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| 2. |
- Lilliehorn, Tobias, et al.
(author)
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Array transducer for ultrasonic manipulation of particles
- 2004
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In: ; , s. 69-72
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This paper presents the concept and initial work on a microfluidic platform for bead-based analysis of biological sample. The core technology in this project is ultrasonic manipulation and trapping of particle in array configurations by means of acoustic forces. The platform is ultimately aimed for parallel multistep bioassays performed on biochemically activated microbeads (or particles) using submicrolitre sample volumes. A first prototype with three individually controlled particle trapping sites has been developed and evaluated. Standing ultrasonic waves were generated across a microfluidic channel by integrated PZT ultrasonic microtransducers. Particles in a fluid passing a transducer were drawn to pressure minima in the acoustic field, thereby being trapped and confined laterally over the transducer. It is anticipated that acoustic trapping using integrated transducers can be exploited in miniaturised total chemical analysis systems (µTAS), where e.g. microbeads with immobilised antibodies can be trapped in arrays and subjected to minute amounts of sample followed by a reaction, detected using fluorescence. A first model bioassay with detection of fluorescein marked avidin binding to trapped biotin beads has been evaluated. To enable development of the next generation of 2D array trapping devices, means of microfabricating multilayer ultrasonic array transducers using thick film technology have been developed.
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| 6. |
- Berg, Anne Ingeborg, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Importance of functional capacity for life-satisfaction in late life: Findings in a population-based sample aged 80 and older
- 2004
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In: Presented at 17th Nordic Congress in Gerontology (Stockholm, Sweden).
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aging is accompanied with numerous biological and social changes that may compromise life-satisfaction. Aim: To examine the relative impact on life-satisfaction from functional limitations within the context of social, cognitive, and health related factors in the oldest-old. Methods and Material: Scales and questions regarding life-satisfaction (LSI-Z-index), functional capacity (instrumental and personal ADL), depression (CES-D), cognitive function (MMSE), social support, and economy was administered in a sample of 504 participants, aged 8098 years; (M=83 years, 68 % women). Results: Regression analysis indicated that functional capacity is associated with life-satisfaction but other variables such as subjective health, social support, and economy were equally important. Discussion: The results correspond with previous studies and emphasize the need to analyze the relationship between functional limitations and disability within a broader context of social, emotional, and cognitive variables
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| 7. |
- Hagfors, Linda, 1974-
(author)
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A Mediterranean dietary intervention study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2003
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Case control studies have shown that a high consumption of fish, olive oil, and cooked vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These foods have a central position in the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet, and it has been suggested that dietary factors contribute to the low prevalence of RA in Mediterranean countries. The overall aim of this thesis was to examine whether a modified Cretan Mediterranean diet can reduce signs and symptoms of RA. This was investigated in a three-month dietary intervention trial in which 51 patients with well controlled, although active RA of at least two years duration took part. A further aim was to study the compliance with the experimental and control diets used in the study, and to validate the diet history interview method used to assess the dietary intake. The validation was carried out by means of biological markers of dietary intake. From baseline to the end of the study the group that had adopted the Cretan Mediterranean diet (MD group; n=26) obtained a reduction in disease activity, improved physical function, and improved vitality, while no changes was seen in the control diet group (CD group; n=25). According to the dietary assessments, the intake frequencies of antioxidant-rich food items increased in the MD group. This group also had a significantly higher intake of vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium compared to the CD group. Despite the reported increase in the consumption frequencies of antioxidant-rich foods, the plasma levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, lipid adjusted tocopherols, uric acid and urine malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, were unchanged at the end of the study. The plasma levels of retinol, vitamin C and uric acid were, however, correlated to indices of disease activity. Changes in the reported consumption of food groups with relevance to the fat intake were also observed in the MD group, including an increased intake of fish, shellfish and poultry, and a decreased intake of meat and high fat dairy products. As a result, the total fat intake was lower in the MD group compared to the CD group. Furthermore, in the MD group a slightly higher percentage of the energy intake was derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and a lower percentage from saturated fatty acids. This group also had a lower ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids. A corresponding change in the relation between n-6 and n-3 fatty acids was also observed in s-phospholipids. The validation of the diet history interview method showed that the diet history interview could capture the dietary intake fairly well. The validity of the reported dietary intake did not differ between the MD and the CD group, which indicates that the dietary assessment was not biased by the dietary intervention.
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| 8. |
- Hagfors, Linda, et al.
(author)
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Antioxidant intake, plasma antioxidants and oxidative stress in a randomized, controlled, parallel, Mediterranean dietary intervention study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2003
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In: Nutrition Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2891. ; 2
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Background: Previously we have reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) obtained a significant reduction in disease activity by adopting a Mediterranean-type diet. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant intake, the plasma levels of antioxidants and a marker of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) during the study presented earlier. Methods: RA patients randomized to either a Mediterranean type diet (MD group, n = 26) or a control diet (CD group, n = 25) were compared during a three month dietary intervention study. Their antioxidant intake was assessed by means of diet history interviews and their intake of antioxidant-rich foods by a self-administered questionnaire. The plasma levels of retinol, antioxidants (a- and ?-tocopherol, ▀-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C and uric acid) and urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for oxidative stress, were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The Student's t-test for independent samples and paired samples were used to test differences between and within groups. For variables with skewed distributions Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were performed. To evaluate associations between dietary intake of antioxidants, as well as between disease activity, MDA and antioxidants we used Pearson's product moment correlation or Spearman's rank correlation. Results: The MD group had significantly higher intake frequencies of antioxidant-rich foods, and also higher intakes of vitamin C (p = 0.014), vitamin E (p = 0.007) and selenium (p = 0.004), and a lower intake of retinol (p = 0.049), compared to the CD group. However, the difference between the groups regarding vitamin C intake was not significant when under- and over-repoters were excluded (p = 0.066). There were no changes in urine MDA or in the plasma levels of antioxidants (after p-lipid adjustments of the tocopherol results), from baseline to the end of the study. The levels of retinol, vitamin C and uric acid were negatively correlated to disease activity variables. No correlation was found between antioxidant intake and the plasma levels of antioxidants. Conclusions: Despite an increase in reported consumption of antioxidant-rich foods during the Mediterranean diet intervention, the levels of plasma antioxidants and urine MDA did not change. However, the plasma levels of vitamin C, retinol and uric acid were inversely correlated to variables related to RA disease activity.
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| 9. |
- Hagfors, Linda, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Antioxidant intake, plasma antioxidants and oxidative stress in a randomized, controlled, parallel, Mediterranean dietary intervention study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2003
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In: Nutrition Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2891. ; 2:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Previously we have reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) obtained a significant reduction in disease activity by adopting a Mediterranean-type diet. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant intake, the plasma levels of antioxidants and a marker of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) during the study presented earlier. Methods: RA patients randomized to either a Mediterranean type diet (MD group; n = 26) or a control diet (CD group; n = 25) were compared during a three month dietary intervention study. Their antioxidant intake was assessed by means of diet history interviews and their intake of antioxidant-rich foods by a self-administered questionnaire. The plasma levels of retinol, antioxidants (α- and γ-tocopherol, β-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C and uric acid) and urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for oxidative stress, were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The Student's t-test for independent samples and paired samples were used to test differences between and within groups. For variables with skewed distributions Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were performed. To evaluate associations between dietary intake of antioxidants, as well as between disease activity, MDA and antioxidants we used Pearson's product moment correlation or Spearman's rank correlation. Results: The MD group had significantly higher intake frequencies of antioxidant-rich foods, and also higher intakes of vitamin C (p = 0.014), vitamin E (p = 0.007) and selenium (p = 0.004), and a lower intake of retinol (p = 0.049), compared to the CD group. However, the difference between the groups regarding vitamin C intake was not significant when under- and over-repoters were excluded (p = 0.066). There were no changes in urine MDA or in the plasma levels of antioxidants (after p-lipid adjustments of the tocopherol results), from baseline to the end of the study. The levels of retinol, vitamin C and uric acid were negatively correlated to disease activity variables. No correlation was found between antioxidant intake and the plasma levels of antioxidants. Conclusions: Despite an increase in reported consumption of antioxidant-rich foods during the Mediterranean diet intervention, the levels of plasma antioxidants and urine MDA did not change. However, the plasma levels of vitamin C, retinol and uric acid were inversely correlated to variables related to RA disease activity.
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| 19. |
- Hassing, Linda, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus contributes to cognitive change in the oldest old: A longitudinal population-based study
- 2004
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In: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. ; :10, s. 599-607
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examined change in neuropsychological test performance related to type 2 diabetes mellitus across a 6-year interval. A population-based sample of 274 elderly participants (36 with diabetes and 238 without diabetes) was examined at four occasions at a 2-year interval. The participants were 8093 years of age (M 5 82.8 years) and without dementia at baseline. The test battery included tests of speed, visuospatial ability, short-term memory, semantic memory, episodic memory, and the Mini Mental Status Examination. Several models, taking into account diabetes and demographic data, were analyzed using SAS Proc Mixed multilevel modeling. At baseline, there were no significant differences in the neuropsychological tests related to diabetes. The longitudinal analyses, however, showed that diabetes was a significant predictor of decline for many of the tests. These findings points to the conclusion that type 2 diabetes is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in old age that may result in dementia.
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| 22. |
- Johansson, Linda
(author)
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Host responses and bacterial virulence factors in Neisseria infections
- 2004
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are human specific pathogens. N. meningitidis is a major cause of meningitis and sepsis, whilst N. gonorrhoeae causes many millions of cases of gonorrhea in the world every year. A key factor in neisserial pathogenesis is the ability of the bacteria to attach to human host cell receptors. The initial binding is mediated by pili, long hairlike structures that extend from the bacterial cell surface. Pili bind to the cellular pilus receptor, CD46. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of N. meningitidis is an extremely potent endotoxin that is largely responsible for tissue damage and shock in infected individuals. To examine the basis for bacterium-host cell contact, an LPS-deficient N. meningitidis mutant was constructed. LPS deficiency was without exception accompanied by altered colony opacity and morphology. It was also observed that LPS was essential for pilus-associated adherence but dispensable for fiber formation and twitching motility. The absence of attachment to host cells could not be attributed to altered levels of piliation or defects in the pilus adhesion phenotype. Furthermore, the LPS mutants did not invade epithelial cells and lost the natural competence for genetic transformation. In order to develop an improved experimental infection model that mimics the human host, transgenic mice expressing the human pilus receptor CD46 were used. These mice were found to be highly susceptible to meningococcal disease after intraperitoneal infection. Crossing of the bloodbrain barrier by bacteria occurred in CD46 transgenic mice but not in nontransgenic mice. CD46 transgenic mice challenged with wild-type bacteria had high levels of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in sera whilst LPS-deficient bacteria only induced low cytokine levels at early time points post-challenge. Intranasal infection of CD46 mice required piliation of the bacteria for development of disease, supporting that CD46 facilitates pilus-dependent interactions at the epithelial mucosa. Taken together, these data demonstrate a crucial role of CD46 in meningococcal disease and reveal a novel experimental system for rapid consideration of vaccine candidates, as well as a model to study Neisseria pathogenesis. Antimicrobial peptides are part of the innate immunity and can be considered as endogenous antibiotics. The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 was shown to exhibit potent bactericidal activity against N. gonorrhoeae and real-time quantitative PCR and immunocytochemistry showed that gonococcal infection caused a consistent down-regulation of LL-37 in a human cervical cell line. These data suggest that down-regulation of the expression of LL-37 by live N. gonorrhoeae may be a part of an invasive strategy in the female genital tract.
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| 25. |
- Johansson, Linda, et al.
(author)
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Particulate emissions from small-scale biomass combustion
- 2001
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In: Aerosols from Biomass Combustion. - 3908705002 ; , s. 87-92
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An increased use of small-scale biomass combustion can result in higher ambient concentrations of particulate matter. The objective with this investigation is to characterise the emissions of particulates as well as gases from smaller district heating plants (2-3 MW) where the particle separation is limited to cyclones. The particle measurements were performed downstream the cyclones. The particle number size distributions were found to be dominated by submicron particles with peaks in the size range of 0.1-0.3 µm. The dust emissions were in the range of 60-200 mg/mn3 at 13% CO2. The number concentrations during normal operation are 107per cm3. The influence of load, excess air and fuel quality is discussed. In addition, results are reported for gaseous pollutants, i.e. CO/CO2, THC (total hydrocarbons), CH4 (methane), C2H4 (ethene), NOx and NH3 (ammonia).
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| 29. |
- Johansson, Linda, et al.
(author)
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The role of sensitivity to external food cues in attentional allocation to food words on dot probe and Stroop tasks
- 2004
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In: Eating Behaviors. - 1471-0153 .- 1873-7358. ; 5:3, s. 261-271
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The role of sensitivity of external food cues in producing attentional bias toward food-, body-weight-, and shape-related words on the Stroop and the dot probe tasks was examined. Contrary to expectations, individuals high in responsiveness to external food cues directed attention away from food words, whereas individuals low in responsiveness to external food cues directed their attention toward food words on the dot probe task. No significant differences were found between the groups high and low in sensitivity to external food cues for body words on the dot probe task or for food or body words on the Stroop task. Results are discussed with reference to theoretical views of differences between the Stroop and the dot probe tasks.
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Miller, Shyra J, et al.
(author)
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Brain lipid binding protein in axon-Schwann cell interactions and peripheral nerve tumorigenesis.
- 2003
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In: Molecular and Cellular Biology. - 0270-7306 .- 1098-5549. ; 23:6, s. 2213-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Loss of axonal contact characterizes Schwann cells in benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. Tumor Schwann cells demonstrate NF1 mutations, elevated Ras activity, and aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Using cDNA microarrays, we found that brain lipid binding protein (BLBP) is elevated in an EGFR-positive subpopulation of Nf1 mutant mouse Schwann cells (Nf1(-/-) TXF) that grows away from axons; BLBP expression was not affected by farnesyltransferase inhibitor, an inhibitor of H-Ras. BLBP was also detected in EGFR-positive cell lines derived from Nf1:p53 double mutant mice and human MPNST. BLBP expression was induced in normal Schwann cells following transfection with EGFR but not H-Ras12V. Furthermore, EGFR-mediated BLBP expression was not inhibited by dominant-negative H-Ras, indicating that BLBP expression is downstream of Ras-independent EGFR signaling. BLBP-blocking antibodies enabled process outgrowth from Nf1(-/-) TXF cells and restored interaction with axons, without affecting cell proliferation or migration. Following injury, BLBP expression was induced in normal sciatic nerves when nonmyelinating Schwann cells remodeled their processes. These data suggest that BLBP, stimulated by Ras-independent pathways, regulates Schwann cell-axon interactions in normal peripheral nerve and peripheral nerve tumors.
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| 33. |
- Salnikov, Alexei V, et al.
(author)
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Lowering of tumor interstitial fluid pressure specifically augments efficacy of chemotherapy
- 2003
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In: The FASEB Journal. - : Wiley. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 17:12, s. 1756-1758
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chemotherapy of solid tumors is presently largely ineffective at dosage levels that are compatible with survival of the patient. Here, it is argued that a condition of raised interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) that can be observed in many tumors is a major factor in preventing optimal access of systemically administered chemotherapeutic agents. Using prostaglandin E1-methyl ester (PGE1), which is known transiently to reduce IFP, it was shown that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) caused significant growth inhibition on two experimental tumors in rats but only after administration of PGE1. Furthermore, timing experiments showed that only in the period in which IFP is reduced did 5-FU have an antitumor effect. These experiments uniquely demonstrate a clear and, according to the starting hypothesis, logical, synergistic effect of PGE1 and 5-FU that offers hope for better treatment of many tumors in which raised IFP is likely to be inhibiting optimal results with water-soluble cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
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| 34. |
- Sharma, Sangeeta, et al.
(author)
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A theoretical and experimental study of the lithiation of η'-Cu6Sn5 in a lithium-ion battery
- 2003
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In: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. - : The Electrochemical Society. - 0013-4651 .- 1945-7111. ; 150:3, s. A330-A334
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Themechanism of Li insertion in -Cu6Sn5 to form Li2CuSn isdiscussed in detail, based on both theoretical calculations and experimentalresults. The mechanism is investigated by means of first principlescalculations, with the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method,in combination with in situ X-ray diffraction experiments. The -Cu6Sn5structure, as well as its lithiated products, were optimized andthe electronic charge density calculated in order to study thechange in bond character on lithiation. The average insertion voltageof the -Cu6Sn5-Li2CuSn transformation has been calculated to be 0.378V, in good agreement with the experimental value.
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| 35. |
- Siedle, Bettina, et al.
(author)
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The effect of sesquiterpene lactones on the release of human neutrophil elastase
- 2003
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In: Biochemical Pharmacology. - 0006-2952 .- 1356-1839. ; 65:5, s. 897-903
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are natural products responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of a variety of medicinal plants, mainly from the Asteraceae family. Here, we investigated whether they also influence the process of exocytosis of pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as the human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Altogether, eight structurally different SLs from the eudesmanolide, guaianolide, pseudoguaianolide, and germacranolide type were studied. Neutrophils were isolated from fresh human blood. After pre-incubation with different concentrations of the respective SL and cytochalasin B, the exocytosis of elastase was initiated either by platelet activating factor or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Inhibition of HNE release was measured by p-nitroaniline formation. The SLs exhibited an inhibitory effect on elastase release from neutrophils challenged either by platelet activating factor or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Concentration-response curves were recorded and the IC(50) values ranged from 2 to 30 microM. Studies on isolated HNE showed that a selective direct inhibition on HNE can be excluded. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity did not correlate with the number of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl functions. The structure-activity relationship and the molecular mechanism are discussed.
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| 41. |
- Sundström, Gerdt, et al.
(author)
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The Shifting Balance of Long-Term Care in Sweden
- 2002
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In: The Gerontologist. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0016-9013 .- 1758-5341. ; 42:3, s. 350-355
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: This study describes the Swedish debate on the role of family and state in care of elderly persons. It provides empirical evidence on the shifting balance of family, state, and market in the total panorama of elderly care. Design and Methods: Secondary analysis of older (1954) and more recent data sources (1994 and 2000) is used to assess living arrangements and care patterns for persons 75 years or older living in the community. Results: Total spending on aged adults has stagnated, and institutional care is shrinking in absolute and relative terms, but public Home Help for elders in the community is decreasing even more. Family members increasingly shoulder the bulk of care, but privately purchased care also seems to expand. This study calculates how public and informal care changed between 1994 and 2000: Informal care is estimated to have provided 60% of all care to elders in the community in 1994 and 70% in 2000. Implications: The results parallel a crisis of legitimacy of public elderly care in Sweden. They also call into question various metaphors used to describe patterns of care.
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