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- Ederle, Joerg, et al.
(author)
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Carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (International Carotid Stenting Study): an interim analysis of a randomised controlled trial
- 2010
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In: The Lancet. - 1474-547X. ; 375:9719, s. 985-997
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Stents are an alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis, but previous trials have not established equivalent safety and efficacy. We compared the safety of carotid artery stenting with that of carotid endarterectomy. Methods The International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS) is a multicentre, international, randomised controlled trial with blinded adjudication of outcomes. Patients with recently symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy. Randomisation was by telephone call or fax to a central computerised service and was stratified by centre with minimisation for sex, age, contralateral occlusion, and side of the randomised artery. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. Patients were followed up by independent clinicians not directly involved in delivering the randomised treatment. The primary outcome measure of the trial is the 3-year rate of fatal or disabling stroke in any territory, which has not been analysed yet. The main outcome measure for the interim safety analysis was the 120-day rate of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction. Analysis was by intention to treat (ITT). This study is registered, number ISRCTN25337470. Findings The trial enrolled 1713 patients (stenting group, n=855; endarterectomy group, n=858). Two patients in the stenting group and one in the endarterectomy group withdrew immediately after randomisation, and were not included in the ITT analysis. Between randomisation and 120 days, there were 34 (Kaplan-Meier estimate 4.0%) events of disabling stroke or death in the stenting group compared with 27 (3.2%) events in the endarterectomy group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% CI 0.77-2.11). The incidence of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction was 8.5% in the stenting group compared with 5.2% in the endarterectomy group (72 vs 44 events; HR 1.69, 1.16-2.45, p=0.006), Risks of any stroke (65 vs 35 events; HR 1.92, 1.27-2.89) and all-cause death (19 vs seven events; HR 2.76, 1.16-6.56) were higher in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group. Three procedural myocardial infarctions were recorded in the stenting group, all of which were fatal, compared with four, all non-fatal, in the endarterectomy group. There was one event of cranial nerve palsy in the stenting group compared with 45 in the endarterectomy group. There were also fewer haematomas of any severity in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group (31 vs 50 events; p=0.0197). Interpretation Completion of long-term follow-up is needed to establish the efficacy of carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy. In the meantime, carotid endarterectomy should remain the treatment of choice for patients suitable for surgery.
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- Öhlander, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Delineation and character of the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary in northern Sweden
- 1993
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In: Precambrian Research. - 0301-9268 .- 1872-7433. ; 64:1-4, s. 67-84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Before the deposition of a Proterozoic cover and the repeated Proterozoic reworking of the older rocks, the presently exposed Archaean areas in northern Sweden formed part of a coherent craton. In the present study, we have used Sm---Nd isotopic analyses of Proterozoic granitoids and metavolcanics to delineate the Archaean palaeoboundary. In a regional context, the transition from strongly negative εNd(t) values in the northeast to positive values in the southwest is distinct, and approximately defines the border of the old craton. The Archaean palaeoboundary extends in a WNW direction, and is subparallel to the longitudinal axis of the Skellefte sulphide ore district but it is situated ≈ 100 km farther to the north. The ≈ 1.9 Ga old granitoids on the two sides of the palaeoboundary were all formed in compressional environments, but those situated to the north have higher contents of LILE and LREE at similar contents of Si. This indicates that they were generated in an area with thicker crust and supports the location of the Archaean-Proterozoic palaeoboundary. There is no simple correlation between the Archaean palaeoboundary, as defined by the isotopic results, and any of the major fracture systems as interpreted from regional geophysical measurements. Reflection seismic work indicates that juvenile volcanic-arc terrains to the south have been thrust onto the Archaean craton. Possible thrust faults have been identified from aeromagnetic measurements. Rifting of the Archaean craton created a passive margin ≈ 2.0 Ga ago. Spreading shifted to convergence with subduction beneath the Archaean continent ≈ 1.9 Ga ago. Subsequently, the resulting juvenile volcanic arc collided with the old continent, and the Archaean palaeoboundary as existing today was formed by a collision characterized by overthrusting. The boundary then was disturbed by later deformation predominantly along NNE-trending fracture systems.
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4. |
- Berthelsen, A., et al.
(author)
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Recording marine airgun shots at offsets between 300 and 700 km
- 1991
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 18:4, s. 645-648
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper demonstrates that - under favorable conditions - by using multichannel recording and subsequent stacking of adjacent records marine airgun shots have been detected at offset distances up to 700 km, the maximum offset at which the authors attempted to record data.^Besides a powerful airgun array, a low noise environment at the recording site and the elimination of static shifts are the prerequisites to obtain refracted and reflected arrivals from the crust and upper mantle at such large offsets.^Primary arrivals detected at offsets between 400 and 700 km image the upper mantle from 70 to about 120 km depth.^Stacking of neighboring shots and/or receivers successfully increases the signal-to-noise ratio, if the traces have been corrected for offset differences, which requires knowledge of the apparent phase velocities.^The data presented here were collected in autumn 1989 during the BABEL Project on the Baltic Shield.
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- Hobbs, R. W., et al.
(author)
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Integrated seismic studies of the Baltic shield using data in the Gulf of Bothnia region
- 1993
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In: Geophysical Journal International. - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 112:3, s. 305-324
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the autumn of 1989 a co-operative experiment involving 12 research institutions in northwestern Europe collected 2268 km of deep seismic reflection profiles in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. the 121 litre airgun array used for this profiling was also recorded by 62 muiticomponent land stations to provide coincident refraction surveys, fan-spreads, and 3-D seismic coverage of much of the Gulf of Bothnia. We thus have potentially both high-resolution impedance contrast images as well as more regional 3-D velocity models in both P- and S-waves. In the Bothnian Bay a south-dipping, non-reflective zone coincides with the conductive Archaean-Proterozoic boundary onshore in Finland. Between the Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea observed reflectivity geometries and velocity models at Moho depths suggest structures inherited from a 1.9Ga subduction zone; the upper crust here appears to have anomalously low velocity. Within the Bothnian Sea, reflectivity varies considerably beneath the metasedimentary/granitoid rocks of the Central Svecofennian Province (CSP) and the surrounding metavolcanic-arc rocks. Numerous dipping reflectors appear throughout the metavolcanic crust, whereas the CSP has little reflectivity. Wide-angle reflections indicate that the metasedimentary crust of the Bothnian Basin is 10 km thicker than the neighbouring Svecofennian subprovinces. Near the Åland archipelago Rapakivi granite plutons exhibit bright reflections, a contrast to the usual non-reflective plutons elsewhere in western Europe. Additional dipping reflections deep in the crust of this area may support models of rifting and crustal thinning during emplacement of the 1.70-1.54 Ga Rapakivi granites. Coeval gabbroic/anorthositic magmatism may explain the high reflectivity and high velocity of these plutons. the c. 1.25 Ga mafic sills and feeder dykes of the Central Scandinavian Dolerite Group also produce clear reflections on both near- and far-offset seismic sections. Continued modelling will produce better velocity models of the crust and better constrained contour maps of crustal thickness in this part of the Baltic shield.
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- Blom, M., et al.
(author)
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Human eosinophils express, relative to other circulating leukocytes, large amounts of secretory 14-kD phospholipase A2
- 1998
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In: Blood. - 1528-0020. ; 91:8, s. 3037-3043
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human eosinophils perform several functions dependent on phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, most notably the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4). Several forms of PLA2 have been identified in mammalian cells. In the present study, the 14-kD, secretory form of PLA2 was detected in human eosinophils by immunocytochemical staining with the specific monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 4A1. In contrast, preparations of neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and basophils did not show detectable staining. With two MoAbs in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), large amounts of sPLA2 were detected in lysates of eosinophils, that were 20-fold to 100-fold higher than in the other circulating leukocytes (ie, neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes). In addition, with a commercially available sPLA2 activity assay kit, we were able to show high activity of sPLA2 in human eosinophils relative to neutrophils. Investigations at the ultrastructural level showed that sPLA2 in eosinophils is mainly located in specific granules. Immunoelectron microscopy also visualized sPLA2 within phagosomes after addition of opsonized particles to the eosinophils. However, sPLA2 was not detected in the cell-free supernatants of activated eosinophils, in contrast to eosinophil-cationic protein (ECP), which colocalizes with sPLA2 in resting eosinophils. These findings warrant further studies into the role of sPLA2 in eosinophil function.
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9. |
- Das, Y, et al.
(author)
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Peroxisomal Multifunctional Protein 2 Deficiency Perturbs Lipid Homeostasis in the Retina and Causes Visual Dysfunction in Mice
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in cell and developmental biology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-634X. ; 9, s. 632930-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patients lacking multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2), the central enzyme of the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway, develop retinopathy. This pathway is involved in the metabolism of very long chain (VLCFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids, which are enriched in the photoreceptor outer segments (POS). The molecular mechanisms underlying the retinopathy remain, however, elusive. Here, we report that mice with MFP2 inactivation display decreased retinal function already at the age of 3 weeks, which is accompanied by a profound shortening of the photoreceptor outer and inner segments, but with preserved photoreceptor ultrastructure. Furthermore, MFP2 deficient retinas exhibit severe changes in gene expression with downregulation of genes involved in the phototransduction pathway and upregulation of inflammation related genes. Lipid profiling of the mutant retinas revealed a profound reduction of DHA-containing phospholipids. This was likely due to a hampered systemic supply and retinal traffic of this PUFA, although we cannot exclude that the local defect of peroxisomal β-oxidation contributes to this DHA decrease. Moreover, very long chain PUFAs were also reduced, with the exception of those containing ≥ 34 carbons that accumulated. The latter suggests that there is an uncontrollable elongation of retinal PUFAs. In conclusion, our data reveal that intact peroxisomal β-oxidation is indispensable for retinal integrity, most likely by maintaining PUFA homeostasis.
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10. |
- de Jong, Yde, et al.
(author)
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PESI - a taxonomic backbone for Europe
- 2015
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In: Biodiversity Data Journal. - 1314-2836 .- 1314-2828. ; 3, s. 1-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as high-quality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for non-specialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools.The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information.This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs.
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11. |
- Mertens, Fredrik, et al.
(author)
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Prognostically important chromosomal aberrations in soft tissue sarcomas: a report of the Chromosomes and Morphology (CHAMP) Study Group.
- 2002
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In: Cancer Research. - 1538-7445. ; 62:14, s. 3980-3984
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cytogenetic analysis has not only provided important information on the pathogenesis of soft tissue tumors but, by disclosing distinct chromosomal rearrangements in different histopathological entities, has also come to serve as a valuable diagnostic tool. Little is known as yet about the potential prognostic impact of cytogenetic features detected in these tumors. A total of 239 benign and 221 malignant soft tissue tumors with clonal chromosome aberrations were subdivided according to general karyotypic features, such as degree of complexity and ploidy level, and rearrangements of specific chromosomal regions. The cytogenetic variables were analyzed regarding clinical outcome, using time to metastasis as the end point. Selected variables were then compared with established clinicopathological predictors of metastasis development. When the entire material was considered, 167 of 268 investigated cytogenetic variables were associated with clinical outcome. Focusing on the subset of 151 patients with high-grade sarcoma, 17 variables were identified that, besides grade and size, were associated with increased risk of metastasis development. A final Cox regression analysis identified five independent cytogenetic predictors of adverse outcome; breakpoints in chromosome regions 1p1, 1q4, 14q1, and 17q2, and gain of regions 6p1/p2. An increasing effect on metastatic risk was seen with increasing involvement of the selected cytogenetic variables, even when different histopathological types were studied separately. We conclude that cytogenetic data provide independent prognostic information in soft tissue sarcomas. Furthermore, our results point to specific areas of the genome harboring genes that may influence the metastatic potential of sarcoma cells.
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