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The main aim of the present thesis is to demonstrate the efficient quantum memories for light employing coherent processes in rare-earth-ion-doped crystals. Rare-earth (RE) ions between lanthanum, with atomic number 57, and lutetium, with atomic number 71, have a partly filled 4f shell, which is spatially inside the full shells 5s, 5p, and 6s. Therefore, 4f-4f transitions are shielded from environ
Background: Although recent population-based studies suggest a U-shaped relationship between serum IGF-I concentration and all-cause mortality, the distribution of death causes underlying this association remains unclear. We hypothesized that high IGF-I levels associate with increased cancer mortality, whereas low IGF-I levels associate with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Metho
BACKGROUND: In the present experimental study, we analyzed the role of Rho-kinase during obstructive cholestasis by studying the effect of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on hepatic CXC chemokine formation, leukocyte recruitment and hepatocellular damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce obstructive cholestasis. Mice were pretreated with Y-27632 (1
Objective: A prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of early menopause on mortality, risk of fragility fracture and osteoporosis. Design: Prospective population-based observational study. Setting Malmö, Sweden. Population A total of 390 white north European women aged 48 years at the start of the study. Methods: At baseline, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by single-photon abs
Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for the skeleton. Mechanical load has then been shown to be one of the best stimuli to enhance not only bone mass, but also structural skeletal adaptations, as both contributing to bone strength. Exercise prescription also includes a window of opportunity to improve bone strength in the late pre- and early peri-pubertal period. There is some evidence
Objective: Bone loss and periosteal expansion is found after menopause. The accelerated early postmenopausal bone loss is not permanent but if the same accounts for the periosteal expansion is unknown. Methods: Bone mineral density (BMD) and skeletal structure of the distal forearm were followed from menopause and on average 24 years (range 18-28) by single-photon absorptiometry at 12 occasions in
Abstract Objective: To evaluate long-run cost-effectiveness in a Swedish setting for liraglutide compared with sulphonylureas (glimepiride) or sitagliptin, all as add-on to metformin for patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled with metformin in monotherapy. Methods: The IHE Cohort Model of Type 2 Diabetes was used to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes from a societal perspecti
Studies on the prevalence of symptoms in the general population and its' relation to LS in the oldest-old are to our knowledge non-existent. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and experienced severity of elderly subjects' reported symptoms and how symptoms are related to LS. The study population consisted of 681 individuals aged 78-93 years, drawn from the longitudinal population
BACKGROUND: The number of hip fractures during recent decades has been reported to be increasing, partly because of an increasing proportion of elderly women in the society. However, whether changes in hip fracture annual incidence in women are attributable to secular changes in the prevalence of osteoporosis is unclear. METHODS: Bone mineral density was evaluated by single-photon absorptiometry a
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis. Previously, we studied single-nucleotide polymorphisms present in the major genes in the PTH pathway (PTH, PTHrP, PTHR1, PTHR2) in relation to bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture incidence. We found that haplotypes of the PTH gene were associated with fracture risk independent of BMD. In the present study, we evaluated
Background: Pain in childhood is common, but there is an information gap on initial care seeking. Our aim was to determine trends and variations in the consultation prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal pain, and most common sites of pain, in children and young people presenting to UK primary care. Methods: A national UK primary care database (CPRD Aurum) was used to determine annual prevale
Introduction The recognition of breathlessness in clinical practice appears suboptimal, despite its prevalence and impact. This study aimed to explore the content of clinical conversations about breathlessness and patients’ level of self-reported openness when discussing their breathlessness. Methods A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian adults (≥18 years) stratified to the 2016 National
Background: Ambulatory oxygen therapy is prescribed for patients with chronic lung diseases who experience exertional hypoxemia. However, available devices may not adequately meet user requirements, and their performance characteristics are heterogeneous. Objective: This study aims to identify devices available for delivery of ambulatory oxygen therapy, the technologies that they use to generate o
Epidemiology has achieved substantial methodological refinement in recent decades, yet its social resonance has not always kept pace. This essay reflects on tendencies within influential sectors of the field toward methodological sophistication that, while yielding genuine intellectual advances, can unintentionally distance epidemiology from its civic and historical roots. By privileging what is a
Many studies compare health averages between groups such as neighbourhoods or social categories. Averages are simple but can be misleading, since individuals within the same group often differ widely. We present MAIHDA (Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy) as a general framework to study how context structures health differences. MAIHDA is not a new statisti
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly diagnosed early, close to its first occurrence due to: (i) increased public awareness with self-screening; (ii) health care initiatives including population screening and opportunistic case finding; and (iii) increased use and surveillance of implantable cardiac devices. At its onset, AF is often low burden, and cardiovascular co-morbidities may be absent o
The aim of this international meta-analysis was to quantify the predictive value of BMI for incident fracture and relationship of this risk with age, sex, follow-up time, and BMD. A total of 1667922 men and women from 32 countries (63 cohorts), followed for a total of 16.0 million person-years were studied. 293325 had FN BMD measured (2.2 million person-years follow-up). An extended Poisson model
Summary: In this meta-analysis of international cohorts, current smoking is confirmed as a significant BMD-independent predictor of future fracture with a stronger relationship in men than in women. A causative and reversible effect of smoking on fracture risk is suggested by past smoking having a significantly lower risk than current smoking. Purpose: In this meta-analysis of international cohort
