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- Forslind, K., et al.
(author)
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Hand bone loss measured by digital X-ray radiogrammetry is a predictor of joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis
- 2009
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 38:6, s. 431-438
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether loss of bone measured by digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) of hands early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may predict future radiographic joint damage after 1 and 2 years. Methods: A total of 166 patients with early RA, who were part of the Better Anti-Rheumatic FarmacOTherapy (BARFOT) low-dose prednisolone study, were included. The patients had been randomized to treatment with 7.5 mg prednisolone daily or no prednisolone when they started with their first disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. Radiographs of hands and feet were taken at baseline and after 1 and 2 years and assessed by the van der Heijde modified Sharp (vdH-S) score. Hand bone density (HBD) was measured on the same radiographs by DXR. Changes in HBD and hand bone loss (HBL) were calculated. HBL was defined as a change in DXR bone mineral density (DXR-BMD) during the first year by more than 0.0048 g/cm. Results: HBL was found in 64% of the patients. Patients with HBL had radiological progression significantly more often than patients without (80% vs. 57%, p=0.012). Patients not treated with prednisolone had HBL more often than patients with this treatment (83% vs. 44%, p=0.001). In multiple regression analyses, HBL and change in DXR-BMD during the first year proved to be independent predictors of radiological progression. Conclusions: Loss of bone measured by DXR was found to be an independent predictor of radiological joint damage and may thus be an additional tool in the process of treatment decision in early RA.
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2. |
- Srivastava, Rajiv, et al.
(author)
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Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of comb polymers
- 2007
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 43:3, s. 808-817
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper describes the synthesis and characterization of comb polymers by a two-step chemo-enzymatic process. In the first step macromonomers bearing unsaturation at the chain end were prepared by lipase catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of E-caprolactone (CL) and 1,5-dioxepane-2-one (DXO). The ROP was carried out in bulk at 60 degrees C under anhydrous conditions using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as the initiator. The DP of the macromonomers was controlled by regulating the monomer: HEMA molar feed concentration. The macromonomers were then homo- or co-polymerized in the second step with alkyl methacrylate monomers (methyl methacrylate or HEMA) using AIBN initiated free radical polymerization. Characterization of the polymers was done by H-1 NMR, SEC and DSC techniques.
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4. |
- Albertsson, Ann-Christine, 1945-, et al.
(author)
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Polyesters from Large Lactones
- 2009. - 1
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In: Handbook of Ring-Opening Polymerization. - Weinheim, Germany : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 9783527319534 ; , s. 287-306
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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5. |
- Albertsson, Ann-Christine, et al.
(author)
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Recent developments in enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization
- 2008
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In: Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-409X .- 1872-8294. ; 60:9, s. 1077-1093
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An exponential growth has been observed in the last decade where enzymes were used as catalysts for polymerization of different monomers and due to enzyme's origin from natural sources they have been taken as a substitute for the metal-based catalytic systems. Mild polymerization conditions, high enantio- and regio-selectivity and recyclability of enzymes give them an extra edge over the use of organo-metallic catallysts. Though the enzyme-catalyzed polymerizations are environmentally highly advantageous, the high cost, large quantity of enzymes required for polymerization and formation of relatively low molecular weight polymers obstruct their employment in the industry. Due to these reasons, this technique is still at die stage of infancy to generate polymeric materials which can be converted to any useful physical form. In this article enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of lactones, lactides, cyclic carbonates and depsipeptides has been reviewed with special focus on the molecular weight of the polymers synthesized hitherto using enzyme catalysis. It is necessary to obtain polymers of sufficient molecular weight from enzyme catalysis to withstand the specific requirements of their end applications if this technique is desired to be escalated to commercial level.
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8. |
- Edsparr, Karin, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Human NK cell lines migrate differentially in vitro related to matrix interaction and MMP expression.
- 2009
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In: Immunology and cell biology. - : Wiley. - 1440-1711 .- 0818-9641. ; 87:6, s. 489-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to be of importance for the migratory ability of natural killer (NK) cells. Their expression and production may influence the amount of tumour-infiltrating NK cells and thereby any therapeutic capability. In this study, we sought to investigate the importance of MMPs for human NK cells' ability to degrade and migrate through the extracellular matrix (ECM). The two human NK cell lines, NK-92 and YT, migratory ability, MMP expression and production as well as their morphological appearance when cultured in the ECM equivalent Matrigel were analysed and compared. The quantitatively more migratory NK-92 cells were found to express invadopodia/podosomes at a significantly higher degree when cultured in Matrigel and gave rise to a general disintegration of the Matrigel. The NK-92 cells had a higher mRNA expression of MMP-2, -9, -13, MT1-, MT3- and MT6-MMP and a significantly higher production of MMP-9 compared to YT cells. These differences could explain the substantial functional difference observed between the two cell lines with respect to migratory capacity. In addition, the number of Matrigel invading NK-92 cells decreased significantly in the presence of the MMP inhibitor GM6001, demonstrating that MMPs have a critical function in their migration.
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9. |
- Elfhag, K, et al.
(author)
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Sweet and fat taste preference in obesity have different associations with personality and eating behavior
- 2006
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In: Physiology & Behavior. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-507X .- 0031-9384. ; 88:1-2, s. 61-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to test associations between self-reported attitudes of sweet and fat taste preferences and psychological constructs of eating behavior and personality in obesity. Sixty obese patients were included. The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire was used for the assessment of psychological constructs of eating behavior, and the Swedish universities Scales of Personality was used for measuring personality traits. A strong sweet taste preference was associated with more neurotic personality traits (P = .003), in particular lack of assertiveness (P = .001) and embitterment (P = .002). Strong fat taste preference was rather related to lower levels of the eating characteristic cognitive restraint (P = .017), implying less attempts to restrict and control food intake. Whereas strong sweet taste preference was linked to a personality style in obesity, strong fat preference could be more an aspect of eating behavior. A psychobiological stress model is discussed in relation to the results on sweet preference and hampered personality functioning. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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