1. |
- Antoniewicz, Lukasz, et al.
(author)
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Acute Effects of Electronic Cigarette Inhalation on the Vasculature and the Conducting Airways
- 2019
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In: Cardiovascular Toxicology. - : Springer. - 1530-7905 .- 1559-0259. ; 19:5, s. 441-450
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of electronic cigarettes has increased exponentially since its introduction onto the global market in 2006. However, short- and long-term health effects remain largely unknown due to the novelty of this product. The present study examines the acute effects of e-cigarette aerosol inhalation, with and without nicotine, on vascular and pulmonary function in healthy volunteers. Seventeen healthy subjects inhaled electronic cigarette aerosol with and without nicotine on two separate occasions in a double-blinded crossover fashion. Blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis were assessed at baseline, and then at 0 h, 2 h, and 4 h following exposure. Dynamic spirometry and impulse oscillometry were measured following vascular assessments at these time points, as well as at 6 h following exposure. e-Cigarette aerosol with nicotine caused a significant increase in heart rate and arterial stiffness. Furthermore, e-cigarette aerosol-containing nicotine caused a sudden increase in flow resistance as measured by impulse oscillometry, indicating obstruction of the conducting airways. Both aerosols caused an increase in blood pressure. The present study indicates that inhaled e-cigarette aerosol with nicotine has an acute impact on vascular and pulmonary function. Thus, chronic usage may lead to long-term adverse health effects. Further investigation is warranted.
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2. |
- Antoniewicz, Lukasz, et al.
(author)
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Brief exposure to Swedish snus causes divergent vascular responses in healthy male and female volunteers
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 13:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The use of Swedish oral moist snuff, known as snus, has for a long time been limited to the Scandinavian countries. With declining cigarette sales in the western world, tobacco companies have looked to the development of alternative tobacco products. In 2006 snus products were launched in the US. Even though several studies have demonstrated negative health effects, snus is often depicted as harmless.The aim of the present study was to investigate acute vascular effects of snus as measured by arterial stiffness as well as blood pressure and heart rate.Methods: Two separate randomized double-blind crossover studies with the same study design were pooled for analysis. Twenty-nine healthy snus-users (17 females, 12 males) were included. Snus (Göteborgs Rapé) and tobacco free snus (Onico) were administered in a randomized order at two separate visits. Arterial stiffness, blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline as well as every five minutes for 40 minutes during exposure. Following snus removal, measurements continued for 30 minutes post exposure. Arterial stiffness was measured using pulse wave velocity (Vicorder) and pulse wave analysis (Sphygmocor).Results: Compared to placebo, snus significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate, however, only in females (p = 0.004, p = 0.006 and p<0.001 respectively). No changes were seen in arterial stiffness measurements in either gender.Conclusion: We observed an increase in blood pressure and heart rate only in females, but not in males due to snus usage as compared to placebo. This novel finding was surprising and needs to be further investigated considering most of the earlier studies have mainly focused on male snus users and the increasing usage of snus among females.
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3. |
- Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Increase in pollen sensitization in Swedish adults and protective effect of keeping animals in childhood
- 2016
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In: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:10, s. 1328-1336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: To date, most studies of the "allergy epidemic" have been based on self-reported data. There is still limited knowledge on time trends in allergic sensitization, especially among adults.OBJECTIVE: To study allergic sensitization, its risk factors, and time trends in prevalence.METHODS: Within West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) a population-based sample of 788 adults (17-60y) underwent skin prick tests (SPT) for 11 aeroallergens 2009-2012. Specific IgE was analyzed in 750 of the participants. Those aged 20-46y (n=379) were compared with the European Community Respiratory Health Survey sample aged 20-46y from the same area (n=591) in 1991-1992.RESULTS: Among those aged 20-46y the prevalence of positive SPT to pollen increased; timothy from 17.1% to 29.0% (p<0.001) and birch from 15.6% to 23.7% (p=0.002) between 1991-1992 and 2009-2012. Measurements of specific IgE confirmed these increases. Prevalence of sensitization to all other tested allergens was unchanged. In the full WSAS sample aged 17-60y any positive SPT was seen in 41.9%, and the dominating sensitizers were pollen (34.3%), animals (22.8%) and mites (12.6%). Pollen sensitization was strongly associated with rhinitis, whereas indoor allergens were more associated with asthma. Growing up with livestock or furred pets decreased the risk of sensitization, adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.28-0.995) and 0.68 (0.47-0.98) respectively.CONCLUSION: Pollen sensitization has increased in Swedish adults since the early 1990's, while the prevalence of sensitization to other allergens has remained unchanged. This is one plausible explanation for the increase in rhinitis 1990-2008 in Swedish adults, during which time the prevalence of asthma, which is more associated with perennial allergens, was stable. Contact with animals in childhood seems to reduce the risk of sensitization well into adulthood. One major factor contributing to the rise in pollen allergy is a significant increase in levels of birch and grass pollen over the past three decades.
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4. |
- Engberg, Robert, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Strategy implementation and organizational levels : resourcing for innovation as a case
- 2015
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In: Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance. - Bingley : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 2051-6614. ; 2:2, s. 157-175
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of the link between human capital and strategy across hierarchies.Design/methodology/approach– Using data on personality traits as a proxy for strategy implementation success, empirical data included 1,738 Operational Personality Questionnaire personality traits assessments in one large multinational firm. Respondents spanned from top-management to white-collar employees. Besides personality traits, measures include employment level and employment status. In addition, a total of 43 interviews were performed on the employee-level, with middle managers, with senior managers, and with executive-level managers.Findings– After a strategic shift, successful implementation of a human resource management (HRM) strategy decreased down through the hierachies. This has implications for a firm trying to realign its resources to a new strategy. If the strategic shift is large, this will pose a great problem as human capital further down in the hierarchy will not be aligned to the new strategy, but rather be aligned to the old strategy.Research limitations/implications– The findings are discussed using the concept of the strategic centre of gravity. The authors elaborate on the concept in terms of the origin, mass, and inertia of the strategic centre of gravity.Practical implications– A successful strategic shift in this sense will to a great extent depend on how successful the implementation is at lower levels of hierarchy, thus pointing to the importance to considering this when designing and pursuing strategic change.Originality/value– The research contributes to the HRM literature by furthering the understanding of aligning human capital on different organizational levels to strategy and by developing the concept of the strategic centre of gravity. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
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5. |
- Karlsson, Dennis, et al.
(author)
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Binder jetting of the AlCoCrFeNi alloy
- 2019
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In: Additive Manufacturing. - : Elsevier. - 2214-8604 .- 2214-7810. ; 27, s. 72-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High density components of an AlCoCrFeNi alloy, often described as a high-entropy alloy, were manufactured by binder jetting followed by sintering. Thermodynamic calculations using the CALPHAD approach show that the high-entropy alloy is only stable as a single phase in a narrow temperature range below the melting point. At all other temperatures, the alloy will form a mixture of phases, including a sigma phase, which can strongly influence the mechanical properties. The phase stabilities in built AlCoCrFeNi components were investigated by comparing the as-sintered samples with the post-sintering annealed samples at temperatures between 900 °C and 1300 °C. The as-sintered material shows a dominant B2/bcc structure with additional fcc phase in the grain boundaries and sigma phase precipitating in the grain interior. Annealing experiments between 1000 °C and 1100 °C inhibit the sigma phase and only a B2/bcc phase with a fcc phase is observed. Increasing the temperature further suppresses the fcc phase in favor for the B2/bcc phases. The mechanical properties are, as expected, dependent on the annealing temperature, with the higher annealing temperature giving an increase in yield strength from 1203 MPa to 1461 MPa and fracture strength from 1996 MPa to 2272 MPa. This can be explained by a hierarchical microstructure with nano-sized precipitates at higher annealing temperatures. The results enlighten the importance of microstructure control, which can be utilized in order to tune the mechanical properties of these alloys. Furthermore, an excellent oxidation resistance was observed with oxide layers with a thickness of less than 5 μm after 20 h annealing at 1200 °C, which would be of great importance for industrial applications.
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6. |
- Llona-Minguez, Sabin, et al.
(author)
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Discovery of the First Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human dCTP Pyrophosphatase 1
- 2016
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In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 59:3, s. 1140-1148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The dCTPase pyrophosphatase 1 (dCTPase) regulates the intracellular nucleotide pool through hydrolytic degradation of canonical and noncanonical nucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs). dCTPase is highly expressed in multiple carcinomas and is associated with cancer cell sternness. Here we report on the development of the first potent and selective dCTPase inhibitors that enhance the cytotoxic effect of cytidine analogues in leukemia cells. Boronate 30 displays a promising in vitro ADME profile, including plasma and mouse microsomal half-lives, aqueous solubility, cell permeability and CYP inhibition, deeming it a suitable compound for in vivo studies.
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7. |
- Lundbäck, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Modeling and Experimental Measurement with Synchrotron Radiation of Residual Stresses in Laser Metal Deposited Ti-6Al-4V
- 2016
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In: Proceedings of the 13th World Conference on Titanium. - Hoboken, NJ, USA : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. - 9781119293668 - 9781119296126 ; , s. 1279-1282
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are many challenges in producing aerospace components by additive manufacturing (AM). One of them is to keep the residual stresses and deformations to a minimum. Another one is to achieve the desired material properties in the final component. A computer model can be of great assistance when trying to reduce the negative effects of the manufacturing process. In this work a finite element model is used to predict the thermo-mechanical response during the AM-process. This work features a physically based plasticity model coupled with a microstructure evolution model for the titanium alloy Ti -6Al-4V. Residual stresses in AM components were measured non-destructively using high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction on beam line ID15A at the ESRF, Grenoble. The results are compared with FE model predictions of residual stresses. During the process, temperatures and deformations was continuously measured. The measured and computed thermal history agrees well. The result with respect to the deformations agrees well qualitatively. Meaning that the change in deformation in each sequence is well predicted but there is a systematic error that is summing so that the quantitative agreement is lost.
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9. |
- Lundbäck, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Modelling and Simulation of Metal Deposition on a Ti-6al-4v Plate
- 2015
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- There are many challenges in producing aerospace components by metal deposition (MD). One of them is to keep the residual stresses and deformations to a minimum. Anotherone is to achieve the desired material properties in the final component. A computer model can be of great assistance when trying to reduce the negative effects of the manufacturing process. In this work a finite element model is used to predict the thermo-mechanical response during the MD-process. This work features a pysically based plasticity model coupled with a microstructure evolution model for the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. A thermally driven microstructure model is used to derive the evolution of the non-equilibrium compositions of α-phases and β-phase. Addition of material is done by activation of elements. The method is taking large deformations into consideration and adjusts the shape and position of the activated elements. This is particularilly important when adding material onto thin and flexible structures. The FE-model can be used to evaluate the effect of different welding sequenses. Validation of the model is performed by comparing measured deformations, strains, residual stresses and temperatures with the computed result. The deformations, strains and temepratures are measured during the process. The deformations are measured with a LVDT-gauge at one location. The strains are measured with a strain gauge at the same location as the deformations. The temperature is measured at five locations, close to the weld and with an increasing distance of one millimeter between each thermo couple. The residual stresses in MD component were measured non-destructively using high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction on beam line ID15A at the ESRF, Grenoble.
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10. |
- Nwaru, Bright I, et al.
(author)
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Furry Animal Allergen Component Sensitization and Clinical Outcomes in Adult Asthma and Rhinitis
- 2019
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In: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier. - 2213-2198 .- 2213-2201. ; 7:4, s. 1230-1238.e4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sensitization to allergen components has been linked to asthma in children, but studies in adults are lacking.Objective: To study the relation of sensitization to furry animal allergen components to risk of asthma, rhinitis, and markers of asthma severity in adults.Methods: From the West Sweden Asthma Study, a random population-representative sample of adults aged 16 to 75 years, 2006 participants were clinically examined; 1872 were analyzed for serum IgE level to a mix of aeroallergens. Those with an IgE level of more than 0.35 kUA/L to cat, dog, or horse allergen components were analyzed for specific cat (Felis domesticus [Fel d 1, Fel d 2, and Fel d 4]), dog (Canis familiaris [Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, and Can f 5]), and horse (Equus caballus [Equ c 1]) allergen components. We defined monosensitization, double sensitization, and polysensitization (>2 components) patterns and applied cluster analysis to derive distinct sensitization clusters.Results: Sensitization to each allergen component, lipocalins, each sensitization pattern, and each sensitization cluster (nonsensitized, Fel d 1–driven sensitized, and multisensitized clusters) was associated with substantial increased risk of asthma, rhinitis, concomitant asthma and rhinitis, and Asthma Control Test–controlled asthma. Fel d 1, Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, polysensitization, and multisensitized cluster were further associated with increased fractional exhaled nitric oxide and eosinophil levels, but with lower PD20 methacoline (provocative dose of methacholine causing a 20% drop in FEV1) values. There was no association with asthma exacerbations, FEV1 predicted values, emergency visits or regular oral steroid use, and neutrophil levels.Conclusions: Sensitization to furry animal allergen components is an important predictor of asthma, rhinitis, and markers of asthma severity with increased blood eosinophils, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and airway hyperreactivity.
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