RSS feedhttps://phd.health.au.dk/The Graduate School at Health is responsible for the PhD Graduate Programmes at Health, Aarhus University. The school covers all aspects of health science, including biomedicine, clinical medicine, public health, odontology, nursing science, sports science and biomedical engineering represented by the many university departments and sectionsen-gbThu, 28 Mar 2024 15:25:43 +0100Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:25:43 +0100TYPO3 EXT:newsnews-35546Tue, 02 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Stefanie Korsgaard Körnerhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-stefanie-korsgaard-koernerNeoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer – survival and response evaluationOn Tuesday 2 April at 14.00, Stefanie Korsgaard Körner defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer – survival and response evaluation".

We found a strong adherence to guidelines after the implementation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), despite some variation in percentage of patients receiving NAC. While more patients who received NAC had complete response at radical cystectomy, we observed no evidence of increased survival after the implementation of NAC. We assessed local response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Patients underwent one [15O]H2O PET/MRI scan before chemotherapy and one scan after chemotherapy, before surgery. We found a statistically significant difference between the pre-treatment tumor blood flow and the post-treatment tumor blood flow.

However, tumor blood flow did not correlate with the histopathological findings of the cystectomy specimen. In conclusion, our findings suggest that NAC with gemcitabine-cisplatin in MIBC might have limited effect on survival outcomes. Our study was the first to use [15O]H2O PET/MRI to quantify TBF before and after chemotherapy treatment in bladder cancer patients. Accurate assessment of chemotherapy response in bladder cancer patients could possibly offer a bladder-sparing approach in select patients.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in auditorium J116-113, entrance J, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Stefanie Korsgaard Körner
Mail: stkoer@clin.au.dk 
Phone: +45 20817376 

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseaseGraduate School of HealthTue, 02 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0200Auditorium J116-113, entrance J, Aarhus University HospitalAuditorium J116-113, entrance J, Aarhus University Hospital1712059200171206640017120592001712066400
news-35501Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:15:00 +0200PhD defence: Ali Abdul-Hussein Aboodhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-ali-abdul-hussein-aboodAutofluorescence-guided Thyroid Surgery: Impact on Parathyroid Preservation and HypoparathyroidismOn Thursday 4 April at 15:15, Ali Abdul-Hussein Abood defends his PhD dissertation entitled "Autofluorescence-guided Thyroid Surgery: Impact on Parathyroid Preservation and Hypoparathyroidism".

Parathyroid gland damage leading to hypoparathyroidism is a serious and common complication to thyroid surgery. In part, parathyroid gland damage tends to occur due to challenges related to the intraoperative visualization of parathyroid glands. They can simply can be difficult to see during surgery. However, the use of a novel near-infrared camera during surgery seems to facilitate the intraoperative visualization of parathyroid glands – a technology referred to as autofluorescence. This technology holds the potential to enable the reduction of parathyroid gland damage and subsequent hypoparathyroidism. To date, the impact of autofluorescence in low-volume, non-parathyroid institutions has not been examined in the literature.

This PhD study aimed to investigate the impact of using intraoperative autofluorescence during thyroid surgery on parathyroid gland preservation and hypoparathyroidism in low-volume, non-parathyroid institutions. One retrospective study, one randomized clinical and one prospective multicenter cohort study were carried to cover some of the missing aspects related to the role of autofluorescence in thyroid surgery.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium G206-145, entrance G, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Ali Abdul-Hussein Abood

Mail: ali.abood@clin.au.dk

Phone: (+45) 60788381

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseaseGraduate School of HealthThu, 04 Apr 2024 15:15:00 +0200Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:15:00 +0200Auditorium G206-145, entrance G, Aarhus University HospitalAuditorium G206-145, entrance G, Aarhus University Hospital1712236500171224370017122365001712243700
news-35482Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Katia Soudhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-katia-soudThe locus coeruleus's norepinephrine and dopamine co-release in the hippocampus, which is the driver of memory boost after novel experiences? On Friday 5 April at 13.00, Katia Soud defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Investigation of Dopamine Release in the Dorsal Hippocampus upon Novelty Exploration and Optogenetic Stimulation of the Locus Coeruleus".

Everyday experiences are often forgotten, unless associated with extraordinary events. For instance, ordinary activities like grocery shopping during the initial COVID-19 lockdown became memorable due to the unprecedented circumstances. Scientists have delved into this phenomenon, revealing the pivotal involvement of the noradrenergic nuclei, the locus coeruleus, in memory consolidation. The locus coeruleus, through its connection with the hippocampus, facilitates memory formation.

Recent studies, challenging our previous conception, have suggested the possibility of dopamine co-release from the locus coeruleus, posing intriguing questions regarding the primary neuromodulator responsible for novelty enhanced memory persistence. Norepinephrine, or Dopamine? In this study, I employed live monitoring of dopamine and norepinephrine release, via fluorescent biosensors, following external activation of the locus coeruleus using optogenetics, or coupled with exposure to novel environments in transgenic rats. Our in-vivo fiber-photometry investigation unveiled the simultaneous release of both neuromodulators in the hippocampus from the locus coeruleus.

Subsequent experiments utilizing hippocampal slices underscored the need for improved techniques to accurately differentiate between these two neuromodulators. My findings shed light on the complex interplay between neuromodulators in memory processes, paving the way for further studies and a better understanding.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in room 1231-424, Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Katia Soud
Mail: katia.soud@biomed.au.dk  
Phone: +45 81914866

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseasePhD studentsPublic/mediaStaffGraduate School of HealthFri, 05 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0200Aarhus University, Room 1231-424 (Lille Anatomisk Auditorium)Aarhus University, Room 1231-424 (Lille Anatomisk Auditorium)1712314800171232200017123148001712322000
news-35502Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Johanna Laura Heinzhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-johanna-laura-heinzRole of Autophagy in Severe VZV CNS InfectionOn Friday 5 April at 14:00, Johanna Laura Heinz defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Role of Autophagy in Severe VZV CNS Infection".

A new PhD project from Aarhus University, Health, investigated the role of autophagy in severe infections of the central nervous system (CNS) with the herpesvirus varicella zoster virus (VZV). Only a small number of patients infected with VZV experiences viral spread to the CNS. To find underlying gene defects, the exomes of 17 patients with severe herpesvirus CNS infection but without known immunodeficiencies were analysed to identify novel gene defects. Moving forward, the main focus of this study was investigations into variants within autophagy and the role of autophagy in VZV neuropathogenesis. Autophagy was found activated in VZV-infected neuronal cells and found to serve a neuroprotective function. Indications for a direct interaction of the viral glycoprotein E and the autophagy protein p62 were found. Accordingly, cells from patients with severe infections harbouring gene defects related to autophagy revealed lower levels of autophagy as well as increased VZV replication and cell death. Ultimately, these results may contribute to an improved understanding of this severe disease phenotype and aid in guiding/developing improved modes of patient diagnostics, genetic counselling, prophylaxis and treatment.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium 1253-211 (Merete Barker), Lakeside Lecture Theatres, Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Johanna Laura Heinz

Mail: joheinz@biomed.au.dk

Phone: (+45) 93916587

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseaseGraduate School of HealthFri, 05 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0200Auditorium 1253-211 (Merete Barker), Lakeside Lecture Theatres, Aarhus UniversityAuditorium 1253-211 (Merete Barker), Lakeside Lecture Theatres, Aarhus University1712318400171232560017123184001712325600
news-35521Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Mads Qvist Buur Ebbesenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-mads-qvist-buur-ebbesenStroke and EpilepsyOn Friday 5 April at 14.00, Mads Qvist Buur Ebbesen defends his PhD dissertation entitled "Stroke and Epilepsy".

Stroke is the most common cause of epilepsy in individuals over 60 years of age and is among the most common causes of death. Similarly, individuals with epilepsy have a higher mortality rate than those without epilepsy. However, previous studies of the occurrence of epilepsy after stroke and of stroke after epilepsy have not taken the increased mortality into account.

Over the past 15 years, new acute treatments for blood clots in the brain, where the clot can be dissolved medically or removed mechanically, have revolutionized the approach to the disease and improved outcomes for these patients. However, the impact of treatments on the occurrence of epilepsy remain unclear.

Using the unique Danish health registries, it has been possible to examine the occurrence of epilepsy after brain haemorrhages and blood clots in the brain of varying severity, as well as to investigate the effect of acute treatment of blood clots in the brain on the occurrence of epilepsy. Furthermore, it was possible to examine the age-dependent risk of stroke in individuals with epilepsy and compare this with the stroke risk in individuals without epilepsy.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Eduard Biermann Auditorium, Søauditorierne, Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Mads Qvist Buur Ebbesen
Mail: mqe@clin.au.dk  
Phone: +45 22319655

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseaseGraduate School of HealthFri, 05 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0200Eduard Biermann Auditorium, Søauditorierne, Aarhus UniversityEduard Biermann Auditorium, Søauditorierne, Aarhus University1712318400171232560017123184001712325600
news-35481Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:30:00 +0200PhD defence: Marie Bodilsen Nielsenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-marie-bodilsen-nielsenScreening kidney transplant candidates for cardiovascular diseaseOn Friday 5 April at 14.30, Marie Bodilsen Nielsen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Screening kidney transplant candidates for cardiovascular disease - the clinical significance and complications of routine CT angiography".

The PhD project aimed to evaluate the outcome of systematic screening using CT-angiography to identify both coronary and peripheral artery disease in a real-life setting. The main objectives were to investigate 1) the associations between clinical risk factors and CT angiography findings with cardiovascular events, peripheral artery disease events, graft outcomes and all-cause mortality during follow-up and 2) the diagnostic yield of systematic screening including the extent of additional investigations and interventions.

In a retrospective observational design, 529 potential kidney transplant candidates were included in the studies. The patients were referred for cardiovascular screening as part of the work-up for kidney transplantation between 2014-2019.

CT angiography provided additional information on risk stratification and was generally safe. However, although such systematic screening by CT angiography led to additional investigations in a significant proportion of patients, it had limited impact on the evaluation of transplantability and on interventions in potential kidney transplant candidates.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in auditorium B, G206, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Marie Bodilsen Nielsen
Mail: marie.bodilsen@biomed.au.dk   
Phone: 0045 40460847

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseasePhD studentsGraduate School of HealthFri, 05 Apr 2024 14:30:00 +0200Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:30:00 +0200Auditorium B, G206, Aarhus University HospitalAuditorium B, G206, Aarhus University Hospital1712320200171232740017123202001712327400
news-35562Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:30:00 +0200PhD defence: Mette Glavind Bülow Pedersenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-mette-glavind-buelow-pedersenMetabolic Effects of Exogenous Lactate – Clinical Studies in Healthy SubjectsOn Friday 5 April at 14:30, Mette Glavind Bülow Pedersen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Metabolic Effects of Exogenous Lactate – Clinical Studies in Healthy Subjects".

Lactate, the end-product of glycolysis, plays a crucial role in intermediary metabolism. It is produced as a part of regular metabolic processes and serves as both a significant energy source and a signaling molecule. Additionally, lactate occurs naturally in certain foods e.g. fermented dairy products.

Despite the growing recognition of lactate's multifaceted role beyond merely a metabolic waste product, gaps still exist in our understanding of its diverse effects on human physiology and metabolism.

In two studies, this Ph. dissertation examines the metabolic effects of exogenous lactate on substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity and explores how exogenous lactate may affect appetite and energy homeostasis in healthy males. The collective findings of these studies contribute to our understanding of the diverse implications of lactate on human metabolism and shed light on the potential role of lactate in appetite regulation and energy balance.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in Verdensrummet, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Mette Glavind Bülow Pedersen

Mail: metteglavind@gmail.com

Phone: (+45) 40857288

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseaseGraduate School of HealthFri, 05 Apr 2024 14:30:00 +0200Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:30:00 +0200Verdensrummet, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University HospitalVerdensrummet, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital1712320200171232740017123202001712327400
news-35550Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Laura Øllegaard Johnsenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-laura-oellegaard-johnsenNew Aspects of the Role of Choroid Plexus Membrane Transporters in Cerebrospinal Fluid SecretionOn Thursday 11 April at 14.00, Laura Øllegaard Johnsen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "New Aspects of the Role of Choroid Plexus Membrane Transporters in Cerebrospinal Fluid Secretion".

Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord, performing important functions such as reducing the weight of the brain, transporting nutrients, and removing waste products. The choroid plexus is a small tissue inside the brain that produces approximately 80% of cerebrospinal fluid via various membrane transporters. Disruptions in the homoeostasis of cerebrospinal fluid can be associated with various disorders such as hydrocephalus. Previous research has shown that bleeding in the brain can trigger complex inflammatory processes in the choroid plexus, which can increase cerebrospinal fluid production and potentially cause hydrocephalus. It is assumed that the sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporter, Ncbe, which is heavily expressed in the choroid plexus, plays a vital role in cerebrospinal fluid production.

The purpose of the current PhD project was to investigate the role of Ncbe in cerebrospinal fluid production during disease. The PhD project found, among other things, that the protein level of Ncbe in the choroid plexus was temporarily reduced after inflammatory stimuli. A mouse model of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, validated with ventriculo-cisternal perfusion and magnetic resonance imaging, also showed enlarged brain ventricles but not increased cerebrospinal fluid production. Furthermore, the project examined the effect of the antiepileptic drug, Levetiracetam, and found that the substance lowers the pH of cerebrospinal fluid but increases both volume and production rate by affecting membrane transporters in the choroid plexus. The results of this project highlight the complexity of cerebrospinal fluid production and call for further investigations to better understand the mechanisms behind it and to develop new treatment strategies for cerebrospinal fluid pathologies, such as hydrocephalus.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Samfundsmedicinsk auditorium (1262-101), Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Laura Øllegaard Johnsen
Mail: johnsen@biomed.au.dk  
Phone: +45 2763 1991

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseasePhD studentsPublic/mediaStaffGraduate School of HealthThu, 11 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0200Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0200Samfundsmedicinsk auditorium, Building 1262, Aarhus UniversitySamfundsmedicinsk auditorium, Building 1262, Aarhus University1712836800171284400017128368001712844000
news-35549Fri, 12 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Pernille Jul Clemmensenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-pernille-jul-clemmensenMaternal exposure to nitrate and nitrosatable drugs in pregnancy and reproductive health in sons and daughtersOn Friday 12 April at 13.00, Pernille Jul Clemmensen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Prenatal exposure to nitrate and nitrosatable drugs and reproductive health".

The reproductive system develops during fetal life, and exposures during this sensitive period may affect reproductive health later in life. Nitrate is ingested from drinking water and diet, whereas nitrosatable drugs are commonly used drugs that can react with nitrate and form potentially teratogenic compounds. It has not yet been investigated whether exposure to nitrate or nitrosatable drugs during pregnancy affects the onset of puberty or semen quality. The studies in this PhD project are based on data from the "Danish National Birth Cohort", where data have been collected continuously from pregnancy through childhood and adolescence. As a result, the cohort contains details on maternal lifestyle, dietary habits, and drug use during pregnancy, as well as information on pubertal development of 15,819 sons and daughters, along with semen quality and hormone levels of 1,058 sons. This comprehensive dataset was used in the current PhD project together with information on nitrate levels in Danish drinking water obtained from the drinking water database "Jupiter". The findings from the PhD project contribute to the expanding body of literature on the potential health effects of nitrate and nitrosatable drug exposure during pregnancy.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes at Aarhus University in Samfundsmedicinsk auditorium. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Pernille Jul Clemmensen
Mail: p.jul@ph.au.dk 
Phone: +4561667974

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseasePhD studentsPublic/mediaStaffGraduate School of HealthFri, 12 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0200Samfundsmedicinsk auditorium, building 1262, Aarhus UniversitySamfundsmedicinsk auditorium, building 1262, Aarhus University1712919600171292680017129196001712926800
news-35560Fri, 12 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200PhD defence: Karen Marie Juul Sørensenhttps://phd.health.au.dk/display/artikel/phd-defence-karen-marie-juul-soerensenSortilin in Excitatory and Inhibitory NeuronsOn Friday 12 April at 13.00, Karen Marie Juul Sørensen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "The VPS10P Domain Receptor Sortilin in Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons".

The receptor protein sortilin is highly expressed in neurons where it regulates neuronal functions and synaptic plasticity; functions that are critically involved in learning and memory.

In this PhD project from Aarhus University, we have investigated the role of sortilin in different neuronal subpopulations and its implications in learning, memory, synaptic transmission, and network activity. To accomplished this, we generated transgenic mice with sortilin deletion in inhibitory or excitatory neurons, respectively.

We found that sortilin deletion in either excitatory or inhibitory neurons resulted in distinct behavioral traits. Using electrophysiology and calcium imaging, we demonstrated that sortilin deficiency alters synaptic function and neuronal network synchronization. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that sortilin contributes to neurotransmission by influencing the balance between excitation and inhibition.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Lille Anatomisk Auditorium (Building 1231, room 424), Aarhus University and online. Please see the press release for more information.

Contact

PhD student Karen Marie Juul Sørensen
Mail: kmjs@biomed.au.dk 
Phone: +45 21846211 

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Graduate School of HealthPhD defenceHealth and diseasePhD studentsPublic/mediaStaffGraduate School of HealthFri, 12 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0200Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0200Lille Anatomisk Auditorium (Building 1231, room 424), Aarhus UniversityLille Anatomisk Auditorium (Building 1231, room 424), Aarhus University1712919600171292680017129196001712926800