics of tuberculosis in rheumatoid arthritis associated with tumor necrosis factor antagonists in Sweden
- 2005
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 52:7, s. 1986-1992
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:Because treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists may increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB), and because knowledge of the risk of TB in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not treated with biologics is scarce and of uncertain generalizability to low-risk populations, this study sought to determine the risk of TB among Swedish patients with RA.METHODS:Using data from Swedish nationwide and population-based registers and data from an ongoing monitoring program of TNF antagonists, the relative risks of TB in patients with RA (versus the general population) and of TB associated with TNF antagonists (versus RA patients not treated with biologics) were determined by comparing the incidence of hospitalization for TB in 3 RA cohorts and 2 general population cohorts from 1999 to 2001. We also reviewed the characteristics of all reported cases of TB in RA patients treated with TNF antagonists in Sweden and calculated the incidence of TB per type of TNF antagonist between 1999 and 2004.RESULTS:During 1999-2001, RA patients who were not treated with TNF antagonists were at increased risk of TB versus the general population (relative risk 2.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.2-3.4). RA patients treated with TNF antagonists had a 4-fold increased risk of TB (relative risk 4.0, 95% CI 1.3-12) versus RA patients not treated with TNF antagonists. The reported TB cases during 1999-2004 in RA patients exposed to TNF antagonists (9 infliximab, 4 etanercept, 2 both) were predominantly pulmonary. TB occurred up to 3 years following the start of treatment.CONCLUSION:Irrespective of whether TNF antagonists are administered, Swedish patients with RA are at increased risk of TB. During 1999-2001, TNF antagonists were associated with an increased risk of TB, up to 4-fold in magnitude. This increased risk may persist over time during treatment and is related to both infliximab and etanercept.
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30. |
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31. |
- Askling, J, et al.
(author)
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Risks of solid cancers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and after treatment with tumour necrosis factor antagonists
- 2005
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 64:10, s. 1421-1426
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Existing studies of solid cancers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reflect cancer morbidity up until the early 1990s in prevalent cohorts admitted to hospital during the 1980s.OBJECTIVE:To depict the cancer pattern of contemporary patients with RA, from updated risk data from prevalent and incident RA populations. To understand the risk of solid cancer after tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment by obtaining cancer data from cohorts treated in routine care rather than trials.METHODS:A population based study of three RA cohorts (one prevalent, admitted to hospital 1990-2003 (n = 53,067), one incident, diagnosed 1995-2003 (n = 3703), and one treated with TNF antagonists 1999-2003 (n = 4160)), which were linked with Swedish nationwide cancer and census registers and followed up for cancer occurrence through 2003.RESULTS:With 3379 observed cancers, the prevalent RA cohort was at marginally increased overall risk of solid cancer, with 20-50% increased risks for smoke related cancers and +70% increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancer, but decreased risk for breast (-20%) and colorectal cancer (-25%). With 138 cancers, the incident RA cohort displayed a similar cancer pattern apart from non-decreased risks for colorectal cancer. TNF antagonist treated patients displayed solid cancer (n = 67) risks largely similar to those of other patients with RA.CONCLUSION:The cancer pattern in patients treated with TNF antagonists mirrors those of other contemporary as well as historic RA cohorts. The consistent increase in smoking associated cancers in patients with RA emphasises the potential for smoking cessation as a cancer preventive measure in RA.
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32. |
- Askling, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Time-dependent increase in risk of hospitalisation with infection among Swedish RA patients treated with TNF antagonists
- 2007
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 66:10, s. 1339-1344
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES:The degree to which treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists may be associated with increased risks for serious infections is unclear. An observational cohort study was performed using prospectively collected data from the Swedish Biologics Register (ARTIS) and other national Swedish registers.METHODS:First, in the ARTIS, all 4167 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients starting TNF antagonist treatment between 1999 and 2003 were identified. Secondly, in the Swedish Inpatient Register, all individuals hospitalised for any reason and who also carried a diagnosis of RA, between 1964 and 2003 (n = 44 946 of whom 2692 also occurred in ARTIS), were identified. Thirdly, in the Swedish Inpatient Register, all hospitalisations listing an infection between 1999 and 2003 were identified. By cross-referencing these three data sets, RRs for hospitalisation with infection associated with TNF antagonist treatment were calculated within the cohort of 44 946 RA patients, using Cox regression taking sex, age, geography, co-morbidity and use of inpatient care into account.RESULTS:Among the 4167 patients treated with TNF antagonists, 367 hospitalisations with infections occurred during 7776 person-years. Within the cohort of 44 496 RA patients, the RR for infection associated with TNF antagonists was 1.43 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.73) during the first year of treatment, 1.15 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.51) during the second year of treatment, and 0.82 (95% CI 0.62 to 1.08) for subjects remaining on their first TNF antagonist treatment after 2 years.CONCLUSION:Treatment with TNF antagonists may be associated with a small to moderate increase in risk of hospitalisation with infection, which disappears with increasing treatment duration.
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33. |
- Bengtsson, Daniel, 1975-, et al.
(author)
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Increased Mortality Persists after Treatment of Cushing's Disease: A Matched Nationwide Cohort Study
- 2022
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In: Journal of the Endocrine Society. - : The Endocrine Society. - 2472-1972. ; 6:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Whether biochemical remission normalizes life expectancy in Cushing's disease (CD) patients remains unclear. Previous studies evaluating mortality in CD are limited by using the expected number of deaths in the background population instead of the actual number in matched controls. Objective and setting: To study mortality by time-to-event analysis in an unselected nationwide CD patient cohort. Design and participants: Longitudinal data from the Swedish Pituitary Register of 371 patients diagnosed with CD from 1991 to 2018 and information from the Swedish Cause of Death Register were evaluated. Four controls per patient (n = 1484) matched at the diagnosis date by age, sex, and residential area were included. Main outcome measures: Mortality and causes of death. Results: The median diagnosis age was 44 years (interquartile range 32-56), and the median follow-up was 10.6 years (5.7-18.0). At the 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year follow-ups, the remission rates were 80%, 92%, 96%, 91%, and 97%, respectively. Overall mortality was increased in CD patients compared with matched controls [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1 (95% CI 1.5-2.8)1. The HRs were 1.5 (1.02-2.2) for patients in remission at the last follow-up In = 303), 1.7 (1.03-2.8) for those in remission after a single pituitary surgery In = 177), and 5.6 (2.7-11.6) for those not in remission (n = 31). Cardiovascular diseases (32/66) and infections (12/66) were overrepresented causes of death. Conclusions: Mortality was increased in CD patients despite biochemical remission compared to matched controls. The study highlights the importance of careful comorbidity monitoring, regardless of remission status.
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34. |
- Bengtsson, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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Psychotropic Drugs in Patients with Cushing's Disease Before Diagnosis and at Long-Term Follow-Up: A Nationwide Study
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 106:6, s. 1750-1760
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Psychiatric symptoms are common in Cushing's disease (CD) and seem only partly reversible following treatment. Objective: To investigate drug dispenses associated to psychiatric morbidity in CD patients before treatment and during long-term follow-up. Design: Nationwide longitudinal register-based study. Setting: University Hospitals in Sweden. Subjects: CD patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2018 (N = 372) were identified in the Swedish Pituitary Register. Longitudinal data was collected from 5 years before, at diagnosis, and during follow-up. Four matched controls per patient were included. Cross-sectional subgroup analysis of 76 patients in sustained remission was also performed. Main outcome measures: Data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and the Patient Register. Results: In the 5-year period before and at diagnosis, use of antidepressants (odds ratio [OR] 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-3.7]) and 2.3 [1.6-3.5]), anxiolytics [2.9 (1.6-5.3) and 3.9 (2.3-6.6)], and sleeping pills [2.1 (1.2-3.7) and 3.8 (2.4-5.9)] was more common in CD than controls. ORs remained elevated at 5-year follow-up for antidepressants [2.4 (1.53.9)] and sleeping pills [3.1 (1.9-5.3)]. Proportions of CD patients using antidepressants (26%) and sleeping pills (22%) were unchanged at diagnosis and 5-year follow-up, whereas drugs for hypertension and diabetes decreased. Patients in sustained remission for median 9.3 years (interquartile range 8.1-10.4) had higher use of antidepressants [OR 2.0 (1.1-3.8)] and sleeping pills [2.4 (1.3-4.7)], but not of drugs for hypertension. Conclusions: Increased use of psychotropic drugs in CD was observed before diagnosis and remained elevated regardless of remission status, suggesting persisting negative effects on mental health. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis of CD, and the need for long-term monitoring of mental health.
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35. |
- Blokzijl, A, et al.
(author)
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Cross-talk between the Notch and TGF-beta signaling pathways mediated by interaction of the Notch intracellular domain with Smad3
- 2003
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In: The Journal of cell biology. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 0021-9525 .- 1540-8140. ; 163:4, s. 723-728
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Notch and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways play critical roles in the control of cell fate during metazoan development. However, mechanisms of cross-talk and signal integration between the two systems are unknown. Here, we demonstrate a functional synergism between Notch and TGF-β signaling in the regulation of Hes-1, a direct target of the Notch pathway. Activation of TGF-β signaling up-regulated Hes-1 expression in vitro and in vivo. This effect was abrogated in myogenic cells by a dominant-negative form of CSL, an essential DNA-binding component of the Notch pathway. TGF-β regulated transcription from the Hes-1 promoter in a Notch-dependent manner, and the intracellular domain of Notch1 (NICD) cooperated synergistically with Smad3, an intracellular transducer of TGF-β signals, to induce the activation of synthetic promoters containing multimerized CSL- or Smad3-binding sites. NICD and Smad3 were shown to interact directly, both in vitro and in cells, in a ligand-dependent manner, and Smad3 could be recruited to CSL-binding sites on DNA in the presence of CSL and NICD. These findings indicate that Notch and TGF-β signals are integrated by direct protein–protein interactions between the signal-transducing intracellular elements from both pathways.
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36. |
- Bäcklund, Nils, et al.
(author)
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Reference intervals of salivary cortisol and cortisone and their diagnostic accuracy in Cushing's syndrome
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Bioscientifica. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 182:6, s. 569-582
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The challenge of diagnosing Cushing's syndrome (CS) calls for high precision biochemical screening. This study aimed to establish robust reference intervals for, and compare the diagnostic accuracy of, salivary cortisol and cortisone in late-night samples and after a low-dose (1 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Design and methods: Saliva samples were collected at 08:00 and 23:00 h, and at 08:00 h, after a DST, from 22 patients with CS and from 155 adult reference subjects. We also collected samples at 20:00 and 22:00 h from 78 of the reference subjects. Salivary cortisol and cortisone were analysed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The reference intervals were calculated as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the reference population measurements. Diagnostic accuracies of different tests were compared, based on areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves. Results: The upper reference limits of salivary cortisol and cortisone at 23:00 h were 3.6 nmol/L and 13.5 nmol/L, respectively. Using these reference limits, CS was detected with a sensitivity (95% CI) of 90% (70-99%) and specificity of 96% (91-98%) for cortisol, and a 100% (84-100%) sensitivity and 95% (90-98%) specificity for cortisone. After DST, cortisol and cortisone upper reference limits were 0.79 nmol/L and 3.5 nmol/L, respectively. CS was detected with 95% (75-100%) sensitivity and 96% (92-99%) specificity with cortisol, and 100% (83-100%) sensitivity and 94% (89-97%) specificity with cortisone. No differences in salivary cortisol or cortisone levels were found between samples collected at 22:00 and 23:00 h. Conclusion: Salivary cortisol and cortisone in late-night samples and after DST showed high accuracy for diagnosing CS, salivary cortisone being slightly, but significantly better. © 2020 European Society of Endocrinology Printed in Great Britain.
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37. |
- Bäcklund, Nils, et al.
(author)
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Salivary cortisol and cortisone in diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome - a comparison of six different analytical methods
- 2023
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In: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. - : Walter de Gruyter. - 1434-6621 .- 1437-4331. ; 61:10, s. 1780-1791
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Salivary cortisol and cortisone at late night and after dexamethasone suppression test (DST) are increasingly used for screening of Cushing's syndrome (CS). We aimed to establish reference intervals for salivary cortisol and cortisone with three liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques and for salivary cortisol with three immunoassays (IAs), and evaluate their diagnostic accuracy for CS.Methods: Salivary samples at 08:00 h, 23:00 h and 08:00 h after a 1-mg DST were collected from a reference population (n=155) and patients with CS (n=22). Sample aliquots were analyzed by three LC-MS/MS and three IA methods. After establishing reference intervals, the upper reference limit (URL) for each method was used to calculate sensitivity and specificity for CS. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by comparing ROC curves.Results: URLs for salivary cortisol at 23:00 h were similar for the LC-MS/MS methods (3.4-3.9 nmol/L), but varied between IAs: Roche (5.8 nmol/L), Salimetrics (4.3 nmol/L), Cisbio (21.6 nmol/L). Corresponding URLs after DST were 0.7-1.0, and 2.4, 4.0 and 5.4 nmol/L, respectively. Salivary cortisone URLs were 13.5-16.6 nmol/L at 23:00 h and 3.0-3.5 nmol/L at 08:00 h after DST. All methods had ROC AUCs =0.96.Conclusions: We present robust reference intervals for salivary cortisol and cortisone at 08:00 h, 23:00 h and 08:00 h after DST for several clinically used methods. The similarities between LC-MS/MS methods allows for direct comparison of absolute values. Diagnostic accuracy for CS was high for all salivary cortisol and cortisone LC-MS/MS methods and salivary cortisol IAs evaluated.
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38. |
- Dahlqvist, C, et al.
(author)
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Functional Notch signaling is required for BMP4-induced inhibition of myogenic differentiation
- 2003
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In: Development (Cambridge, England). - : The Company of Biologists. - 0950-1991 .- 1477-9129. ; 130:24, s. 6089-6099
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Notch signaling pathways are crucial for cellular differentiation. In many cases, the two pathways act similarly; for example, to inhibit myogenic differentiation. It is not known whether this inhibition is caused by distinct mechanisms or by an interplay between Notch and BMP signaling. Here we demonstrate that functional Notch signaling is required for BMP4-mediated block of differentiation of muscle stem cells, i.e. satellite cells and the myogenic cell line C2C12. Addition of BMP4 during induction of differentiation dramatically reduced the number of differentiated satellite and C2C12 cells. Differentiation was substantially restored in BMP4-treated cultures by blocking Notch signaling using either theγ-secretase inhibitor L-685,458 or by introduction of a dominant-negative version of the Notch signal mediator CSL. BMP4 addition to C2C12 cells increased transcription of two immediate Notch responsive genes, Hes1 and Hey1, an effect that was abrogated by L-685,458. A 3 kb Hey1-promoter reporter construct was synergistically activated by the Notch 1 intracellular domain (Notch 1 ICD) and BMP4. The BMP4 mediator SMAD1 mimicked BMP activation of the Hey1 promoter. A synthetic Notch-responsive promoter containing no SMAD1 binding sites responded to SMAD1, indicating that DNA-binding activity of SMAD1 is not required for activation. Accordingly, Notch 1 ICD and SMAD1 interacted in binding experiments in vitro. Thus, the data presented here provide evidence for a direct interaction between the Notch and BMP signaling pathways, and indicate that Notch has a crucial role in the execution of certain aspects of BMP-mediated differentiation control.
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- Giambini, Hugo, et al.
(author)
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INTRAMUSCULAR FAT INFILTRATION EVALUATED BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING PREDICTS THE EXTENSIBILITY OF THE SUPRASPINATUS MUSCLE
- 2018
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In: Muscle and Nerve. - : WILEY. - 0148-639X .- 1097-4598. ; 57:1, s. 129-135
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Rotator cuff (RC) tears result in muscle atrophy and fat infiltration within the RC muscles. An estimation of muscle quality and deformation, or extensibility, is useful in selecting the most appropriate surgical procedure. We determined if noninvasive quantitative assessment of intramuscular fat using MRI could be used to predict extensibility of the supraspinatus muscle. Methods: Seventeen cadaveric shoulders were imaged to assess intramuscular fat infiltration. Extensibility and histological evaluations were then performed. Results: Quantitative fat infiltration positively correlated with histological findings and presented a positive correlation with muscle extensibility (r=0.69; P=0.002). Extensibility was not significantly different between shoulders graded with a higher fat content versus those with low fat when implementing qualitative methods. Discussion: A noninvasive prediction of whole-muscle extensibility may directly guide pre-operative planning to determine if the torn edge could efficiently cover the original footprint while aiding in postoperative evaluation of RC repair.
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45. |
- Gron, KL, et al.
(author)
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Risk of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in routine care with abatacept, rituximab and tocilizumab in Denmark and Sweden
- 2019
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In: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 78:3, s. 320-327
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To estimate (1) crude and age-and gender-adjusted incidence rates (IRs) of serious infections (SI) and (2) relative risks (RR) of SI in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating treatment with abatacept, rituximab or tocilizumab in routine care.MethodsThis is an observational cohort study conducted in parallel in Denmark and Sweden including patients with RA in Denmark (DANBIO) and Sweden (Anti-Rheumatic Treatment in Sweden Register/Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register) who started abatacept/rituximab/tocilizumab in 2010–2015. Patients could contribute to more than one treatment course. Incident SI (hospitalisations listing infection) and potential confounders were identified through linkage to national registries. Age- and gender-adjusted IRs of SI per 100 person years and additionally adjusted RRs of SI during 0–12 and 0–24 months since start of treatment were assessed (Poisson regression). Country-specific RRs were pooled using inverse variance weighting.ResultsWe identified 8987 treatment courses (abatacept: 2725; rituximab: 3363; tocilizumab: 2899). At treatment start, rituximab-treated patients were older, had longer disease duration and more previous malignancies; tocilizumab-treated patients had higher C reactive protein. During 0–12 and 0–24 months of follow-up, 456 and 639 SI events were identified, respectively. The following were the age- and gender-adjusted 12-month IRs for abatacept/rituximab/tocilizumab: 7.1/8.1/6.1 for Denmark and 6.0/6.4/4.7 for Sweden. The 24-month IRs were 6.1/7.5/5.2 for Denmark and 5.6/5.8/4.3 for Sweden. Adjusted 12-month RRs for tocilizumab versus rituximab were 0.82 (0.50 to 1.36) for Denmark and 0.76 (0.57 to 1.02) for Sweden, pooled 0.78 (0.61 to 1.01); for abatacept versus rituximab 0.94 (0.55 to 1.60) for Denmark and 0.86 (0.66 to 1.13) for Sweden, pooled 0.88 (0.69 to 1.12); and for abatacept versus tocilizumab 1.15 (0.69 to 1.90) for Denmark and 1.14 (0.83 to 1.55) for Sweden, pooled 1.13 (0.91 to 1.42). The adjusted RRs for 0–24 months were similar.ConclusionFor patients starting abatacept, rituximab or tocilizumab, differences in baseline characteristics were seen. Numerical differences in IR of SI between drugs were observed. RRs seemed to vary with drug (tocilizumab < abatacept < rituximab) but should be interpreted with caution due to few events and risk of residual confounding.
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46. |
- Gustafsson, M C, et al.
(author)
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Low Choline Concentrations in Normal-Appearing White Matter of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Normal MR Imaging Brain Scans
- 2007
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In: American Journal of Neuroradiology. - 0195-6108 .- 1936-959X. ; 28:7, s. 1306-1312
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spectroscopic studies (1H-MR spectroscopy) of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with MR imaging brain lesions have already been performed, but our intention was to investigate NAWM in MS patients who lack brain lesions to elucidate whether the same pathologic changes could be identified.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We checked 350 medical files of patients with MS who are registered in our institution. Fourteen patients (11 women and 3 men; mean age, 48.6 years; handicap score, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] 2.9; range, 1–6.5) with clinically definite MS and a normal MR imaging of the brain were included. 1H-MR spectroscopy was performed in 4 voxels (size approximately 17 × 17 × 17 mm3) using absolute quantification of metabolite concentrations. Fourteen healthy control subjects (11 women and 3 men; mean age, 43.3 years) were analyzed in the same way.RESULTS: Significant differences in absolute metabolite concentrations were observed, with the patients with MS showing a lower total concentration of N-acetyl compounds (tNA), including N-acetylaspartate and N-acetyl aspartylglutamate (13.5 mmol/L versus 14.6 mmol/L; P = .002) compared with the healthy control subjects. Unexpectedly, patients with MS presented significantly lower choline-containing compounds (Cho) compared with healthy control subjects (2.2 mmol/L versus 2.4 mmol/L; P < .001). The EDSS showed a positive correlation to myo-inositol concentrations (0.14 mmol/L per EDSS; r2 = 0.06) and a negative correlation to tNA concentrations (−0.41 mmol/L per EDSS; r2 = 0.22).CONCLUSION: The unexpected finding of lower Cho concentrations has not been reported previously. We suggest that patients with MS who lack lesions in the brain constitute a separate entity and may have increased protective or healing abilities.
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49. |
- Hom, Geoffrey, et al.
(author)
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Association of systemic lupus erythematosus with C8orf13-BLK and ITGAM-ITGAX.
- 2008
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In: New England Journal of Medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 358:9, s. 900-909
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous disease in which the risk of disease is influenced by complex genetic and environmental contributions. Alleles of HLA-DRB1, IRF5, and STAT4are established susceptibility genes; there is strong evidence for the existence of additional risk loci.METHODS: We genotyped more than 500,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA samples from 1311 case subjects with SLE and 1783 control subjects; all subjects were North Americans of European descent. Genotypes from 1557 additional control subjects were obtained from public data repositories. We measured the association between the SNPs and SLE after applying strict quality-control filters to reduce technical artifacts and to correct for the presence of population stratification. Replication of the top loci was performed in 793 case subjects and 857 control subjects from Sweden.RESULTS: Genetic variation in the region upstream from the transcription initiation site of the gene encoding B lymphoid tyrosine kinase (BLK) and C8orf13 (chromosome 8p23.1) was associated with disease risk in both the U.S. and Swedish case–control series (rs13277113; odds ratio, 1.39; P=1×10−10) and also with altered levels of messenger RNA in B-cell lines. In addition, variants on chromosome 16p11.22, near the genes encoding integrin alpha M (ITGAM, or CD11b) and integrin alpha X (ITGAX), were associated with SLE in the combined sample (rs11574637; odds ratio, 1.33; P=3×10−11).
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