| 1. |
- Fuchs, Boris, et al.
(författare)
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High concentrations of lead (Pb) in blood and milk of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Scandinavia
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to lead (Pb) is a global health problem for both humans and wildlife. Despite a dramatic decline in human Pb exposure following restrictions of leaded gasoline and industry and thereby an overall reduction of Pb entering the environment, Pb exposure continues to be a problem for wildlife species. Literature on scavenging terrestrial mammals, including interactions between Pb exposure and life history, is however limited.We quantified Pb concentration in 153 blood samples from 110 free-ranging Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos), 1–25 years old, using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. We used generalized linear models to test effects of age, body mass, reproduction status and spatial distribution on the blood Pb concentrations of 56 female bears. We sampled 28 females together with 56 dependent cubs and paired their blood Pb concentrations. From 20 lactating females, we measured the Pb concentration in milk.The mean blood Pb concentration was 96.6 μg/L (range: 38.7.0–220.5 μg/L). Both the mean and range are well above established threshold concentrations for developmental neurotoxicity (12 μg/L), increased systolic blood pressure (36 μg/L) and prevalence of kidney disease in humans (15 μg/L). Lactating females had higher Pb blood concentrations compared to younger, non-lactating females. Blood Pb concentrations of dependent cubs were correlated with their mother's blood Pb concentration, which in turn was correlated with the Pb concentration in the milk.Life-long Pb exposure in Scandinavian brown bears may have adverse effects both on individual and population levels. The high blood Pb concentrations found in brown bears contrast the general reduction in environmental Pb contamination over the past decades in Scandinavia and more research is needed to identify the sources and pathways of Pb exposure in the brown bears.
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| 2. |
- Guery, Romain, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical diversity and treatment results in tegumentary leishmaniasis : A European clinical report in 459 patients
- 2021
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Ingår i: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1935-2727 .- 1935-2735. ; 15:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is frequent in travellers and can involve oro-nasal mucosae. Clinical presentation impacts therapeutic management. Methodology Demographic and clinical data from 459 travellers infected in 47 different countries were collected by members of the European LeishMan consortium. The infecting Leishmania species was identified in 198 patients. Principal findings Compared to Old World CL, New World CL was more frequently ulcerative (75% vs 47%), larger (3 vs 2cm), less frequently facial (17% vs 38%) and less frequently associated with mucosal involvement (2.7% vs 5.3%). Patients with mucosal lesions were older (58 vs 30 years) and more frequently immunocompromised (37% vs 3.5%) compared to patients with only skin lesions. Young adults infected in Latin America with L. braziliensis or L. guyanensis complex typically had an ulcer of the lower limbs with mucosal involvement in 5.8% of cases. Typically, infections with L. major and L. tropica acquired in Africa or the Middle East were not associated with mucosal lesions, while infections with L. infantum, acquired in Southern Europe resulted in slowly evolving facial lesions with mucosal involvement in 22% of cases. Local or systemic treatments were used in patients with different clinical presentations but resulted in similarly high cure rates (89% vs 86%). Conclusion/Significance CL acquired in L. infantum-endemic European and Mediterranean areas displays unexpected high rates of mucosal involvement comparable to those of CL acquired in Latin America, especially in immunocompromised patients. When used as per recommendations, local therapy is associated with high cure rates.
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| 3. |
- Kern, Ralph, et al.
(författare)
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Coulomb Excitation of Proton-rich N = 80 Isotones at HIE-ISOLDE
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6588 .- 1742-6596. ; 1555:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A projectile Coulomb-excitation experiment was performed at the radioactive ion beam facility HIE-ISOLDE at CERN. The radioactive 140Nd and 142Sm ions were post accelerated to the energy of 4.62 MeV/A and impinged on a 1.45 mg/cm2-thin 208Pb target. The γ rays depopulating the Coulomb-excited states were recorded by the HPGe-array MINIBALL. The scattered charged particles were detected by a double-sided silicon strip detector in forward direction. Experimental γ-ray intensities were used for the determination of electromagnetic transition matrix elements. Preliminary results for the reduced transition strength of the B(M1 23+ to 21+)=0.35(19) μN2 of 140Nd and a first estimation for 142Sm have been deduced using the Coulomb-excitation calculation software GOSIA. The 23+ states of 140Nd and 142Sm show indications of being the main fragment of the proton-neutron mixed-symmetry 21, ms+ state.
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| 4. |
- Mhlekude, Baxolele, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacological inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins induces an NRF-2-mediated antiviral state that is subverted by SARS-CoV-2 infection
- 2023
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Ingår i: PLoS Pathogens. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7366 .- 1553-7374. ; 19:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins (iBETs), including JQ-1, have been suggested as potential prophylactics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, molecular mechanisms underlying JQ-1-mediated antiviral activity and its susceptibility to viral subversion remain incompletely understood. Pretreatment of cells with iBETs inhibited infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV, but not MERS-CoV. The antiviral activity manifested itself by reduced reporter expression of recombinant viruses, and reduced viral RNA quantities and infectious titers in the culture supernatant. While we confirmed JQ-1-mediated downregulation of expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), multi-omics analysis addressing the chromatin accessibility, transcriptome and proteome uncovered induction of an antiviral nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2)-mediated cytoprotective response as an additional mechanism through which JQ-1 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication. Pharmacological inhibition of NRF-2, and knockdown of NRF-2 and its target genes reduced JQ-1-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication. Serial passaging of SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of JQ-1 resulted in predominance of ORF6-deficient variant, which exhibited resistance to JQ-1 and increased sensitivity to exogenously administered type I interferon (IFN-I), suggesting a minimised need for SARS-CoV-2 ORF6-mediated repression of IFN signalling in the presence of JQ-1. Importantly, JQ-1 exhibited a transient antiviral activity when administered prophylactically in human airway bronchial epithelial cells (hBAECs), which was gradually subverted by SARS-CoV-2, and no antiviral activity when administered therapeutically following an established infection. We propose that JQ-1 exerts pleiotropic effects that collectively induce an antiviral state in the host, which is ultimately nullified by SARS-CoV-2 infection, raising questions about the clinical suitability of the iBETs in the context of COVID-19.
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| 5. |
- Schiele, Miriam A., et al.
(författare)
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Therapygenetic effects of 5-HTTLPR on cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders : A meta-analysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Elsevier. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 44, s. 105-120
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a recurring debate on the role of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in the moderation of response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in anxiety disorders. Results, however, are still inconclusive. We here aim to perform a meta-analysis on the role of 5-HTTLPR in the moderation of CBT outcome in anxiety disorders. We investigated both categorical (symptom reduction of at least 50%) and dimensional outcomes from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Original data were obtained from ten independent samples (including three unpublished samples) with a total of 2,195 patients with primary anxiety disorder. No significant effects of 5-HTTLPR genotype on categorical or dimensional outcomes at post and follow-up were detected. We conclude that current evidence does not support the hypothesis of 5-HTTLPR as a moderator of treatment outcome for CBT in anxiety disorders. Future research should address whether other factors such as long-term changes or epigenetic processes may explain further variance in these complex gene-environment interactions and molecular-genetic pathways that may confer behavioral change following psychotherapy.
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| 6. |
- Thiel Gylling, Anne, et al.
(författare)
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Maintenance of muscle strenght following a one-year resistance training program in older adults
- 2020
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Ingår i: Experimental Gerontology. - : Elsevier. - 0531-5565 .- 1873-6815. ; 139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Muscle mass, strength and function declines with advancing age. Strength training (ST) improves these parameters in older adults, but the gains often disappear after completion of a short-term intervention. The purpose of the present study was to investigate muscle mass, -strength and -function one year after the com-pletion of a successful long-term (12 months) supervised ST program in older adults.Method: Men and women (n = 419, age: 62–70 years) completed one year of supervised heavy resistance training (HRT, n = 143) or moderate intensity resistance training (MIT, n = 144) and were compared to a non- exercising control group (CON, n = 132). At 1-year follow-up, 398 participants returned for measurements of muscle power, -strength and -mass, physical function, body composition, hippocampus volume and physical/ mental well-being. The results were compared to pre-training (baseline) and post-training (1-year) values. Further, the participants from the two previous training groups (HRT + MIT, n = 265) were divided into 1) those who on their own continued the ST program (> 9 months) the year after completion of the supervised ST program (CONTIN, n = 65) and 2) those who stopped during the follow-up year (< 9 months) (STOP, n = 200).Results: Out of all the improvements obtained after the 1-year training intervention, only knee extensor muscle strength in HRT was preserved at 1-year follow-up (p < 0.0001), where muscle strength was 7% higher than baseline. Additionally, the decrease in muscle strength over the second year was lower in CONTIN than in STOP with decreases of 1% and 6%, respectively (p < 0.05). Only in CONTIN was the muscle strength still higher at 1- year follow-up compared with baseline with a 14% increase (p < 0.0001). The heavy strength training induced increase in whole-body lean mass was erased at 1-year follow-up. However, there was a tendency for main-tenance of the cross-sectional area of m. vastus lateralis from baseline to 1-year follow-up in HRT compared with CON (p = 0.06). Waist circumference decreased further over the second year in CONTIN, whereas it increased in STOP (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Even though long-term strength training effectively improved muscle function and other health parameters in older adults, only knee extensor muscle strength was preserved one year after completion of heavy (but not moderate intensity) resistance training. Continuation of strength training resulted in better maintenance of muscle strength and health, which indicates that it is required to continue with physical activity to benefit from the long-term effects of strength training upon muscle function and health in older men and women.
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| 7. |
- Weimann, L., et al.
(författare)
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Carbonaceous matter in ∼ 3.5 Ga black bedded barite from the Dresser Formation (Pilbara Craton, Western Australia) – Insights into organic cycling on the juvenile Earth
- 2024
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Ingår i: Precambrian Research. - : Elsevier. - 0301-9268 .- 1872-7433. ; 403
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carbonaceous matter (CM) in Archean rocks represents a valuable archive for the reconstruction of early life. Here we investigate the nature of CM preserved in ∼ 3.5 Ga old black bedded barites from the Dresser Formation (Pilbara Carton, Western Australia). Using light microscopy and high-resolution Raman mapping, three populations of CM were recognized: (i) CM at the edges of single growth bands of barite crystals (most frequent), (ii) CM within the barite matrix, and (iii) CM in 50–300 µm wide secondary quartz veins that cross-cut the black bedded barite. Raman spectra of CM inside black bedded barite indicated peak metamorphic temperatures of ∼ 350 °C, consistent with those reached during the main metamorphic event in the area ∼ 3.3 Ga ago. By contrast, CM in quartz veins yielded much lower temperatures of ∼ 220 °C, suggesting that quartz-vein associated CM entered the barite after 3.3 Ga. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed a highly aromatic nature of the CM with a lower aliphatic content, which is in line with the relatively elevated thermal maturity. Catalytic hydropyrolysis (HyPy) did not yield any hydrocarbons detectable with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) based δ13C values of individual CM particles ranged from − 33.4 ± 1.2 ‰ to − 16.5 ± 0.6 ‰ and are thus in accordance with a biogenic origin, which is also consistent with stromatolitic microbialites associated with the black bedded barite. Based on these results we conclude that CM at growth bands and inside the barite matrix is syngenetic and only the CM inside quartz veins, which represents a minor portion of the total CM, is a later addition to the system. Furthermore, we discuss different pathways for the input of CM into the barite-forming environment, including the cycling of biological organic material within the hydrothermal system.
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| 8. |
- Weimann, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Insights Into Carbonaceous Matter in ∼3.5 Ga Hydrothermal Barites from the Dresser Formation (Pilbara Craton, Australia)
- 2023
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Ingår i: IMOG 2023.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The emergence of life on the juvenile Earth is still poorly understood and remains one of the major questions in geobiological research. Some of our planet´s most ancient rocks contain carbonaceous matter (CM) that may represent a valuable archive to trace earliest life.However, it is often difficult to prove the origin and syngeneity of such CM. Here we report on CM preserved in ∼3.5 Ga old barites from the Dresser Formation (Pilbara Carton, Western Australia). On outcrop scale, spatial associations between bedded and vein-hosted barites suggest that the bedded barite may have formed from hydrothermal fluids discharging into subaquatic caldera environments [1]. Bedded barites associated with stromatolites contain abundant CM (total organic carbon = 0.3 wt% [2]) whose nature has been investigated further. Three populations of CM were recognized by means of light microscopy and high-resolution Raman mapping: (i) CM flakes at the edges of single growth bands of barite crystals, (ii) CM dispersed within barite crystals, and (iii) CM in 50–300 µm wide secondary quartz veins that cross-cut barite crystals. Raman spectra of the CM indicate peak metamorphic temperatures of approximately 300 ± 50 °C, corresponding to lower greenschist-facies conditions which are consistent with the metamorphic overprint by granitic intrusions in the area ∼3.3 Ga ago [3]. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements revealed a highly aromatic nature of the CM which is in line with relatively high thermal maturity. As all three CM populations experienced the major metamorphic overprint ∼3.3 Ga ago, a syngenetic formation of the CM with the host barite can be assumed or, in case of the vein-hosted secondary CM, an emplacement soon after barite growth.
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