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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The two-step dilute acid hydrolysis (DAH) of softwood is costly in energy demands and capital costs. However, it has the advantage that hydrolysis and subsequent removal of hemicellulose-derived sugars can be carried out under conditions of low severity, resulting in a reduction in the level of sugar degradation products during the more severe subsequent steps of cellulose hy
Autochthonous blockfield mantles may indicate alpine surfaces that have not been glacially eroded. These surfaces may therefore serve as markers against which to determine Quaternary erosion volumes in adjacent glacially eroded sectors. To explore these potential utilities, chemical weathering features, erosion rates, and regolith residence durations of mountain blockfields are investigated in the
Dietary flavanols and flavonols, flavonoid subclasses, have been recently associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Europe. Even within the same subclass, flavonoids may differ considerably in bioavailability and bioactivity. We aimed to examine the association between individual flavanol and flavonol intakes and risk of developing T2D across European countries. The European Prospec
BACKGROUND: In the absence of long-term, placebo-controlled studies of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease (AD), analysis of the results of open-label trials becomes crucial. This study aimed to explore the three-year effects of galantamine treatment, as well as subgroups of response and adherence to treatment. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD
Immunoassays for haptens depend on competitive hapten-anti-hapten reactions, and consequently their sensitivities are significantly influenced by the affinities of anti-hapten antibodies. Thus, genetically engineered antibodies, which have much higher affinities than native antibodies, should increase assay sensitivities. Here, we created a mutated single-chain Fv fragment (scFv) against estradiol
Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine may lead to misinterpretation of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and cause underdiagnosis of osteoporosis. This longitudinal study of 1,044 women, 75 years at inclusion and followed for 10 years, shows that identification of apparent degenerative changes on the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan can increase the proportion diagnosed. INTR
Objectives The purpose of this study is investigate the effects of variants in the apolipoprotein(a) gene (LPA) on vascular diseases with different atherosclerotic and thrombotic components. Background It is unclear whether the LPA variants rs10455872 and rs3798220, which correlate with lipoprotein(a) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD), confer susceptibility predominantly via atherosclerosis
Background: Several melanoma susceptibility genes have been identified. As part of the international genetic research programme of the GenoMEL consortiums research on genetic mutations in melanoma families, the aim of this study was to examine family members' views about their risk of melanoma, gene testing and genetic research. Methods: Self-report data were gathered using online and paper-based
Objective: The home birth rate in Sweden is less than 1 in 1000, and home birth is not included within the health care system. This study describes women's experiences concerning reactions to their decision to give birth at home. Design and setting: A nationwide survey (SHE - Swedish Homebirth Experience) in Sweden was conducted between 1992 and 2005 whereas 735 women had given birth to 1038 child
Anthracyclines and taxanes are active cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of early metastatic breast cancer. It is yet unclear whether addition of capecitabine to the combination of these drugs improves the treatment outcome. Patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to first-line chemotherapy with a combination of epirubicin (Farmorubicin(A (R))) and paclitaxel (Taxol(A (R))) alone (ET) o
Objectives The aim of this study was to confirm the influence of TNFSF4 polymorphisms on systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility and phenotypic features. Methods A total of 8 European populations of Caucasian ancestry were included, comprising 3014 patients with SSc and 3125 healthy controls. Four genetic variants of TNFSF4 gene promoter (rs1234314, rs844644, rs844648 and rs12039904) were selected
Purpose: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the visibility of simulated lesions in 2D digital mammography (DM) and breast tomosynthesis (BT) images of patients. Methods: Images of the same women were acquired on both a DM system (Mammomat Novation, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) and a BT prototype system adapted from the same type of DM system. Using the geometrical properties of the
This thesis emphasises the role of commercial banks as financial intermediaries. It is primarily concerned with the development of the commercial banking system of Lebanon in the period 1856-1974, and assesses the role of the commercial banking system in Lebanon, as capital provider to economic development. This role is examined here in terms of the mobilisation of bank deposits and allocation of
Popular Abstract in Swedish I många utvecklingsländer i tropiska klimat leder den snabba urbaniseringen till många problem, bl a försämrad termisk komfort i utemiljön. Detta har negativa följder för människors hälsa och välbefinnande och påverkar sociala och kommersiella aktiviteter utomhus negativt. Följaktligen är det mycket viktigt att åstadkomma komfortabla mikroklimat i urban miljö. Den huvuIn many developing tropical countries, rapid urban growth leads to several problems, including increased thermal stress. This has negative consequences for people's health and well-being, and affects social and commercial outdoor activities negatively. Consequently, the creation of thermally comfortable microclimates in urban environments is highly important. The main aim of this thesis is to dee
OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether the intensity of exposure to organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) is associated with the risk of sensitisation to these allergens. METHODS: The investigations were carried out in three different manufacturing plants (A, B, and C) where OAAs were used in the production of epoxy resins. Methyltetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride (MTHPA) was used in all three plants. The exposur
We present the red-listed plants and fungi that have been found in the central parts of the parish of Stenbrohult, southern Sweden. In the middle of the study areas Carl Linnaeus was born in 1707, and he spent his summers there until 1727. Of the 11 currently red-listed vascular plants (Gärdenfors 2000) that have been recorded since 1970 all occurred there also 300 years ago. Mosses, lichens and f
Purpose: To examine whether panretinal photocoagulation for severe non-proliferative retinopathy in type 1 diabetes patients could halt the progression of retinopathy with subsequent vitreous haemorrhages and visual impairment. Methods: During a 10-year follow-up study period of 344 type 1 diabetes patients, 81 subjects went through panretinal photocoagulation. Forty patients were treated for sev
Popular Abstract in Swedish Variabilitet i ett läkemedels farmakokinetiska (hur ett läkemedel omsätts i kroppen) och farmakodynamiska (vilken effekt ett läkemedel har) egenskaper kan resultera i att olika individer som erhållit samma dos av ett läkemedel får olika effekter av läkemedel. Biverkningar eller utebliven effekt kan innebära allvarliga konsekvenser för den enskilda individen. VariabiliteVariability in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters between individuals can be due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this thesis three different areas regarding sources of variability have been investigated. 1. Formulation properties as an extrinsic source of variability. Lipophilic substances often have poor oral bioavailability and high inter- and intraindividual variability. High
Leptin is a key biological marker related to energy balance and development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Its levels are increased in populations with a high degree of the metabolic syndrome. Life history of evolution has, however, largely taken place under the ecological context of hunting and gathering. In this study, we explored whether the first steps of transition to sedentary agri
Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is the earliest marker of disturbed mineral metabolism as renal function decreases. Its serum levels are associated with mortality in dialysis patients, persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD), and it is associated with atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy in the genera
