| 1. |
- Banijamali, Mahsan, et al.
(författare)
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Characterizing single extracellular vesicles by droplet barcode sequencing for protein analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. - : Wiley. - 2001-3078. ; 11:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have in recent years evolved as a source of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and therapeutic follow up. sEV samples derived from multicellular organisms exhibit a high heterogeneous repertoire of vesicles which current methods based on ensemble measurements cannot capture. In this work we present droplet barcode sequencing for protein analysis (DBS-Pro) to profile surface proteins on individual sEVs, facilitating identification of sEV-subtypes within and between samples. The method allows for analysis of multiple proteins through use of DNA barcoded affinity reagents and sequencing as readout. High throughput single vesicle profiling is enabled through compartmentalization of individual sEVs in emulsion droplets followed by droplet barcoding through PCR. In this proof-of-concept study we demonstrate that DBS-Pro allows for analysis of single sEVs, with a mixing rate below 2%. A total of over 120,000 individual sEVs obtained from a NSCLC cell line and from malignant pleural effusion (MPE) fluid of NSCLC patients have been analyzed based on their surface proteins. We also show that the method enables single vesicle surface protein profiling and by extension characterization of sEV-subtypes, which is essential to identify the cellular origin of vesicles in heterogenous samples.
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| 2. |
- Ekman, Björn, et al.
(författare)
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Cost analysis of informal care : estimates from a national cross-sectional survey in Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Health Services Research. - : BioMed Central. - 1472-6963. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundOver the past decades, informal care has increased in most OECD-countries. Informal care is costly to caregivers and to society in the form of lost income and direct costs of providing care. Existing evidence suggests that providing informal care affects caregivers' overall health. However, estimates of the social costs of informal care based on national data on individuals are currently scarce.ObjectiveThis study contributes to the existing evidence on the costs of informal care by estimating the direct and indirect costs to caregivers using a purposive national household survey from Sweden.MethodsAdopting a bottom-up, prevalence approach, the direct and indirect costs are estimated using the survey data and the value of working time and leisure time from existing sources.ResultsThe results suggest that around 15% of the adult population of Sweden provide informal care and that such care costs around SEK 152 billion per year (around 3% of GDP; USD 16,3 billion; EUR 14,5 billion), or SEK 128000 per caregiver. Around 55% of costs are in the form of income loss to caregivers. The largest cost items are reduced work hours and direct costs of providing informal care. Replacing informal caregivers with professional care providers would be costly at around SEK 193,6 billion per year.ConclusionsFindings indicate that, even in a country with a relatively generous welfare system, significant resources are allocated toward providing informal care. The costing analysis suggests that effective support initiatives to ease the burden of informal caregivers may be cost-effective.
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| 3. |
- Ekman, Elizabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Do athletes have more of a cognitive profile with ADHD criteria than non-athletes?
- 2021
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Ingår i: Sports. - : MDPI. - 2075-4663. ; 9:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current study investigates the possibility that athletes have more parallel ADHD symptoms than non-athletes. High-level youth sport athletes were compared with non-athletes in leisure time (i.e., sport) and in the school in ADHD symptoms. Athletes and students were evaluated by a trained psychotherapist using Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) on activities at school and during activities in leisure/sports time. They also filled in the Autism Spectrum Questionnaire (AQ) as a self-report assessment. Results showed significant differences in ASRS-scores for athletes in school and in their sport, with high scores in school and low scores in sport. No differences were found in AQ between the groups. The findings indicate that many athletes might display a cognitive profile of parallel of ADHD criteria. Future research needs to further investigate potential benefits of the cognitive profile in athletes and how they handle different contexts including sport and school settings.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Ekman, Elizabeth
(författare)
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Strengths and Weaknesses of the Cognitive Profiles of Autism and ADHD from a Cognitive Behavioral Perspective : Treatment, Prevention and the Understanding of the Comorbidity
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of the present research was to increase the understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a cognitive behavioral perspective. The investigation was made to examine the effect of modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) using visualization. Basing our research on Salkovskis’ cognitive model of OCD, the aim was to investigate whether obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in individuals with ASD differs from OCD in patients with OCD alone, and to identify cognitive differences between individuals with a combination of ASD and OCD and a non-clinical control group. Further, to investigate the possibility that the criteria for ADHD, as given on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), are overrepresented in sports athletes compared to non-athletes, and that these criteria may be an advantage for athletes’ achievement rather than causing problems for these individuals. In Study I, therapy was given with modified CBT including visualization. Results showed that modified CBT, resulted in significant reduction in anxiety levels, and behavioral changes in the target behaviors.In Study II, three groups, individuals with ASD and OCD, individuals with only OCD, and non-clinical controls, were compared. Results showed a significant difference between participants with both ASD and OCD and participants with OCD only.In Study III, the interest was to examining whether athletes, compared to non-athletes, have more ADHD-like symptoms in the two settings i.e. in school and leisure time/ sport activity and whether the cognitive profile that includes these criteria could be of advantage to their sport performance. The results showed significant differences between the groups and within the athlete’s group, in school and in leisure time/the sports activity, concerning ASRS scores.One general conclusion from these investigations is that the cognitive profiles of ASD and ADHD need to be recognized and taken into consideration early in the daily life both at home and in school, to reduce the risk of comorbidity.
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| 6. |
- Ekman, Elizabeth, et al.
(författare)
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The Cognitive Profile of Persons with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 2018
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Ingår i: Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health. - Sharjah, U.A.E. : Bentham Open. - 1745-0179. ; 14, s. 304-311
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often comorbid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). But to what extent can obsessional symptoms in individuals with ASD be considered “genuinely” comorbid OCD – or are there other mechanisms that are related to ASD? Which mechanisms in OCD with and without ASD share common features? People with ASD have a cognitive profile characterized by “mindblindness”; the antecedent is often referred to in terms of not knowing how to perform or behave and this is the cause of discomfort. This raises the question whether individuals with ASD and comorbid OCD share the same cognitive elements of responsibility interpretation and the same fear of causing harm as individuals who merely have OCD.Objective: The aim of the present study is therefore to evaluate the extent of responsibility interpretation in individuals with OCD alone compared with people experiencing OCD in the context of ASD.Methods: Two instruments, the Responsibility Attitude Scale (RAS) and the Responsibility Interpretations Questionnaire (RIQ), were administered to three groups of participants: (i) individuals diagnosed with OCD (n = 32); (ii) individuals with ASD and OCD (n = 19); and (iii) non-clinical control participants (n = 23).Results: Results indicate significant differences in all measures of responsibility belief (interpretation of obsession and assumption of responsibility) between the OCD-only group and the two other groups.Conclusion: The conclusion is that OCD in people with ASD is not as “genuine” as in people with only OCD, according to cognitive behavioral theory of OCD.
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| 7. |
- Falk Johansson, Marcus, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of spouse and non-spouse carers of people with dementia : a descriptive analysis of Swedish national survey data
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318 .- 1471-2318. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundBeing an informal carer of a person with dementia (PwD) can have a negative effect on the carer's health and quality of life, and spouse carers have been found to be especially vulnerable. Yet relatively little is known about the care provided and support received by spouse carers. This study compares spouse carers to other informal carers of PwDs regarding their care provision, the support received and the psychosocial impact of care.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of a stratified random sample of the Swedish population aged 18 or over. The questionnaire explored how much care the respondent provided, the support received, and the psychosocial impact of providing care. Of 30,009 people sampled, 11,168 (37.7%) responded, of whom 330 (2.95%) were informal carers of a PwD.ResultsIn comparison to non-spouse carers, spouse carers provided more care more frequently, did so with less support from family or the local authority, while more frequently experiencing negative impacts on their social life and psychological and physical health. Spouse carers also received more carer support and more frequently experienced a closeness in their relationship with the care-recipient.ConclusionsSpouse carers of PwD differed from non-spouse carers on virtually all aspects of their care situation. Policy and practice must be more sensitive to how the carer-care-recipient relationship shapes the experience of care, so that support is based on an understanding of the individual carer's actual needs and preferences rather than on preconceptions drawn from a generalised support model.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Stiller, Christiane, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Tumor-Associated Membrane Receptors on Extracellular Vesicles from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients via Immuno-PCR
- 2021
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Ingår i: Cancers. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6694. ; 13:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple Summary Lung cancer is often detected at late stages when metastases are present and the genomic make-ups of the tumors are heterogeneous. Analyses of genomic alterations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have revealed mutated tumor-associated membrane receptors and fusion proteins, which can be targeted via tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). TKIs initially often have a good effect, but a fraction of the tumor lesions may develop resistance through additional mutations in the targeted kinases or by increased expression/function of other membrane receptors. Detection of TKI-bypassing mechanisms is difficult in tissue biopsies as these analyze only a subpart of tumors or lesions. Liquid biopsies based on tumor-secreted small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) into body fluids can assess tumor heterogeneity. We present an immuno-PCR method for the detection of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) on sEVs. Initial investigations of sEVs from EGFR-mutant NSCLC tumor cells or pleural effusion (PE) fluid from patients with NSCLC or benign diseases showed different protein profiles for individual sEV samples. Further development of the immuno-PCR could complement DNA/mRNA-based assays detecting kinase mutations to allow longitudinal treatment monitoring of diverse TKI-bypassing mechanisms. Precision cancer medicine for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has increased patient survival. Nevertheless, targeted agents towards tumor-associated membrane receptors only result in partial remission for a limited time, calling for approaches which allow longitudinal treatment monitoring. Rebiopsy of tumors in the lung is challenging, and metastatic lesions may have heterogeneous signaling. One way ahead is to use liquid biopsies such as circulating tumor DNA or small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by the tumor into blood or other body fluids. Herein, an immuno-PCR-based detection of the tumor-associated membrane receptors EGFR, HER2, and IGF-1R on CD9-positive sEVs from NSCLC cells and pleural effusion fluid (PE) of NSCLC patients is developed utilizing DNA conjugates of antibody mimetics and affibodies, as detection agents. Results on sEVs purified from culture media of NSCLC cells treated with anti-EGFR siRNA, showed that the reduction of EGFR expression can be detected via immuno-PCR. Protein profiling of sEVs from NSCLC patient PE samples revealed the capacity to monitor EGFR, HER2, and IGF-1R with the immuno-PCR method. We detected a significantly higher EGFR level in sEVs derived from a PE sample of a patient with an EGFR-driven NSCLC adenocarcinoma than in sEVs from PE samples of non-EGFR driven adenocarcinoma patients or in samples from patients with benign lung disease. In summary, we have developed a diagnostic method for sEVs in liquid biopsies of cancer patients which may be used for longitudinal treatment monitoring to detect emerging bypassing resistance mechanisms in a noninvasive way.
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| 10. |
- Vicente, Joana, et al.
(författare)
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Informal care provision among male and female working carers : Findings from a Swedish national survey
- 2022
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 17:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IntroductionInformal carers in paid employment–working carers (WKCs)—have complex support needs. However, little is known about WKCs’ pattern of informal care provision, the support they receive, the impact providing care has on their employment, and how these vary between male and female WKCs. This study describes the pattern of informal care provision and received support among Swedish WKCs.Research method/DesignThe study was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of a stratified random sample of the Swedish population aged 18 or over. The questionnaire addressed the type and extent of informal care provided, support received and the impact of care provision on employment. Of the 30,009 people who received the questionnaire, 11,168 (37.3%) responded, providing an analytic sample of 818 (7.32% of respondents) employed or self-employed informal carers.FindingsA typical Swedish WKC was a middle-aged female, providing weekly or daily care to a non-cohabitant parent, who experiences care as sometimes demanding and receives no formal support as a carer. Female WKCs were more likely than males to care alone and with higher intensity, to report a need for help in meeting their care-recipient’s needs, and to experience care as demanding. Approximately 17% of WKCs reported their employment had been affected due to caring, 40% their ability to work, and 31% their career development opportunities. Female WKCs’ ability to work was affected more than males’, and they were more commonly prevented from applying for work.ConclusionSwedish female WKCs compared to males provide more hours of informal care, across more care domains, more often alone. This places them in a challenging situation when combining paid work and care. Greater recognition of the challenges faced by WKCs is required in Sweden and other countries, as are policies to reduce gender inequalities in informal care provision in this group.
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