| 1. |
- Sandin, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Precautionary defaults - A new strategy for chemical risk management
- 2004
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Ingår i: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1080-7039 .- 1549-7860. ; 10, s. 1-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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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| 2. |
- Eriksson, Anders, 1957, et al.
(författare)
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Elevation of cytokines in peritoneal fluid and blood in patients with liver cirrhosis
- 2004
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Ingår i: Hepato-Gastroenterology. - 0172-6390. ; 51:56, s. 505-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cirrhosis, described as the endstage of a necroinflammatory process, is often accompanied by ascites formation. The rationale for this study was the hypothesis that patients with liver cirrhosis have a low-grade chronic inflammatory response, which leads to an increased amount of proinflammatory cytokines accumulated in ascites. Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by ascites and twelve healthy volunteers were prospectively included in the study. METHODOLOGY: Ascites and blood samples from the patients were obtained for analysis of inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Blood samples were taken from the healthy volunteers to obtain reference values. RESULTS: Plasma and ascites concentrations of interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated in the patients compared with plasma levels in the group of healthy controls. Significant elevation of interleukin-10 concentrations was found in ascites but not in plasma in the patients. There was no significant difference in interleukin-10 levels between patient and control plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that elevated cytokine concentrations in ascites and serum could perpetuate an inflammatory reaction that may be a source of preservation of an ongoing systemic inflammatory reaction. This may contribute to the maintenance, and even progress, of the liver dysfunction, leading to exaggerated ascites development.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Eriksson, Per, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship between serum levels of IL-18 and IgG1 in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls
- 2004
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Immunology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0009-9104 .- 1365-2249. ; 137:3, s. 617-620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by inflammation in salivary and lachrymal glands, with a local predominance of Th1-like cytokines, as well as the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL) 18. High serum levels of polyclonal IgG are common, with a subclass imbalance in which IgG1 is increased and IgG2 is normal or low. IL-18 is also of pathogenetic importance in rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study we looked for any relationship between serum IL-18 as well as transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 versus IgA, IgM, and IgG subclass levels in SS (n = 16), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 15), and healthy controls (n = 15). SS was defined by the revised American-European classification criteria. IL-18 and TGF-β1 were analyzed with enzyme immunoassays (EIA), and IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 by single radial immunodiffusion. In the composite group of RA, SS and normal controls, IgG1 and IL-18 were related (R = 0.52, P = 0.0005). No relation was found neither between IL-18 versus IgG2, IgG3 or IgA, nor between serum TGF-β1 versus any of the immunoglobulins. Since serum levels of IL-18 are related to serum IgG1, IL-18 may be of importance for IgG1 switch and/or release.
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| 5. |
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| 8. |
- Hollman, Gunilla, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of life in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 251:4, s. 331-337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. The primary aim of this study was to analyse quality of life in adult patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a genetic disorder with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Secondary aims were to find explanatory factors for quality of life and anxiety.Design. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used.Setting. Outpatients from lipid clinics at two university hospitals in Sweden were included. Patients with heterozygous FH and a randomly selected control group participated by filling out questionnaires.Subjects. Two hundred and eighty patients with heterozygous FH above 18 years of age were asked, and 212 of whom 185 were free of overt CHD, participated. Of a control group of 2980 persons 1485 were included for comparison.Methods. We used Likert-type questionnaires: the Quality of Life Index (QLI) consisting of four subscales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the Mastery Scale measuring coping and a questionnaire on health and lipids constructed for FH patients.Results. Patients with FH were significantly more satisfied with overall quality of life 21.8 ± 0.3 (SEM) vs. controls 21.1 ± 0.1 and this was also the case in three of four subscales, all differences P < 0.05. Anxiety about getting CHD was expressed amongst 86% of the patients with FH.Conclusions. Quality of life amongst patients with FH was at least as good as in controls but they were worried about getting CHD.
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| 9. |
- Holmin, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Investigation of Electrode Materials as Sensors in a Voltammetric Electronic Tongue
- 2002
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Ingår i: Electroanalysis. - Weinheim, Germany : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 1040-0397 .- 1521-4109. ; 14:12, s. 839-847
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work different electrode materials were investigated as sensors in a voltammetric electronic tongue. Basically, the electronic tongue is based on the combination of nonspecific sensors (electrodes) and pattern recognition tools, for example principal component analysis (PCA). Copper. glassy carbon, nickel, palladium, silver, tin, titanium and zirconium together with more traditional electrode materials such as gold, iridium, and platinum were studied. Cyclic voitammetry was applied to study typical model reactions in solutions containing different electroactive compounds, like ascorbic acid, glucose, histidine and potassium hexacyanoferrate(II). Different sensitivity and selectivity were obtained with the electrodes. Large responses were for example found for the amino acid and the carbohydrate using the copper, nickel and silver electrode. Some of the electrodes were employed in multicomponent solutions, i.e., liquid washing detergents from different suppliers together with differential pulse voltammetry. Responses from the electrodes in combination with PCA showed that they separated the detergents to different extents. This was further used when information from the sensors was merged together for successful discrimination of the detergents. It was found that two detergents close to each other in the score plot were from the same supplier. Furthermore. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to monitor surface changes at the nonnoble electrodes (copper, nickel, and silver).
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| 10. |
- Landén, Mikael, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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Heart rate variability in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - 0306-4530. ; 29:6, s. 733-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Measuring heart rate variability (HRV) is a way to assess the autonomic regulation of the heart. Decreased HRV, indicating reduced parasympathetic tone, has previously been found in depression and anxiety disorders. The objective of this study was to assess HRV in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). To this end, time domain variables and frequency domain variables were assessed in 28 women with PMDD and in 11 symptom-free controls during both the symptomatic luteal phase and the non-symptomatic follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Two variables reflecting vagal activity in the time domain, the root mean square of differences of successive normal RR intervals (rMSSD) and standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN) were lower in PMDD patients, but this difference was statistically significant in the follicular phase only. The most important vagal measure in the frequency domain, supine high frequency (HF), also appeared lower in PMDD subjects during the follicular phase. It is suggested that PMDD may be associated with reduced vagal tone compared to controls and that this difference is most apparent in the non-symptomatic follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
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| 11. |
- Lillesaar, Christina, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Rat tooth pulp cells elicit neurite growth from trigeminal neurones and express mRNAs for neurotrophic factors in vitro
- 2001
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Ingår i: Neuroscience Letters. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 308:3, s. 161-164
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Molecular factors control the developmental ingrowth of axons to the tooth pulp. Here we examine the ability of pulpal cells to induce neurite outgrowth from neonatal rat trigeminal neurones (TGNs) in vitro. We found that TGNs emitted neurites and formed networks of branches in relation to pulpal cells. Neurones co-cultured with a mixture of pulpal cells and 3T3 fibroblasts formed networks exclusively in relation to the pulpal cells. Cultivated pulpal cells and pulpal tissue produced mRNAs for all neurotrophins and members of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family. Hence, rat pulpal cells have neuritogenic effects on single TGNs in vitro, that may be associated with secretion of neurotrophic factors.
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| 12. |
- Nalvarte, Ivan, et al.
(författare)
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Overexpression of enzymatically active human cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase in HEK-293 cells : Effect on cell growth and differentiation
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 279:52, s. 54510-54517
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mammalian thioredoxin reductases (TrxR) are selenoproteins containing a catalytically active selenocysteine residue (Sec) and are important enzymes in cellular redox control. The cotranslational incorporation of Sec, necessary for activity, is governed by a stem-loop structure in the 3'-untranslated region of the mRNA and demands adequate selenium availability. The complicated translation machinery required for Sec incorporation is a major obstacle in isolating mammalian cell lines stably overexpressing selenoproteins. In this work we report on the development and characterization of stably transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells that overexpress enzymatically active selenocysteine-containing cytosolic TrxR1 or mitochondrial TrxR2. We demonstrate that the overexpression of selenium-containing TrxR1 results in lower expression and activity of the endogenous selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase and that the activity of overexpressed TrxRs, rather than the protein amount, can be increased by selenium supplementation in the cell growth media. We also found that the TrxR-overexpressing cells grew slower over a wide range of selenium concentrations, which was an effect apparently not related to increased apoptosis nor to fatally altered intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Most surprisingly, the TrxR1- or TrxR2-overexpressing cells also induced novel expression of the epithelial markers CK18, CK-Cam5.2, and BerEP4, suggestive of a stimulation of cellular differentiation.
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| 14. |
- Nyström-Rosander, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients undergoing surgery for thoracic aortic disease
- 2002
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 36:6, s. 329-335
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate if Chlamydia pneumoniae is present in the wall of the thoracic aorta in patients operated on for aneurysm or aortic dissection. DESIGN: Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA, 32 patients) and for aortic dissection (6 patients) were included in this prospective study. Tissue samples from the aorta were analysed for the presence of C. pneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histopathology, immunohistochemistry and in one aortic tissue sample C. pneumoniae was verified by electron microscopy and immunogold labelling technique. Cultured Hep 2 cells infected with C. pneumoniae were used as a positive control for electron microscopy. Sera for microimmunofluorescence were obtained in 36/38 and throat swabs for C. pneumoniae PCR in 17/38 patients. RESULTS: Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected by PCR in 4 of 32 TAA tissue samples (12%) and in 0 of 6 patients operated on for aortic dissection. Chlamydia pneumoniae inclusion bodies in one of the PCR positive tissue samples were verified by electron microscopy. IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae were present in 17/31 (55%) and IgA in 15/31 (48%) of the TAA patients and in none of five tested patients with dissection. None of the tested throat swabs was positive. CONCLUSION: In this study we report the presence of C. pneumoniae by PCR and electron microscopy in the wall of TAA. A high prevalence of serum IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae was found in TAA patients. In contrast no signs of C. pneumoniae were detected in patients with thoracic aortic dissection.
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| 15. |
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Recherches actuelles en langue et littérature françaises à l'Université de Växjö
- 2003
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Proceedings (redaktörskap) (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Ce volume contient les versions imprimées de sept communications présentées et discutées lors d'un séminaire organisé en décembre 2000 par la section française du Département des sciences humaines à l'Université de Växjö. Il se propose d'offrir un éventail de projets de recherche en cours à l'Université de Växjö dans le domaine de la langue et de la littérature françaises. Les articles réunis témoigneront, nous l'espérons, de la diversité et de l'actualité des questions de linguistique et de littérature auxquelles s'intéressent professeurs et doctorants à notre université.
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