University of Gothenburg

About: University of Gothenburg is a education organization based out in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 23855 authors who have published 65241 publications receiving 2606327 citations. The organization is also known as: Göteborg University & Gothenburg University.

Asthma endotypes: A new approach to classification of disease entities within the asthma syndrome

Abstract: It is increasingly clear that asthma is a complex disease made up of number of disease variants with different underlying pathophysiologies. Limited knowledge of the mechanisms of these disease subgroups is possibly the greatest obstacle in understanding the causes of asthma and improving treatment and can explain the failure to identify consistent genetic and environmental correlations to asthma. Here we describe a hypothesis whereby the asthma syndrome is divided into distinct disease entities with specific mechanisms, which we have called "asthma endotypes." An "endotype" is proposed to be a subtype of a condition defined by a distinct pathophysiological mechanism. Criteria for defining asthma endotypes on the basis of their phenotypes and putative pathophysiology are suggested. Using these criteria, we identify several proposed asthma endotypes and propose how these new definitions can be used in clinical study design and drug development to target existing and novel therapies to patients most likely to benefit. This PRACTALL (PRACtical ALLergy) consensus report was produced by experts from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Functional and clinical significance of skeletal muscle architecture.

Abstract: Skeletal muscle architecture is the structural property of whole muscles that dominates their function. This review describes the basic architectural properties of human upper and lower extremity muscles. The designs of various muscle groups in humans and other species are analyzed from the point of view of optimizing function. Muscle fiber arrangement and motor unit arrangement is discussed in terms of the control of movement. Finally, the ability of muscles to change their architecture in response to immobilization, eccentric exercise, and surgical tendon transfer is reviewed. Future integrative physiological studies will provide insights into the mechanisms by which such adaptations occur. It is likely that muscle fibers transduce both stress and strain and respond by modifying sarcomere number in a way more suited to the new biomechanical environment.

Microbiological status of root-filled teeth with apical periodontitis.

Abstract: The present study examined the microbiological status of 100 root-filled teeth with radiographically verified apical periodontitis--the pathology (P) group--and of 20 teeth without signs of periapical pathosis--the technical (T) group. In the P group 117 strains of bacteria were recovered in 68 teeth. In most of the cases examined one or two strains were found. Facultative anaerobic species predominated among these isolates (69% of identified strains). Growth was classified as 'sparse' or 'very sparse' in 53%, and as 'heavy' or 'very heavy' in 42%. Enterococci were the most frequently isolated genera, showing 'heavy' or 'very heavy' growth in 25 out of 32 cases (78%). In 11 teeth of the T group no bacteria were recovered, whilst the remaining nine yielded 13 microbial strains. Eight of these grew 'very sparsely'. It is concluded that the microflora of the obturated canal differs from that found normally in the untreated necrotic dental pulp, quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Nonsurgical retreatment strategies should be reconsidered.

Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation Biomechanics and Long-Term Durability

Abstract: We evaluated the durability of autologous chondrocyte transplantation grafts in 61 patients treated for isolated cartilage defects on the femoral condyle or the patella and followed up for a mean of 7.4 years (range, 5 to 11). Durability was determined by comparing the clinical status at the long-term follow-up with that found 2 years after the transplantation. After 2 years, 50 of the 61 patients had good or excellent clinical results, and 51 of 61 had good or excellent results at 5 to 11 years later. Grafted areas from 11 of the patients were evaluated with an electromechanical indentation probe during a second-look arthroscopy procedure (mean follow-up, 54.3 months; range, 33 to 84); stiffness measurements were 90% or more of those of normal cartilage in eight patients. Eight of twelve 2-mm biopsy samples taken from these patients showed hyaline characteristics with safranin O staining and a homogeneous appearance in polarized light. Three fibrous and eight hyaline biopsy specimens stained positive to aggrecan and to cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. Hyaline-like specimens stained positive for type II collagen, and fibrous, for type I collagen. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation for the treatment of articular cartilage injuries has a durable outcome for as long as 11 years.