1. |
- Ballantyne, C., et al.
(author)
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Collaborative meta-analysis of individual participant data from observational studies of Lp-PLA(2) and cardiovascular diseases
- 2007
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In: European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation. - 1741-8275. ; 14:1, s. 41344-41344
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background A large number of observational epidemiological studies have reported generally positive associations' between circulating mass and activity levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Few studies have been large enough to provide reliable estimates in different circumstances, such as in different subgroups (e.g., by age group, sex, or smoking status) or at different Lp-PLA2 levels. Moreover, most published studies have related disease risk only to baseline values of Lp-PLA(2) markers (which can lead to substantial underestimation of any risk relationships because of within-person variability over time) and have used different approaches to adjustment for possible confounding factors. Objectives By combination of data from individual participants from all relevant observational studies in a systematic,meta-analysis, with correction for regression dilution (using available data on serial measurements of Lp-PLA(2)), the Lp-PLA(2) Studies Collaboration will aim to characterize more precisely than has previously been possible the strength and shape of the age and sex-specific associations of plasma Lp-PLA(2) with coronary heart disease (and, where data are sufficient with other vascular diseases, such as ischaemic stroke). It will also help to determine to what extent such associations are independent of possible confounding factors and to explore potential sources of heterogeneity among studies, such as those related to assay methods and study design. It is anticipated that the present collaboration will serve as a framework to investigate related questions on Lp-PLA(2) and cardiovascular outcomes. Methods A central database is being established containing data on circulating Lp-PLA(2) values, sex and other potential confounding factors, age at baseline Lp-PLA(2) Measurement, age at event or at last follow-up, major vascular morbidity and cause-specific mortality. Information about any repeat measurements of Lp-PLA2 and potential confounding factors has been sought to allow adjustment for possible confounding and correction for regression dilution. The analyses will involve age-specific regression models. Synthesis of the available observational studies of Lp-PLA(2) will yield information on a total of about 15 000 cardiovascular disease endpoints.
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2. |
- Ballantyne, C., et al.
(author)
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Collaborative meta-analysis of individual participant data from observational studies of Lp-PLA2 and cardiovascular diseases
- 2007
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In: European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1741-8267 .- 1741-8275 .- 2047-4873. ; 14:1, s. 3-11
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A large number of observational epidemiological studies have reported generally positive associations between circulating mass and activity levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Few studies have been large enough to provide reliable estimates in different circumstances, such as in different subgroups (e.g., by age group, sex, or smoking status) or at different Lp-PLA2 levels. Moreover, most published studies have related disease risk only to baseline values of Lp-PLA2 markers (which can lead to substantial underestimation of any risk relationships because of within-person variability over time) and have used different approaches to adjustment for possible confounding factors. OBJECTIVES: By combination of data from individual participants from all relevant observational studies in a systematic 'meta-analysis', with correction for regression dilution (using available data on serial measurements of Lp-PLA2), the Lp-PLA2 Studies Collaboration will aim to characterize more precisely than has previously been possible the strength and shape of the age and sex-specific associations of plasma Lp-PLA2 with coronary heart disease (and, where data are sufficient, with other vascular diseases, such as ischaemic stroke). It will also help to determine to what extent such associations are independent of possible confounding factors and to explore potential sources of heterogeneity among studies, such as those related to assay methods and study design. It is anticipated that the present collaboration will serve as a framework to investigate related questions on Lp-PLA2 and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: A central database is being established containing data on circulating Lp-PLA2 values, sex and other potential confounding factors, age at baseline Lp-PLA2 measurement, age at event or at last follow-up, major vascular morbidity and cause-specific mortality. Information about any repeat measurements of Lp-PLA2 and potential confounding factors has been sought to allow adjustment for possible confounding and correction for regression dilution. The analyses will involve age-specific regression models. Synthesis of the available observational studies of Lp-PLA2 will yield information on a total of about 15 000 cardiovascular disease endpoints.
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3. |
- McLean, D., et al.
(author)
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Cancer mortality in workers exposed to organochlorine compounds in the pulp and paper industry : An international collaborative study
- 2006
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In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 114:7, s. 1007-1012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this study was to evaluate cancer mortality in pulp and paper industry workers exposed to chlorinated organic compounds. We assembled a multinational cohort of workers employed between 1920 and 1996 in 11 countries. Exposure to both volatile and nonvolatile organochlorine compounds was estimated at the department level using an exposure matrix. We conducted a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analysis based on age and calendar-period-specific national mortality rates and a Poisson regression analysis. The study population consisted of 60,468 workers. Workers exposed to volatile organochlorines experienced a deficit of all-cause [SMR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.89-0.93] and all-cancer (SMR = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.89-0.97) mortality, with no evidence of increased risks for any cancer of a priori interest. There was a weak, but statistically significant, trend of increasing risk of all-cancer mortality with increasing weighted cumulative exposure. A similar deficit in all-cause (SMR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.91-0.96) and all-cancer (SMR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.89-1.00) mortality was observed in those exposed to nonvolatile organochlorines. No excess risk was observed in cancers of a priori interest, although mortality from Hodgkin disease was elevated (SMR = 1.76, 95% CI, 1.02-2.82). In this study we found little evidence that exposure to organochlorines at the levels experienced in the pulp and paper industry is associated with an increased risk of cancer, apart from a weak but significant association between all-cancer mortality and weighted cumulative volatile organochlorine exposure.
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4. |
- Kovacev, M, et al.
(author)
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Extreme ultraviolet fourier-transform spectroscopy with high order harmonics
- 2005
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In: Physical Review Letters. - 1079-7114. ; 95:22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate a new scheme for extreme ultraviolet (xuv) Fourier-transform spectroscopy based on the generation of two phase-locked high-harmonic beams. It allows us to measure for the first time interferograms at wavelengths as short as 90 nm, and open the perspective of performing high-resolution Fourier-transform absorption spectroscopy in the xuv. Our measurements also demonstrate that a precise control of the relative phase of harmonic pulses can be obtained with an accuracy on an attosecond time scale, of importance for future xuv pump-xuv probe attosecond spectroscopy.
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5. |
- Martinka, P, et al.
(author)
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Adenosine increases calcium sensitivity via receptor-independent activation of the p38/MK2 pathway in mesenteric arteries
- 2008
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In: Acta Physiologica. - : Wiley. - 1748-1708 .- 1748-1716. ; 193:1, s. 37-46
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: Adenosine (Ado) restores desensitized angiotensin II-induced contractions in the renal arterioles via an intracellular, receptor-independent mechanisms including the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In the present study we test the hypothesis that MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) mediates the Ado effect downstream from p38 MAPK resulting in an increased phosphorylation of the regulatory unit of the myosin light chain (MLC(20)). METHODS AND RESULTS: Contraction experiments were performed in rings of mesenteric arteries under isometric conditions in C57BL6 and MK2 knock out mice (MK2-/-). Ado pretreatment (10(-5) mol L(-1)) strongly increased Ang II sensitivity, calcium sensitivity and the phosphorylation of MLC(20). Treatment with Ado (3 x 10(-6) or 10(-5) mol L(-1) in between successive Ang II applications) enhanced the desensitized Ang II responses (second to fifth application). Ca(2+) transients were not effected by Ado. Further, blockade of type 1 and type 2 Ado receptors during treatment did not influence the effect. Type 3 receptor activation by inosine instead of Ado had no effect. Conversely, inhibition of nitrobenzylthioinosine-sensitive Ado transporters prevented the effects of Ado. Inhibition of p38 MAPK as well as use of MK2-/- mice prevented contractile Ado effects on the mesenteric arteries and the phosphorylation of MLC(20). CONCLUSION: The study shows that Ado activates the p38 MAPK/MK2 pathway in vascular smooth muscle via an intracellular action, which results in an increased MLC(20) phosphorylation in concert with increased calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. This mechanism can significantly contribute to the regulation of vascular tone, e.g. under post-ischaemic conditions.
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6. |
- Murin, Y, et al.
(author)
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SEE-Related Studies at CELSIUS
- 2005
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In: Proc. 6th Int. Conf. on Nuclear Physics at Storage Rings (STORI’05), Bonn. ; , s. 153-
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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7. |
- Volski, V., et al.
(author)
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Overview of the software integration activities within ACE
- 2006
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In: First European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP), 2006, Nice, France, 6 - 10 November 2006. - : IEEE. - 0379-6566. - 9789290929376 ; 626 SP
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ACE project initiated the start of several integration activities between European institutions involved in electromagnetic modeling of antennas with planar or conformal topologies. The goal of the integration activities was / is not to create a global software package that integrates the software of all partners, but to initiate a long term process for antenna software integration activities within the European antenna community. During the first two years of ACE the integration activities were performed in several groups with a rather small number of partners in each group. The groups were formed by partners who wanted to integrate a specific approach developed by one partner into the software code of another partner. This allows increasing the capability and efficiency of a software code. In this paper a short overview of all integration activities is given.
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8. |
- Wyatt, C C L, et al.
(author)
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Chlorhexidine and preservation of sound tooth structure in older adults : A placebo-controlled trial
- 2007
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In: Caries Research. - 0008-6568 .- 1421-976X. ; 41:2, s. 93-101
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Trial to Enhance Elderly Teeth Health (TEETH) was designed to test the impact of regular rinsing with a 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution on tooth loss, and the causes of tooth loss (caries, periodontal disease and trauma) were also investigated. This paper reports on the effectiveness of a 0.12% CHX solution for controlling caries using a tooth surface (coronal and root) survival analysis. A total of 1,101 low income elders in Seattle (United States) and Vancouver (Canada), aged 60-75 years, were recruited for a double-blind clinical trial and assigned to either a CHX (n = 550) or a placebo (n = 551) mouth rinse. Subjects alternated between daily rinsing for 1 month, followed by weekly rinsing for 5 months. All sound coronal and root surfaces at baseline were followed annually for up to 5 years. At each follow-up examination, those tooth surfaces with caries, restored, or extracted were scored as 'carious'. The hazard ratio associated with CHX for a sound surface to become filled, decayed, or extracted was 0.87 for coronal surfaces (95% confidence interval: 0.71-1.14, p = 0.20) and 0.91 for root surfaces (95% confidence interval: 0.73-1.14, p = 0.41). These findings suggest that regular rinsing with CHX does not have a substantial effect on the preservation of sound tooth structure in older adults.
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9. |
- Berciano Alba, A., et al.
(author)
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DEMON: a proposal for a satellite-borne experiment to study dark matter and dark energy
- 2006
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In: Proceedings of the SPIE: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation II: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, eds, M.J.L. Turner and G. Hasinger. ; 6266, s. 91-
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- We outline a novel satellite mission concept, DEMON, aimed at advancing our comprehension of both dark matter and dark energy, taking full advantage of two complementary methods: weak lensing and the statistics of galaxy clusters. We intend to carry out a 5000 deg2 combined IR, optical and X-ray survey with galaxies up to a redshift of z~2 in order todetermine the shear correlation function. We will also find ~100000 galaxy clusters, making it the largest survey of this type to date. The DEMON spacecraft will comprise one IR/optical and eight X-ray telescopes,coupled to multiple cameras operating at different frequency bands. To a great extent, the technology employed has already been partially tested on ongoing missions, therefore ensuring improved reliability.
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10. |
- Buhlin, K., et al.
(author)
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Periodontal treatment influences risk markers for atherosclerosis in patients with severe periodontitis
- 2009
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In: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 206:2, s. 518-522
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated the effect of mechanical infection control for periodontitis and periodontal surgery on the prevalence of well-established risk factors for atherosclerosis, and plasma levels of cytokines, antibodies against heat shock proteins and markers of systemic inflammation. Sixty-eight patients between 39 and 73 years of age with severe periodontitis who had been referred to four specialist periodontology clinics in Sweden were investigated. A fasting venous blood sample was taken at baseline and additional samples were collected after 3 and 12 months. A total of 54 patients underwent periodontal treatment. The periodontal treatment was successful, as pathogenic gingival pockets decreased significantly. Plasma glucose, lipids and markers of systemic inflammation were not significantly altered after 3 months. One year after the initial treatment, HDL-C concentrations were significantly increased (Δ0.08 mmol/L) whereas LDL-C concentrations decreased (Δ0.23 mmol/L). Haptoglobin concentrations were also lower. Interleukin-18 and interferon-γ levels were also lower after 12 months (60 ng/L (-23%) and 11 ng/L (-97%) respectively). Treatment had no effect on plasma levels of IgA, IgG1, IgG2 antibodies against heat shock proteins. In conclusion, this study indicates that standard treatment for periodontal disease induces systemic changes in several biochemical markers that reflect the risk for atherosclerosis.
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