Renewable Energy (RE): Bioenergy -Feedstocks and Pretreatment-

The Department for Pulsed Power Technology is focusing on research and development of pulsed power technologies and related applications. The applications involves the electroporation of biological cells for extraction of cell contents (PEF- process), dewatering and drying of green biomass, pre-treatment of micro algae for energetic use and sustainable reduction of bacteria in contaminated effluents. Another key research topic is devoted to the development of corrosion barriers and materials for improved compatibility of structural materials in contact with liquid metal coolants. This year\u27s report focuses primarily on the activities and results of ongoing third-party funded projects of the department

The Effect of Insulin on Infarct Tissue Size in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Due to the high mortality of ischemic heart disease, many of these patients can be life-saving treatments. There are conflicting information on the effects of insulin in patients with myocardial infarction. We aim to evaluate the effects of insulin on infarct size in myocardial infarction thorough evaluating troponin I enzyme and echocardiography.   Methods : This randomized clinical trial enrolled 74 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction referred to Vaseie hospital of Sabzevar in 2009. Patients were categorized into two groups by block randomization and were treated with high dose of GIK (25% glucose, 50IU of soluble insulin per liter, and 80mmol of potassium per liter at 1ml/kg/hour) (GIK group) or normal saline (control group) as adjunct to thrombolytic therapy. We analyzed Plasma concentrations of troponin I, at baseline, 16 and 24 hours after admission. Echocardiography was done at 72 hours after admission. Data were analyzed Variables were compared using independent T tests and repeated measure ANOVA.   Results: cTnI peaked to 20.13±12.46U/L in GIK group and to 20.11±10.62 U/L in controls (p=0.44). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 39% vs.41% in GIK vs. control, p=0.34. There was no significant difference between groups in cardiac enzymes and ejection fraction.   Conclusion : In patients with myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase, insulin offers no effect on infarct size

Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the PEmbQoL questionnaire, a measure of pulmonary embolism-specific quality of life

Essentials The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for PEmbQoL has not yet been determined. We estimated the MCID for PEmbQoL and its subscales via anchor- and distribution-based approaches. Our results indicate that MCID for PEmbQoL appears to be 15 points. Our work enables interpretation of changes or differences in PEmbQoL. Summary: Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) reduces quality of life (QOL). The PEmbQoL questionnaire, a PE-related QOL measure, was recently developed and validated and has been used to quantify disease-specific QOL in clinical studies of patients with PE. However, to date, interpretation of PEmbQoL scores has been limited by a lack of information on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of this measure. Objective To determine the MCID for PEmbQoL and its subscales using anchor-based and distribution-based approaches. Methods We analyzed data from the ELOPE Study, a prospective, multicenter cohort study of long-term outcomes after a first episode of acute PE. At baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after PE, we measured generic QOL (SF-36), PE-specific QOL (PEmbQoL) and dyspnea severity (UCSD Shortness of Breath Questionnaire). We used time-varying repeated-measures mixed-effect models to estimate anchor-based MCID and effect sizes to estimate distribution-based MCID. Results Eighty-two patients participated in this sub-study. Their mean age was 49.4 years, 60% were male and 84% had PE diagnosed in an outpatient setting. Using both anchor- and distribution-based approaches, the MCID for PEmbQoL appears to be 15 points. Based on this MCID, 42%, 59%, 66% and 75% of patients experienced at least one MCID unit of improvement in PEmbQoL from baseline to 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion Our results provide new information on the MCID of PEmbQoL, a PE-specific QOL questionnaire that can be used by researchers and clinicians to measure and interpret changes in PE-specific QOL over time, or as an outcome in clinical trials

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Parathyroidectomy in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy

Background: A majority of patients with end-stage renal disease suffer from secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is associated with osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is often necessary despite medical treatment. However, the effect of PTX on cardio- and cerebrovascular events (CVE) remains unclear. Data on the effect of PTX from population-based studies are scarce. Some studies have shown decreased incidence of CVE after PTX. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PTX on risk of CVE in patients on renal replacement therapy. Methods: We performed a nested case–control study within the Swedish Renal Registry (SRR) by matching PTX patients on dialysis or with functioning renal allograft with up to five non-PTX controls for age, sex and underlying renal disease. To calculate time to CVE, i.e., myocardial infarct, stroke and transient ischemic attack, control patients were assigned the calendar date (d) of the PTX of the case patient. Crude and adjusted proportional hazards regressions with random effect (frailty) were used to calculate hazard ratios for CVE. Results: The study cohort included 20,056 patients in the SRR between 1991 and 2009. Among these, 579 patients had undergone PTX, 423 during dialysis and 156 during time with functioning renal allograft. These patients were matched with 1234 dialysis and 736 transplanted non-PTX patients. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of CVE after PTX was 1.24 (1.03–1.49) for dialysis patients compared with non-PTX patients. Corresponding results for patients with renal allograft at d were HR (95% CI) 0.53 (0.34–0.84). Conclusions: PTX patients on dialysis at d had a higher risk of CVE than patients without PTX. Patients with renal allograft at d on the other had a lower risk after PTX than patients without PTX