| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Sandin, Per, et al.
(author)
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Precautionary defaults - A new strategy for chemical risk management
- 2004
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In: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1080-7039 .- 1549-7860. ; 10, s. 1-18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In order to give adequate support to risk managers, new risk assessment methods should be developed that are (1) scientifically sound, (2) simplified, and (3) suited for precautionary risk management. In this Perspective we propose that the notion of a precautionary default can be a useful tool in the development of such methods. A precautionary default is a cautious or pessimistic assumption that is used in the absence of adequate information and that should be replaced when such information is obtained. Furthermore, we point out some promising research areas for the development of such indicators, viz. connections between chemical characteristics such as persistence and effect parameters, monitoring of contaminants in polar regions, monitoring of contaminants in breast milk, application of results from (human) toxicology in ecotoxicology and vice versa, (eco) toxicological test systems that are sensitive to effects on reproduction, and the application of bioinformatic methods to complex data, both in genomic research and in ecotoxicology. We conclude that precautionary decision-making does not require less science, but to the contrary it requires more science and improved communication between scientists and risk managers.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Larsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Identification of the brominated flame retardant 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane as an androgen agonist
- 2006
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In: Journal of medicinal chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 49:25, s. 7366-7372
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate androgen receptor (AR) activation by exogenous compounds, we used a combination of experimental analysis and theoretical modeling to compare a set of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with regard to ligand docking, AR binding, and AR activation in human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells, as well as interacting energy analysis. Modeling of receptor docking was found to be a useful first step in predicting the potential to translocate to the ligand pocket of the receptor, and the computed interaction energy was found to correlate with the observed binding affinity. Flexible alignment studies of the BFR compounds demonstrated that 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (BCH) closely overlap DHT. Combining the theoretical modeling with in vitro ligand-binding and receptor-activation assays, we show that BCH binds to and activates the human AR. The remaining BFRs did not successfully interact with the ligand pocket, were not able to replace a synthetic androgen from the receptor, and failed to activate the receptor.
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| 5. |
- Lind, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Growth-differentiation factor-15 is an independent marker of cardiovascular dysfunction and disease in the elderly : results from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) Study
- 2009
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 30:19, s. 2346-2353
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is emerging as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. Little is known about the pathophysiological basis for the close association of GDF-15 to future CV events. We hypothesized that GDF-15 is related to underlying CV pathologies. METHODS AND RESULTS: To relate the levels of GDF-15 to indices of CV dysfunction and disease in elderly individuals, serum levels of GDF-15 were measured in 1004 subjects aged 70 years from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study. Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque burden, and left ventricular (LV) geometry and function were assessed by ultrasound. Endothelial function was evaluated in forearm resistance vessels and in the brachial artery by venous occlusion plethysmography and ultrasound imaging, respectively. Elevated levels of GDF-15 were related to several CV risk factors (male gender, current smoking, body mass index, waist circumference, diabetes, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol). After adjustment for CV risk factors, increased levels of GDF-15 were associated with reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in resistance vessels, plaque burden, LV mass and concentric LV hypertrophy, reduced LV ejection fraction, and clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease and heart failure. CONCLUSION: GDF-15 carries information on CV dysfunction and disease that is not captured by traditional CV risk factors in elderly individuals.
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| 6. |
- Nybacka, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Project: CASTT - Centre for Automotive Systems Technologies and Testing
- 2007
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Other publication (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Through the Centre for Automotive Systems Technologies and Testing, Luleå University of Technology aims to first of all support automotive winter testing in Northern Sweden. This means to support the local automotive test entrepreneurs and through them their customers: the car manufacturers and their suppliers. To succeed in this task, the center relies on the university's areas of leading research and most importantly on the cooperation between those areas.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Tiainen, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Superporous agarose anion exchangers for plasmid isolation
- 2007
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In: Journal of Chromatography A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9673. ; 1138:1-2, s. 84-94
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Superporous agarose beads have wide, connecting flow pores allowing large molecules such as plasmids to be transported into the interior of the beads by convective flow. The pore walls provide additional surface for plasmid binding thus increasing the binding capacity of the adsorbent. Novel superporous agarose anion exchangers have been prepared, differing with respect to bead diameter, superpore diameter and type of anion-exchange functional group (poly(ethyleneimine) and quaternary amine). The plasmid binding capacities were obtained from breakthrough curves and compared with the binding capacity of homogeneous agarose beads of the same particle size. Significantly, the smaller diameter superporous agarose beads were found to have four to five times higher plasmid binding capacity than the corresponding homogeneous agarose beads. The experimentally determined plasmid binding capacity was compared with the theoretically calculated surface area for each adsorbent and fair agreement was found. Confocal microscopy studies of beads with adsorbed, fluorescently labelled plasmids aided in the interpretation of the results. Superporous poly(ethyleneimine)-substituted beads with a high ion capacity (230 mu mol/ml) showed a plasmid binding of 3-4 mg/ml adsorbent. Superporous quaternary amine-substituted beads had a lower ion capacity (81 mu mol/ml) and showed a correspondingly lower plasmid binding capacity (1-2 mg/ml adsorbent). In spite of the lower capacity, the beads with quaternary amine ligand were preferred, due to their much better plasmid recovery (70-100% recovery). Interestingly, both capacity and recovery was improved when the plasmid adsorption step was carried out in the presence of a moderate salt concentration. The most suitable superporous bead type (45-75 mu m diameter beads; 4 mu m superpores; quaternary amine ligand) was chosen for the capture of plasmid DNA from a clarified alkaline lysate. Two strategies were evaluated, one with and one without enzymatic digestion of RNA. The strategy without RNase gave high plasmid recovery, quantitative removal of protein and a 70% reduction in RNA. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Adolfsson, Annsofie, 1960-, et al.
(author)
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Miscarriage : women’s experience and its cumulative incidence
- 2006
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Many women experience miscarriage every year. Every fourth woman who has given birth reports that she has previous experience of miscarriage. In a study of all women in the Swedish Medical Birth Register 1983-2003, we found that the number of cases of self reported miscarriage had increased in Sweden during this 21 year period. This increase can be explained by the introduction of sensitive pregnancy tests around 1990, as well as an increase in the mean age of the mothers, by approximately 3 years, during the observation period. The risk of miscarriage is 13% with the first child. With subsequent pregnancies, the risk of miscarriage is 8%, 6% and 4% with the second, third and fourth child, respectively.Thirteen of these women who had suffered a recent miscarriage were interviewed four months later, and their feelings of guilt and emptiness were explored. Their experience was that they wanted their questions to be answered, and that they wanted others to treat them as the mothers to be that they felt themselves to be. They also experienced the need for time to grieve their loss.Measurement of grief by means of the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) is used in research but has also been proposed for clinical use. We have translated this psychological instrument to Swedish, back-translated and tested it in a small pilot study. In a randomized controlled study, women with early miscarriage were allocated, either to a structured visit (study group) or a regular visit (control group) to a midwife. The structured visit was conducted according to the Swanson caring theory. We could conclude that the structured visit had no significant effect on grief compared to the regular visit, as measured using the PGS. However, women with the sub-diagnosis missed abortion have significantly more grief four months after early miscarriage, regardless of visit type.We also performed a content analysis of the tape-recorded structured follow-up visit. The code-key used was Bonanno and Kaltman’s general grief categorization. Women’s expression of grief after miscarriage was found to be very similar to the grief experienced following the death of a relative. Furthermore, the grief was found to be independent of number of children, women’s age, or earlier experience of miscarriage.Conclusions: Every fourth woman who gives birth reports that she has also experienced early miscarriage. The experience of these women is that they have suffered a substantial loss and their reaction is grief similar to that experienced following the death of a relative.
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| 10. |
- Agaton, Charlotta, et al.
(author)
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Gene expression analysis by signature pyrosequencing
- 2002
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In: Gene. - 0378-1119 .- 1879-0038. ; 289:1-2, s. 31-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe a novel method for transcript profiling based on high-throughput parallel sequencing of signature tags using a non-gel-based microtiter plate format. The method relies on the identification of cDNA clones by pyrosequencing of the region corresponding to the 3'-end of the mRNA preceding the poly(A) tail. Simultaneously, the method can be used for gene discovery, since tags corresponding to unknown genes can be further characterized by extended sequencing. The protocol was validated using a model system for human atherosclerosis. Two 3'-tagged cDNA libraries, representing macrophages and foam cells, which are key components in the development of atherosclerotic plaques, were constructed using a solid phase approach. The libraries were analyzed by pyrosequencing, giving on average 25 bases. As a control, conventional expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing using slab gel electrophoresis was performed. Homology searches were used to identify the genes corresponding to each tag. Comparisons with EST sequencing showed identical, unique matches in the majority of cases when the pyrosignature was at least 18 bases. A visualization tool was developed to facilitate differential analysis using a virtual chip format. The analysis resulted in identification of genes with possible relevance for development of atherosclerosis. The use of the method for automated massive parallel signature sequencing is discussed.
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| 11. |
- Ahlström, Tommy, et al.
(author)
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Correlation between plasma calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a community-based cohort of men and women
- 2009
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In: Clinical Endocrinology. - : Wiley. - 0300-0664 .- 1365-2265. ; 71:5, s. 673-678
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CONTEXT: In recent years, an association has been noted between several abnormalities that characterize the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). These abnormalities include dyslipidaemia, obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension. The correlations between plasma calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the variables in the MetS in a normal population are still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To describe correlations between plasma calcium and PTH and the various abnormalities present in the MetS in a healthy population.DESIGN: We studied 1016 healthy individuals from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) population of 70 years old, by means of plasma analyses of calcium, PTH, creatinine, lipids, insulin and glucose, as well as by standardized blood pressure measurements. Further, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were determined.RESULTS: The more National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria for the MetS that were met, the higher the s-PTH and albumin-corrected s-calcium. Further, positive correlations between plasma calcium and BMI (P = 0.0003), waist circumference (P = 0.0009) and insulin resistance (P = 0.079) were found. PTH and BMI (P < 0.0001), waist circumference (P < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0034), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0008), serum triglycerides (P = 0.0003) and insulin resistance (P = 0.0003) were positively correlated, whereas serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) (P = 0.036) and PTH were negatively correlated.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PTH correlates with several of the metabolic factors included in the MetS within a normocalcaemic population. In addition, individuals with mild pHPT present significantly more NCEP criteria for MetS. We postulate that increased levels of PTH in pHPT may be associated with the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality seen in pHPT.
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| 12. |
- Ahrén, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV improves metabolic control over a 4-week study period in type 2 diabetes.
- 2002
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In: Diabetes Care. - : American Diabetes Association. - 0149-5992 .- 1935-5548. ; 25:5, s. 869-75
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been proposed as a new treatment modality for type 2 diabetes. To circumvent the drawback of the short half-life of GLP-1, inhibitors of the GLP-1-degrading enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) have been examined. Such inhibitors improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant rats and mice. In this study, we examined the 4-week effect of 1-[[[2-[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetyl]-2-cyano-(S)-pyrrolidine (NVP DPP728), a selective, orally active inhibitor of DPP IV, in subjects with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes in a placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 93 patients (61 men and 32 women), aged 64 +/- 9 years (means +/- SD) and with BMI 27.3 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2), entered the study. Fasting blood glucose was 8.5 +/- 1.5 mmol/l, and HbA(1c) was 7.4 +/- 0.7%. Before and after treatment with NVP DPP728 at 100 mg x 3 (n = 31) or 150 mg x 5 (n = 32) or placebo (n = 30), subjects underwent a 24-h study with standardized meals (total 2,000 kcal).RESULTS: Compared with placebo, NVP DPP728 at 100 mg t.i.d. reduced fasting glucose by 1.0 mmol/l (mean), prandial glucose excursions by 1.2 mmol/l, and mean 24-h glucose levels by 1.0 mmol/l (all P < 0.001). Similar reductions were seen in the 150-mg b.i.d. treatment group. Mean 24-h insulin was reduced by 26 pmol/l in both groups (P = 0.017 and P = 0.023). Although not an efficacy parameter foreseen in the study protocol, HbA(1c) was reduced to 6.9 +/- 0.7% in the combined active treatment groups (P < 0.001). Laboratory safety and tolerability was good in all groups.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that inhibition of DPP IV is a feasible approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the early stage of the disease.
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| 13. |
- Bjerselius, Rickard, et al.
(author)
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Persistenta organiska miljöföroreningar i fisk från Östersjöregionen 2000-2002
- 2004
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) are still an environmental problem in Sweden, although the use and production of PCBs have been banned for decades and the release of PCDD/DFs have decreased significantly. In general, the concentrations in food have declined since the 1970s. However, in fish from some parts of the Baltic Sea, the decline of PCBs and PCDD/DFs appears to have ceased in the 1990s (Bignert, 2002). For risk assessment purposes, the Swedish National Food Administration has conducted a fish survey 2000-2002 of levels of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs), PCBs, PCDD/DFs and persistent pesticides, in fish from the Baltic Sea region. Also polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), ubiquitously used flame retardants, have been added to this list because of results suggesting the PBDE group as candidate for a new environmental hazard. The aim is to get relevant data to be used in the continuous evaluation of the dietary recommendations and to follow changes in the levels of these environmental contaminants in fish. The ambition is to use the data as a basis for intake estimations for human body burdens and compare with internationally established tolerable weekly intakes (TWI). In addition, in November 2001, the European Commission (EC) published legislation aimed at achieving a reduction in human exposure to PCDD/DFs and PCBs (Council Regulation 2375/01/EC). One of the strategies to reduce the human exposure for PCDD/DFs and dioxin-like PCBs has been to set maximum levels for PCDD/DFs in foodstuffs. Sweden and Finland currently have a derogation from the Council regulation that allows national marketing of fish that exceed the maximum level for PCDD/DF. The legislation came into force from 1 July 2002. The Council Regulation also carries with it an obligation for Member States to monitor the levels of dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/DFs in foodstuffs and to report the levels to the EC. These data will ultimately be used to both review the maximum limits and measure the effectiveness of the reduction strategy and set new maximum limits. For example, during 2004 the Commission is planning to set maximum levels for dioxin-like PCBs based on reported background levels from the member states. The following report includes results from parts of the sampling carried out in the Baltic Sea area in 2000-2002. Only results of PCBs, persistent pesticides, PBDEs and HBCD are reported here. The corresponding PCDD/DF levels are reported on www.slv.se in three interim reports.
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| 14. |
- Borgquist, Per, et al.
(author)
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A model for the drug release from a polymer matrix tablet - effects of swelling and dissolution
- 2006
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In: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4995 .- 0168-3659. ; 113:3, s. 216-225
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A model for simulating the drug release from a swelling and dissolving polymer tablet is presented and verified to data. The model is based on a mechanistic approach, and it can therefore be employed to study the sensitivity of true physical constants, for instance the drug diffusion coefficient or the drug solubility. The model generates the drug and polymer release profiles and the front positions of the total tablet, the solid core, and of the solid-drug-solubilized-drug interface. The convective contribution to mass transfer is shown to be of great importance. This is most markedly noticed for slowly diffusing drugs. In a simulation with a low value of the drug diffusion coefficient, it is shown that the initial drug release rate is faster than the polymer dissolution rate, followed by a second stage with a slower drug release rate. Furthermore, it is shown that polymer dissolution influences the drug release profile significantly, but not the front position of saturated drug in the gel layer. The model is verified against drug release and polymer dissolution data for the slightly soluble drug Methyl paraben and the soluble drug Saligenin in a poly (ethylene oxide) tablet, resulting in good agreement between model and experiments. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 15. |
- Byström, Per, et al.
(author)
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Serum vitamin B12 and folate status among patients with chemotherapy treatment for advanced colorectal cancer
- 2009
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In: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. - : Uppsala Medical Society. - 0300-9734 .- 2000-1967. ; 114:3, s. 160-164
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results on the role of cobalamin and folate for epidemiology and carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer patients and the need of supplementation for prevention of chemotherapy toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum cobalamin, folate, and homocysteine were analysed before and during the treatment of 93 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) with first-line chemotherapy treatment. This cohort was compared with a healthy control group of 224 individuals. RESULTS: Patients with ACRC had similar cobalamin, folate, and homocysteine values as the healthy control group. There were no correlations between serum cobalamin, folate, and homocysteine values and objective response. There were no correlations to anaemia or other severe toxicity for cobalamin and homocysteine. A total of 12 patients had folate deficiency, and 10 of those suffered from severe toxicity (grade 3 or more). All patients had markedly increased folate values after 2 months of treatment. Folate and homocysteine did not predict patient outcome; however, patients with subclinically low cobalamin values (<300 pmol/L) had significant better overall survival and time to progression than patients with normal or high cobalamin values. CONCLUSION: Patients with ACRC seem to have fairly adequate cobalamin and folate status before and during chemotherapy treatment. This study indicates that ACRC patients receiving chemotherapy do not need supplementation with vitamin B12 and folate. A minor portion of the patients had folate deficiency, and most of those patients had severe toxicity. Patients with subclinically low cobalamin values had surprisingly better survival.
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| 16. |
- Carlander, David, et al.
(author)
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Peroral immunotherapy with yolk antibodies for the prevention and treatment of enteric infections
- 2000
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In: Immunologic research. - 0257-277X .- 1559-0755. ; 21:1, s. 1-6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Oral administration of specific antibodies is an attractive approach to establish protective immunity against gastrointestinal pathogens in humans and animals. The increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria emphasize the need to find alternatives to antibiotics. Immunotherapy can also be used against pathogens that are difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics. Laying hens are very good producers of specific antibodies. After immunization, the specific antibodies are transported to the egg yolk from which the antibodies then can be purified. A laying hen produces more than 20 g of yolk antibodies (IgY) per year. These antibodies also have biochemical properties that make them attractive for peroral immunotherapy: They neither activate mammalian complement nor interact with mammalian Fc receptors that could mediate inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract. Eggs are also normal dietary components and thus there is practically no risk of toxic side effects of IgY. Yolk antibodies have been shown in several studies to prevent bacterial and viral infections.
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| 17. |
- Edsjö, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Expression of trkB in Human Neuroblastoma in Relation to MYCN Expression and Retinoic Acid Treatment.
- 2003
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In: Laboratory Investigation. - 1530-0307. ; 83:6, s. 813-823
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Expression of full-length trkB can be found in some highly malignant neuroblastoma tumors with an amplified MYCN gene. This contrasts sympathetic neuroblasts, from which neuroblastomas are thought to arise, which neither express trkB nor are dependent on the p145trkB ligands, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-4/5, for their normal development. In this study we show that trkB was expressed in two out of five neuroblastoma tumors with amplified MYCN, while no trkB expression was observed when the MYCN gene was overexpressed in a non–MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell line. This shows that MYCN overexpression per se is not sufficient to induce trkB expression. trkB expression and BDNF responsiveness in neuroblastoma cells can be induced by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). When SH-SY5Y cells were stimulated with a combination of RA and BDNF, norepinephrine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels were unaltered, showing that the cells did not change toward a more catecholaminergic sympathetic phenotype. However, expression of growth-associated protein 43, indicative of a neuronal phenotype, was elevated. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter, choline acetyl transferase, and neuropeptide tyrosine mRNA levels also increased in RA-BDNF–treated cells, which could suggest that these cells develop into a sympathetic cholinergic phenotype. In addition, treatment with RA-induced expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha. As previously shown for BDNF, platelet-derived growth factor stimulated growth of the RA-treated cells, findings that could have clinical relevance. If these receptors mediate a mitogenic signal in vivo also, this might limit the effect of RA treatment on neuroblastoma patients.
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| 18. |
- Eggers, Kai M., 1962-, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence and pathophysiological mechanisms of elevated cardiac troponin 1 levels in a population-based sample of elderly subjects
- 2008
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 29:18, s. 2252-2258
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) elevation in an elderly community population and the association of cTnI levels with cardiovascular risk factors, vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis, cardiac performance, and areas indicative of infarcted myocardium identified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: cTnI elevation defined as cTnI levels >0.01 microg/L (Access AccuTnI, Beckman Coulter) was found in 21.8% of the study participants (n = 1005). cTnI > 0.01 microg/L was associated with cardiovascular high-risk features, the burden of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, left-ventricular mass, and impaired left-ventricular systolic function. No associations were found between cTnI and inflammatory activity, diastolic dysfunction, or myocardial scars. Male gender (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.4), ischaemic ECG changes (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.7), and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7) independently predicted cTnI > 0.01 microg/L. cTnI > 0.01 microg/L correlated also to an increased cardiovascular risk according to the Framingham risk score. CONCLUSION: cTnI > 0.01 microg/L is relatively common in elderly subjects and is associated with cardiovascular high-risk features and impaired cardiac performance. Cardiac troponin determined by a highly sensitive assay might thus serve as an instrument for the identification of subjects at high cardiovascular risk in general populations.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Eriksson, Therese, et al.
(author)
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Magnetic short-range order in the new ternary phase Mn8Pd15Si7
- 2005
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In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-8388 .- 1873-4669. ; 403:1-2, s. 19-28
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new compound, Mn8Pd15Si7, is reported to crystallize in a face centered cubic unit cell of dimension a = 12.0141(2) Å, space group, and can thus be classified as a G-phase. The crystal structure was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and electron diffraction. A filled Mg6Cu16Si7 type structure was found, corresponding to the Sc11Ir4 type structure. The magnetic properties were investigated by magnetization measurements and Reverse Monte Carlo modeling of low temperature magnetic short-range order (SRO). Dominating near neighbor antiferromagnetic correlations were found between the Mn atoms and geometric frustration in combination with random magnetic interactions via metal sites with partial Mn occupancy were suggested to hinder formation of long-range magnetic order.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Gomes, P.F., et al.
(author)
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Type-I optical emissions in GeSi quantum dots
- 2007
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In: Applied Physics Letters. - : AIP Publishing. - 0003-6951 .- 1077-3118. ; 91:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The authors studied the optical emission of GeSi quantum dots under externally applied biaxial stress using samples grown with different temperatures varying from 430 to 700 °C. The optical emission energy of samples grown at low temperatures is rather insensitive to the applied external stress, consistent with the type-II band alignment. However, for samples grown at high temperatures we observed a large blueshift, which suggests type-I alignment. The result implies that recombination strength can be controlled by the growth temperature, which can be useful for optical device applications. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.
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| 24. |
- Gummesson, Anders, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Relations of Adipose Tissue Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-like Effector A Gene Expression to Basal Metabolic Rate, Energy Restriction and Obesity: Population-based and Dietary Intervention Studies.
- 2007
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 92:12, s. 4759-65
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) could be a potential target for the treatment of obesity via the modulation of metabolic rate, based on the findings that CIDEA inhibits the brown adipose tissue uncoupling process in rodents. Objective: To investigate the putative link between CIDEA and basal metabolic rate in humans, and to further elucidate the role of CIDEA in human obesity. Design: We have explored CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue in two different human studies: A cross-sectional and population-based study assessing body composition and metabolic rate (Mölndal Metabolic study, n=92), and a longitudinal intervention-study of obese subjects treated with a very low calorie diet (VLCD study, n=24). Results: The CIDEA gene was predominantly expressed in adipocytes as compared to other human tissues. CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue was inversely associated with basal metabolic rate independently of body composition, age and gender (p=0.014). VLCD induced an increase in adipose tissue CIDEA expression (p<0.0001) with a subsequent decrease in response to refeeding (p<0.0001). Reduced CIDEA gene expression was associated with a high body fat content (p<0.0001) and with high insulin levels (p<0.01). No dysregulation of CIDEA expression was observed in individuals with the metabolic syndrome when compared with BMI-matched controls. In a separate sample of VLCD-treated subjects (n=10), uncoupling protein 1 expression was reduced during diet (p=0.0026) and inversely associated with CIDEA expression (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with the concept that CIDEA plays a role in adipose tissue energy expenditure.
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| 25. |
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