Filetype
Background If carotid artery narrowing remains asymptomatic (ie, has caused no recent stroke or other neurological symptoms), successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke incidence for some years. We assessed the long-term effects of successful CEA. Methods Between 1993 and 2003, 3120 asymptomatic patients from 126 centres in 30 countries were allocated equally, by blinded minimised rand
Combustion, present in a vast majority of energy and material production as well as in transportation, represents a foundation of our modern society. To improve and optimize the applications relying on combustion demand a high level of knowledge, and an ability to simulate the combustion process. To do so three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) combustion simulations can be used, whereCombustion, present in a vast majority of energy and material production as well as in transportation, represents a foundation of our modern society. To improve and optimize the applications relying on combustion demand a high level of knowledge, and an ability to simulate the combustion process. To do so three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) combustion simulations can be used, where
BackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes bacteremia is a severe condition with high mortality. Time to blood culture positivity (TTP) is known to predict the outcome in bacteremia with other pathogens. This study aimed to determine the association between TTP and outcome in S pyogenes bacteremia.MethodsThis retrospective observational cohort study comprised adults with S pyogenes bacteremia, identified thBackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes bacteremia is a severe condition with high mortality. Time to blood culture positivity (TTP) is known to predict the outcome in bacteremia with other pathogens. This study aimed to determine the association between TTP and outcome in S pyogenes bacteremia.MethodsThis retrospective observational cohort study comprised adults with S pyogenes bacteremia, identified th
Background: Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have similar symptoms, pathogenesis, and risk factors. These diagnoses often coexist and are frequently misdiagnosed leading to diagnostic delays. This study of a population-based cohort aimed to investigate associations relating to endometriosis and IBS and to compare gastrointestinal symptoms between endometriosis and IBS. Method: The
The human lung is a complex tissue consisting of a heterogeneous mix of different structures and cells, each which a specific role that together contribute to the primary function of the organ: the gas exchange. Different mesenchymal cells populate the interstitial areas around airways and blood vessels and form the connective tissue together with the extracellular matrix. Fibroblasts constitute o
IMPORTANCE: Chronic breathlessness is common in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regular, low-dose, extended-release morphine may relieve breathlessness, but evidence about its efficacy and dosing is needed.OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different doses of extended-release morphine on worst breathlessness in people with COPD after 1 week of treatment.DESIGN, SETTING
BACKGROUND: Neuronal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common, but the extent and mechanisms are unclear. Neurofilament light (NfL) concentrations rise in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during neuronal damage in various neurological disorders. In this cross-sectional study, plasma and CSF concentrations of NfL were explored as a marker of neuronal damage in SLE.METHODS: Seventy
The immune control of tuberculosis (TB) infection could be influenced by pregnancy. To elucidate this, we longitudinally characterized Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific and nonspecific immune responses in women during pregnancy and postpartum. HIV-uninfected women without past or current active TB, and with blood samples available from the 1st/2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and 9 months pos
Objectives: To examine the relationship between the English index of multiple deprivation (IMD) and the incidence of pre-eclampsia (PE), evaluate the distribution of IMD in a cohort of ethnically diverse pregnant women in South East England and assess whether IMD improves the prediction of PE compared with that provided by the ‘history-only’ competing-risks model (based on maternal characteristics
The current plastic system is unsustainable and needs to change. Plastics are mainly produced from fossil feedstock, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and low rate of post-consumer recycling results in pollution on land and in oceans with high ecological impact, and huge loss of valuable material. There is an urgent need to find solutions for shifting the raw material base to renewable res
Objective: Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has previously shown alterations in cerebral perfusion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the results have been inconsistent, in particular regarding neuropsychiatric (NP) SLE. Thus, we investigated perfusion-based measures in different brain regions in SLE patients with and without NP invo
The complement system is an essential effector of both innate and acquired immune responses. Due to its destructive potential, tight regulation is required. The contribution of complement has been associated with the pathogeneses in a wide range of diseases. In this thesis, aspects of complement activation were investigated in disorders characterized by thrombocytopenia.In papers I and II, clinicaThe complement system is an essential effector of both innate and acquired immune responses. Due to its destructive potential, tight regulation is required. The contribution of complement has been associated with the pathogeneses in a wide range of diseases. In this thesis, aspects of complement activation were investigated in disorders characterized by thrombocytopenia.In papers I and II, clinica
Objective: To examine the associations between five major adverse pregnancy outcomes and long term risks of ischemic heart disease in mothers. Design: National cohort study. Setting: Sweden. Participants: All 2 195 266 women with a first singleton delivery in Sweden during 1973-2015. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measure was incidence of ischemic heart disease from delivery to 2018, iden
Aims: Ventricular longitudinal function measured as basal-apical atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) or global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a potent predictor of mortality and could potentially be a predictor of heart failure-associated morbidity. We hypothesized that low AVPD and GLS are associated with the combined endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure-associated morbidit
This thesis is based on the results concerning the epitaxial growth and characterization of silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) nanostructures. The growth technique was the Ultra High Vacuum Chemical Vapor Deposition (UHV-CVD) that works in relatively low temperatures and low growth pressures. The UHV-CVD chamber was also used for the reduction experiments. The work presented here involves three diff
Language learners must become able to perceive and process new speech sounds in order to segment words and sentences. The process of obtaining these skills is, to a high degree, implicit. However, research attempting to find the neuroanatomical correlates of such an implicit learning system has mostly used artificial grammar or serial reaction time tasks that are lacking in linguistic relevance. ILanguage learning involves implicitly acquiring a sensitivity for novel speech sounds and phonological structure [1]. Implicit learning skill differs between individuals [2] and this individual difference could potentially be reflected in the quality of white matter tracts relevant for speech perception and production [3] or for implicit sequence learning [4]. Implicit learning of speech has been
Background: In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the associations between tau pathology and brain atrophy and cognitive decline are well established, but imperfect. We investigate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of biological processes (vascular, synaptic, and axonal integrity, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic factors) explain the disconnection between tau pathology and brain atrophy (brain re
IMPORTANCE: The number of patients prescribed long-term opioids and benzodiazepines and complications from their long-term use have increased. Information regarding the perioperative outcomes of patients prescribed these medications before surgery is limited.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients prescribed opioids and/or benzodiazepines within 6 months preoperatively would have greater short- a
