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Currently, most clinical range-modulated proton beams are assumed to have a fixed overall relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1. However, it is well known that the RBE increases with depth in the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) and becomes about 10% higher than mid-SOBP RBE at 2 mm from the distal edge (Paganetti 2003 Technol. Cancer Res. Treat. 2 413-26) and can reach values of 1.3-1.4 in v
Aims/hypothesis Genetic and epidemiological studies suggest an association between gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes. Both are polygenic multifactorial disorders characterised by beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Our aim was to investigate whether common genetic variants that have previously been associated with type 2 diabetes or related phenotypes would also confer ri
Disentangling the contribution of biotic interactions (density-dependent) and environmental heterogeneity (density-independent) to the formation of spatial patterns between predators and prey is crucial for a better understanding of food-web interactions. Most techniques for the analysis of spatial patterns assume that abiotic processes influence the distribution of individuals with similar intens
This study investigates how the format of limb lead display influences electrocardiographic (ECG) interpretation. The positive aspect of lead aVR (included in the classical display) is directed opposite to that of the other leads. This could lead to an ECG interpreter's disregard of lead aVR, thus providing a "standard 11-lead ECG." It is hypothesized that when using the classical limb lead displa
Popular Abstract in Swedish I Sverige analyseras omkring 40 000 DNA-prover från brottsplatser varje år. DNA-profilerna jämförs mot DNA-profiler från misstänkta personer och kan på så vis användas för att knyta en person till ett brott. Alla typer av kroppsvävnader kan analyseras, såsom blod, saliv och hudceller. Vanliga bevismaterial är cigarettfimpar, flaskor, burkar och kläder. De material som cDNA evidence, linking perpetrators to crime scenes, is central to many legal proceedings. However, crime scene samples often contain extraneous substances that may interfere with the PCR-based forensic analysis, resulting in partial or negative DNA profiles. Extensive DNA purification may remove inhibitors, but involves the risk of DNA loss. In this work, pre-PCR processing was applied to improve
The adsorption of β-lactoglobulin onto methylated silica surfaces and the subsequent protein removal by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were followed using in-situ ellipsometry. Experiments were performed at pH 6.0 in phosphate-buffered saline solution. Parameters varied include temperature, length of time for protein adsorption from solution and surface residence time of β-la
The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate QoL and Health-Related QoL (HRQoL) among people aged 75 years and over in relation to socio-demographic variables, need of ADL help, various degrees of present QoL, self-rated health (SRH), health complaints, everyday activities, social support and sense of coherence (SOC). A further aim was to test a QoL scale and to illuminate older people's expe
Transgenically modified potatoes with a large spread in amylose/amylopectin ratios were analysed both as tubers and in the form of isolated starch. Different microscopic techniques were used to study starch granules and tuber tissue. Starch gelatinisation properties and recrystallisation of amylopectin and amylose were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Starch bioavailability and resist
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of cariporide on all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction at 36 days in patients at risk,of myocardial necrosis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods: In the coronary artery bypass graft cohort of the GUARD During Ischemia Against Necrosis trial, patients greater than or equal to 18 years who required urgent coronary artery bypass graft, repeat
CdTe@Cu(OH)(2) nanocomposites were synthesized in aqueous solution by a seed-mediated growth approach. The effect of refluxing time and the concentration of Cu2+ on the preparation of these samples were measured using UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence analysis. The emission peak of the synthesized nanocomposites (CdTe@Cu(OH)(2)) was shifted from 605 (CdTe seed) to 621 nm. The size of CdT
Aims. - Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study explored the association between BMI changes in the first 18 months of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and the risk of long-term CVD mortality. Methods. - A total of 8486 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and no previous history of CVD or cancer we
Background: Receiving a cancer diagnosis affects family members as well as the person diagnosed. Family members often provide support for the sick person in daily life out of duty and love, and may not always think of their own vulnerability to illness. To individualise support for them, family members who are most at risk for becoming ill must be identified. The aim of this study was to investiga
BackgroundThis placebo-controlled study assessed the effects of the once-daily inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) fluticasone furoate (FF) and long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) vilanterol (VI) on early and late asthmatic responses (EAR/LAR) and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). MethodsPatients (n=27) were randomized to FF (100g), VI (25g), FF/VI (100/25g), and placebo for 21days (four periods). Allerg
Popular Abstract in Swedish Arbetsförmåga har kommit att bli ett viktigt begrepp i samhället, men också för individen. Det saknas i dag en tydlig definition av arbetsförmåga, trots att det har en stor inverkan på hur sjukförmåner distribueras och också för den enskilde individens möjlighet att försörja sig. I västvärlden är arbetsförmåga ofta diskuterat i relation till sjukskrivning och en åldrad The overall aim of this thesis was to deepen the understanding of work ability by analyzing how different health professionals experience and perceive work ability and assessments of work ability, and also by analyzing rehabilitation outcomes that are related to work ability. The focus has been on musculoskeletal disorders with associated psychosocial factors. Method. The general approach was indu
Injuries to the upper gastrointestinal tract occurring over a 30-year period in a geographically well defined region were analyzed. The incidence was low in comparison with other abdominal injuries, but duodenal and pancreatic injuries were increasingly common in the study's last decade. The stomach injuries were mainly caused by penetrating trauma. The duodenal and pancreatic injuries most common
Background: Severe (PiZZ) and moderate (PiSZ) alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency predispose to lung emphysema, especially in smokers. We hypothesized that multi-slice computed tomography (CT) might be superior to pulmonary function tests (PFT) to detect lung emphysema in AAT-deficient individuals at the age of 32 years. Methods: A subgroup of PiZZ and PiSZ individuals identified during the Swedi
Portland cement clinkers from two production units were investigated; Plant 1: ordinary clinker (P1) and clinker mineralised with CaF2+CaSO4 (P1m); Plant 2: ordinary clinker (P2) and two clinkers mineralised with CaF2+CaSO4 (P2m, low SO3 and P2m', high SO3). The chemical composition of the clinkers was determined by X-ray fluorescence, ICP analysis, titration (free lime) and ion selective electrod
A comparison between the effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and unfragmented heparin (UH) on induction of osteoporosis was made in 60 rats treated with either UH (2 IU/g bw), LMWH in 2 doses (2 XaI U/g or 0.4 XaI U/g) or placebo (saline) for 34 days. Studied variables were: bone mineral mass in femora; fragility of humera; zinc and calcium levels in serum and bone ash and albumin in pla
Human cystatin C variants in which the evolutionarily conserved Gly-11 residue has been replaced by residues with positively charged (Arg), negatively charged (Glu), bulky hydrophobic (Trp), or small (Ser or Ala) side-chains have been produced by site-directed mutagenesis and expression in Escherichia coli. The five variants were isolated and structurally verified. Their inhibitory properties were
